GOLF CART ENCLOSURES

GOLF CART ENCLOSURES DO YOU NEED ONE?

Whether you have a neighborhood electric vehicle, (NEV), that your family uses to get around your community, or use your cart exclusively for golf, you may have wondered about adding a golf cart enclosure to keep you comfortable.

You may be trying to get through the last 2 holes when a quick Florida shower kicks up or taking the family to dinner across the street from your neighborhood in your cart, and these are times when having some type of enclosure will be beneficial.

There are a wide variety of different enclosure types and styles, making it easy to find the exact enclosure to fit not only your cart, but how you use it. Some are designed to cover specific areas of the cart and others cover the cart’s entirety – it all depends on what you need. There are multiple options from which to choose, custom-designed to fit nearly every cart. There are also “universal fit” enclosures that will fit most popular carts on the market.

PROTECT YOUR CART INVESTMENT, AND YOURSELF

Drivable cart enclosures – not “covers” which are meant for storing your cart – come in every conceivable configuration, including for 2, 4 and 6-passenger carts, and today’s

advancements in the design and manufacture of enclosures mean high-quality, waterproof materials, a secure fit and easy operation.

Early golf cart enclosures made for use while the cart was being driven were made of a canvas material that was not designed for constant exposure to the elements over time. Today’s cart enclosure options are made from marine-grade canvas with UV-ray protection, and just like a quality boat cover, manufactured to last much longer than enclosures made just 10 years ago.

Cart enclosures are made for covering 2 passengers and 2 sets of clubs or for protecting multiple passengers. If you’re in a colder climate and need to take prospective real estate clients to preview a condominium on the beach, you’ll find a quality enclosure to be a worthwhile upgrade.

There are different types of enclosure installation options, using either a “track” or frame installation, a snap installation to connect the panels, a wrap-around system, or an “over-thetop” enclosure. If you don’t want the hassle of screwing snaps into your cart or paying the local shop to do it, you may want to select a 3 or 4-piece enclosure that wraps around the cart on supplied fasteners that can be installed with no tools. The anchor pieces are placed onto the front and rear roof sup-ports and the enclosure pieces wrap around those.

The most popular type of cart enclosure is the “over-thetop” cover, most commonly secured by elastic straps that go under the cart’s chassis. These enclosures are available to fit every model of cart and provide a very secure fit and good weatherproof protection.

Some more elaborate – and expensive – models have rigid doors that open like a car and secure tightly. A good enclosure will completely cover the passenger and cargo areas, from the roof all the way down to the lower body. If you find the process of zipping and unzipping your enclosure to get in or out of your cart to be a hassle, an enclosure with a door – most open from the front like the rear “suicide doors” of the early Lincoln Continental, allowing the driver and passengers to step in or out easily – will provide the most protection from a blustery wind, snowstorm, or sudden downpour. The majority of fixeddoor enclosures allow the doors to be completely and easily

re-moved during more comfortable conditions.

THE PRICE OF PROTECTION

There are different price points for golf cart enclosures, so you should shop carefully for the specific style of enclosure to suit your cart and what you do with it.

For a standard, 2-seater golf cart that carries 2 golf bags on the back, you can expect to pay around $150.00 for a quality, fitted cover with canvas sides and clear vinyl windows, designed to fit your specific cart manufacturer and model. A more elaborate version, made of Sunbrella® material and covering more areas of the cart, goes for around $250.00. You can even order custom colors, including a camouflage version.

If you’d rather have an enclosure with doors instead of zippered panels, there are several options on the market that allow you to install them yourself. The doors are hinged at the rear of the door and can be locked in the open positioned when the weather is nice and easily closed when things turn cold or wet. These start at around $500.00 up to around $800.00, and cart owners report much more protection and comfort.

For places like resorts, school campuses, medical facilities, real estate development sites or sports complexes, protecting cart drivers and passengers while transporting them in a 4 or 6-passenger cart is critical in inclement conditions. Many manufacturers make custom covers for multi-passenger electric vehicles that will keep everyone warm and dry, and they start at around $500.00.

You can get an over-the-top enclosure that fits the 110” x 64” roof of the Club Car® models from 2018 and newer with roll-up doors, UV and weather-resistant materials and simple installation. The style for 6-passenger carts comes in several colors and start at around $450.00. If you just want to install a rear enclosure that folds up and down and covers your golf clubs and bags, those start at around $150.00.

There are dozens of companies online that make and sell high-quality golf cart enclosures to fit virtually any model.

CAN I ENCLOSE MY UTV OR SIDE-BY-SIDE?

Keeping warm and dry is an affordable option for more than just golf carts. There are many companies that can outfit your electric vehicle, side-by-side or custom cart to protect you from the elements.

Tractor Supply Company sells a Massimo soft enclosure package designed for UTVs and installed using a Velcro® and zipper system. These panels cover the sides and rear of the vehicle, providing added warmth and protection if you’re at your hunting cabin or the family lake house. They start at around $500.00.

If you own a Polaris Ranger or similar side-by-side vehicle, you can find a top-quality, soft cab en-closure system featuring marine-grade material and stitching resistant to mold, mildew, puncture and discoloration, removable door and rear panels and easy installation with Velcro®-mounted sup-ports. These are available for around $750.00.

People who have over-the-top style of enclosures tend to leave them on their carts year-round, making it easy to adapt to any kind of weather conditions. Whether you’re hauling materials and supplies on a job site or ranch or trying to enjoy as many rounds of golf as possible where you live, enclosing your cart or UTV can mean more outdoor enjoyment and increased comfort. - GCMAG