Hooking up Your Golf Cart Archives - Page 5 of 5

There are multiple types of golf cart windshields on the market today. Windshields offer passengers protection from adverse weather and flying debris. And if you plan to make your golf cart street legal, a windshield is probably required. Golf Cart Windshield Material Golf cart windshields are typically made from acrylic, polycarbonate, or a combination of the two. Acrylic is more prone to breaking or cracking when being pelted with hard substances (think golf balls), but less prone to scratches. When purchasing an acrylic windshield, look for one that has specially made hinges that are UV/ozone protected. The hinges of these types of windshields can become weak and break over time with constant exposure to sun -- so a little due diligence when purchasing can make your golf cart windshield last longer. Polycarbonate, while able to withstand being hit with hard substances, is more likely to scratch. Consider where you will be driving your golf cart when deciding what type of windshield would work best. Some golf car windshields can be attached and detached relatively easily while others are permanent -- so choose carefully. Golf Cart Windshield Thickness Golf car windshields are usually 3/16" or 1/4" thick. The thicker the windshield, the more resistant it is to damage -- so depending on your activity you may choose to opt for the thicker windshield. Mounting Golf Cart Windshields Golf cart windshields can either be permanent or easily removed with simple straps. Golf cart windshield hardware is available for windshields that are permanently attached to the cart. If you are afraid of committing to one type of windshield then you should definitely take that into consideration when choosing. Here are the different types of golf cart windshields to consider: Roll-up Windshield: Roll up windshields are portable and typically made from clear vinyl. These windshields are great for bringing along when renting a golf cart, they instantly shield you from wind and rain - making your golf cart excursion that much more comfortable. They are easy to set up and take down, and they can be rolled up to fit inside your golf bag. These are usually pretty cheap too. Fold Down / Split / Hinged Windshield: Fold down golf cart windshields (sometimes called split or hinged), are more permanent than roll up windshields. These types of windshields can be left up or folded down to allow some wind to flow through. One Piece Windshield: One piece golf cart windshields are just like the fold down/split/hinged windshield, except that they are in one piece. The up-side about having a one piece windshield is that you do not have to worry about the hinge breaking from repeated sun exposure, because there is no hinge! They are made of either clear or tinted acrylic or polycarbonate -- and sometimes a combination of both. Winged Windshields: Winged windshields are created to deflect both wind and rain away from the passengers by extending the windshield pass the edges by up to 1/4 inch. Winged windshields only come as fold down or one piece. Sport Windshields: Sport windshields are usually short and made from tinted or clear material. They come with support posts usually made from chrome, aluminum, or stainless steel. Note: There is not a one-size fits all for these types of golf cart windshields. Most golf cart windshields are model and year specific, so make certain the type of golf cart you have before purchasing. Also, if you have a custom golf cart, then speak with your vendor to ensure that you are getting the right size for your cart.