Find the best golf cart tires for your cart. Covers sizing, types, brand fitment for EZGO, Club Car & Yamaha, pricing, and top picks for street, turf, off-road & more.
Last Updated: February 2026
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Golf cart tires are the most popular golf cart upgrade, and it's not even close. We talk to golf cart owners every day, and new tires are the #1 thing people ask about. Need smooth street tires for your neighborhood? DOT-approved tires for the road? Chunky all-terrain treads for off-roading? The right tires change everything about how your cart rides.
But here's the problem: tire sizing makes no sense to most people, fitment varies by brand and model, and most "best tires" articles out there are written by tire retailers pushing their own stock.
We put this guide together to fix that. Below we cover every tire type, break down the sizing numbers that confuse people, show you exactly what fits your cart (EZGO, Club Car, or Yamaha), and help you pick the right tires based on how you actually use your cart.
Golf cart tire sizes use two different number formats, and this is where most people get tripped up. Once you understand the pattern, it's actually simple:
The most common format for golf cart tires. Example: 23x10-14
Used on some low-profile and DOT tires. Example: 205/50-10
Key Fact: The standard factory tire on 99% of fleet golf carts is the 18x8.50-8 — an 18-inch tall, 8.5-inch wide tire on an 8-inch steel rim. EZGO, Club Car, and Yamaha all use this exact same size from the factory. This is your baseline for any upgrade.
| Tire Size | Height | Width | Rim | Typical Use | Lift Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18x8.50-8 | 18" | 8.5" | 8" | Stock/OEM, golf course | No |
| 205/50-10 | 18" | 8" | 10" | Low-profile street | No |
| 215/60-8 | 20" | 8.5" | 8" | Street upgrade (stock rims) | No (most carts) |
| 20x10-10 | 20" | 10" | 10" | All-terrain | No (EZGO) / 3" lift (others) |
| 22x11-10 | 22" | 11" | 10" | Off-road / lifted | 3-4" lift |
| 23x10-14 | 23" | 10" | 14" | Aggressive off-road / lifted | 4-6" lift |
| 25x10-12 | 25" | 10" | 12" | Extreme off-road | 6" lift |
Golf cart tires come in six main types. Here's what each one does well, and where it falls short.
The standard tire that comes on most new golf carts. Features a flat, shallow tread pattern designed to grip grass without tearing it up.
Designed for smooth, quiet riding on pavement. Available in radial construction for a much better ride than turf tires.
Top picks: TREX StreetGlide, Kenda Kruizer, Kenda Loadstar (for 8" wheels)
A hybrid design that handles both pavement and unpaved surfaces. The most versatile option for owners who drive on mixed terrain.
Top picks: Arisun X-Armory, TREX Artemis, XCOMP Gladiator
Deep, widely-spaced lugs for maximum traction in mud, dirt, and rough terrain. Designed for lifted carts used off-road.
Wide, flat tires with paddle-like treads or smooth surfaces that float on sand instead of digging in.
Beach Tip: If you only occasionally drive on sand, you can lower your standard tire pressure to 8-10 PSI for better flotation. But this wears your tires faster and should only be done temporarily. Dedicated sand tires are the better long-term solution for beach communities.
Tires that cannot go flat, either because they're solid rubber or filled with foam instead of air. Almost zero maintenance.
Trade-off: Solid and foam-filled tires eliminate flats but add weight (2-3x heavier than air-filled tires), which increases battery drain on electric carts. Foam-filled tires also harden over time, reducing ride quality after 2-3 years.
| Use Case | Recommended Type | Top Pick | Est. Cost (Set of 4) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf course only | Turf / Sawtooth | Wanda P332 18x8.50-8 | $120-200 | Turf-safe tread |
| Neighborhood cruising | Street radial | TREX StreetGlide | $280-400 | Smoothest ride |
| Street-legal / LSV | DOT street radial | Kenda Kruizer (DOT) | $300-480 | DOT certified |
| Mixed pavement + gravel | All-terrain | Arisun X-Armory | $350-500 | Versatile grip |
| Off-road / hunting | Mud / aggressive | ITP Mud Lite XTR | $400-600 | Deep traction |
| Beach / sand | Sand / flotation | Duro Desert A/T | $350-550 | Wide footprint |
| Commercial / rental fleet | Solid / foam-filled | Amerityre Flat-Free | $500-800 | Zero maintenance |
| Budget-friendly upgrade | Street bias-ply | SGC Slasher | $160-240 | DOT + affordable |
All golf cart brands use the same 4x4-inch bolt pattern, which means any aftermarket golf cart wheel physically fits any brand. But the biggest tire you can run without a lift kit depends on which brand you have.
| Cart Brand | Model | Max Tire Height (No Lift) | Max Rim Size | Lug Nut Spec |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EZGO | TXT, RXV, Valor, Liberty | 20.5" | 10" | 1/2" x 20 (SAE) |
| Club Car | DS, Precedent, Onward, Tempo | 18.5" | 10" | 1/2" x 20 (SAE) |
| Yamaha | G29 (Drive), Drive2 | 18.5" | 10" | 12mm x 1.25 (Metric) |
| Star EV | Most models | 18.5" | 10" | 1/2" x 20 (SAE) |
| Evolution | Classic, Forester, Turfman | 20" | 10" | 1/2" x 20 (SAE) |
EZGO Advantage: EZGO carts have more fender clearance than Club Car or Yamaha, allowing up to 20.5-inch tires on stock suspension. This is one reason EZGO is popular with owners who want bigger tires without the cost of a lift kit.
Lug Nut Warning: While all golf cart wheels are interchangeable across brands, Yamaha uses different lug nuts (metric 12mm x 1.25) than EZGO and Club Car (SAE 1/2" x 20). Using the wrong lug nuts is a safety hazard. Always verify your lug nut spec before installing new wheels.
Want tires bigger than your cart can handle stock? You'll need a lift kit. This is what each lift height opens up:
| Lift Height | Tire Size Range | Best For | Lift Kit Cost | Popular Lift Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No lift | Up to 18.5-20.5" | Stock replacement, basic upgrades | $0 | N/A |
| 3" lift | Up to 20" | Moderate upgrade, improved ground clearance | $200-400 | Drop spindle |
| 4" lift | Up to 22" | Larger tires, off-road capability | $300-500 | A-Arm |
| 6" lift | Up to 23-25" | Maximum clearance, aggressive off-road | $400-800 | A-Arm or long travel |
A lifted cart with bigger tires is a real investment worth protecting. If you own an EZGO TXT or RXV, a weather-resistant enclosure keeps rain, UV, and debris off your cart and your new tires. It's one of the easiest ways to get more years out of your whole setup.
Xoxocos EZGO TXT/RXV Enclosure on AmazonFor street-legal lifted carts, most states require a fold-down windshield. It also keeps rocks and debris kicked up by bigger tires out of your face. Check our complete guide to making your golf cart street legal for your state's specific requirements.
ENEKERP EZGO TXT Windshield on AmazonBigger tires look great, but they change more than just appearance. There are real trade-offs to know about before you buy:
| Performance Factor | Stock 18" Tires | 20" Tires | 22" Tires | 24" Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 12-15 mph | +1-2 mph | +2-3 mph | +3-5 mph |
| Acceleration | Normal | Slightly slower | Noticeably slower | Much slower |
| Hill Climbing | Normal | Slightly reduced | Reduced | Significantly reduced |
| Battery Range | 100% baseline | ~95% | ~85-90% | ~80-85% |
| Ride Height | Stock | +1" | +2" | +3" |
| Lift Kit Needed? | No | Maybe (brand dependent) | Yes (3-4") | Yes (4-6") |
Offset the Range Loss: Bigger tires cut your battery range by 10-15% because the motor works harder to spin larger, heavier wheels. If you're going 22" or bigger, think about switching to a lithium battery. They weigh 60-70% less than lead-acid and deliver steadier power, which helps make up for the extra drag. See our complete battery guide for a full breakdown.
For more on speed modifications beyond tires, check out our complete speed upgrade guide, which ranks 10 upgrades by cost and MPH gain.
This is one of the biggest choices you'll make when buying golf cart tires. The short version: radial tires ride better and last longer, but cost more. The full comparison:
Bias-ply tires have internal layers that criss-cross at angles inside the tire. They're cheaper but stiffer — you feel every crack and bump in the road.
Radial tires have layers that run straight across the tire, with extra belts under the tread for stability. They cost more but ride much smoother and last longer.
| Factor | Bias-Ply | Radial |
|---|---|---|
| Ride quality | Bumpy on pavement | Smooth and quiet |
| Tread life | Shorter | 30-50% longer |
| Rolling resistance | Higher (more battery drain) | Lower (better efficiency) |
| Traction (pavement) | Adequate | Superior |
| Heat buildup | More heat at speed | Less heat at speed |
| Cost per tire | $30-80 | $50-150 |
| Best for | Golf course only, budget, infrequent use | Daily driving, street use, comfort |
Our take: If your cart ever touches pavement, go radial. The ride quality difference is huge. Owners on golf cart forums describe switching from stock turf tires to steel-belted radials as "night and day," and after riding both, we agree. Fewer bumps, less road noise, and more miles out of each set. The extra $100-200 pays for itself fast.
Only go bias-ply if you drive strictly on a golf course, ride just a few times a month, or are on a tight budget.
Getting the right tire pressure matters more than most people think. Too low and your tires wear out fast. Too high and you'll bounce over every bump.
| Tire Type | Recommended PSI | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard turf (18x8.50-8) | 18-22 PSI | 20 PSI is the sweet spot for most carts |
| Street / low-profile | 20-24 PSI | Higher PSI needed to support sidewall |
| All-terrain | 18-22 PSI | Lower end for off-road traction, higher for pavement |
| Off-road / mud | 15-20 PSI | Lower pressure = more ground contact |
| Sand / beach | 8-12 PSI | Low pressure prevents sinking (temporary only) |
Watch Out in Winter: Tire pressure drops about 1 PSI for every 10°F the temperature falls. So if you fill your tires to 22 PSI in summer and winter hits, you could be down to 17 PSI without realizing it. Get in the habit of checking pressure once a month. It takes 30 seconds with a $5 gauge. See our winterization guide for more cold-weather tips.
Quick note for electric cart owners: Electric carts with lead-acid batteries weigh 200-400 lbs more than gas carts (all those batteries add up). That extra weight means your tires will wear faster if they're underinflated. We'd suggest running at the higher end of the PSI range (22 instead of 20) to help your tires last longer. Carts with lithium batteries are much lighter and don't have this problem.
We checked prices across dealers, online retailers, and Amazon in early 2026. This is what you can expect to pay:
| Category | Per Tire | Set of 4 | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget OEM (bias-ply) | $30-60 | $120-240 | Golf course replacement |
| Mid-Range Street (radial) | $50-100 | $200-400 | Neighborhood daily driver |
| All-Terrain | $75-150 | $300-600 | Mixed terrain use |
| Premium / High-Performance | $100-200+ | $400-800+ | Speed, off-road, commercial |
| Tire + Wheel Combos | — | $420-1,100 | Complete upgrade with new rims |
| Solid / Foam-Filled | $100-200 | $400-800 | Maintenance-free / commercial |
Additional costs to budget for:
Pre-mounted combo kits come with tires already on new rims, aired up, and ready to bolt on. If you want new tires AND new wheels, combos are almost always the better deal, and they save you the hassle of getting tires mounted.
Pros:
Cons:
Where to buy combos: Golf Cart Tire Supply, Buggies Unlimited, and Pete's Golf Carts are the most popular specialty retailers. Amazon also has a growing selection. Most ship free and show up ready to bolt on. All you need is a jack, a lug wrench, and about 30 minutes.
Golf cart tires don't last forever. Worn-out tires are one of the biggest safety risks on a golf cart, and one of the easiest to fix. Watch for these warning signs:
Insert a penny into your tire tread with Lincoln's head facing down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your tread depth is below 2/32" and the tires need immediate replacement.
Even if your tires look fine, replace them every 5-7 years. Rubber breaks down over time from sun and temperature swings, even when the tread still looks OK. Old tires can crack and fail without warning.
You can check how old your tires are by reading the DOT code on the sidewall. The last four digits tell you the week and year the tire was made. For example, "2423" means week 24 of 2023. NHTSA's tire safety guide has more details on reading DOT codes and when tires are past their safe lifespan.
If you're buying pre-mounted tire and wheel combos, installation is pretty simple:
Tools needed: Floor jack, lug wrench, torque wrench (optional but recommended) Time: 20-30 minutes for all 4 wheels Difficulty: Easy. No special skills needed
If you're buying tires only (no new wheels), you'll need to mount them on your existing rims. This requires a tire mounting machine and is best done by a professional.
Professional mounting cost: $10-20 per tire at most tire shops and auto service centers. Some golf cart dealers include mounting with tire purchases.
Pro Tip: Many local tire shops mount golf cart tires even though they don't sell them. Call ahead. Most charge $10-15 per tire. Bring your wheels already removed from the cart to save time and avoid an additional service fee.
No. Car tires have completely different bolt patterns, sizing, and load ratings than golf cart tires. Golf carts use a 4x4-inch bolt pattern that is not compatible with standard automotive wheels. Car tires are also way heavier and would put serious strain on your golf cart's motor, controller, and brakes. Stick with tires made for golf carts.
Budget tires from Amazon (typically $25-40 each) work fine for golf course use and light-duty riding. But for daily street driving, we'd go with name-brand radial tires from manufacturers like TREX, Kenda, Carlisle, or Arisun. The ride quality, tread life, and safety of branded radials justify the higher cost, especially at the speeds neighborhood carts travel. If you're on a budget, the SGC Slasher is a quality, affordable option that's DOT-approved.
For stock-speed carts (12-15 mph), balancing is optional but recommended for comfort. For modified carts running 20+ mph, tire balancing is strongly recommended to prevent vibration and uneven wear. You can balance golf cart tires with a bubble balancer ($20-30) and adhesive wheel weights, or have a tire shop do it for $5-10 per tire. Tire balancing beads are another option: pour them inside the tire during mounting and they self-balance at any speed.
Rotate your golf cart tires every 6 months or whenever you notice uneven wear. Front tires typically wear faster than rear tires due to steering forces. A simple front-to-back rotation (swap front-left with rear-left, front-right with rear-right) evens out the wear pattern and extends overall tire life. No special tools are needed beyond a jack and lug wrench.
Ply rating indicates the tire's load capacity and puncture resistance. A 4-ply tire is standard for most golf cart applications and handles up to 815 lbs per tire. A 6-ply tire is reinforced, handling heavier loads and resisting punctures better, making them ideal for hauling cargo, towing, or off-road use where you encounter sharp objects. The downside is a slightly stiffer ride. For most golf cart owners, 4-ply is plenty.
New tires make a bigger difference than almost any other golf cart upgrade. Here's the short version of everything we covered:
Key Takeaways:
Ready to find a dealer who can help with tire installation or recommend the right setup for your specific cart? Find golf cart dealers near you.
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