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?
