Many people picture a golf cart in the traditional sense: off-white with a canopy and small rubber wheels. Golf courses post a list of rules regarding the use of rental carts. But in many cases, there's no rule that says you can't use your own cart or that it has to comply with a design criterion. You can generate enthusiasm and spark conversation by adding personality to a golf cart in any number of ways.
Wheels and Tires
One of the most impressive additions to any vehicle is a set of custom wheels and tires. You can create a rugged look by mounting a set of off-road wheels with knobby tires on your cart. Another option is oversize chrome wheels and thin tires that give your cart the look of a custom street ride. Cart-size wheels and tires are available in dozens of styles through any number of online sources and accessory outlets. Anyone with the ability to remove wheels from a vehicle can mount a set of wheels and tires on a golf cart. In addition to wheels and tires, you might consider taking your golf cart project to another level with some bodywork.
Body and Paint
Browse several custom golf cart websites and you'll find dozens of designs. Popular rugged designs have a scaled-down Humvee grill on the front and a roll bar instead of a canopy. You can offset chrome wheels and thin tires with a miniature Cadillac grill and front bumper. Certain vendors offer complete body kits that resemble classic cars and pickup trucks. An inexpensive approach is painting the cart a solid color or two-tone colors. For fun, you might consider camouflage. You can use tones of tan and brown, green and black or any colors you like. Paint the lighter color first and allow it to dry completely. Mask the patterns for the darker areas in any configuration and remove the masking tape when the fresh paint becomes tacky.
Power Plant
The majority of production golf carts have electric motors with rechargeable batteries. Electric motors are quiet, which is a consideration on golf courses. Charging batteries is relatively economical in terms of a fuel source. You might find this type of power plant is fine for your cart. On the other hand, you might prefer the feel of a gasoline engine that runs as quiet as an electric cart. Manufacturers such as Honda and Yamaha produce golf cart engines with up to 24 horsepower that get you around cart paths with ease. In the event the power plant is not a concern, you have a variety of convenience options for your golf cart.
Accessories
Most DYI mechanics can install a sound system of some type in a golf cart by following the instructions that came with the unit. A CD player or radio is wired to the main battery or a small auxiliary battery that you get at a motorcycle shop. You can build hardwood speaker cabinets or mount the speakers in the dashboard and under the canopy. Cup holders come in chrome and hard plastic and install in minutes using a cordless drill with a screw tip attachment. For coolers, attach small clips to the floorboard and the sides of the cooler with short screws and use a bungee cord to hold the cooler in place. Any time you decide to move an accessory, seal the screw holes with small push-in plugs that you find at hardware stores or cabinet shops.
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