Free Sample
The Complete Handbook of Golf Carts
Selection, Operation, Maintenance, and Business Strategy for Owners, Fleet Managers, and Dealers
by Alumigogo Books
Chapter 1: Understanding Golf Carts
A golf cart, in its most common form, is a four-wheeled, low-speed vehicle designed to transport two to eight people, primarily on golf courses, but ubiquitous on campuses, in gated communities, at airports, and in large industrial complexes. At its core, it is a battery-powered or gasoline-powered machine that serves a pragmatic purpose: moving people and light cargo over short distances at speeds typically under 25 mph. While similar in appearance to Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs), the standard golf cart is not a road-legal automobile. It is a specialized piece of utility equipment, and that distinction is critical for its purchase, operation, and maintenance.
Understanding what you are actually buying begins with the powertrain. There are two fundamental options: electric and internal combustion engine (typically gasoline, occasionally LPG). These are not minor variations, but represent two completely different operating philosophies. An electric cart is, at its simplest, a motor, a controller, and a battery pack. You press the accelerator, the controller meters the flow of electricity from the batteries to the motor, and the motor drives the wheels. When you remove your foot, the circuit is broken, and the cart slows down. Many modern carts also regenerate—the motor acts as a generator to slow the cart, feeding a small amount of energy back into the battery pack.
The electric cart is defined by its voltage, almost always 36-volt or 48-volt systems in modern machines, although newer designs are moving toward higher voltages for efficiency. These batteries