How to Choose the Right Golf Cart Enclosure or Golf Cart Cover
When it comes to golf cart covers you have quite a few options on how to best set up your cart depending on the type of weather you regularly ride in, temperatures where you live, and other factors regarding the conditions in which you operate your cart. But before we dive deeper into how to choose the best cover for your needs, we must quickly explain the difference between golf cart covers and golf cart enclosures. Because half our customers get the two mixed up!
Golf Cart Covers vs. Golf Cart Enclosures
- Golf cart enclosure: DRIVEABLE cover that you use to protect you and your riders from the elements while operating your cart.
- Golf cart cover: STORAGE cover used to protect your cart from the sun, rain, and elements when it is parked outside or put into storage.
Okay, now that we have that covered (pun intended), let’s explore what it takes to choose the right enclosure or cover for your cart and your needs. What sets different covers apart? How come some enclosures are extremely expensive, and others are relatively cheap? Allow us to answer that below.
Golf Cart Enclosure Types
Back in the “old days”, things were simple. Most enclosures were the classic ‘over the top’ style enclosure and were offered in just a couple colors (white or tan). These enclosures worked decently, but were often made of simple materials, such as raw canvas or nylon, that weren’t built to protect from UV fading, moisture or other issues the weather caused. Even though they weren't great, these enclosures were about your only option to avoid getting blasted by a cold blustery breeze or wet and rainy conditions while riding your cart.
Flash forward to modern times and over-the-top style golf cart enclosures are still popular, but they are just one option out there. Both Track-Style and Hinged enclosures have also hit the market over the past decade, meaning enclosure types offered today include:
- Over-the-Top Enclosures (classic): Affordable, weatherproof covers made from durable materials (Vinyl or Sunbrella Canvas) that fit all carts and are easy to install with no-drill options.
- Hinged Golf Cart Enclosures: Premium option with latching doors for convenience, enhanced comfort, and a more enclosed vehicle-like experience.
- Track-Style Enclosures: High-end, customizable covers with a modular design, allowing easy fabric replacement and tailored to fit various cart configurations.
- Portable Enclosures: Fast and easy economy style enclosure. Simply throw over the top of the cart, secure the four corners and you're all set. While regular over-the-top enclosures use your existing windshield, Portable Enclosures have clear-vinyl integrated windscreen (not as nice as reusing your windshield on a 3-Sided OTT enclosure)
All of these enclosure styles now come in multiple colors and far superior modern materials than what they used to pre-2010. Marine-grade vinyl is now the norm when it comes to enclosure material (which lasts twice as long as old canvas enclosures) and issues of seepage and fading are long gone! But what separates the different styles and price points of the covers available on the market? Read on to find out.
Over-The-Top Golf Cart Enclosures
The basic "over the top" golf cart enclosure is "the affordable option" designed to fit all golf cart makes and models (universal) and simply goes over the top of your cart, as the name implies. Once in place, the cover fastens up around your golf cart’s windshield seams giving you a weather proof seal for the cabin of your cart. These basic enclosures can work with or without a rear facing seat or utility box. The are typically made of Durable Vinyl or Sunbrella brand Canvas material and are offered in 3-Sided or 4-sided formats:
- 3-Sided Golf Cart Enclosure: Over-the-top style enclosure that covers both sides, and the rear end of your cart.
- 4-Sided Enclosure: Over-the-top style enclosure that covers both sides, the rear end, and the front end of your cart.
Wrap vs. Snap Over-the-Top Enclosure
Basic drivable 3-sided and 4-sided golf cart covers are easy to install and can stay on year-round. Depending on the brand of Over-The-Top enclosure you choose, there are two methods of installation. The first is the “no drill” WRAP option. The second method of installation is the SNAP option:
- Wrap option: With the no drill option, you will install your new golf cart enclosure with front rubber fasteners that fix to your cart's front roof supports (around your windshield)
- Snap option: This installation method will have you screw a set of metal snaps (male side) into your roof support posts, allowing you to snap your enclosure into place using the other (female) side of the snaps fixed to your covers.
Both installation methods work perfectly fine. And no matter which method of installation you choose, Over-The-Top enclosures feature doors that are easy to roll up, providing a nice breeze for passengers on those hot summer days.
Golf Cart Enclosures with Doors (Hinged) – More Functional, But More Expensive
If you’re looking to get the most function and the highest quality enclosure for your cart, you should look to hinged-style golf cart covers with doors. The most expensive and highest functioning golf cart enclosures will include hinged doors that can be latched open or closed (even while you’re driving).
Having doors on your enclosure speeds up the amount of time it takes you and your passengers to get in and out of your golf cart when compared to basic zipper style enclosures. This is a wonderful feature on those cold days where you get in and out of your golf cart multiple times over. Best of all the doors can easily be removed when not needed, to provide a nice breeze while riding. Made with similar soft materials, but with a hard skeleton structure that gives these enclosures a more ridged design, making your cart feel more like a real enclosed vehicle.
Track Style Golf Cart Enclosures
Track-Style enclosures are a modular design that use a pre-drilled awning track or rail system, typically installed around the roofline of your golf cart. The enclosure material slides along these tracks, providing a snug weatherproof fit. These enclosures usually have three main fabric pieces (2 Sides, and 1 Rear) that slide onto the pre-drilled awning track.
Track-Style enclosures are more expensive than basic over-the-top enclosures, but not quite as costly as hinged style enclosures. One great benefit of these track-style enclosures is that they offer you the ability to change colors without ordering an entire new cover for your cart. Simply order new fabric pieces and swap out with your current fabric reusing your existing track system.
Comparison of Golf Cart Enclosure Types
| Feature | Track-Style Enclosures | Hinged-Style Enclosures | Over-The-Top Style Enclosures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Flexible vinyl or canvas | Rigid acrylic or polycarbonate | Flexible vinyl or canvas |
| Operation | Slides along tracks | Hinged, swings open/closed | Zips, snaps, or ties over the cart |
| Installation | Semi-permanent | Permanent, often requires tools | Temporary, drapes over cart |
| Cost | Affordable | Higher cost | Most affordable |
| Weatherproofing | Very good | Superior | Good, but less secure |
| Ease of Use | Moderate (requires sliding) | Excellent (simple door use) | Easy to install/remove, but less convenient access |
| Durability | Long-lasting | Extremely durable | Less durable, designed for short-term use |
Golf Cart Covers (Rain Covers & Storage Covers)
As we said at the start of this article, when most people search for golf cart covers, they are typically looking for a golf cart enclosure – and not a storage cover / golf cart rain cover. But many of our customers who store their golf carts outside, or just can't fit them into their garage, definitely need a good storage golf cart cover to protect their cart!
The last thing you want is to have your golf cart unnecessarily and/or expensively damaged by the elements while it is not being used. Spending a hundred dollars or less on a golf cart storage cover will save you tons of money in the long run and give you peace of mind. Golf cart covers are great at protecting your cart in the following ways:
- Protect Your Plastics: When you use a golf cart cover, your cart won't end up getting a faded plastic body from sun damage over time
- Shield Your Buttons: The electric powered switch buttons on your cart, such as your forward and reverse switch, are all plastic and can get damaged by continuous sun exposure or water exposure.
- Save Your Seat Cushions: Seat cushions are the foam part of your seat, and can be prone to mildew and other damage when left exposed to the elements.
- Protect Your Seat Covers: Your golf cart seat covers are what wraps around your seat cushions. They are usually made of vinyl and will definitely fade and crack over time with constant sun exposure.
Who Should Use a Golf Cart Cover?
We recommend storage covers to all our customers, because they are cheap and functional (especially compared to the cost of all your nice accessories). Most golf cart covers are universal fit, and will fit all cart makes and models. You will just need to choose the proper cover size depending on if you need a cover for a 2-passenger, 4-passenger, or 6-passenger golf cart and also note whether your golf cart is Lifted or Non-Lifted. Lifted golf carts require a cover with a bit more material in order to ensure coverage of your entire cart down to the ground.
How do Golf Cart Covers Work?
Whether Lifted or Non-Lifted, most golf cart storage covers go right over the top of your cart and have easy to use zippers and a drawstring on the bottom to help to secure tight placement and ensure moisture protection. Most covers are UV resistant, to keep your golf cart cool no matter how strong the sun-exposure is for your cart (yes… Arizona and Florida included).
Choosing The Enclosure That's Right For You
Now that you have a good understanding of all the different options when it comes to golf cart covers and golf cart enclosures, it’s time to protect your passengers and your cart today! Browse our full selection of golf cart enclosures and golf cart covers, or give us a call if you have any questions at all at 1-844-422-7884!
Updated: 12-11-2024 | Read Time: 6-mins
