Golf Cart vs. Golf Car: What’s the Difference?

Whenever you hear the words "golf cart," you may imagine yourself driving that little car around the course or recreationally in your own neighborhood. What if you found out that it wasn't actually a golf cart but a golf car? The history of these two vehicles mixed with modern usage muddles it a bit, but today we're here to learn the difference between a golf cart and a golf car.

History of the Golf Cart

We need to look at the history of golf to understand the history of the golf cart. Golf is a game where players or caddies carry a lot of heavy, cumbersome equipment, so early players incorporated carts to lessen the burden. These early golf carts were similar to a rolling suitcase or rickshaw, where you could tilt or lift your equipment and pull it behind you on two or more wheels.

Modern Golf Cars

If golf carts are simpler, engineless devices, then what’s the difference between a golf cart and a golf car? What we typically refer to as a golf cart is actually a golf car. According to the American National Standard Institute, any self-propelled golf cart is officially a golf car. The two terms became practically interchangeable through spoken and written language, and we refer to golf cars as carts.

Golf Carts Today

Perhaps the most amusing thing in the discussion between golf carts and cars is that traditional golf carts had to change. Instead of correctly using “golf car” to describe the self-propelled models, most golfers use different terminology for manual carts. The models without engines that we move by hand are referred to as push golf carts.

Ben Nelson has been helping customers find golf cars for over ten years. We have a wide range of carts and cars from major brands and trusted manufacturers. Anyone looking for used golf carts in Mississippi should stop by a Ben Nelson dealership, and our staff will gladly help you find what you're looking for.