A Golf Cart Cover Buyer’s Guide
A golf cart cover provides several benefits to golfers. Given their open design, it is even more important to protect your golf cart with a cover than the average vehicle – and those benefit significantly already. Of course, this is due to the open design of most golf carts. Beyond keeping your cart fresh and clean, and keeping the elements out of its exposed interior, golf cart covers will help avoid damage and other inconveniences. This guide is meant to help orient you and inform what you should be considering, as the automotive cover market is a crowded and occasionally confusing. The following are several of the essential points to consider when shopping for a new golf cart cover:
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Durability: There are many low quality, cost and corner cutting covers out there – to get the most out of your cover, you want one that uses premium materials and high quality manufacturing. A cover that is waterproof (or at least resistant) is a good starting criteria, as this should indicate that it is cut out for the primary task of protecting a cart outside: blocking out the weather. Look for reviews of any potential cart cover that attest its longevity: cart covers will come on and off frequently, and thus they must be resistant to regular wear. A good way to gauge the durability of a cover is to check the warranty offered by the manufacturer. Long warranties are usually a sign on confidence on the part of a manufacturer.
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Fit: It's essential that a cover fits your golf cart snugly. Too large or too small a cover and your cart won't be protected, having the potential to come off or let that which it is supposed to block out, directly in. Look for cart covers that are made specifically for your cart, or at least ensure that it is a compatible model. Security or cinching straps are a good feature to look out for, as they help ensure the best possible fit and a higher level of permanence.
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Breathability: Letting moisture remain trapped inside your cover, should it find its way in – it often evaporates up from the ground – almost entirely annuls the utility of a cart cover and permits the kind of rot and rust that they are meant to prevent. Consider cart covers made with mesh panels or some kind of venting set up – covers with one direction vapor permeability are ideal for preventing condensation and moisture buildup. This is especially important in humid environments and even in a garage or shed where moisture levels have the potential to be unexpectedly high.
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Ease-of-use: The best covers are simple and intuitive to put on and take off, or at least have clear instructions that expedite the process. Ideally golft cart covers will feature elastic hems or built-in straps that help to keep the cover in place and make it easy to secure – often a combination of both is best. The golf cart cover should also be lightweight and easy to store when not in use, a stow bag or tote of some kind is a good accessory to this end.
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Customizability: Golf carts come in a range of sizes and styles, so it's important to find a cover that fits your specific needs. If you have modifications or attachments made to your golf cart, this is something which will need to be accounted for when selecting your cart cover. It greatly diminishes the quality of one's use experience when such things must be removed before covering up, or worse yet, accommodated with janky self-cut holes.
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Budget: There is no need to break the bank when shopping for a golf cart cover. While it's usually worth it to invest in a high-quality cover that will last for years, don't be fooled by branding and other ephemeral qualities that impact price but not the quality of what you are purchasing. Keep your eyes peeled for covers that occupy a sweet spot between quality and affordability. Way the benefits of multiple different brands and retailers in your search for a suitable cover and be sure to check for price matching opportunities.
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Warranty: As I have already alluded too, warranties should be interpreted in part as an indication of manufacturer confidence. The better the warranty, the less likely you are to receive a faulty product, and the better you will be protected should some kind of factory failing rear its ugly head. On the off chance that you find yourself having second thoughts, it is wise to buy a cover with a money back or satisfaction guarantee. Peace of mind cannot be overrated when it comes to these things!
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Convenient cover cleaning: Your ability to easily clean a cart cover is more important than one might assume. A cover which is an absolute hassle to launder or wipe will affect its utility, as a dirty cover can and likely will harm your cart, even if in mostly superficial ways The dirt and dust on the inner face of a cover can become mucky once the moisture that is usually wicked through comes in contact with it and, ultimately, doesn't escape the interior of the cover!
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Brand reputation: Finally, consider the reputation of the brand you're considering. Look for covers from well-known, trusted manufacturers with a proven track record of producing high-quality products. Find a reviewer you trust or consider shopping by word of mouth from fellow golfers – sometimes this provides the best kind of certitude!
To recap, a golf cart cover is an important purchase, impacting the lifespan and aesthetic beauty of your golf cart. As such, buying one is a process which is worth planning out and researching thoroughly. When shopping for a cover, be sure to consider all the factors mentioned above – consider checking other guides too, which may highlight aspects of importance that I haven't. By taking the time to research and reflecting to understand what it is you need, you can be more confident that years down the road, you, your wallet, and your golf cart will be pleased.
