How Often Should I Charge My Golf Cart Batteries?

Electric golf carts have become ubiquitous on golf courses and in many residential communities. Their quiet operation and zero emissions make them a popular alternative to gas-powered carts. At the heart of every electric golf cart are its deep-cycle batteries which provide power and allow the mobility we associate with these vehicles.

To keep golf cart batteries performing at optimal levels, proper charging and maintenance are essential. There are key factors that determine how frequently golf cart batteries need to be charged to prolong their lifespan.

In this article, we will explore the best way to keep your cart batteries good for a longer period; we will also go through what affects the lifespan of golf cart batteries to help you take good care of yours.

Let’s get started.

How Often Should Golf Course Carts Be Charged?

For golf carts used at courses and rented out to players, daily charging is standard practice. These carts are workhorses, being driven for hours each day by different golfers across 18-hole courses.

An average round of golf takes 4-5 hours to complete depending on pace of play, course layout, and other factors. Most golf carts at courses will go through multiple rounds per day, racking up significant driving time.

To keep these carts running smoothly all day long, course maintenance crews will plug them in to charge every night. Many courses have centralized charging facilities to efficiently recharge an entire fleet overnight.

Some courses will also offer in-round charging at the 9th or 10th hole, allowing golf cart batteries a mid-day boost if needed. However, most carts are designed to complete 18 holes on a single charge.

Between rounds, any carts not in use can be charged as well, ensuring they are topped off for the next group of golfers. Proper rotation and charging of the full fleet is key.

With regular overnight charging, golf course carts can operate day in and day out for years, only needing battery replacement every 3-5 years. For heavy commercial use, there is no substitute for daily charging of golf cart batteries.

How Often Should Personal Golf Cart Batteries Be Charged?

For privately owned and operated golf carts, proper charging habits are just as important as they are for institutionally owned carts. Personal golf carts should be fully charged after every use, regardless of the duration of use that day.

The required charging frequency can vary based on several factors:

• Duration of use – Longer trips and extended driving times will drain more battery capacity and require longer recharge times. Short trips of just a few miles may allow for occasional partial recharges.
• Terrain and hills – Driving a golf cart up steep hills or slopes will consume more power and discharge the batteries faster. Such conditions require more frequent charging.
• Passenger and cargo load – Heavier passenger and cargo loads put additional current draw on the batteries, necessitating more regular charging.
• Climate conditions – In very hot weather, batteries will discharge faster and need more frequent charging. Cold weather reduces capacity unless batteries are stored properly.

For golf carts used as short-distance vehicles and for commuting purposes, a full recharge should be performed about every 4 hours of drive time. Partial intermittent charges can prolong running time as needed.

To maximize the lifespan of golf cart batteries, it’s important to recharge them fully and avoid excessive discharging past 80%. For personal golf cart owners, making it a habit to plug in and charge their cart after each use is the best practice. You can learn more about diagnosing the health of your golf cart battery to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

What are the Benefits of Regular Charging?

For the deep cycle lead acid batteries used in most electric golf carts, regular and frequent charging provides important benefits for performance and longevity.

• Lead-acid batteries are designed for repeated shallow discharges and frequent recharges. This regular cycling maintains the battery plates in optimal condition.
• Fully recharging after each use prevents the buildup of sulfation on the battery plates which can reduce capacity.
• Consistent overnight charging ensures the batteries are topped off and ready to provide full range day after day.
• Using the OEM original charger or an equivalent modern charger will provide the proper charging algorithm for the batteries. Avoid under or overcharging.
• For carts used year-round, charging in cold weather is vital to prevent freezing and reduced charge acceptance.
• The only exception is for prolonged storage, when batteries only need a refresh charge every 45-60 days to maintain health.

There are no advantages to less frequent charging. In fact, infrequent charging can significantly shorten the lifespan of golf cart batteries. Regular full charges keep the plates conditioned and prevent deterioration during downtime.

For maximum performance and longevity of electric golf cart batteries, there is simply no substitute for proper and frequent charging habits.