12in Golf Cart Wheels: The Most Versatile Wheel On The Market?

Author:Christian Attlesey

Read Time:4-5 minutes

What Christian Ate For Lunch The Day He Wrote This Article: Chicken and rice

 

 

 

 

Here is a question: Who doesn't love riding in a golf cart? Here at Golf Cart Stuff, we would venture to say that very few people don't like riding in a golf cart.

It's small enough to feel safe and fast enough to have fun. It's the perfect combo!

While everyone loves riding in a golf cart, one piece of equipment can make all the difference in the ride experience- the golf cart's wheels and tires.

Getting a new set of rims and tires on your golf cart can breathe new life into your buggy!

If you are looking for something new to roll on, a great place to start looking is at 12-inch wheel and tire combos.

One of the most versatile golf cart wheel sizes on the market today, 12-inch golf cart wheels cover all the bases.

This article will take you in-depth regarding the benefits of 12" wheels, the overall sizing of the various 12" wheel and tire combos, as well as the popular tire manufacturers and the tread options they offer. Want to be an expert on 12-inch wheels? Then dig in!

Benefits of 12in Golf Cart Wheels

In the golf cart wheel and tire world, 12-inch wheels offer some benefits you can't find in the various other sizes.

Let's take a closer look at some of the main selling points of 12" combos.

Works Great With Stock and Lifted Golf Carts

Golf cart owners are a funny bunch. Some cart owners want their golf carts to look as pristine and unique as possible and will spare no expense to get them up to their standards.

Other cart owners use their golf carts to move around their property and want just enough upgrades to keep them running smoothly.

Typically golf cart wheels come in five sizes: 8", 10", 12", 14", and 15". Each of these wheels has something to offer golf cart owners, but each has its own set of drawbacks as well.

One of the best things about 12in wheels is that they run the whole gambit of wheel and tire sizing.

That means you can find plenty of combos that work with non-lifted and lifted carts.

For example, plenty of 12" wheel and tire combos max out at 18" in overall height- the same diameter as stock wheels and tires.

That means you can quickly and easily take your stock combo off your golf cart and throw a 12" combo on there without ever having to think of installing a lift kit.

On the other hand, there are plenty of 12" wheel and tire combos with an overall diameter of 23".

A 23" diameter is one of the largest wheel and tire combos you can buy for your golf cart and in most instances will require the installation of a 6" lift kit.

In addition to these two sizes, there are plenty of combos that have 20" and 22" diameters as well.

Long story short, if you want a golf cart wheel that gives you the maximum flexibility in regards to what tire you purchase, a 12" wheel is a great choice.

Plenty Of Wheel To Catch The Eye | Plenty Of Tire To Smooth The Ride

Another benefit of 12in golf cart wheels is they strike an outstanding balance between the wheel and the tire.

To help illustrate this point, I'll discuss some of the drawbacks of both the smaller golf cart wheels (8"/10") and larger golf cart wheels (14"/15").

As we discussed in our article about 10" wheels, one downside of smaller golf cart wheels is that depending on the size of the combo, the wheel can often look overpowered or "swallowed up" by the surrounding tire.

For example, a 10" wheel with large off-road tires is going to have so much tire on the combo that it can sometimes look like a giant rubber blob.

This combo will provide excellent cushion and ride comfort but sacrifice a more polished look.

On the other end, a large 14" wheel will have great aesthetics, but depending on the tire you purchase, it may not provide a smooth and comfortable ride.

12in golf cart wheels are a perfect middle ground and can allow you to buy a street/turf tire that looks great and still has enough tire and air to mitigate against bumps and rough terrain.

The same is true when you pair 12" wheels with off-road tires- the wheel isn't swallowed up, and you still get plenty of tire and air to absorb the bumps of driving. 

A Minor Drawback of 12in Golf Cart Wheels

It is important to note that even though 12" wheels are versatile enough for any tire style, there is one minor drawback you need to be aware of.

Depending on your golf cart's make and model, getting a 12-inch wheel and street tire combo for a non-lifted cart may mean settling for a low-profile tire.

For some customers, this is great! However, low-profile tires are notorious for providing a bumpy ride as the sidewall on these tires is extremely small.

This smaller sidewall is no issue if you only take your golf cart on paved roads or smooth pathways. However, if you frequently travel on more "natural" terrain, you may want to avoid this.

It is crucial that you think through where you drive your cart and what suits you best!

12" Wheel Overall Sizing and Tire Tread Options

12" golf cart wheel and tire combos range in overall diameter from 18" to 23".

As a result, it is imperative that you know your make and model and whether you have a lift kit installed (or plan to install one) before making a wheel and tire purchase.

Here are the typical 12" golf cart wheel and tire sizes and their corresponding diameter's and widths:

 

• 12" wheels with 215/35-12 tires: 18" tall / 8.5" wide
• 12" wheels with 215/40-12 tires: 18.75" tall / 8.5" wide
• 12" wheels with 215/50-12 tires: 20.5" tall / 8.5" wide
• 12" wheels with 20x10-12 tires: 20" tall / 10" wide
• 12" wheels with 22x10-12 tires: 22" tall / 10" wide
• 12" wheels with 22x11-12 tires: 22" tall / 11" wide
• 12" wheels with 23x10-12 tires: 23" tall / 10" wide
• 12" wheels with 23x10.5-12 tires: 23" tall / 10.5" wide

Here is a quick guide on the major golf cart manufacturers and their sizing needs:

• EZGO Golf Carts

• 18" tall combos- No lift kit needed
• 20" tall combos- No lift kit needed
• 22" tall combos- Minimum 3" lift kit needed
• 23" tall combos- Minimum 5"/6" lift kit needed

• Club Car Golf Carts

• 18" tall combos- No lift kit needed
• 20" tall combos- Minimum 3" lift kit needed
• 22" tall combos- Minimum 4" lift kit needed
• 23" tall combos- Minimum 6" lift kit needed

• Yamaha Golf Carts

• G-Series Carts (G1-G22 models)
• 18" tall combos- No lift kit needed
• 20" tall combos- Minimum 3" lift kit needed
• 22" tall combos- Minimum 5" lift kit needed
• 23" tall combos- Minimum 6" lift kit needed
• Drive (G29) & Drive2 Carts
• 18" tall combos- No lift kit needed
• 20" tall combos- No lift kit needed
• 22" tall combos- Minimum 3" lift kit needed
• 23" tall combos- Minimum 5"/6" lift kit needed

Popular 12" Golf Cart Tires

Here is a list of some of the most popular golf cart tires we carry for 12" golf cart wheels. We've broken down our list by golf cart tire manufacturers and their various tread styles. Take a look!

Arisun Golf Cart Tires

Arisun 12" Street/Turf Golf Cart Tires

• Arisun Cruze Tire: An extremely popular golf cart tire, the Arisun Cruze has a classic tread that can easily cross over from the neighborhood to the golf course. (Available in 215/35-12 as well as 215/50-12 Comfortride)