Golf Cart Tires- Frequently Asked Questions Answered!

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Written by: Christian Attlesey

Read Time: 3-5 minutes
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Here at Golf Cart Stuff, we understand that buying new golf cart wheels and tires can sometimes be daunting. There are a lot of questions that need answers- what size are standard golf cart wheels? What size tires can I put on my golf cart? Do I need a lift kit?

We put together this quick list of commonly asked questions to answer those questions and help you make better purchasing decisions. If you have a question you don't see in the list or need further clarification- leave a comment below and we would be happy to get you an answer. Let's dive in!

What is the standard-size golf cart tire?

Most golf carts will have wheel and tire combinations that max out at about 18-18.5 inches in overall diameter. If you have an EZGO, Club Car, or Yamaha with standard wheels, you probably have the Kenda Hole-N-1 or a similar combo that will hit that sizing mark.

Can you put bigger tires on a golf cart without a lift kit?

As a general rule of thumb, most golf carts will need a lift kit once the wheel and tire combination has an overall height above 19"-20". The overall size of a combination measures from the bottom to the top of the tire.

However, the three major golf cart manufacturers have different wheel well sizes that allow different sizes per cart—more on that below.

Looking to purchase some new tires for your golf cart? Whether your cart is stock or lifted, we have a wide selection of golf cart tires for sale!

What size tires can I put on my EZGO golf cart?

Stock EZGO golf carts with leaf springs that are in good shape and don't sag can fit 20" wheel and tire combos without needing a lift kit.

What size tires can I put on my Club Car golf cart?

Stock Club Car golf carts with properly functioning leaf springs can fit 18"-18.5" wheel and tire combos before needing a lift kit.

What size tires can I put on my Yamaha golf cart?

Stock Yamaha G-Series Carts (Yamaha G1 up through the G22 model) can fit 18"-18.5" wheel and tire combos without needing a lift kit.

Yamaha Drive (G29) and Drive2 carts can go up to 20" in overall diameter before requiring a lift kit. Once again, this assumes that the shocks and leaf springs on the cart are working correctly.

Will taller tires make my golf cart faster?

Technically, yes, adding a larger wheel and tire combination to your golf cart should allow you to see a slight increase in speed.

Keep in mind that depending on what wheel and tire combo you purchase and what motor and controller you have installed on your cart, that increase in speed will vary significantly.

Due to the many other factors that can impact your golf cart's top speed, we don't recommend adding new wheels and tires as your primary source of speed increase.

Tech Specs- How does adding a bigger wheel and tire combo increase my speed?

Increasing the overall diameter of your wheel and tire allows your cart to cover more ground with each turn of the axle. This increase in ground coverage by each axle turn gives your golf cart a slight uptick in speed. To help illustrate this, look at the photo below- both dotted lines are the same length. One "axle revolution" on the bottom image will clearly cover more ground than the top image.

How often should I rotate my golf cart tires?

Rotating your golf cart tires depends significantly on how often you drive your golf cart and what sort of mileage you put on your tires.

Drive time varies considerably between golf cart owners, and figuring out your mileage can be tricky, so as a rule of thumb, it is best to rotate your golf cart tires at the start of every busy season.

What PSI should golf cart tires be?

The PSI in your golf cart tire depends on what tire you have on your cart. If you aren't sure, your tire will have the PSI rating located on the sidewall of the tire. In general, the correct tire pressure for a golf cart is usually in the range of 22-30 PSI. 

Do golf cart tires need balancing?

Most golf cart tires are professionally mounted before being shipped to you but they are typically not balanced beforehand.

The reason for this is that golf carts are low-speed vehicles and as a result don't need to be balanced to have a smooth and comfortable ride.

If you notice an issue with your ride experience, your best bet is to take your tires to a local golf cart or automotive tire shop and have them diagnose your issue.

For more information about common golf cart tire misunderstandings, check out our post on various golf cart tire myths.

Do golf cart tires need an alignment?

Yes, your golf cart will need to be aligned if you don't want your tires to go bald in a short period of time. If you notice that your tires seem to be wearing out or you notice some issues with how your golf cart drives, check out our post on how to align your golf cart.

How often should you change golf cart tires?

On average, golf cart tires last between 2-4 years before they need to be replaced. A lot of the wear and tear on golf cart tires depends on how often you drive your cart, whether your golf cart is properly aligned or not, and your typical driving terrain. It is important that you inspect your tires before the start of every busy season to check for a worn-down tread or any signs of damage.

Well everyone, hopefully, we have touched on all the questions you had about golf cart tires and wheels. Feel free to leave any questions or feedback in the comments below and we will make sure to get back in touch with you. See you next time!

For questions about golf cart wheels, check out our post on golf cart wheel FAQ!