How to make golf cart faster is likely the question that brought you here. Whether you’re cruising the golf course, zipping around the neighborhood, or just want a little extra pep, many owners share this desire.  With a few modifications and some regular maintenance, you can make your golf cart faster and enhance your overall driving experience.

Whether you’re working with an electric golf cart or a gas golf cart, there are plenty of ways to improve your cart’s speed and performance. Here’s everything you need to know to increase your golf cart’s speed, from optimizing its power output to making essential upgrades.

Table Of Contents:

How to Make Your Golf Cart Faster: Gas vs. Electric

Gas and electric golf carts require different speed-boosting approaches. Understanding this helps you choose the right upgrades for optimal performance.

Electric Golf Carts: Unleashing the Electron’s Potential

Electric golf carts offer a quiet, clean ride. Many feel they lack the speed of gas counterparts. However, with well-chosen upgrades and smart maintenance, you can boost performance and improve speed.

Upgrading Your Electric Golf Cart for Speed

    1. High-Performance Motor: A cart’s motor drives the wheels. Upgrading to a high-performance motor improves acceleration and might increase top speed. Standard electric golf carts come with motors optimized for efficiency, but not necessarily speed. Replacing the motor with one designed for higher RPMs can increase speed and improve acceleration  Remember that a faster motor alone may not increase speed without adjusting the controller or rear axle.
    2. Optimize Batteries: Battery health is crucial in determining how fast an electric golf cart can go. A well-maintained battery ensures optimal cart speed and supports faster acceleration. Make sure to perform regular battery checks and maintenance, including:
      • Cleaning battery terminals to prevent corrosion.
      • Ensuring proper charging and avoiding deep discharges.
      • Checking water levels in lead-acid batteries to maintain their efficiency.

Upgrading to a powerful battery with a higher voltage can also be a game-changer. For example, upgrading from a 36-volt golf cart to a 48-volt golf cart can result in increased speed and power output for a more exhilarating ride.

  1. Speed Controllers: This device controls power flow. It regulates the power going to your golf cart’s motor. Upgrading to a higher-rated motor controller can significantly boost speed and increase acceleration. By allowing more power to reach the motor, a higher-rated speed controller can lead to a faster, more responsive electric golf cart. This upgrade is especially useful in electric golf carts where the controller can limit speed and torque. However, changes affecting max speed might void warranties, so check with the manufacturer or a mechanic.
  2. Gear Ratio Adjustment: Changing the gear ratio is a tried-and-true method for making golf carts faster. Reducing the gear ratio allows the cart to reach higher speeds but may reduce low-end power, which could be noticeable on hilly terrains. Consult a professional for help adjusting the gear ratio for optimal performance based on your driving needs.

You don’t always need expensive upgrades for better speed. Simple tire maintenance can significantly improve speed and get your slow golf cart up to par.

  • Reduce Weight: Removing unnecessary weight reduces stress on the motor and battery, allowing for a faster golf cart.
  • Battery Health is Key: Regularly inspect batteries, clean connections, and check fluid levels. Optimal battery health improves speed.
  • Improve Aerodynamics: Air resistance slows carts down. Smoothing sharp edges can surprisingly boost speed by reducing drag. This will make your volt golf cart faster and perform at it’s peak.

Gas Golf Carts: Supercharging Your Ride

Gas golf carts often have decent speed. Many users still desire more. There are many ways to enhance speed for golf carts, from engine modifications to DIY solutions.

Revving Up Your Gas Golf Cart: Advanced Mods

  1. Governor Removal: The governor limits speed. Removing it increases speed potential but removes a safety measure. Proceed with caution and be aware of local golf cart usage laws. Upgrade safety features, like seatbelts and suspension, for added security.
  2. Exhaust Upgrades: High-flow air filters and exhaust systems improve airflow, leading to a peppier response and more efficient engine operation.
  3. Engine Optimization: Explore adjusting fuel delivery, carburetor adjustments, or even trying different fuels for increased horsepower.
  4. High-Performance Clutch: Clutches transfer power to the wheels. Upgrading to a performance electric golf cart clutch means smoother speed control and better power transfer for improved acceleration and gas mileage.

Easy DIY Upgrades for Your Gas Golf Cart: Simple Speed Boosts

How to Make Golf Cart Faster

Many gas golf carts lack regular maintenance. A simple tune-up can often boost speed. Cleaning fuel injectors can also significantly improve acceleration. Consider proper tire pressure as well. For an even faster golf cart, think about speed tires for your particular terrain.

  • Tune-Ups: Changing filters, plugs, cleaning lines, and changing fluids/belts/gears can revitalize your cart. Getting routine golf cart maintenance ensures you golf cart electric remains speedy.
  • Weight Reduction: Remove unnecessary seats or accessories. Replacing heavier components with lighter alternatives (wheels, frame, battery, suspension) can enhance both acceleration and top speed.
  • Upgrade Tires: Consider larger tires or tires designed for your typical terrain to improve your cart’s speed. Getting a proper tire pressure can also be important.

Choosing the Right Path: How to Make Golf Cart Faster and Safer

Prioritize safety when making changes. Faster carts require responsibility. This includes thinking about whether you should upgrade tires. You might need to go with larger tires if your terrain has large debris. You could end up getting flat tires if you didn’t account for this. Also think about how often your tires roll and the effect of proper tire pressure.

Consider upgrading brakes and brake fluid, as well as suspension suitable for the driving surface. Heavy-duty springs and shocks provide added safety and stability, crucial for handling increased speed. These will keep you safe on your golf cart electric whether on or off road.

Avoid pushing your cart too hard. Consult your manual for manufacturer warnings regarding safe top speeds. Remember that higher speeds increase the risk of rollovers, especially on sharp turns or uneven terrain. Upgrading tires for this sort of uneven terrain might make your golf cart electric much faster by providing more control and reducing resistance. This also contributes to ensuring proper tire pressure is crucial for safety and performance, minimizing the risk of flats or loss of control on difficult terrain. The last thing you want is to have to wait for service to fix your volt golf cart.

For those ready to take their golf cart to the next level or simply looking for professional advice, visit EA Carts to explore options and get expert guidance on creating a fast, reliable, and fun-to-drive golf cart!

Final Thoughts

Whether you own an electric golf cart or a gas golf cart, making these upgrades and keeping up with maintenance can lead to a faster golf cart and a more enjoyable driving experience. From increasing power output and upgrading tires to checking battery health and improving rolling resistance, there are plenty of ways to ensure your cart’s speed meets your expectations.

Remember to follow proper maintenance routines, stay aware of local regulations, and, most importantly, enjoy the ride!