Comparing Gas vs Electric Golf Cart Speeds

We want to commend you for even making it here. A lot of times when people ask how fast do golf carts go, the first thing they do is jump in a golf cart, press the pedal all the way down, and let what happens happen. You, on the other hand, have shown a lot of sensibility in choosing to find an answer for this question to avoid potential bodily harm. Research shows that golf cart-related accidents occurred more than 150,000 times from 2007-2017, so there’s a case to be made for doing the research first. Way to go.

What follows is everything you need to know about golf cart speed. From the difference between electric and gas golf carts to the fastest golf cart in the world, here are a few helpful things to have in the back of your mind before you get behind the wheel and see just how much juice your golf cart has in it.

Overview of golf cart speeds

The history of golf carts dates all the way back to the 1930’s when they were primarily used to transport senior citizens and those with disabilities to and from the grocery store. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that electric golf carts were widely accepted on golf courses.

Then, in 1957, Max Walker came along and created the first gasoline-powered golf cart called “The Walker Executive.” Built for two passengers and their respective golf bags, this Jetsons-esque golf cart brought the need for speed out to the links. But golf carts have come a long way in the time since (and they’re a lot faster too).

How fast do golf carts go?

Today, the average speed of golf carts is between 12 and 14 miles per hour. The primary difference between different golf cart speeds has to do with power. Electric and gas-powered golf carts have different speed capabilities. To start, let’s look at the different types of electric golf carts, then we’ll move to gas powered and see what improvements have been made since Max Walker’s initial stroke of genius.

How fast do electric golf carts go?

Electric golf carts come in 36-volt, 48-volt, and 72-volt packages. The differences between these three, however, have very little to do with top speed.

36V golf carts are the base level model of electric golf carts. If you’re playing at the cheapest public tracks in your area, you’ve probably had one of these die on you halfway through a round.

Comparatively, 48V golf carts come with faster acceleration time, longer distance, and power across all terrain types. Take it up a notch to the 72V version and you’ll experience more horsepower and torque. The more volts an electric golf cart has, the longer it’s battery life, but higher voltage does not equal higher speed.

How fast do gas golf carts go?

Just like electric golf carts, gas golf carts have an average speed between 12 and 14 miles per hour. The only noticeable difference is that electric golf carts will go slower as they near the end of their charge, but as for overall speed, there isn’t much of a difference. This leads us to an obvious next question.

How do I make a golf cart go faster?

Golf carts at public courses and country clubs alike are designed with a governor to keep you from going above a certain speed. While it’s unlikely you’ll be able to get under the hood and remove the governor before you tee off, there are ways of modifying your personal golf cart that will quickly increase your golf cart speed.

Apart from upgrading the motor, speed codes and speed chips can increase the speed of an electric golf cart to around 19 miles per hour once uploaded directly into the cart’s computer operating system.

If that sounds a little too technical for you, larger wheels and a motor upgrade are two straightforward ways to add speed to your golf cart. Some of this custom work can be done on your own, but we recommend speaking to a professional before you soup up your personal golf cart with some 48-inch rims.

Golf cart top speed

While the golf carts at your local course aren’t going to get over 14mph, there are custom golf cart companies that make golf carts that go up to 50mph. That sounds fast, but it’s less than half of what the world’s fastest golf cart is doing.

Hitting a top speed of 119mph (!!!), this golf cart absolutely blows the roof off of any competitors. Note: we do not recommend trying to replicate this at home. If you’re frustrated with your 12mph golf cart, multiplying that speed by 10x may not be the move.

Still, the possibilities are out there. If you want to make your golf cart go faster, there are ways to do your own handiwork, and there are companies that can help give you a guiding hand. But if you’re just asking how fast do golf carts go out of mere curiosity, well, we’re happy knowing that you’re in a safe place wherever you’re reading this and not out there pressing the pedal down just to see what happens.

World’s coolest golf cart

While we’re on the subject of golf carts, we can’t help but give a shameless plug for what we think is the coolest golf cart in the biz. Do we sell golf carts? No. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check this bad boy out at our golf page.

The 1986 Yamaha Sun Classic golf cart is a true beauty all its own. Of course, it looks a lot better next to our performance menswear. And if you’re wondering, we keep our cart at the office where it can hit an alarming 29mph. Don’t believe us? Come and visit to see for yourself.