Complete Golf Cart Wheel & Tires Guide for 2020
Are you looking to invest in new golf cart wheels and tires? If so, it is best to be sure that you select a kit that will fit your cart and give you the look and function you need. By reading on, you can learn all about buying wheels and tires for your golf cart.
Different Golf Cart Wheels From Which to Choose
One of the first things that need to be addressed is the different options you can choose from, such as low-profile tires and high-profile/all-terrain tires. Low-profile tires are generally thinner and more versatile options from which to choose. You can typically fit these on your golf cart without having to worry about getting a lift kit. These tires come in the following sizes: 8, 10, 12, and 14. For Yamaha golf carts, EZGO, or Club Car cars, you won't usually need a lift kit for those sizes.
High profile tires, which also refers to all-terrain tires, are typically used for off-roading situations and require lift kits. These wheels have more meat to them, but you can still use an 8-inch without needing a lift kit for most golf carts. However, anything larger may require an additional lift kit, especially when you start getting into the big sizes like 24-inch options.
Choosing the Right Tires for Your Needs
Another thing that you should consider is DOT or turf-approved tires. Depending on where you intend to drive the golf cart, you need to make sure that you have the right tires. DOT-approved tires are required to drive your golf cart in the streets and are certified by the Department of Transportation. These tires are specifically designed for street use and come in these sizes: 8, 10, 12, and 14 inches.
If your tires have too much meat on them, they may not be approved for use on the turf because they don't want your golf cart to damage the course. There are stringent rules about the type of tires you can use on the turf, so it is best to have turf-approved tires. These are usually designed to slip less, which won't tear up the golf course if you are stuck in the rain.
Guide for Choosing the Sizes
First, this will look at understanding the different sizes. A low-profile tire that is sized 205/50-10". The 205 is the golf tire's width in millimeters, which means the length across the tire. 50 is the ratio of the sidewall to the width, referring to how meaty the tire is. The bigger this ration is, the meatier the tire is and how tall the tire is. The 10" refers to the size of the tire in inches.
When it comes to all-terrain tires, there are no ratios to try to decipher. An example is to look at an all-terrain tire that is sized 22x11x10". The 22 refers to the height of the tire, measured in inches. 11 is the width of the tire, measured in inches. 10 is the size of the wheel that should be mounted on the golf cart. Each golf cart has its limitations as far as the wheel sizes and whether they need a lift kit, which you should look up before buying one for your golf cart.