Golf carts are a convenient, fun, and affordable way to get around, whether it’s on a golf course or through your town. While it’s common knowledge that a golf cart is slower than a car or a motorbike, not many people know exactly how much speed golf carts can provide.
This brings us to today’s question: how fast can a golf cart go?
A typical golf cart without any upgrades or modifications offers an average speed of between 10 to 14 mph, which is more than enough for its intended use on a golf course. However, if you convert your golf cart into a low-speed vehicle for use on public roads, the average speed of a modified golf cart ranges between 20 to 25 mph.
The speed of a golf cart depends on its motor type, model, and usability. Keep reading to find out how fast a golf cart can go in different situations and how you can boost your golf cart’s speed.
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How Fast Does a Golf Cart Go?
The speed that a golf cart can deliver depends on various factors, including the type of its motor, its models, and its usability.
The latter refers to how and where you plan on using the golf cart. Generally speaking, people buy golf carts to either drive them around the golf courses or take them on public roads in their area.
On a Golf Course
When operating a golf cart on a golf course, the maximum speed it can go is typically between 12 and 15 mph. This is regardless of whether the motor runs on gas or is powered by an electric battery.
On golf courses, going fast isn’t a concern. You don’t need to worry about speed limits or other vehicles around you.
In fact, hauling items is probably what you need most out of a golf cart on a golf course. In this case, you should focus on the vehicle’s torque rather than its speed.
On a Road
If you take your unmodified golf cart on the road, it’d offer you the same speed as it did on a golf course — between 12 and 15 mph. However, such speed isn’t convenient or safe for driving on public streets.
You’d need more speed on roads to cover more distance in less time and you’d also need more speed to feel comfortable driving around faster cars and vehicles. As such, you’re allowed to drive on public roads only after modifying your golf cart so it can go faster.
Using alterations such as more powerful motors and speed chips, a typical golf cart can reach a speed of up to 20 to 25 mph. Some golf carts can even reach 30 mph with more adjustments such as larger tires.
This works out well because, in most states and areas where modified golf carts are allowed on public roads, they’re restricted to streets with a speed limit of 35 mph.
How Fast Do Electric Golf Carts Go?
Electric golf carts are equipped with motors that run on electric batteries. As such, their maximum speeds vary depending on the voltage of their batteries.
Electric golf carts are the most popular type of golf cart. On average, they can go as fast as 15 up to 25 mph.
How Fast Will a 36V Golf Cart Go?
A typical electric golf cart that features a 36V battery can reach a speed range between 10 and 12 mph. This is ideal for moving around a golf course or driving around the neighborhood.
How Fast Will a 48V Golf Cart Go?
A typical electric golf cart that features a 48V battery offers a speed range between 20 to 25 mph. This is ideal if you’re looking for more speed on the golf course or planning on taking the vehicle on public roads.
How Fast Do Gas Golf Carts Go?
Gas golf carts are equipped with gas-powered engines. These are typically more powerful than electric motors and provide better performance and versatility.
When it comes to speed, the average speed range of a gas golf cart is between 15 and 25 mph.
Which Is Faster, a Gas or an Electric Golf Cart?
To answer this question accurately, you must specify the model of the gas golf cart and the electric golf cart.
You see, one model of a gas golf cart can offer a top speed of 16 mph, while a 48V golf cart can go as fast as 20 mph. In this case, the electric golf cart would win.
However, if we compare a gas golf cart that reaches a speed of 23 mph with a 36V electric golf cart with a maximum speed of 15 mph, it’s clear that the gas golf cart is superior.
What’s the Fastest a Golf Cart Can Go?
According to Guinness World Records, the fastest golf cart reached a speed of 118.76 mph driven by Robby Steen. This happened on 31 October 2014 in Hartsville, South Carolina, USA.
How to Make Your Golf Cart Go Faster
Here are a few tips to help you boost the speed of your golf cart:
- Swap your current engine with one packing more RPM.
- Try a higher-voltage battery.
- Adjust the gear ratio to a minimum of 8:1 instead of the typical 12.5:1.
- Remove the speed governor.
- Install larger tires to cover more ground with each spin.
- Make sure your golf cart is free of clutter to support a lightweight ride.
- Make sure the undercarriage doesn’t have a build-up of gravel, mud, pebbles, and so on.
Wrap Up
So, how fast can a golf cart go? The average speed of a typical golf cart without any upgrades or modifications ranges from 10 to 14 mph, which is more than enough for getting around on a golf course.
That said, if you convert your golf cart into a low-speed vehicle so you can drive it on public roads, the average speed of a modified golf cart is between 20 and 25 mph.
