Golfing is no fun without a golf cart. Things often go out of control, and retrieving supplies on the other side of the ground by foot can be tedious.
Getting a golf cart is indeed an exciting experience. It doesn’t matter if you’re purchasing a cart for the first time or 5th; what matters is you pick a battery-operated model. Now, batteries have a rule – they die after reaching their limit.
So to speak, we often get questions like, “how long will my golf cart’s battery last?” followed by “…and how much will it cost me?”
Both questions are valid. With tip-top maintenance, the average life hope of a golf cart is six years. But the life expectancy of your golf cart depends on various factors, including charging practise, temperature, and storage.
So are you willing to learn how long do golf cart batteries last, combined with a few tips that shed light on how to improve its lifespan?
If you’d like to know what the best electric golf carts of 2023 are, click here.
Let’s go to the basics.
Golf Cart Batteries
When driving a golf cart, giving the vehicle an adequate amount of charge is critical. Maintenance is another aspect because if you don’t take care of your masterpiece, the battery will die sooner than it’s supposed to.
On the contrary, if you put all hands on deck and take proper precautionary measures, you can expect the battery to last anywhere between six to ten years.
Should I Leave My Golf Cart Plugged In All The Time?
A golf cart battery must discharge and charge and then recharge in a proper sequence. Leaving it plugged all the time is not ideal for maintenance. The best form of care is to unplug your cart when the battery has fully charged.
A golf cart battery isn’t any different than the fuel in your car; it needs to be at an optimum level. The construction of a golf cart’s battery requires routine maintenance to provide the energy your cart needs to operate. So remember to unplug the cart when it’s charged.
Factors That Effect Your Golf Cart’s Battery Life
1. Charging all the time – a major killer
The number one factor that can destroy almost any electronic device is overcharging.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR BATTERIES ON CHARGE EVEN AFTER THEY ARE FULLY CHARGED.
Although this can accidentally be done if your battery is manual and old, this refers to a charger that isn’t advanced enough to detect when a battery is almost charged or doesn’t even slow down as the battery reaches a saturation point.
New chargers automatically slow down and disconnect when the battery becomes fully charged. They have built-in algorithms that can sense when the batteries are about to be full.
Most manual chargers come with a built-in timer that users are supposed to set. But if this is not the case, it is suggested that you select a timer or an alarm because over-cooking your cart’s batteries are sure to affect the longevity.
Another evident way to lose your battery for good is by being ignorant. Golf cart batteries require watering on a routine basis. By that, we mean at least once a month and using distilled water (if necessary).
Pro Tip: never use tap water because that could damage your batteries.
When checking them, make sure they are charged because you don’t want to fill them if they are not set, as this could lead to overfilling.
Nonetheless, one of the top “batter killer” factors is inadequate maintenance. Therefore, be a hero to golf and check your cart’s battery regularly.
2. The battery’s quality/brand
The quality of your battery matters just as much as the maintenance! After all, spending hours on care would mean nothing if the battery is already dead inside.
Let’s make this short; make sure you are using a well-reputed brand’s battery for your golf cart. Otherwise, it’s just a waste.
3. The features of your golf cart
A lesser-known factor – but it helps.
So how many features does your golf cart have? If you have a horn, an upgraded motor, high speed, headlights, fog lights, then your battery’s lifespan could be diminished.
As a comparison dynamic, fleet golf cart batteries are useful for two to four golf circles each day, and they may last for just five years, while VIP golf cart batteries have a longer life.
The most apparent suggestion for maintenance is to follow the recommendations from the manufacturer as efficiently as possible. This means checking water levels and cleaning terminals every month, and keeping the batteries alive and recharged after use.
How To Know When Golf Cart Batteries Are Dying
û Charge times get out of hand
As with any rechargeable battery, repeated cycles of charging and draining your battery can take a severe toll on it. Batteries are designed with chemicals that have a remarkable shelf life.
When in constant use, they will not give you the kind of power they did before. Your charger will be doing everything on its behalf to achieve those max power levels despite how low it is. As a result, your golf cart could find itself taking longer to charge whenever it needs.
Tips To Improve the Lifecycle of Golf Cart Batteries
Use an efficient battery charger
This is easy. Use a 3-phase charger for your battery and make sure the charger’s positive lead is attached to the battery’s red terminal while the negative lead is connected to the negative pole.
It is crucial to charge the battery after every golf round.
Use anti-rust lubricants
The acid in golf cart batteries is one of the primary agents for rusting its internal components. The best way to prevent this is to coat its terminals, bolts, nuts, and wire lugs with a high-quality non-hardening lubricant.
A thin layer of petroleum jelly or Vaseline on the terminals also provide superior protection. Also, don’t forget to seal any naked wires at the lugs with rubber tape.
Drip charge the battery
If you’re planning to store the battery, use a trickle charger to put it on a charge while it’s being stored. A solar charger is the best choice because it prolongs the lifespan.
Buy good quality batteries
Pay more to have more. Cheaper batteries have little life compared to high-performance golf cart batteries. The latter may last for more than ten years if maintained remarkably.
So do your golfing ventures a favor and invest in a high-quality battery.
If you notice the batteries starting to weaken after a few holes, you need to check the battery. The last thing you want is to push your golf cart back to the clubhouse.
So whenever you notice a fault, consider turning back and calling it a day. You are better off leaving the game.
People love to listen to the radio while carting
If your carts have lights, radios, or any other electrical mechanisms, they should not be on when the vehicle is not operating.
Similar to driving a car, these mechanisms can consume a lot of energy from your battery, especially when the engine is off.
On the contrary, if your carts are petrol-powered, you may need to jump-start them after the battery has died. This scenario is less than idyllic for any fleet of golf carts.
Not receiving any “Get up and go” hints
When you press the pedal on golf or electric cart, it whizzes off quickly. When you softly press the pedal, it moves gently, but it should run at top speeds when pushed hard.
But when batteries start to lose their power, they take longer to accelerate and might not even come close to the speeds you need. They will dive in acceleration and may make it impossible to climb hills.
If this happens, it’s time to switch your batteries. A fully charged cart should run you through the grounds and over the hills without any trouble.
The Verdict
All vehicle batteries are constructed using the same materials, but not every automobile has a similar operation.
That being said, a golfer isn’t a golfer without his cart, and having one is a huge responsibility – not to mention the care and battery checkups. No golfer should leave his cart’s battery unattended because if the battery dies in the middle of a run, bad things happen. So be dear and take good care of your golf cart’s battery.
Liam Drake, an avid golfer and seasoned outdoor enthusiast, brings his passion for the greens to his golfing blog. With years of experience swinging clubs and exploring courses around the world, Liam shares his insights, tips, and personal stories to inspire and guide fellow golf lovers. Whether it's breaking down the latest gear, navigating challenging courses, or just sharing a memorable round, Liam's blog is a treasure trove for anyone who shares his love for the game.
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