AGM Golf Cart Batteries: Do I Need Them? (6, 8 and 12V)

When you’re tasked with buying new batteries for your golf cart, you have several things to consider. First and foremost, you need to select batteries of a suitable voltage for your cart that are aligned with your manufacturer’s instructions.

One of the most appealing options to golf cart owners is AGM lead-acid batteries that are high-performing and tick all of the boxes of what you’re looking for in a golf cart battery.

But what exactly are AGM batteries? And why are they a decent choice for your golf cart?

We provide answers to these questions and more in this article, but let’s start by looking at exactly what AGM batteries are.

What are AGM Golf Cart Batteries?

Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are technologically advanced lead-acid batteries that are often used in electric vehicles, utilities, and golf carts. They’re renowned for their high performance, are vibration resistant, and are maintenance-free, making them a popular choice for vehicles.

Are AGM Batteries Good for a Golf Cart?

An AGM is one of the most suitable battery types for your golf cart for a multitude of reasons. Generally, they are sealed, low-maintenance batteries, which means they’re ideal for the vibrations and rough and tumble that carts experience out on the golf course.

Other reasons why AGM batteries are ideal for golf carts include:

• They are quick charging.
• They have a low ‘self-discharge and can operate in various temperatures.
• They’re not as likely to spill or suffer from sulfation.
• They typically have a 2x longer life than standard flooded batteries.

If you’re in the market for a new battery for your golf cart, then an AGM is the ideal option, particularly if you can justify the price.

Is it Worth Buying an AGM Battery?

Although they’re amongst the more expensive batteries you can buy for your golf cart; an AGM battery is undoubtedly worth the investment. The old adage is that “you get what you pay for,” and this is certainly true with an AGM.

As far as the golf cart battery market goes, AGM batteries are seen as an upgrade on standard lead-acid batteries but not quite as efficient as the latest lithium-ion batteries.

If you consistently find yourself having to repair or replace your golf cart batteries, things can get expensive quickly.

Also, investing in cheaper, lower-quality golf cart batteries just to save yourself some money upfront is unsustainable.

Ultimately, if you’re looking to invest in a high-performing, maintenance-free battery for your golf cart, then an AGM battery is definitely a smart, good choice.

Are Golf Cart Batteries AGM or Standard?

The type of battery installed in your electric golf cart will be either AGM or standard and will largely depend on its make and model. Most golf carts use multiples of either 6V, 8V, or 12V batteries, so you will need to ensure any replacements that you buy are suitable.

What’s more, there are four common types of golf cart batteries:

• Flooded lead-acid batteries.
• AGM lead-acid batteries.
• Gel lead-acid batteries.
• Lithium-ion golf cart batteries.

To give you an example, EZGO golf carts historically (1960 – 2017) came equipped with lead-acid batteries as standard.

Since 2017, EZGO has started offering its carts with lithium-ion batteries, which are widely considered to be more efficient than lead-acid options.

Because every manufacturer includes different batteries in their carts as standard, you should always double-check your cart’s specific requirements before buying new batteries.

How Long Do AGM Golf Cart Batteries Last?

Although it largely depends on your usage level, your AGM golf cart battery has a typical lifespan of between 6-7 years. The great news is that they’re maintenance-free batteries, so you don’t have to worry about regularly checking in on how they’re performing.

That being said, you still need to make sure you look after your AGM cart battery to ensure it performs optimally.

This includes keeping it charged when it’s not in use and not running your battery down at every opportunity!

Typically, high-quality AGM batteries last longer than standard lead-acid batteries as a result of their low self-discharge rate.

They also last longer than flooded batteries, which will generally need to be replaced after 3-5 years.

Can You Use Four 12v batteries in a Golf Cart?

If your golf cart is 48v, you can technically use four 12v batteries instead of six 8v batteries. But you will have to consider the configuration of your golf cart’s battery rack, as 8v batteries are smaller in size than 12v.

If your golf cart batteries are stored under the seat, you might have to modify the rack to enable the batteries to fit in.

But from a mere price point, it’s likely to be cheaper to invest in four 12v batteries than it would be to buy six 8v.

One thing to consider, however, is that you should try and keep your golf cart batteries as close to the manufacturer’s recommendations as possible.

While it’s perfectly fine to upgrade your standard lead-acid battery to an AGM, you should err on the side of caution if you’re looking to change the battery multiples as stipulated by the manufacturer.

While you might not encounter any issues, changing the battery’s configuration is potentially an unnecessary risk that could do your cart more harm than good!

Can You Jump Start AGM Batteries?

The short answer is yes; you can jump-start AGM batteries on your golf cart. In most instances, you can jump-start your golf cart’s AGM battery just like you would jump-start a dead car battery – by using jump cables and finding an appropriate vehicle to connect to.

If you find yourself in a position where you need to jump-start your AGM battery, you should follow it up with a brief investigation to see if there’s a significant problem with your battery.

Check for any corrosion and ensure there are no spillages through any cracks on your batteries.

To be fair, AGM batteries don’t typically spill and don’t need regular maintenance, so you shouldn’t necessarily encounter any deep-rooted issues with the battery.

But if you can see structural or surface damage to your AGM battery that is likely to affect its performance, it’s probably time to invest in a new battery.

AGM Batteries: Worth the Cost, Reliable and Maintenance Free

AGM batteries are ideal for golf carts for many of the reasons we’ve introduced above.

Although they are more expensive to buy at first than other lead-acid batteries, the fact that they last for several years longer makes them worth that additional up-front investment.

Given the current strides that are being made in the world of battery technology, you should consider whether or not it’s possible to upgrade your lead acid AGM battery for a lithium-ion battery.

These are very much the future of battery technology and are likely to help your golf cart live long into the future!