Golf carts have come a long way from their utilitarian origins as basic vehicles for getting around the course.
Today, thousands of people use customized golf carts not just for golfing but for street-legal transportation, tailgating, camping trips, and more. With some simple upgrades and accessories, you can customize your standard electric or gas golf cart into a fun ride that reflects your personal style.
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Where to Begin
Before making any major upgrades, start by considering how you plan to use your souped-up golf cart. Will it still spend most of its time on the links, or do you plan to drive it around your neighborhood? Making your cart street-legal requires additional safety features like headlights, turn signals, brake lights, rearview mirrors, and sometimes doors and seatbelts. Make sure you understand your state laws.
If you’ll use your cart recreationally, think about conveniences like storage for golf bags or camping gear, a sound system, and cup holders to prevent spills. Focus on comfort features like cushier seating, suspension lifts for a smoother ride, and even new seat covers to please your passengers.
Essential Upgrades
Wanting to upgrade your cart? Here are some essential upgrades you should consider:
- Lift Kits – One of the most popular upgrades is installing a lift kit to raise your golf cart several inches off the ground, increasing ground clearance. Lift kits allow you to traverse rougher terrain without bottoming out or getting stuck. Combine with larger off-road tires for even more versatility. Make sure any lifts and tires you purchase are compatible with your cart’s axle size.
- Enclosures – Hard enclosures with doors, windows, and a roof allow you to drive your cart in less-than-ideal weather while protecting your passengers and gear. Door options range from flexible clear vinyl to solid aluminum. You’ll likely need front and rear windshields as well for street legality.
- Electrical system – Upgrading your stock electrical system prepares your cart for more energy-draining accessories like headlights, a stereo, and USB chargers. Consider upgrading your battery bank to deep-cycle batteries designed for extensive discharging. Installing a higher-output charger will replenish discharged batteries quicker. Beef up the alternator and voltage regulator as well.
- Safety features – Street-legal carts require turn signals, headlights, brake lights, reflectors, rearview mirrors, and sometimes seat belts. Hand-controlled hydraulic or drum brakes offer better stopping power than stock brakes alone. Wide-treaded street tires, suspension lifts, brush guards, and horns make driving near traffic safer.
Fun Extras
Once you’ve upgraded the essentials, your next step is to think about the fun extras:
- Custom paint job – A fresh coat of automotive paint in your favorite hue gives dull white carts an exciting makeover. Consider flashy metallic paints, unique color combinations with graphics, or even custom airbrushing.
- Sound system – Trick out your ride with waterproof marine speakers and subwoofers ready to rock your favorite tunes on the course or campsite. A wireless Bluetooth speaker fits discreetly underneath while still projecting sound. Add inputs to connect devices with headphone jacks or USB ports, too.
- Performance upgrades – Increase acceleration with a higher-voltage speed controller that sends more battery power to the motor. Gear reduction pulleys provide torque for climbing hills when fast starts aren’t as necessary. Big bore shocks and multi-link rear suspension deliver a smoother ride. Disc brake conversion kits greatly improve stopping power.
- Storage and convenience accessories – Install rear racks, hitches, trailer couplings, and mounts to haul golf bags, camping gear, small cargo carriers, and more using your souped-up cart. Cup holders keep drinks upright, glove boxes offer enclosed storage, and USB chargers power devices.
Customizing your golf cart takes some planning but allows you to transform it into so much more than basic transportation around the course. Define your purpose, make necessary upgrades for safety and performance, and then have fun choosing accessories and styling features that show off your personality. Before you know it, you’ll have a customized ride ready for the links, the campsite, the neighborhood, and anywhere else you want to go.
Last Updated on February 25, 2024
