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Buying or owning a golf cart comes with plenty of choices. The brand, the color, the customization options, and the type of tire all affect how your cart looks, rides, and performs.
Golf cart tires are especially important because the right tire depends on where you plan to drive. A cart used mainly on the golf course may need a different tire than one used on pavement, trails, farms, or muddy property.
Today we’re looking at the most common types of golf cart tires so you can choose the right tire style for your needs.
Turf and Street Golf Cart Tires
Turf and street golf cart tires are the most common tires you’ll see on a golf cart. Unless your cart has been customized, there’s a good chance it already has this style of tire. Because they’re common factory options, turf and street tires are often grouped together, though they can have slight differences.
Turf Golf Cart Tires
Turf tires are designed to protect grass and provide a smooth ride on golf courses, lawns, and landscaped areas. They typically have a shallow tread pattern that helps prevent damage to turf.
Turf tires are a good fit if you mainly drive on:
- Golf courses
- Lawns
- Campgrounds
- Parks
- Landscaped properties
Street Golf Cart Tires
Street tires are designed for smoother rides on paved surfaces. They’re a good choice for carts used around neighborhoods, communities, parking lots, and paved paths.
Street tires are a good fit if you mainly drive on:
- Neighborhood roads
- Paved paths
- Parking lots
- Campuses
- Residential communities
If you only plan to drive your cart around your neighborhood or on the golf course, sticking with turf or street golf cart tires is usually the best option. These tires can generally transition from one environment to the other, but bear in mind that some areas require DOT-approved tires for street driving, and not all turf tires meet that standard.
Off-Road Golf Cart Tires
Off-road tires are designed for rougher driving conditions. They usually have deeper, knob-like treads that help grip uneven surfaces and provide extra traction on wooded, rocky, or loose terrain.
Off-road tires may be a good fit if you use your golf cart for:
- Hunting trips
- Camping
- Farms
- Trails
- Dirt roads
- Uneven property
However, off-road tires aren’t ideal for every cart or situation. They can create a rougher ride on pavement and are generally not allowed on golf courses because they can damage turf. If you use your cart mostly on streets or golf courses, off-road tires are more rugged than what you would usually need.
Mud Tires for Golf Carts
Mud tires are a more aggressive type of off-road golf cart tire designed for soft, wet, or muddy terrain. They typically feature deeper tread patterns that help the cart maintain traction when the ground is loose or slick.
Mud tires may be useful if you regularly drive through:
- Muddy trails
- Wet fields
- Hunting land
- Farms
- Outdoor work sites
For everyday neighborhood driving, mud tires aren’t the best fit. They can be louder, rougher on pavement, and harder on grass. For carts used in wet or uneven conditions, mud tires can provide the traction you need to keep moving.
All-Terrain Golf Cart Tires
All-terrain tires are designed to offer a balance between pavement comfort and off-road traction. While they still aren’t typically allowed on golf courses, they usually provide a smoother ride on pavement than full off-road tires.
Like off-road models, all-terrain tires have knobby treads, but the tread is usually shallower. This makes them a good middle-ground option if you drive on a mix of surfaces.
All-terrain golf cart tires may be a good fit if you drive on:
- Neighborhood roads
- Gravel paths
- Dirt roads
- Beaches
- Campsites
- Light trails
These tires are designed to give you the best of both worlds: enough grip for outdoor use without making road driving as uncomfortable as a full off-road tire.
Find the Right Golf Cart Tires at Garrett’s
Once you know which type of golf cart tire best fits your needs, the next step is choosing where to purchase and install them.
Garrett’s Golf Cars has been serving the state of South Carolina since 1992, helping customers choose the right carts, parts, accessories, and upgrades. Whether you need turf tires for the course, street tires for the neighborhood, all-terrain tires for mixed use, or mud tires for tougher off-road conditions, our team can help you find the right fit.
Contact Garrett’s Golf Cars or stop by one of our locations to get help choosing golf cart tires for your cart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some ATV tires may fit a golf cart, but only if the tire size, wheel size, bolt pattern, and clearance are compatible with the cart. Even if they fit, ATV tires may not be ideal for every golf cart because they can affect ride quality, handling, and turf protection. It is best to check with a golf cart professional before installing ATV tires.
Bigger tires can increase the top speed of some golf carts slightly because they cover more ground with each rotation. However, they can also reduce torque, affect acceleration, and put more strain on the motor or the drivetrain. Bigger tires should be chosen carefully based on the cart’s setup and intended use.
Yes, many golf carts can be fitted with bigger tires, but larger tires may require a lift kit depending on the size. Without proper clearance, bigger tires may rub against the body or suspension. Before upgrading your tire size, consider your cart model, wheel size, clearance, and how you plan to drive.
Larger tires can add some height to a golf cart, but they won’t function as a true lift kit. If you want significant added ground clearance for off-road driving or a larger tire setup, a lift kit may be needed. Tires can help, but don’t rely on them as the sole way to raise a cart for rugged use.
