How To Determine Your Golf Cart’s Year and Model

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Your golf cart will likely need to be repaired at some point during its lifetime. You must know your ride’s specifications to ensure you get the right parts. Follow this resourceful guide on how to determine your golf cart’s year and model if you have no clue where to start. The process is more straightforward than you may think.

What’s a Serial Number?

The first step in determining your golf cart’s provenance is locating the serial number. Manufacturers place a unique number on each vehicle they produce so that owners know what parts they need for what model.

These numbers can be located in various places, depending on the type of cart you own. Let's take a look at some of the most popular golf cart manufacturers and where they place their serial numbers below.

Club Car Golf Cart Serial Number Locations

Typically Club Car serial numbers are located either inside or under the passenger-side glove box.  If it isn't there, it may be underneath the driver's side front seat somewhere on the frame.

EZGO Golf Cart Serial Number Locations

EZGO golf carts have two numbers that are used in determining cart details: the manufacturer number and the serial number.  Thankfully they are usually both located together in the same location. Here are a few places to check for your OEM plate to determine your EZGO golf cart model:

• Under or inside the passenger-side glove box
• Drivers side frame rail under the seat
• Passenger side frame rail at the back of the cart
• Below the charger port
• Frame cross-member underneath the access panel

Yamaha Golf Cart Serial Number Locations

Yamaha has been producing golf carts since 1975 and as a result, they have a vast amount of models that are still out on the road today. 

Locating your serial number on your Yamaha cart will depend significantly on what model you have.  Below we have highlighted some of the most common locations but for more details (and photos!) head over to our Yamaha golf cart models page.

• Driver-side frame member in the battery/engine compartment
• Passenger side frame member in the batter/engine compartment
• Driver-side glove box
• Top frame member in battery/engine compartment

What Do The Letters Mean?

Once you locate the serial number, you should be able to figure out the cart’s year and model. For Club Car and Yamaha golf carts, the serial numbers will start with two letters. EZGO on the other hand will only use letters.

How To Read Club Car Serial Numbers

Club Car Serial Numbers will start with a letter (or two) followed by a string of numbers. Thankfully, the letters and the next four numbers are the only pieces of information you need to worry about.

The letters at the start of the serial number indicate the Club Car Model. Here is a breakdown of the letters and corresponding model:

• A: DS Electric Golf Car
• AA: DS Electric Golf Cart, 48 Volt
• AB: DS Electric Golf Cart, 36 Volt
• AC: DS Electric Golf Cart, 48 Volt Regen
• AQ: DS Electric IQ, 48 Volt Regen
• AG: DS Golf Cart, Gas
• PG: Precedent Golf Cart, Gas
• PQ: Precedent Electric Golf Cart IQ, 48 Volt

Don't see your serial number? Check out Club Car's model list.

The next two numbers after the letter(s) determine the year of manufacture and the next two numbers are the week during the year that the cart was produced.

How To Read EZGO Serial Numbers

Unfortunately, EZGO golf carts have serial numbers that are notoriously difficult to read. EZGO has changed its serial number coding process a few times over the years and has also had a few years of model crossover (two different models being produced during the same years).

As a result, using the serial number/manufacturing code is often an unreliable way of determining your make and model.

Typically, we have most of our customers send us a few photos of their EZGO so we can use the body to identify what model they have. If you are having a hard time figuring out what model your EZGO golf cart is, don't hesitate to contact us. 

With all that being said, it is not impossible to extract some information from the manufacturing code. The last two digits of the manufacturer's code will tell you the year your cart was produced.  However, please note that if your cart was produced between 1976 and 1978 it will be the first two numbers.

EZGO OEM Plate Example

How To Read Yamaha Serial Numbers

When it comes to Yamaha golf cart serial numbers, you will often find a string of letters and numbers in the following format: XXX-XXXXXX.  The first three digits will often be one or two letters followed by one or two numbers. 

These are the most important pieces of information to be used when determining your specific model.  Here is a breakdown of Yamaha golf cart models and their corresponding digits:

G-Series (G1-G22 Models)

G1 Models (1979-2002)

• G1 Electric
• J36 | J26 | J22 | J14
• G1 Gas
• J31 | J24 | J17 | J10

G2 Models (1985-1991)

• G2 Electric
• J41 | JE2 | J56
• G2 Gas
• J38 | JA2 | J55

G3 Models (1986-1987)

• G3 Electric
• J46
• G3 Gas
• J42

G5 Models (1990-1995)

• G5 Electric
• J51
• G5 Gas
• J50

G8 Models (1990-1994)

• G8 Electric
• JF3
• G8 Gas
• JF2

G9 Models (1991-1995)

• G9 Electric
• JG6 | JH7
• G9 Gas
• JG5

G11 Models (1993-2001)

• G11 Gas
• JJ3 | JR3

G14 Models (1995-1996)

• G14 Electric
• JN4
• G14 Gas
• JN3

G16 Models (1996-2002)

• G16 Electric
• JN8
• G16 Gas
• JN6

G19 Models (1996-2002)

• G19 Electric
• JR1

G20 Models (2000-2002)

• G20 Gas
• JR8

G21 Models (2001-2004)

• G21 Gas
• JR6

G22 Models (2003-2007)

• G22 Electric
• JU2
• G22 Gas
• JU0

G23 Models (2004-2010)

• G23 Electric
• JU6
• G23 Gas
• JU5

G27 Models (2004-2008)

• G27 Electric
• JU8
• G27 Gas
• JU7

G28 Models (2004-2009)

• G28 Gas
• JU9

The Drive Series: Drive (G29) and Drive2 Models

Drive (G29) Models (2007-2013)

• Drive (G29) Electric
• JW2 | JW9
• Drive (G29) Gas
• JW1 | JW8

Drive2 (also known as "Drive PTV") (2009-2018)

• Drive2
• JC1
• Drive2 Gas
• JC0

I Don't Have An EZGO, Club Car, or Yamaha Golf Cart

Unfortunately, if you have a golf cart that was not manufactured by one of the above 3 manufacturers, it will be hard to tell exactly what model you have.

Most of the new golf cart manufacturers (ICON, Star EV, etc) have not been out on the market long enough to have a consistent customer base and system in place for easy serial/model number identification.

The good news, however, is that those carts are new to the market and a quick online search or a quick rummage through your paperwork should tell you everything you need to know!

Can't Find The Serial Number?

If you can't find your serial number, your best bet is to use your golf cart's body and physical characteristics.  If you aren't super familiar with golf carts this may be difficult for you, but as we said above you can always contact us and we would be glad to help!

Once you determine your vehicle’s year and model, you can begin your search for superior golf cart supplies. Golf Cart Stuff has everything you need to kit out your cart, like batteries and new seats. Please give us a call when you notice something needs to be replaced. Your cart will be driving smoothly again before you know it.