Some of the best parts about summer are the feel of nature and the openness you experience when you ride around in your golf cart. Whether you live in a golf cart friendly community or neighborhood, the weather is perfect for cruising. Even if you’re playing the back nine or heading toward the beach, nothing beats traveling in a golf cart during the warm summer months.

Your golf cart is a big investment and, when it comes to choosing the right tires, it can become very daunting. Although they are much smaller in size, golf cart tires and wheels work similarly to those of an automobile.

Here are some questions you may be asking yourself when you’re considering what are the best tires and wheels for streamlining your golf cart.

What kind of tire tread do I need?

When it comes to golf carts, there are three types of tire treads: all-terrain, off road/knobby, and turf/street.

All-terrain tires represent a combination of both the turf/street and off road/knobby tires. They should have adequate tread for mild off-road use but still be “grass friendly.”

Off road/knobby tires are what you usually see on an ATV. They use a deeper tread to provide traction on surfaces such as loose dirt, sand, and mud. This tire is great for the hunter or outdoors person.

The turf/street tires are what you typically find on most golf carts. They are designed to operate on grassy golf courses or smooth paved surfaces, such as a golf cart path.

What size should I get?

Looks and functionality are important when deciding what size tire to purchase. Present day golf cart tires are tubeless and come in a wide variety of sizes. Standard golf cart tire sizes are 18” tall and 8.5” wide with an 8” bead (inner diameter.) You will see it written as 18 x 8.5 x 8 on the sidewall.

Following the tire size, you will see the letters “NHS” which stands for non-highway standard. It cannot handle the pressures created by high speeds. If you’re planning to travel at a higher rate of speed, you may want to consider a tire with a rating of “B” or “C,” as they have more layers and can deal with higher rotation speeds.

If you want to purchase a larger tire, take advantage of the lift kits. Lift kits are very popular and common when it comes to upgrading your golf cart.

What are the differences in wheel finishes?

The three most common wheel finishes today are chrome, polished, and machined.

Chrome is by far the most popular. This type of wheel finish is chosen most often due to its appealing mirror finish that shines in the sunlight and night lights.

Polished is like chrome; however, it is more affordable. Raw aluminum wheels are polished with a buffer until completely smooth, then clear-coated to give them a rich shine. They are lighter than chrome-finished wheels and have been shown to improve fuel efficiency and have better handling.

Machined wheels mean a thin layer of metal was shaved off the surface for a bright shine, and then coated with a clear sealant.

What should the tire pressure be?

Your golf cart’s tire pressure is crucial to your safety and the wear and tear on the tire. The proper pressure for the tire is usually shown on the sidewall of the tire, and it varies from brand to brand and model to model.

For golf cart tires, you want to aim for the middle of the air pressure range shown on the sidewall. For instance, if the range is 18-22 psi, 20 would be ideal.

Too much pressure, and the ride quality will be rough and the center of the tread will wear down. It will also reduce the traction between the tire and the surface.

Too little pressure, and the sidewalls will wear down. Additionally, it will take more power to turn the wheels, causing wear and tear.

What is a lift kit?

When combined with the right tires, a lift can completely change the appearance of your golf cart.

A lift kit is typically used for boosting your golf cart off the ground and allowing more clearance when driving off-road. They make the golf cart more stable when driving over water, brush, and rocks, thus ensuring a safer ride.

Lift kits allow you to install much larger tires than you would usually. The tire sizes can range from 8”, 10”, and 12” type wheels and accommodate several tread types.

There are several different types and heights of golf cart kits, so, when choosing your kit, think about what ride height is right for you and how you will use it.

What are low profile golf cart tires?

Low profile golf car tires are tires that ride lower than what normally come standard with a golf cart. These usually come with a turf/street tread since they are not intended for off-road situations. You can use a 10” or 12” wheel without using a lift kit, saving you quite a bit of money.

These tires are larger in diameter than standard golf cart tires, and they fill out the wheel areas well, thus making them very trendy these days.

Whether you are riding through your neighborhood, golf cart community, golf course, or out on the rugged terrain this summer, make sure you streamline your golf cart with the best tires and wheels possible.

Not only will this keep your ride looking great, but it will ensure safety for you and your passengers.