The average speed of a gas golf cart straight from the factory usually ranges between 10 to 15 miles per hour (MPH). However, the golf cart top speed can vary greatly depending on the model, its intended use, and whether any performance adjustments have been made.
Golf carts are popular tools for getting around large properties, golf courses, and gated communities. Many people wonder just how fast these small vehicles can actually move. If you are thinking about buying one or already own one, knowing the speed limits and how to change them is important. This guide dives deep into how fast are gas golf carts, what affects their speed, and what options exist to make them go faster.
Fathoming Standard Gas Golf Cart Speeds
Gas golf carts run on small combustion engines, similar to what you find in lawnmowers or ATVs. This gives them a certain built-in advantage in power delivery compared to their electric cousins.
Stock Speed Configurations
When you buy a brand-new gas golf cart from a dealership, it is usually set to a safe, standard speed. This is mainly due to regulations and safety concerns, especially if the cart is meant to be used on public or shared paths.
For most standard, two-seater utility or consumer gas golf carts (like those made by Yamaha, Club Car, or EZ-GO), the factory speed setting is often kept low.
- Typical Low Setting: 10 – 12 MPH. This is perfect for short, slow trips around a resort or a quiet neighborhood street where you just need a gentle ride.
- Standard Performance Setting: 14 – 18 MPH. This is common for carts designed for longer stretches on a golf course. This speed feels brisk but remains very safe.
The maximum speed gas golf cart models reach when new is usually capped around 18 MPH unless specified as a high-performance model.
Why Speed Varies in Stock Carts
Even if two carts are the exact same model, their initial speeds might differ slightly. This is due to several factors:
- Engine Size: Carts designed for heavy hauling or steep hills might have slightly different engine tuning than a light-duty resort cart.
- Tire Size: Larger tires mean the cart travels further with each engine revolution, naturally increasing the speed.
- Governor Settings: All modern gas golf carts have an electronic or mechanical device called a governor installed. This device limits how fast the engine can spin (RPMs). The factory sets this limit very conservatively.
The Role of the Governor in Limiting Speed
The governor is the single most important component determining your golf cart top speed. It acts like a speed chip on a computer, preventing the engine from over-revving.
What the Governor Does
The governor connects to the throttle system. When the engine reaches the preset limit (e.g., 3,000 RPM), the governor physically or electronically pulls the throttle back slightly. This keeps the engine safe and limits speed.
For example, if your engine could theoretically reach 25 MPH, but the governor is set to limit the RPMs that result in 15 MPH, your cart will never go faster than 15 MPH until the governor is adjusted.
How Fast Can a Gas Cart Go Without Restriction?
If you remove the governor or adjust it to its maximum setting, the potential gas golf cart top speed increases significantly. With the governor bypassed or set high, a stock engine might push the cart to speeds between 20 and 25 MPH. This is often the sweet spot for neighborhood driving before major engine upgrades are needed.
Comparing Gas and Electric Golf Cart Speed
A common question is comparing gas and electric golf cart speed. Generally, gas carts have a higher ceiling for raw speed, especially when looking at performance potential.
| Feature | Stock Gas Cart Speed | Stock Electric Cart Speed | Potential Modified Speed (Gas) | Potential Modified Speed (Electric) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Range | 12 – 18 MPH | 12 – 15 MPH | 25 – 35+ MPH | 22 – 30+ MPH |
| Torque/Hill Climbing | Good, consistent power | Starts strong, can fade on long hills | Excellent with engine tuning | Excellent, especially 72V systems |
| Top Speed Limit | Governor dependent | Controller/Motor dependent | High potential | Capped by controller limits |
Gas carts often maintain their top speed better when climbing hills or carrying heavy loads compared to standard electric carts, which can see significant speed drops under load. This consistent delivery of power contributes to better overall gas golf cart performance.
Achieving Faster Gas Golf Cart Speed
If 15 MPH isn’t cutting it, you might be looking for ways to achieve a faster gas golf cart speed. This usually involves careful modifications. Remember, any modification might void your warranty or violate local road use laws. Always check local ordinances before making your cart street-legal or increasing its speed significantly.
The Easiest Tweak: Adjusting the Governor
The least invasive way to gain speed is often adjusting the governor.
- Mechanical Governors: These have an adjustment screw or linkage. Backing off the adjustment allows the engine to rev higher before the mechanism kicks in. This is often how cart owners gain 5-7 MPH quickly.
- Electronic Governors: These are harder to change directly without specialized tools or knowledge, as the limiting function is often integrated into the ignition or ECU (Engine Control Unit).
Performance Parts for Gas Golf Carts
To truly push the maximum speed gas golf cart can achieve, you need more than just governor adjustment. These modifications focus on giving the engine more air, better fuel, and better spark.
1. Exhaust System Upgrades
A stock exhaust system is designed for quiet operation, which usually means it restricts airflow.
- Header Pipes: Installing a high-flow header pipe lets exhaust gases escape faster. This reduces back pressure.
- Muffler Replacement: Switching to a less restrictive performance muffler allows the engine to “breathe” better.
Better exhaust flow directly contributes to better horsepower and, thus, higher top speed.
2. Carburetor Tuning and Jets
The carburetor mixes fuel and air. If it isn’t optimized for the new airflow from the exhaust, you won’t see maximum gains.
- Re-Jetting: Installing slightly larger jets in the carburetor allows more fuel to enter the combustion chamber, matching the increased airflow. This is crucial for reliable performance when going for a faster gas golf cart speed.
3. Air Intake Systems
Just as the engine needs to get air out efficiently, it needs to pull clean, high-volume air in.
- High-Flow Air Filter: Replacing the restrictive paper filter with a performance foam or cotton gauze filter increases the volume of air entering the engine.
4. Clutch Modifications
The clutch system is what transfers the engine’s power to the wheels. Stock clutches are optimized for low-speed torque.
- Clutch Kits: Performance clutch kits often feature stiffer springs or different weights. These parts change when the engine shifts into its higher gear ratios. This allows the engine to spin faster (more RPMs) before it engages the wheels fully, leading to higher speeds. This is a key part of gas golf cart modifications for speed.
Street Legal Carts and Speed Limits
If you plan to use your cart on public roads, speed becomes a legal issue, not just a mechanical one. Many states and local jurisdictions have laws regarding golf cart usage.
Law Compliance
In areas where golf carts are allowed on low-speed roads (usually 35 MPH or less), the cart must often be classified as a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) or Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV).
- LSV Requirement: LSVs must meet specific safety standards, including headlights, taillights, mirrors, seat belts, and a VIN. Crucially, LSVs are legally capped at 20 MPH or 25 MPH, depending on local rules.
If your goal is street legality, you must ensure your modified cart meets all safety requirements and adheres to the maximum legal speed allowed by your county or city. Trying to achieve a golf cart top speed of 40 MPH in a zone where the limit is 25 MPH is illegal.
Advanced Performance: Engine Swaps and Overhauls
For those seeking extreme gas golf cart performance far beyond 30 MPH, the path involves significant overhauls.
Big Bore Kits
Similar to modifying small engines on motorcycles or ATVs, you can install a “big bore kit.” This increases the cylinder diameter, resulting in a larger displacement (e.g., moving from a 296cc engine to a 360cc engine). This modification dramatically boosts torque and overall power, easily pushing speeds over 35 MPH, provided the clutch and transmission can handle it.
Variator and Belt Systems
The CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) system in most carts uses a belt and two sheaves (the front and back parts of the pulley).
- Performance Variator: Replacing the stock variator with an aftermarket unit can change the pulley ratio. This lets the engine maintain higher RPMs longer, increasing acceleration and top speed.
Electric Cart Speed Limitations vs. Gas Power
It is worth reiterating how modifying gas golf cart speed often differs from electric carts.
Electric carts rely on the speed controller. To go faster, you often need:
- A higher voltage system (e.g., upgrading from 48V to 72V).
- A higher amperage controller capable of delivering more power to the motor.
- A higher-speed motor.
While electric carts are highly tunable, reaching the raw top-end speed of a heavily modified gas cart often requires a much larger financial investment in the electrical components. Gas carts gain speed through proven, relatively simple internal combustion tweaks.
Factors Beyond the Engine Affecting Speed
Speed isn’t just about the engine’s output. The cart’s ability to translate that power into motion is just as critical.
Tire Choice and Pressure
The tires you use have a huge impact on the average speed of a gas golf cart.
- Low Rolling Resistance: Smooth, hard tires meant for pavement roll easier than knobby tires designed for mud or rough terrain. Smoother tires reduce drag.
- Tire Pressure: Under-inflated tires create more friction with the ground, slowing the cart down. Keeping tires at the maximum recommended PSI (while staying safe) minimizes rolling resistance.
Cart Weight and Suspension
Lighter carts accelerate faster and achieve higher speeds more easily.
- Removing Unneeded Weight: If you don’t use heavy accessories like large cargo boxes, lifts, or huge sound systems, removing them reduces the inertia the engine must overcome.
- Suspension Lifts: While lift kits look cool, they raise the cart’s center of gravity and often introduce more wind resistance. A lifted cart will generally have a lower golf cart top speed than a stock-height cart running the same engine power, due to aerodynamic drag.
Aerodynamics
At low speeds (under 15 MPH), wind resistance is minor. Once you approach 25 MPH or higher, air resistance becomes a major limiting factor.
- Body Style: Carts with tall roofs and large windshields create a large “sail” effect. Sleeker, lower-profile custom bodies cut through the air better, allowing the engine to push the vehicle faster for the same amount of power.
Maintenance: Keeping Your Gas Cart Running Fast
A poorly maintained gas cart will never reach its potential speed, no matter how many modifications you make. Regular maintenance is essential for consistent gas golf cart performance.
Key Maintenance Checks for Speed
- Air Filter: A clogged filter chokes the engine, reducing power significantly. Change it regularly, especially if driving in dusty areas.
- Spark Plug: A fouled or worn spark plug causes weak, misfiring combustion. Replace it according to the manufacturer’s schedule.
- Oil Changes: Fresh oil keeps the engine running cool and reduces internal friction, allowing the engine to rev more freely.
- Belt Inspection: Check the drive belt in the CVT system for cracks or wear. A slipping belt wastes power and prevents maximum speed transfer.
- Fuel Quality: Use fresh, good-quality gasoline. Old gas can clog small fuel lines and jets in the carburetor.
Deciphering Gas Golf Cart Speed Limiters
Sometimes, speed reduction is intentional, especially in commercial fleets used by resorts or campuses. These carts have a gas golf cart speed limiter installed, often electronically integrated.
Fleet Management Systems
Large organizations use GPS-based or wired fleet management systems. These systems can electronically command the throttle body or the ignition system to limit speed based on GPS location. For example, the cart might be limited to 8 MPH in the main lobby area but allowed 15 MPH on the outer perimeter roads.
If you purchase a used fleet cart, you must locate and bypass or remove this limiter to restore normal performance. This usually involves consulting the manual for the fleet management system or tracing the wiring back to the primary control unit.
Conclusion on Gas Cart Speeds
The answer to how fast does a gas golf cart go is complex. A stock cart will usually cruise safely between 12 and 18 MPH. However, the inherent design of the small combustion engine allows for significant tuning. Through simple governor adjustments, you can likely hit 20-22 MPH. For serious speed enthusiasts seeking true gas golf cart modifications for speed, reaching sustained speeds of 30 to 35 MPH is achievable with upgraded exhausts, clutches, and carburetor tuning.
Always prioritize safety and legality. While making your cart faster is fun, ensuring it stops reliably and complies with local laws is the most important performance metric.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How fast can a stock 300cc gas golf cart legally go on the street?
Legally, it depends entirely on your local laws. If the cart is not registered as an LSV (Low-Speed Vehicle), it often cannot be driven on any public street. If it is registered as an LSV, the maximum speed is usually capped at 20 or 25 MPH, regardless of what the engine can do.
Can I make my gas golf cart go faster than 35 MPH?
Yes, it is mechanically possible with extensive gas golf cart modifications for speed, such as big bore kits, high-performance clutches, and performance tuning. However, carts are not designed for high speeds. At speeds over 30 MPH, stability, braking, and suspension become major safety concerns.
What is the simplest way to increase the average speed of a gas golf cart?
The simplest way is usually adjusting or bypassing the mechanical governor. This often requires basic mechanical knowledge but usually provides an immediate 3 to 7 MPH boost without replacing major components.
Does lifting my gas golf cart affect its top speed?
Yes, lifting a cart negatively impacts its golf cart top speed. A lift kit increases the vehicle’s profile, leading to significantly higher aerodynamic drag. More energy is needed just to push the air out of the way, leaving less power available for acceleration and top speed.
How do I know if my gas cart has a speed limiter?
If your cart suddenly slows down dramatically at a specific speed or location, it likely has an electronic or GPS-based gas golf cart speed limiter installed by a fleet manager. You may need to check under the seat or the dashboard for aftermarket wiring harnesses connected to the ignition system.