Golf cart opinions

Stork

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jul 14, 2019

After seeing PaHunter's new Husky lawn tractor, it got me thinking that this would be a good place to ask the question about golf carts. We always rent one when visiting FW and decided it's time to pull the Trigger and get our own. I don't play golf anymore (back issues and wasn't very good at it anyway) but I will use it around the neighborhood (FL) in addition to FW.

The question: If you own a golf cart, whether or not you take it to FW, is it Gas or Electric?

I've rented both kinds before when I did play golf and more recently the electric versions at FW. Seems to me the electric ones start to lose a little oomph pretty quickly after they're charged up.

And, yes, as referenced above, I plan to name said golf cart "Trigger" after growing up with Roy and Dale. I betting no one would dare steal it and be labeled a "horse thief!"

I'd appreciate your opinion.
 
Losing oomph is likely more to do with older batteries. Good batteries and regular maintenance the one at my house will go many days before charging again.

I've owned 3 electric cars and loved them all. All were 48 volt, I've talked with folks who had 36 volt and did not like them. Gas carts are lighter usually. They need engine maintenance regularly. Electric cars need batteries every 5 years or so depending on how well maintained they have been.

It's all individual but I can only speak for electric but I wouldn't change.
 
I would not say that electric runs out of oomf all that fast. When we take our electric cards to FW, they usually need to be charged overnight about every other day. The biggest thing is battery maintenance to keep them healthy and you can get around 5 years out of them. But then you are looking at 1k to replace all 6 batteries for a 36v cart.

A gas cart has its own needs for maintenance, yet you can go for a long time between need to refuel. A 4 stroke is not all that loud, just not as quiet as an electric cart. I think most people think the loss of oomf is just how fast they pedal up to speed then level off where a gas cart ramps up to speed without that torque surge of the electric motor.

I think if your goal is mostly campground uses, then go with an electric. We have yet to find a time where we needed more then the electric carts at FW or any other campground we took them to. I do have a gas cart, I use it at the racetrack where engine noise is not really an issue and I do drive a LOT more there then I do typically at FW. Though we have on some weekends had both the gas and electric running around without issue all weekend.
 
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Losing oomph is likely more to do with older batteries. Good batteries and regular maintenance the one at my house will go many days before charging again.

I've owned 3 electric cars and loved them all. All were 48 volt, I've talked with folks who had 36 volt and did not like them.

My biggest issue with 48v is needing a converter to get proper 12v for accessories, and the club cars are using more expensive 8v batteries vs. 6v of the 36v carts. We have have built 6 36v ez-go carts and never had an issue with any of them. I found parts and charger are easier to come by as well after all this. the club car 48v definetly was harder to find things or just way more expensive.
 


I would not say that electric runs out of oomf all that fast. When we take our electric cards to FW, they usually need to be charged overnight about every other day. The biggest thing is battery maintenance to keep them healthy and you can get around 5 years out of them. But then you are looking at 1k to replace all 6 batteries for a 36v cart.

A gas cart has its own needs for maintenance, yet you can go for a long time between need to refuel. A 4 stroke is not all that loud, just not as quiet as an electric cart. I think most people think the loss of oomf is just how fast they pedal up to speed then level off where a gas cart ramps up to speed without that torque surge of the electric motor.

I think if your goal is mostly campground uses, then go with an electric. We have yet to find a time where we needed more then the electric carts at FW or any other campground we took them to. I do have a gas cart, I use it at the racetrack where engine noise is not really an issue and I do drive a LOT more there then I do typically at FW. Though we have on some weekends had both the gas and electric running around without issue all weekend.
Thanks for your insight.
Losing oomph is likely more to do with older batteries. Good batteries and regular maintenance the one at my house will go many days before charging again.

I've owned 3 electric cars and loved them all. All were 48 volt, I've talked with folks who had 36 volt and did not like them. Gas carts are lighter usually. They need engine maintenance regularly. Electric cars need batteries every 5 years or so depending on how well maintained they have been.

It's all individual but I can only speak for electric but I wouldn't change.
I'm leaning towards electric. Thanks for your experienced reply.
 
My biggest issue with 48v is needing a converter to get proper 12v for accessories, and the club cars are using more expensive 8v batteries vs. 6v of the 36v carts. We have have built 6 36v ez-go carts and never had an issue with any of them. I found parts and charger are easier to come by as well after all this. the club car 48v definetly was harder to find things or just way more expensive.
Thanks, any thoughts on the 72v powered carts. Other than more expensive to purchase AND (I'm guessing) to maintain. A large $$ cost for battery replacement concerns me, also.
 
As a Florida resident I felt compelled to obey the law. Apparently moving into an over 55 community in the state of Florida requires a golf cart.
So, reality. We bought ours partially like you for neighborhood use but also with the intent of taking it to RV parks and campgrounds where it would be useful, primarily the Fort. We've been twice and even though we have our own cart we have rented. This is as a result of my wife being afraid it would get "messed up". I am installing a bumper/brush bar like the rentals at the fort to put her at ease. I'm also installing a receiver hitch so that I can use it to spot it's own trailer to the site when we get there.
Our's is an electric Club Car. Here's hoping it will work out so I can save $67 a day in rentals.
 


The 72v carts are newer to the market, I think they entered in 2018 and I have not heard much about them. I think its too early to tell what the overall cost of ownership will be. Since there are few on the used market you are looking at 10k to get a new 4 seater 72v cart and that is just factory stock. Our last few carts we picked off after they where on a golf course for 5 years and refurbished and customized them for maybe an all in of 3k. Usually only sell them when someone gives an offer we can't refuse and go back out there to build another one.
 
As a Florida resident I felt compelled to obey the law. Apparently moving into an over 55 community in the state of Florida requires a golf cart.
So, reality. We bought ours partially like you for neighborhood use but also with the intent of taking it to RV parks and campgrounds where it would be useful, primarily the Fort. We've been twice and even though we have our own cart we have rented. This is as a result of my wife being afraid it would get "messed up". I am installing a bumper/brush bar like the rentals at the fort to put her at ease. I'm also installing a receiver hitch so that I can use it to spot it's own trailer to the site when we get there.
Our's is an electric Club Car. Here's hoping it will work out so I can save $67 a day in rentals.
Interesting to add-on a receiver hitch. Makes sense if it can pull it.
 
Interesting to add-on a receiver hitch. Makes sense if it can pull it.
Utility trailers aren't that heavy really and all you have to do is get them moving. There's a lot of torque in electric motors, plus I'm not running a race with it. I'm not doing anything ground breaking either. I started looking on Amazon and there's a bunch of hitches on there for sale. That was my biggest concern too, how to get the trailer into the site. There is no backing a 10' utility trailer with my coach so the cart was the only way to go. I have my eye on a new Silverado that I'll put the cart in the bed of when we travel, but that's down the road. I'm more worried about the cart on the trailer than anything else.
 
We have a 48V 2007 Fairplay which is a knock off of an EZ-GO. It goes around 20MPH. We love it. Get Trojan batteries they are worth the extra $.
 
We have a 48V 2007 Fairplay which is a knock off of an EZ-GO. It goes around 20MPH. We love it. Get Trojan batteries they are worth the extra $.

Agree about using Trojan batteries. The difference in performance and longevity is worth the extra money.
 
Utility trailers aren't that heavy really and all you have to do is get them moving. There's a lot of torque in electric motors, plus I'm not running a race with it. I'm more worried about the cart on the trailer than anything else.

1800 mile round trips and never had an issue beside the tire in that picture which was one hour after I hit debris on the road I could not avoid.

488198

We have a 48V 2007 Fairplay which is a knock off of an EZ-GO. It goes around 20MPH. We love it. Get Trojan batteries they are worth the extra $.

True, quality batteries are a must. We been using Trojan or Interstate and avoiding any knock off brands.
 
1800 mile round trips and never had an issue beside the tire in that picture which was one hour after I hit debris on the road I could not avoid.

View attachment 488198



True, quality batteries are a must. We been using Trojan or Interstate and avoiding any knock off brands.
Thanks, guys, for the battery recommendations. I haven't thought about specific batteries, but that makes total sense. Nice setup, by the way!
 
Just food for thought. Many campgrounds we have been to recently are starting to be electric carts only.
I've have/had both, I prefer the electric, with gas you need a gas can just in case, just a matter of preference as to what works best for you, unless you get one for free LOL
 
Just food for thought. Many campgrounds we have been to recently are starting to be electric carts only.
I've have/had both, I prefer the electric, with gas you need a gas can just in case, just a matter of preference as to what works best for you, unless you get one for free LOL
Just to be nice to the neighboring RV's I think electric is the way to go. Thanks for your input!
 
I dont have eaither, but for ease , i would go electric. No need for fuel, rememering stable if you dont use it much,oil changes, fule filter's, aor filters etc. Its not that these things are hard to do, but why bother with them unless you had to. Additionally, I can easily see getting to a campground and forgetting to pack a gas can.
 
....Additionally, I can easily see getting to a campground and forgetting to pack a gas can.
Thank you, Sjm9911! That's one aspect of a gas powered cart I hadn't thought of...the gas can. Really important since I have a diesel powered dually to pull the 5er and I have no reason to routinely carry a gas can. I'm seriously looking for electric, now. Thanks.
 
Just bumping up an old thread with a question- are gas carts allowed at the fort?
 

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