What Makes Golf Cart Tires Different From Other Tires?

Golf cart tires are crafted to provide a balance between traction on the turf and minimal impact on the delicate grass surfaces of the golf course. They typically have a wide footprint and a shallow tread pattern to prevent damage to the turf while still offering enough grip for the cart to maneuver effectively over hilly and wet conditions. Golf cart tires come in various sizes and styles to suit different models of golf carts and the specific needs of the terrain they travel on.

In addition to their traditional use on golf courses, golf cart tires are also used on personal and utility carts that operate in similar environments, such as country clubs, resorts, and residential communities.

Looking for a Specific Brand of Golf Cart Tire?

We carry some of the most popular golf cart tire brands:

• Michelin Tweel Golf Cart Tires
• Deestone Golf Cart Tires
• Carlisle Golf Cart Tires
• Gladiator Golf Cart Tires
• & more!

Designs and Features of Golf Cart Tires

Golf cart tires are designed with unique features to meet the demands of their operating environment:

• Turf-Friendly Tread: The tread patterns are gentle on grass, providing enough traction without tearing up the turf, which is essential for maintaining the condition of the golf course.
• Non-Marking Rubber: These tires are often made from non-marking rubber compounds to avoid leaving scuff marks on the pathways and driving areas of the golf course.
• Wide Footprint: The broad contact area of golf cart tires helps distribute the weight of the cart and passengers, further reducing ground pressure and damage to the grass.
• Low-Profile Design: Some golf cart tires feature a low-profile design, which adds stability to the cart, especially when taking sharp turns or navigating slopes.
• Weather Resistance: The materials used in golf cart tires are resistant to weathering and UV light, ensuring durability even when carts are left outside for extended periods.
• Smooth Ride: The construction of these tires often prioritizes a smooth ride to enhance the comfort of passengers as they travel across the course.

Applications and Uses of Golf Cart Tires

While golf cart tires are primarily associated with golf carts used on courses, their applications extend beyond:

• Golf Courses: The primary use of golf cart tires is for carts that carry players and their clubs around the course during a round of golf.
• Residential Communities: In gated or retirement communities where residents use golf carts as transportation, these tires ensure a smooth and quiet ride on paved paths.
• Utility Vehicles: Golf cart tires are also used on utility vehicles within resorts, parks, and large estates where maintenance staff require transportation that will not damage lawns or landscaped areas.
• Recreational Areas: Personal golf carts used in campgrounds, marinas, and other recreational areas benefit from the turf-friendly design of these tires.
• Light Transport: Some businesses use golf carts fitted with these tires for light transport tasks around their facilities where maneuverability and minimizing ground impact are important.

Golf cart tires are an essential component that supports the varied use of golf carts in multiple environments, ensuring that these vehicles can perform their tasks efficiently without compromising the integrity of the ground they travel on. The design and construction of these tires cater to the need for gentle interaction with terrain while providing adequate performance and comfort for users.

Why Buy Your Golf Cart Tires from Us?

We have been in the specialty tires business for over 50 years and focus on providing a broad range of products while maintaining competitive prices. This is why we stock several brands of golf cart tires so you have the best choice in the market including - Michelin, Duro , Deestone, Kenda, & Carlisle. We also have OTR brand golf tires for those needing a golf cart tire suitable for tougher terrain. Need help deciding? Our expert customer service team is always here to help.

Golf Cart Tires FAQs

How Do I Know Which Tire Size Fits My Golf Cart?

If your golf cart still has its original factory rims, the owner’s manual or manufacturer’s website will list the tire specifications. Otherwise, you can measure your rims to find the appropriate tire size.

Golf cart tire sizes are typically metric or standard. Metric measurements are usually used for street and low-profile tires, while standard measurements are generally used on all-terrain and other off-road tires.

Metric tire sizes use this format: 205/55-10. The first number is the width of the tire in millimeters. The second number is a ratio determined by dividing the width by the sidewall height. In this case, the sidewall height is 55% of the tire’s width. The last number is the rim diameter in inches.

A 205/55-10 tire is 205mm wide, has a ratio of 55%, and is intended for a rim 10 inches in diameter.

Standard tire sizes use inches for all measurements. An example would be 20x11-10. The first number is the overall height of the tire, the second number is the tire’s width, and the third number is the rim diameter. A 20x11-10 tire is 20 inches tall, 11 inches wide, and is intended for a rim 10 inches in diameter.

Golf cart rims are generally 8, 10, 12, 14, or 15 inches in diameter. The 8-inch rims are the most common size. Larger sizes will almost always require a lift kit.

What Is the Difference Between Street, Turf, and All-Terrain Golf Cart Tires?

Golf cart tire tread designs vary to accommodate different surfaces.

Street tires have closely spaced blocks and a wide footprint to maximize traction on pavement. They offer a smooth ride and predictable handling.

Turf tires are similar to street tires in appearance but provide superior performance on grass. The blocks will also be closely spaced, and the footprint will be similarly wide. They may even be designed to alternate between turf and pavement with little compromise in handling and ride quality.

However, turf tires are specifically intended to provide solid performance on grass without harming or tearing up the ground. Not all street tires will be able to tackle softer surfaces as competently, especially when wet.

All-terrain tires feature deeper treads with taller, more widely-spaced lugs. These tires are intended for dirt, mud, gravel, and loose soil, where the deep treads can provide superior grip. On-road performance may be poor, with less predictable handling.

Cart owners who need to traverse multiple types of terrain have several choices:

• Purchase multiple carts
• Purchase multiple sets of rims and switch them out as needed
• Purchase tires that can handle the widest range of surface types

Whichever route you choose, remember to use the correct tread type for a given surface for the best possible performance.

Do I Need to Replace All My Golf Cart Tires if One Is Bad?

If one of your golf cart tires has irreparable damage, you can replace that single tire as long as the others are in nearly new condition. Tires with perceptible wear, even slight wear, should not be mixed with new tires. Doing so will cause handling irregularities and lead to uneven wear.

Do I Need to Replace My Golf Cart Wheels as Well, or Can I Just Change the Tires?

The main reasons to replace golf cart wheels are if they’re damaged beyond reasonable repair or to change to a tire size that the current ones can’t accommodate. Owners can purchase tire/wheel combos to make changing the tires easier and then keep the original rims for swapping on other tires at a later date.

When replacing tires or rims, make sure the new tires will fit inside the wheel wells without rubbing under load or around tight turns.

How Long Do Golf Cart Tires Last?

Golf cart tires typically last between two and three years. Remember to match your tires with the cart’s intended use. The tread and ply ratings are particularly important, as tires with the wrong tread will not provide secure traction, and insufficient ply ratings can lead to tires bursting under load.

Are There Puncture-Resistant Golf Cart Tires?

Users who want to avoid punctures can choose airless tires or Tweels. These tires, as the name suggests, do not use air. Instead, they rely on a series of structures to maintain shape, which means they cannot go flat. They typically have less rolling resistance, which improves efficiency, and they often wear better than pneumatic tires.

Will Changing My Tire Size Affect Speed and Ride Quality?

Larger diameter tires will increase the top speed of a golf cart by as much as 4 mph. However, torque will decrease, reducing the cart’s ability to accelerate as quickly.

Increasing tire size also negatively affects handling by raising the center of gravity and increasing sidewall height, but the ride quality will improve, as large tires typically provide a softer, smoother ride.

How Do I Maintain Golf Cart Tires?

Here are some tips to improve tire longevity:

• Always inflate to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure
• Clean the tires after use
• Avoid exposing tires to harsh chemicals
• Do not store the tires in direct sunlight
• Rotate the tires regularly
• Inspect the tires for damage and under/overinflation before and after use

Golf cart tires can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to replace. Taking care of your tires is simply protecting an investment.

What Is the Recommended Tire Pressure for Golf Cart Tires?

The most common range of tire pressures for golf cart tires is 15 to 20 PSI (pounds per square inch), with 20 PSI being the typical recommended pressure. Some large or specialty tires may require higher pressures, in some cases as high as 40 PSI.

To monitor and adjust your tire pressure, keep a pressure gauge and electric tire pump in your storage shed or garage.

Only drive on tires inflated to the recommended pressure. Underinflation will compromise handling, quickly damage the tires’ belts, and harm fuel efficiency. Overinflation can reduce traction and cause the tires to burst.