What is The Difference Between a Golf Cart and a Golf Car

While the terms golf car or golf cart are often used interchangeably, they can also refer to two distinct types of recreational mobility devices. Here at Aggieland, we support the widest range of low-speed vehicle needs for College Station and Bryan, Texas, communities, with a vast assortment of new and used low-speed vehicles.

Read on to learn about the technical differences between golf carts and golf cars. It will be a tremendous help the next time you're inquiring about renting or buying a golf car for your local transportation or recreation needs.

Golf Car or Golf Cart?

When used interchangeably, you can be fairly certain someone is referring to a self-propelled, motorized golf car. Just like a regular-sized car is distinct from a trailer, a golf car is distinct from a cart. It may cause confusion, however, if someone truly does mean a golf cart, just as they'd refer to a shopping cart or an oxygen tank cart, which are pulled or pushed using manual labor.

What Is a Golf Car?

Based on the technical definition, a golf car is a type of low-speed vehicle originally made to replace non-motorized golf carts. Their defining characteristic is that they're self-propelled by a motorized drive train, as with any low-speed vehicle. What makes it a golf car, specifically, is largely a matter of convention, design/style, and its original purpose of shortening the time between golf tees.

Modern golf cars greatly expand the capabilities of traditional golf cars, even the capacities of utility terrain vehicles (UTVs). When outfitted with larger tires and better suspension, golf cars are capable of impressive off-road capabilities. Golf cars have almost always filled a variety of light transportation needs beyond the bounds of the golf course, but modern varieties increasingly blur the lines between golf course use and general low-speed transportation.

A self-propelled, motorized golf car provides numerous advantages over golf carts, including:

• Faster speeds
• Seating for 2–4 people, with various cargo options
• Easy, fun transportation for all manner of outdoor sports
• Gas, diesel, or electric motor options
• A quick and easy means of making short neighborhood trips with family and friends
• More environmentally friendly and affordable than regular vehicles

What Is a Golf Cart?

According to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a golf cart must be propelled by an animal, people, or some secondary (external) motorized device. True to its name, a golf cart is more like a trailer than a car (just as you'd refer to any other type of cart). In keeping with strict definitions, however, it raises the question: should you stop calling it a golf cart or golf car if used for anything besides golf?

It's not something we anticipate ANSI providing clarity on any time soon; but assuming you have a non-motorized, push/pull type of golf cart, they hold at least a few notable advantages over motorized golf cars:

• No motor noise
• Easier maintenance
• Environmentally friendly

Of course, all this must be contrasted with a golf cart's defining drawback: the need for external power to move it! Further, a golf cart is much slower than a motorized golf car, no matter how energetic you or your trusty pack mule are feeling that day.

Explore Our Extensive Golf Car Inventory at Aggieland Golf Cars

Aggieland Golf Cars proudly serves the golf car, UTV, and other recreation vehicle needs of the greater College Station, Texas, area. From casual neighborhood jaunts and other non-golfing forays to specific golf course mobility solutions, you can find the most suitable option for you at our family-owned and -operated dealership.

To learn more about the defining qualities of a golf car or golf cart, contact us, and tell our friendly and knowledgeable staff about your low-speed transportation needs.