Champion Golf Cart Covers - Best Throw Over Covers on the Market

Looking for a Quality Throw Over Golf Cart Cover?

There are many throw over golf cart enclosures on the market; but how can you be sure that the one you are buying is the best one? Most places never have a display model, or even a throw over cover out of the box. Not to mention, as a customer, you will look rather odd opening a throw over cover box in the store, knowing full well you will never be able to get it back in the packaging it came in, you never can! So what options are we left with? DO RESEARCH!

Champions Golf Cart Covers vs. The Competition

Clear Vinyl

Champion Golf Cart Covers use heavy, 13oz Clear Vinyl for the windows of their throw over golf cart covers. This vinyl is more durable than lesser weight vinyls. Clear Vinyl at a lower ounce will tend to wrinkle, tear, and wear easier than the heavier, 130z vinyl.

Removable Front Windshield

Most people who purchase throw over golf cart covers are avid golfers, who do not own their own golf cart, but would like a cover to throw over the golf carts they rent from their golf courses. Almost all the golf carts rented from golf courses will already have a windshield on them (those that do not are typically in an area where the windshield is not needed, and if a windshield is not needed, why would you need a cover?). Seeing through clear vinyl is nothing like seeing through the plexiglass of a golf cart. Trying to see through both the vinyl and the plexiglass is next to impossible. Champion Golf Cart Covers is one of the only brands that the windshield can, not only be rolled down, but completely removed. Other throw over enclosures use zippers to allow their windshields to be opened or pushed out of the way. Our experience is that many club pros hate throw over covers that have zippers in the front because they scratch the golf cart plexiglass windshield like crazy, and they are not cheap to replace. The Champion's windshield removes completely, allowing you to get back to golfing.

Three Year Limited Warranty

Champion golf cart covers are backed by a 3 year limited warranty. A product is only as good as the company that produces it; Fore Concepts is well known throughout the golf cart cover industry as providing superior products and excellent customer service.

Club Car DS has Different Models?

Yes, all Club Car DS golf carts are not the same! This can be confusing to those people who own their own golf carts and are trying to order golf cart covers or aftermarket modifications for their cart. The Club Car DS was first manufactured in 1982. This style held true until the midpoint of the year 2000 (referred to here on out as 2000+), when a new style DS was introduced. This new DS style has  a completely different canopy (roof) support system. Now, the difference between the DS Pre-2000 and the 2000+ is visually easy to spot, if you know what to look for!

The Club Car DS Pre-2000 Model (Years 1982-2000.5)

The Pre-2000 Club Car DS has an entirely different roof support system that is easy to spot when you know what you are looking for. The most obvious different is that the roof struts are made from aluminum and are silver in color. The other obvious difference is the configuration of the rear roof supports, they are arrange in the shape of a football field-goal post.

The Club Car DS 2000+ Model (Years 2000.5 to Present)

The Club Car DS 2000+ model has different roof supports than its predecessor. Its roof supports are black in color and made of square-tubed metal.

Why does the Model of My DS Matter?

This difference in roof support configuration only matters in various instances. Some aftermarket modifications manufacturers rely on the cart configuration to be specific when designing their accessories. For example, the Door Works Golf Cart Enclosure system relies solely on the roof supports of any given cart because it is a modular system. If you were to order for one model DS and actually had the other model, their product would not work on your golf cart.

This is a Club Car DS Golf Cart manufactured during the years of 1982 to mid 2000.

This is a rear view of a Club Car DS Golf Cart that was manufactured prior to the year 2000.

Tips For Picking The Right Golf Cart Batteries

The batteries for your golf cart are something you should consider carefully – remember that you will want your golf cart to last for the duration of the course, which could be quite a long walk. You do not want the batteries to run out before you have finished 18 holes, so you must make the choice carefully. The batteries for your golf cart are essentially the juice that keeps it moving, just like fuel for a car, and it is an important purchase if you want to enjoy your game.

What You Should Know About Batteries

First, you should know that the golf cart batteries are going to lose their charge quite easily even if they are just sitting in the golf cart in the off season. Because of this, you have to be sure that you are keeping your golf cart batteries charged up, even if that means coming in every few weeks to charge the batteries as they sit in your golf cart. This is important because the golf cart batteries will actually lose their ability to charge fully if you don’t charge them often. You have to charge them even when you aren’t using the golf cart.

Another important thing to remember is that it is important to keep your golf cart batteries clean. Under prolonged use, dirt and debris can quickly build up and damage the golf cart. Cleaning the batteries frequently will make sure that you can keep wear and tear down to a minimum level.

When you are buying golf cart batteries you need to pay close attention to the brand. There are simply some brands that are better than others, so you have to be sure that you have researched the different brands and that you know what is best for the place in which you live. There are some brands that are better for cold temperatures, and some brands that work well in extreme heat. You have to be sure that you are buying golf cart batteries that work well with the environment, because your golf cart is going to be used outside all of the time.

When you buy your golf cart batteries, make sure that they come with a warranty, so that you can be confident it will be replaced if it fails sooner than could be reasonably expected. Golf cart batteries are expensive, and the assurance of a warranty will give you peace of mind that you are getting a good, quality product for your money.

Golf Carts Beyond Golfing

Today, golf carts are being seen doing more and more things besides hauling around golfers and golf gear on a golf course. Gone are the days where these smaller vehicles were only used by those enjoying a leisure sport on a beautiful day.

New Golf Cart Uses

Wheelchair

Many people who are confined to a wheelchair yearn to be out and about an mobile just like the rest of us. Golf Carts offer those people a fun, easy, and safe way to travel. With modifications, a golf cart can be licensed as a "Street Legal" wheel chair. This opens the world up for some people who typically do not think increased mobility is an option for them.

Snow Plow

Of all the aftermarket modifications to golf carts, snow plows are my favorite. This modification process allows for the clearing of quite of snow from parking lots, drive ways, side-streets, and other travel paths where the white flakes tend to gather. This modification allows people to free themselves from the mercy of city and municipal snow plows; they are no longer stuck in their homes until the plows clear them a path.

Transporter

As our country grows, so does its parts. Right now, thousands of people are attending universities, stadiums, concert halls, casinos, and many other large venues. Golf Carts now come in many more configurations than those predominately seen on golf courses; you can now choose between four, six, and eight passenger vehicles with additional options to carry more people. This advance in design allows companies and individuals alike to cater to their friends, clients and customers.

Workhorse

As did the Model-T, the golf cart has evolved beyond just the transportation of people; golf carts can now be purchased with truck beds attached. This, obviously, expands the usage of golf carts exponentially! A few unique ways I have seen such models used is to carry mulch across a college campus, bring food to lions at the zoo, and carry cleaning supplies for a maid at an apartment complex.

Motor-vehicle

Now, this may seem like a "duh" use of a golf cart, but let me elaborate. Did you know that there are some communities in the United States where members ONLY own golf carts. These are typically retirement communities where the patrons have no need to travel an egregious amount. There is one community in Florida where the number of golf carts per capita is higher than the number of cars and trucks per capita in other parts of the country.

Off Road Vehicle

With certain modifications, or even straight from the manufacturer, some golf cart models have the ability to drive off the cart path. These tricked out models have the suspension and power to drive through the woods and other terrain that an older golf cart couldn't even imagine.

Hunting Vehicles

A surprising number of our readers have made mention of using their golf cart for hunting. These carts, combined with a hunting golf cart enclosure is an excellent way to get to and from a blind or tree stand.

Joy Riding

Golf Carts get excellent gas mileage. Even better, many of the newer golf cart models are electric, further reducing the cost of using one. These make golf carts excellent for riding around aimlessly, purely for the enjoyment of the ride.

Do I Need to Winterize My Golf Cart?

The answer is YES! Small engine vehicles, like golf carts, need the same care and maintenance as a car or truck. Owners tend to forget that putting a golf cart away for the winter requires the same care as if you were planning to store a vehicle for an extended amount of time. Too often, carts are stored away in some corner of the garage without much thought given to how well they will start up when the weather improves. Golf cart owners figure that hiding them away in a shed or garage, clear from the winter elements is sufficient, but it isn’t. Even if your golf cart is new, it still requires some maintenance. In fact, getting them to start up trouble-free from season to season requires you follow a few points of due-diligence.

The Winterizing Process

What Will You Need?

First, gather up the equipment you will need to properly put your golf cart in storage for the winter. This equipment includes a wrench, a few bottles of distilled water, some cleaning rags, gloves for you, goggles for your eyes, a hydrometer (it measures the gravity of the electrolyte solution) and a voltmeter (to measure voltage). You may want to throw in some baking soda and Vaseline as well.

The Steps to Weatherization

The following are measures you can take to ensure your golf cart starts up again as spring comes around.

1. Read the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Guide

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t try to tinker with the small engine if you’ve never handled one before. If you notice anything unusual, take your golf cart or mower to the nearest dealer for an inspection. Don’t wait until spring to have your small engine checked.

2. Remove the Battery

Before storing your golf cart for the winter, remove the battery and disconnect it from the battery cable. Store your battery in a safe place, away from heated elements, gas or furnace. Wipe it clean and brush off the battery terminal with a metal brush. Check for any cracks or broken elements. If the manufacturer recommends special cleaning solutions for your battery, give it a good cleaning before putting it away. If there are no special instructions, distilled water should do the trick. Avoid using corrosive cleaning chemicals. Most golf cart problems are due to poorly maintained batteries so be sure you know everything there is about buying and maintaining golf cart batteries.

3. Store in a Safe, Covered Location

Store your golf cart away from heaters, furnaces and gas containers. Also ensure that it is not place near any open windows where water damage may occur.

4. Put Your Cart Away Clean

Clean your cart before storing it. Wash off any leaves, grass, residual soil, dried or wet mud, and moisture pockets from both the main exterior and underneath. Wipe off grass and dirt from around the base boards using a long-handled brush. Do not use your bare hands!

5. Remove Remaining Fuel

You should finish off any fuel that is remaining in your tank (if it uses fuel) or add a fuel preserver before storage. Read the instructions for the fuel preserver carefully before using. After adding it, start your cart and let the engine run for a few minutes. This should give the fuel preserver enough time to go through the carburetor. One good thing about fuel preservers (also called stabilizers) is that they keep the fuel fresh in the engine for as long as half a year. You can now turn off the engine.

Follow these simple steps for storage and your golf cart or mower will start up in a snap.

The Different Types of Golf Cart Enclosures & Covers – What to Buy, and When

The New Age of the Golf Cart

Today, golf carts are used in a much larger capacity than they were in the years past. Today, some golf carts are used a variety of things including grounds keeping, some for transportation, and others are still used for golf. In fact, there are some communities where the number of golf carts per capita is greater than the number of cars and trucks per capita. With a golf cart, however, certain limitations are inherent. Golf carts have, at most, a canopy for protection from the elements. Thus, the aftermarket, golf cart enclosure industry was born. And, as with any other widely had product, a certain level of customization occurred to help a few differentiate themselves from the rest.

Types of Golf Cart Enclosures

Solid Frame

Solid frame golf cart enclosures are the top of the line enclosures. These enclosures tend to be more expensive than any other enclosures on the market, but for good reason. Solid Frame Enclosures come with a metal frame that attaches to your golf cart. This frame builds out the foundation that the enclosure will wrap around. After the frame is in place, vinyl or fabric is then wrapped around the frame, sealing the golf cart. This solution is the most permanent golf cart enclosure type and, in our opinion, will last the longest.

Track Style Enclosures

Track Style Golf Cart Enclosures are simple solutions to affix to your golf cart. However, these enclosures require that the track piece that the enclosure attaches to be screwed or bolted onto the roof of the golf cart. If you decided to change from one type of enclosure to another, these holes could be unsightly. Track style enclosures are the most interchangeable enclosures because all the panels are individually attached to their corresponding track, making it easy to replace a single panel, or the entire enclosure. Track enclosures tend to look more bulky and less tailored to your specific golf cart due to the nature of the track.

Throw Over Golf Cart Covers

Looking for a golf cart cover solution that is not permanent? Throw over golf cart covers are excellent ways to cover a golf cart and then remove that cover later. These are particularly useful to the avid golfer who doesn’t mind playing in the cold but the golf course he prefers does not offer enclosures on any of their rental carts. Throw over enclosures can be transported and carried easier than a set of golf clubs. They often come with their own carrying cases and are, generally speaking, the least expensive option for an enclosure.

Three-Sided Golf Cart Enclosures

Three Sided Golf Cart Enclosures are very similar to Throw Over Covers with a minor twist. Three sided enclosures typically are thrown over the roof of the golf cart, but also attach to the golf carts roof supports. This semi-permanent enclosure is typically tailor made to a specific cart model and fit better than a throw over golf cart enclosure, but must sacrifice the ease of removal to do so.

Conclusion

Industry is a wonderful thing. Have no fear; if you have a golf cart, there is an enclosure on the market that will suit your needs perfectly. To help you choose the best golf cart enclosure that is right for you, be sure to have a few things answered prior to shopping. A few of those questions are as follows:

How much am I willing to spend?

Do I need a permanent, semi-permanent, or throw over solution?

Do I have someone to help me install my enclosure if I need help?

How long do I want my enclosure to last (realistically)?

How often do I use my golf cart?