A slow golf cart that struggles to climb inclines or takes forever to go from the tee box to the fairway can be a real pain in the butt.
As men, we have a need for speed. We can’t help it. It’s in our DNA.
That need for speed applies to riding on lawnmowers, bikes, cars, scooters, and especially golf carts.
Buying new, high-quality golf carts or a custom golf cart could solve this problem but is very expensive. If you can make do with a few small tweaks, your bank account will thank you.
But what are these tweaks?
Below, you’ll find out what they are, why they help, and some suggestions for keeping your golf cart speed higher for longer.
Enjoy!
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Things You Can Do To Make It Faster
Get The Right Speed Controller
Simply put, your speed controller is like a restrictor for your golf cart.
Basically, if your speed controller can only handle a maximum of 250 amps, no matter what size motor you get, the golf cart’s speed won’t go any faster than the controller’s limit.
This is why it’s first on this list because getting a faster cart could be as simple as getting a new speed controller with a higher limit.
You could have a 350 amp motor that is just waiting for the right partner in crime that will allow you to zoom down the course and bunny hop bunkers!
That being said, if you’re going down this route, it’s best to get a new speed controller and motor simultaneously. This will allow you to ensure they match up perfectly for faster speeds.
Upgrade Your Current Golf Cart’s Motor (Maximum Speed & Torque)
Before going out and buying any motor, you need to figure out what kind of speed you’re looking for. Do you want the golf cart to have faster acceleration or a faster top speed?
A faster-accelerating cart can make steep slopes and hills easier to climb around the course.
A faster top speed would be better suited for a flat terrain course so you can fly around in record time.
What should you be asking or looking for?
You will want a motor with a bigger coil inside for more torque or acceleration. These large coils generate more magnetic field, which translates to faster starts.
Now, if you’re looking to maximize your golf carts speed, you will want to try to find a motor with high RPMs and smaller coils that help your cart gain and maintain speed.
The kicker is that usually, if you want more torque, you’ll compromise on top speed, and to get a higher maximum speed, you’ll lose some accelerating power.
Think hard about what you need it for before buying one or the other.
Getting A Better Battery
Your lack of speed issues could be the cause of a low voltage or old battery that’s lost some juice along the way.
If you get new golf cart batteries with higher voltages than your previous one, you can expect more speed almost immediately.
When you get a high-voltage battery, it supplies your motor and the rest of the cart’s components with additional power. This power helps them perform better, so the cart goes faster.
A new batter is like a cup of coffee for someone on their way to work in the early morning. It’s the additional kick they need to perform their best.
Always check with your dealer or research online what battery will work best for your cart model.
Also, check the voltage of your last battery so you don’t buy a new battery with the same amount of juice, which will keep your speed the same.
There are different types of batteries, too, all with their own pros and cons.
See below for a quick breakdown:
Lithium Battery – Expensive, has fantastic energy output and requires no maintenance.
Lead-Acid Water Battery – Difficult maintenance can lead to damage. It is cheaper than lithium but has a great energy output.
Lead-Acid Battery – Good energy output, cheaper, and requires no maintenance.
Remove Any Unnecessary Weight
This solution is really simple, but don’t overdo it. The lighter the weight your motor has to move, the faster it will go.
Think about it: when you’re in the golf cart alone, you go much faster than if someone is in it too. The motor has to move twice the weight, making it slower.
Now, we’re not saying you should get rid of all your golf buddies, but look for things that aren’t necessary for your cart to work.
You might have additional panels on the outside to protect you from rain and wind that you can remove on days when they aren’t needed.
You could remove one of the seat cushions, beer cooler, or extra accessories that are present just for the sake of it.
A lighter cart will result in a faster start. Just don’t go throwing out important features like the steering wheel!
Since we’re on the topic of weight you may find the below post useful:
How Much Does A Golf Cart Weigh?
Get Bigger And Badder Golf Cart Tires
Getting larger tires for your golf cart can increase your max speed up to a few miles per hour, save you lots of time, and save you the least amount of money.
Bigger and thicker tires increase speed because they grip the ground better. This means that all the power coming from the motor is being better transferred into the ground.
You can also change the tires yourself, but there is no harm in getting a professional to do it for you.
While we’re on the topic of tiredness, ensuring they are inflated properly is key to going faster. When you’re tires are not properly inflated it makes the cart work harder and reduces the speed.
So if you do get new tires, make sure to carry a pump around with you!
How To Keep It Fast
Regular Maintenance
Looking after your golf cart is a must if you want it to stay fast in the long run.
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- Regularly check the batteries to make sure they are in good condition
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- Wash the outside/underside of the cart to remove stones, dirt, and other debris.
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- Check the wiring and look for damaged wires
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- Make sure your tires are always inflated
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- Store in a suitable location
Without doing the above, dirt will begin to accumulate, weighing down the cart, preventing moving parts from doing their jobs, and leading to their breakdown.
Look after your golf cart, and it will look after you.
It won’t blow on your soup when it’s too hot, but you know what we mean.
Don’t Buy Cheap Parts
When upgrading your golf cart for extra speed, you will be tempted to buy cheap alternatives or used parts online.
Now, there is nothing wrong with this but unless you know what you’re looking for, you run the risk of being burned financially when they don’t work.
Many used parts are being sold for a reason, often because the previous owner upgraded their parts for better performance, meaning that the used part is no good if you want better performance too.
Cheap alternatives are fine, but they often have long delivery times, shady return policies, and don’t last long.
We have gotten some on the cheap before, and they work just as well as manufacturer parts.
Sometimes, it’s better to pay a legitimate dealership for the parts as they usually come with a warranty should something happen.
Ultimately, it’s entirely up to you to risk going cheap to get a great deal or pay the full price for peace of mind.
Properly Charge Your Batteries
Properly charging your batteries over time will increase their lifespan. Your golf cart will be at its fastest when you have fully charged batteries.
So ensure to charge them after every use.
There is quite a bit of information, so check out the below posts to they go into the different charge times, methods, how to store your batteries, and how long they will last:
How Much Is A Golf Cart? New Or Used?
Starting And Reversing Your Golf Cart (What You Should Know)