How Fast Can a Golf Cart Go?
Posted by Alex Sturwold on Jul 29, 2024
- Quick answer: 1-minute (first two paragraphs)
- Estimated total read time: 5 minutes
- Summary:
- Find out both the average and top speeds of golf carts
- Learn what affects golf cart speed for your cart (motor size, wheels and tires, weight, etc.)
- Find out how to increase your golf cart's top speed
How Fast Do Golf Carts Go?
Golf carts aren't just for the golf course anymore. With their expanding use in towns, around the neighborhood, and on large properties and commercial venues, understanding how fast these incredibly useful lifestyle vehicles can go is often a question we get from our customers. So, how fast does a golf cart go? First we'll hit the averages for all carts in general (quick answer in the table below), and then we'll show you golf cart top speed by Brand and Model in the tables at the end of the page.
Average Golf Cart Speeds
In the year 2024, the typical speed range for most standard golf carts is between 15-18 mph. This has held true since the introduction of golf carts in the 1950s/60s. However, this can vary slightly depending on whether the cart is electric or gas-powered and the cart's power level.
| Type of Golf Cart | Average Speed (mph) |
|---|---|
| Electric | 15-25 mph |
| - 72-Volt Golf Cart Top Speed | 20-25 mph |
| - 48-Volt Golf Cart Top Speed | 17-21 mph |
| - 36-Volt Golf Cart Top Speed | 15-18 mph |
| Gas | 15-25 mph |
Golf Cart Top Speed
While the average speeds are suitable for most golf course and community uses, some golf cart owners are interested in maximizing their golf cart top speed. With an upgraded golf cart speed controller or gas engine modifications, golf carts can reach impressive max speeds.
| Type of Golf Cart | Modified Top Speed (mph) |
|---|---|
| Electric | 35-40 mph |
| Gas | 35+ mph |
| Hayabusa Swapped | 100+ mph |
Factors Affecting Golf Cart Speed
Several factors influence how fast a golf cart can go. Here are the key elements to consider:
- Battery Voltage: Higher voltage usually means higher top speed and more torque for electric carts.
- Engine Size: Larger engines in gas carts provide higher top speeds, but most are governed for safety.
- Tire Size: Larger golf cart tires can increase the top speed.
- Weight: The weight of the cart (especially batteries) and its passengers can affect speed.
Increasing Your Golf Cart's Speed
If you're looking to push your golf cart max speed beyond the average, there are several modifications you can make. Here’s how to boost golf cart speed:
- Upgrade the Motor: Install a more powerful golf cart motor controller combo in your electric cart.
- Change the Gear Ratio: In a Gas golf cart, adjusting the gear ratio can help increase speed.
- Install a Speed Chip or Controller: Electric carts can benefit from these chips to control and enhance speed.
- Upgrade to Radial Tires: Steel belted radial golf cart tires are designed to support higher speeds, increasing your cart's top speed by 1-2mph.
- Reduce Weight: Removing unnecessary accessories or upgrading to lithium golf cart batteries can significantly increase speed (by shaving hundreds of pounds off your cart).
Safety Considerations
While chasing after the golf buggy speed record can be thrilling, it's important to consider safety if you plan to increase your cart's top speed. So if you plan to push the limits, we highly recommend the following:
- Wear Seatbelts: If your cart is equipped with them, always buckle up. If your cart doesn't have seatbelts, add them. They are very easy to install and don't cost much.
- Install Proper Brakes: Ensure your cart has brakes that can handle higher speeds. Many newer model carts come with 4-wheel disc brakes. We highly recommend golf cart disc brakes if you upgrade the speed of your cart.
- Get a Roll Cage: For those truly crazy ones, when swapping an ATV motor or Motorcycle engine into your golf cart it means you will absolutely want to add a roll cage and racing harnesses to your cart to keep you safe.
- Check Local Laws: Be aware of speed limits and regulations in your area. Some towns don't allow golf carts to travel at speeds higher than 25mph.
- Drive Responsibly: Avoid quick turns or jerks in your cart at speed. Golf carts are relatively easy to throw off-balance and flip.
One Note on Golf Cart Tire Speed Rating
So, how fast can golf carts go? You now know that 15-18 mph is standard, and that modifications can boost speeds up to 25 mph or more. Which is why customers sometimes ask us "does golf cart tire speed rating matter for my cart"? The short answer is, not really.
For most golf carts, speed and load ratings are less critical than for cars, but they can be useful for high-performance carts. When selecting new tires, look at the entire picture, including speed/load ratings, primary terrain use-type, and tread design and whether your golf cart tires are bias ply vs. radial tires. If you plan to go over 25mph, we do suggest using a radial tire for smoothness, their ability to hold true shape under load (heat and speed), and for their longevity.
If you have any questions before adding new golf cart wheels and tires or any golf cart accessories to increase your cart's speed, please give us a call at 1-844-422-7884 or email us at info@golfcarttiresupply.com
Thanks for reading!
