Thinking of buy a new golf cart? Or maybe you’re considering used golf carts? Today’s guide will outline the important things to consider when buying a golf cart.
We’ve broken it down into sections:
- How to Buy a Used Golf Cart
- How to Buy a New Golf Cart
- Pro’s & Cons of Electric Golf Carts
- Pro’s and Cons of Gas Golf Carts
- Features to Consider in Buying a Golf Cart
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Resource: Use this Practice System – Foy Golf Academy Practice Plans
Should you buy new or used?
Buying a golf cart is a difficult task. It even becomes more challenging if you have to decide whether to buy a new or a used golf cart.
Whatever the case, you should first put in mind that you’re going to spend your hard earned money. It doesn’t matter the amount; the money should give you good value.
To get that value, you have to answer several questions, take a lot of time to do your research, and consider many options.
Both new and used/refurbished golf carts are great; what differ here are the needs and personal preferences.
Why Buy a Used Golf Cart + How To
Lower price but same quality and use
You will save a lot of money if you decide to buy a used golf cart as opposed to a new golf cart. Used golf carts’ prices start as low as $1,500 which is more affordable.
Not to forget that you can spend that lesser amount of money and still get a great cart that can serve you even more than a new one could have.
You can also get a well-refurbished cart that has been given a new look and superb functionality. The accessories for a used golf cart are also cheap and as good as new.
Check its history
Some golf carts have been used for a long time but still, give a good performance.
However, before you settle for any, you should ensure you do a thorough inspection to know whether the cart was well maintained by its previous owner.
You can go with an experienced cart inspector to help with the inspection just to ensure everything is in order.
Due to the fact that you will not get warranties for used carts, you should ask as many questions as you can and take it for a test drive to find out any hidden problems like noise, leaks, battery issues, etc.
How to buy a new golf cart?
Warranty:
New golf carts come with a warranty from either the manufacturer or the dealer. Should anything go wrong with the cart within the warranty period, you can go back and complain to get a work done free of charge or a replacement cart.
Customization:
Buying a new golf cart allows you to shop for all the accessories you want in your custom golf cart and it brings peace of mind that the necessary parts and everything assembled is brand new. This should hopefully give a longer life of use before repairs are needed.
Get a good deal on price:
New golf carts are much more expensive than the used golf carts. This, however, doesn’t mean you should overpay for a new golf cart.
Always ensure you get the best deal in the market. Do your research and compare prices and quality before settling for one.
If you’re buying a new golf cart from a dealer, you may also try negotiating on the price to see if you can make a sale happen at a lower price. The dealer may be happy to make a sale even if it means coming down in price to appease you.
You should expect to spend about $7,000 to $10,000 on new golf carts to get all the performance features that you admire.
Should I buy electric golf carts or gas golf carts?
This is another question that lingers in the mind of many golfers when they want to buy a cart. A simple answer to this question is that neither is better than the other.
The decision to buy electric or gas golf cart narrows down to personal preferences.
Some people think that electric carts require more maintenance cost since they have very expensive batteries. This is not true. They are essentially the same when it comes to maintenance and operational costs.
The only difference is that with gas carts, you will have to incur oil changes, fuel, belts filters while the electric ones will require you to change the battery after a couple of years.
Pros of electric golf carts
- Electric golf carts require very minimal maintenance hence very convenient
- They don’t produce noise
- They emit no carbon hence environmentally friendly
Cons of electric golf carts
- Electric golf carts can run out of power unexpectedly. The time you’ll use to charge it is also very inconveniencing
- They do not produce enough speed/power on rough terrain
Pros of Gas Golf Carts
- Gas golf carts have more power and speed due to their good pulling power.
- Refilling the gas is also very easy hence no charging time
- Gas carts are allowed to drive on roads due to their faster speeds and power
Cons of gas golf carts
- Gas golf carts require more maintenance since you have to change tune up’s, filters, etc.
- They are also noisy
- The fuel used in gas carts pollutes the environment hence making these carts not eco-friendly.
Resource: Use this Practice System – Foy Golf Academy Practice Plans
Features to look for in golf cart
It doesn’t matter whether you’re buying a new or refurbished golf cart; whether it’s electric or gas. There are some features which should not lack in a golf cart.
Here are some of the features you should look for.
Safety features
You should always think about your safety and that of your loved ones when buying a golf cart.
Things like seat belts, brakes, windshields, etc. should be present and functioning well. You’ll also need roll bars to safeguard the passengers, canopies, headlights, speed restrictions, among others.
Accessories
It always feels good to be able to personalize your golf cart to your liking. You can only do this if your golf cart comes with the accessories that are required.
Things like tires, seat belts, entertainment features, air conditioning, real leather seats, golf GPS, heating elements, etc. are some of the accessories that you should look for and choose according to your tastes and needs.
Don’t forget rain covers you can let down on a rainy day to stay dry!
Battery condition
When buying used golf carts or even new ones, it is important to consider the lifespan of the battery.
Golf cart batteries are quite expensive, and you’ll not want to find a bad one. Ensure you check the battery condition.
See if they are corroded or bulging. Go for batteries that are free from any corrosion, grime, dirt, or bulging.
It doesn’t matter whether they are new or not; they just have to look fine.
If you’re buying new ones, check the manufacturer’s warranty. Also, ensure you get the best brands to ensure quality.
How many people can it accommodate?
This is also a very important factor to consider when buying a golf cart. The most common models are two-seater carts, but there are others that carry 4 to 6 people.
If you’re a large family or a group of buddies, you can opt for the models that carry 4 to 6 people depending on your needs.
Does it meet your golf course requirements?
Lastly, if you’re buying a golf cart to use on a private golf course, check with the clubhouse for their rules and regulations regarding golf carts to ensure you don’t spend money on a golf cart that fails to meet their standards.
Some golf courses have specific colors they force members to have when using your own personal golf cart. Some course might outlaw gas powered and only allow electric.
Be aware of the rules before spending the money!