Quick Guide to Buying Your First Golf Cart

Image by Christopher Strolia-Davis from Pixabay

Buying your first golf cart can seem like an insurmountable task. There is so much to consider and since you’ve never owned or even driven one before, you just don’t know what features to look for. Since you don’t have the slightest clue how to go about shopping for a golf cart, this quick guide should give you the main points to think about.

Need Is Your First Priority

In order to help you choose a golf cart, you first need to be realistic about why you need or want one. You might look at websites like this to give you an idea of what you are looking for in terms of power and parts. As silly as it may sound, not all people in the market for a golf cart are golfers! They have no intention of driving it onto the green.

Maybe you need an easy way to get back and forth to a few stores in your neighborhood because you are only semi-ambulatory. Perhaps you want a golf cart to ride to and from local parks or when visiting friends nearby. Then again, maybe you really do want one for the local club you’ve joined to get out there putting but need the assistance getting from hole to hole. Need is a first priority because it will factor heavily into the type of cart you should buy.

Power Preference

Just like automobiles on the road today, you will need to decide what kind of power you want. Are you looking for a gas or electric golf cart? How far can you travel on a full tank/charge? With so much emphasis being placed on global warming and climate change, you might want to opt for an electric cart, but do you have the means to charge it fully when not at home? For that matter, which type of power will be easiest for you to manage? These are important points, but the decision is yours because you can get a reliable golf cart powered either way.

What Is Your Budget?

In terms of budget, you might want to look at the difference in cost between new and used carts. However, unlike cars and trucks being driven on public roads, there is no legislation regarding registering golf carts that have been damaged in some kind of accident. When buying a used golf cart, it is usually better to buy one from a reputable dealer because you can be assured that they have inspected it thoroughly to ascertain whether it is safe to drive or in need of costly repairs.

With that said, you can find used golf carts ranging between $500 and $5,000 but remember the old adage, “You get what you pay for.” That deal listed online in a social media marketplace may seem like a good buy, but if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Just to reiterate the best advice when buying your first golf cart, try to stick with reputable dealers.

And Everything Else

Once you have found a golf cart powered the way you prefer and within your price range, just remember to do a little research on where and how to buy parts such as tires should they be needed down the road. Can you safely use aftermarket parts, or do you need to stick with OEM parts distributed by the manufacturer?

Then, there is one last point to consider. Before bringing that new baby home, think about where you will store it between uses. Do you have room in the garage or an outdoor shed large enough to drive a golf cart into? If not, you may want to purchase a canvas cover before bringing it home. Golf carts are typically open-air vehicles so you will want it dry and clean the next time you take it out. These are the basics, so with all that said, happy shopping!