Naturally, we are often asked the question "which personal power cart is best"? If there were only one answer to this question, we would only feature one golf cart! But the truth is, this answer can be different for everyone, based on a lot of factors.
For starters, we have brought together a range of brands and styles of carts that we have a high degree of confidence in for overall value. Each of the carts feature in our store must meet our demands for quality, dependability, and each must be backed by a written warranty. Each manufacturer or distributor must be easy to contact, and readily available should any service or warranty issues arise. After all, what good is a warranty if there is no one to honor it? Secondly, and perhaps just as important make sure you are buying from a factory authorized retailer! Not only do you have to be careful to avoid knock-offs, or stolen units (which are surprisingly common) but manufacturer warranties stipluate that you must purchase your cart from an authorized dealer for the warranty to be valid. How can you tell? The first clue is price. ALL motorized golf carts are subject to Minimum Advertised Pricing (a.k.a. MAP) guidelines. At GolfPowerCarts.com, we always offer our carts at this minimum price. If you see a lower price, the retailer is either dealing in the "gray market" leaving you without a warranty, or is selling knock-offs or stolen units. Don't get burned! If you are unsure CALL the manufacturer and verify they are legitimate dealers! We provide manufacturer contact information on each brand we sell, so even if you don't order from us, PLEASE use our resources and call them to make sure the retailer you choose is authorized!
Okay...with that out of the way, there are still a lot of choices, over a wide range of prices. I believe the single most important question to answer is "How often do you expect to use your golf cart?" If you are an occasional golfer, or expect to use your cart only every-once-in-a-while, your needs are different from someone who "plays nearly every day." Golf carts are much like vehicles in that a round of golf is wear and tear, just as miles are to a car. A Kia is a fine vehicle, and great to run around town in. But if you are a salesman who drives 30,000 miles a year, you might be better off in the long run with a Toyota, even though it will cost you more up front. Our loose rule of thumb is that if you believe you will use your power cart more than once a week on average, then consider a mid-priced brand like Moto-Caddy or Powakaddy. These probably have the lowest cost per round of any golf cart on the market, as well has a better "expected reliability". If you walk only a few times a month, or just occasionally when the mood hits you, then a Bat Caddy or Cart-Tek will serve you well. Also consider the terrain of the courses you play the most. Are they smooth and level? Or, is there a lot of elevation change, or rough rocky terrain to drive over. A 30 pound golf bag with a 15 pound battery is a tough load to bear when the terrain is bumpy. Less expensive caddies are made with lower cost materials and that will translate into weaker frames.
Next we recommend that you take a look at features, and decide what will suit you best. Fully Remote, or Power Assisted? Fully remote carts have their advantages, but they are also heavier than their Power Assisted counterparts, due to dual motors and the heavier batteries needed to run them. So, is weight more important to you than remote function? Is ease of deployment and packing away a vital attribute? Some units can fold in a few seconds with the battery on board. Others take a bit longer, and you have to remove the battery. How important is weight? Typically, the more expensive a cart, the less it weighs. But consider this: A typical full sized, fully loaded golf bag is 30 pounds. All of the carts we carry have frames and batteries that are less than that individually. So, if you can lift your golf bag, you can lift a cart frame and battery when separated with ease. If you drive a small car, the folded size might be a vital spec, but if you roll in an SUV or truck, do a few cubic inches really matter?
Finally, once you have decided on a price/quality range, and major features, study some of the "bells and whistles" of competing carts. Some Power Assisted carts like the MotoCaddy S3 Digital have an Electronic Distance Function, allowing you to send the cart up ahead of you to stop automatically. Still others come complete with accessory packages to hold your drink, umbrella, scorecard and more like the Cart-Tek GRX 1100R.
The bottom line is that power golf carts are a lot like a lot of other products. You will typically get what you pay for. That doesn't mean that a $400 golf cart is a bad choice, or that a $2500 cart is necessary for you. It just means that more than likely there is a fit for your needs, and it is our job to help you find it. Remember, we are here to help! Email us a info@golfpowercarts.com, or call us at 1-888-667-0553 anytime you have any questions!
