How Fast Do Golf Carts Go? 5 Ways To Improve Your Golf Cart Speed

How fast do golf carts go? What are the ways you can use to speed up your street legal golf cart? In this article, I have explained everything that affects the speed of a golf cart, and how you can increase the speed of yours!

How Fast Do Golf Carts Go?

The average speed of a golf cart depends on various factors. If you are looking for the average speed of electric cart, then the battery performance, design, weightage, and how many passenger it carries are some considerations you shouldn’t ignore. 

Although, a golf cart with specific modifications can go up to 48 Kmh (30 MPH). Golf carts have plenty of options for modifications that helps improving the performance and speed. These modifications makes a golf cart street-legal as a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) that you can drive by following regulations provided by your State Department. 

Read This Article To Know More About Street Legal Golf Carts!

Factors That Determine The Golf Cart Speed

If you’re an electric golf cart owner like me, you may already know there’s always a significant difference between the performance of Electric Vs Gas Golf Cart. It’s a common factor that you can always note in any electric vehicles or engine-powered vehicles.

Personally, I’m an environment-friendly guy and decided to choose an electric golf cart. Below, I have mentioned some factors that determine the speed of golf cart:

1 – Battery Condition

An electric golf cart works on batteries. The quality of batteries directly affect the performance (speed) of a golf cart. A battery which is fully charged, and does not come near to its aging life will give you maximum performance compared to a weaker one.

Although, the number of batteries you installed also corelates with the performance. If you are not sure whether your golf cart batteries does not have any issues, then:

Read this article: How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last?

2 – Tire Size

The size of a tire is another contributing factor when it comes to golf cart speed. Here’s a simple math that you should know. If you install, the large size of tires, it will cover more space on the ground at the same speed compared to smaller tires. 

In addition, the condition of a tire also impacts the performance. If the condition of tire is rough, and worn, it will more likely give you hard time reaching the top speed of your golf cart, and may result even in an accident if you try to do so. 

3 – Load On A Golf Cart

This one is simple, the more weight a golf cart carries, the slower it will go. Factors like no. of passengers, batteries, and baggage contribute towards more weight. It’s a common factor between electric golf carts and gas golf carts except the fact that there aren’t any batteries in gas golf carts. 

Pro Tip: Before going on steep curves, make sure you’re aware of your golf cart weight. Read this article to know how much does a golf cart weigh on average?

4 – Default Speed Limit

Some golf cart models comes with a default speed limit from manufacturers to ensure safety. Although, you can modify your golf cart by increasing its speed using a computer, but doing this requires expertise and experience. Make sure you consult your dealership regarding this or at least a good mechanic in your contact list. 

5 – Terrain

If you’re driving on a golf course that has steep curves, it may affect the top speed. The same thing goes with public roads. Whether you use an electric or motor golf cart, it will go slower on terrains compared to a smooth road. 

6 – Motor 

The size of motor you have installed in your golf cart may affect the top speed and performance. Default motors from manufacturers are designed and installed for using on the field. Although, you can customize its setting and install a large motor that improves stability and top speed of your golf cart. 

Gas Vs. Electric Golf Cart Speed: Which One Is Faster?

The key difference between golf cart models is the power source. It’s a common myth that gas-powered electric carts are faster which is true in some cases. For example, if you consider going on an uphill driving, then motor cart will always outrun the electric one. 

However, the technological advancements has made this possible for electric carts to outrun motor carts on a smooth road. Electric golf cart can reach the top speed of 15-25 mph, whereas gas cart can achieve the top speed of 20-25 mph. 

It’s worth noting that the speed factor depends on various factors that I mentioned above, and there isn’t a major speed difference between any of them. 

Now, before you consider buying one, calculate the cost of maintenance, cost of operation, their impact on environment, and the most important thing that they are eligible to acquire title for legal use. 

You can know more about Golf cart titles here!

How To Make Your Golf Cart Faster

Now that you have a clear idea on how fast do golf carts go, you may also wish to increase the speed of yours. There are several possible ways you can use to increase the speed of yours. Although this may require professional hand and expertise to give your golf cart a power boost if done right. 

Check out the below factors that I mentioned for speed improvement:

Removing Speed Limit Device

the simplest way to improve your golf cart speed is by removing speed governor on your gas engine. The governor is a speed limit device that limits the amount of throttle you can achieve from your engine. removing this device will help you achieve throttle from your machine at its full capacity.

In addition, you can further extend the speed of your golf cart by replacing the standard air filters to handle more air into its air intake system.

Note: The Above Method Is Only Applicable For Gas Golf Carts!

Better Tires

This may sound obvious, but having a goof pair of tires installed on your golf cart can improve the speed and performance of your ride on the road and even on golf courses. The good thing is changing the tires of your golf carts is inexpensive. By installing bigger tires, you allow your golf cart to cover more space on the ground at the same speed it covers on smaller tires. 

Not Putting Extra Weight

One of easiest way to improve the speed of your golf cart is to prevent adding extra weight on it. It will move faster if you ride it alone with no extra weight  So, make sure you have no extra bags, heavyweight extra batteries, and other objects, and then take it for a spin and you will see the results. 

Installing Big Motors

This may cost you extra, but replacing your default motors with big ones will significantly improve the power, performance, and speed of your golf cart. Installing big motors not only improve the speed of your golf cart, but will also be able to carry more weight without slowing down. Although, this is only applicable if you own a gas-powered golf cart. For electric one, read further.

Replacing Batteries

Replacing your old batteries or adding an extra one will provide you the same performance, power, and speed like installing a big motor. The best way to determine what battery you should choose is to always aim for high voltage battery than your previous one. I did the same for my Club Car Onward 2 and increased the output of the motors. 

How To Improve The Speed Of Electric Golf Carts?

Electric golf carts comes with a different engine that doesn’t have governor or any speed limit on them. In general, a golf cart come with either a shunt or series system. It’s important to know which type of engine your golf cart has so that you don’t mess up anything while boosting its speed.

For a shunt system, you can reprogram a new speed parameter without upgrading or replacing your golf cart parts. But if you have a series system, then improving your golf cart speed might be a challenging task.

In this engine, you will have to upgrade various parts of your golf cart and to avoid damages or consequences, I suggest you consult with a professional mechanic who understands these type of golf carts pretty well.

Conclusion

How fast do golf carts go? I hope, I have explained this pretty well.!

If you’re not satisfied with the current speed of your golf cart, try replacing the battery or install the large motors. But before doing that, give your golf cart a drive test after removing extra weight, and every object that contributes towards weight. 

Check out for your battery performance and see if’s working properly. A small change in the battery can impact the top speed of a golf cart. Make sure your tired are always in a good condition and you have modified your cart that follows regulations.