How To Prevent Your Golf Cart From Being Stolen (10 Ways)

 

Having your golf cart stolen is probably one of the worst things that can happen to a golf cart owner.

When your cart gets stolen, it can be shocking and sad all at the same time.

Sometimes golf carts can be recovered after they are stolen, but this is not always the case.

The best thing for a golf cart owner to do is to follow some simple steps to make sure their golf cart does not get stolen in the first place.

Here are our top ten best ways to make sure your golf cart does not get stolen.

 

How to Prevent Your Golf Cart from Being Stolen (10 Ways)

 

1. GPS Unit

 

A great way to make sure your golf cart is always easy to find is to install a GPS unit.

These GPS units can be attached to a system that is on your smartphone.

The GPS unit won’t be something a person stealing the cart would be able to see.

Therefore, if they take the cart and start driving away, you will be able to track the cart’s location.

A GPS unit is a great thing to have, not just for preventing the cart being stolen but for checking on your kids or the status of your cart even when you are not near it.

This is not going to be the cheapest way to keep an eye on your cart, but it certainly is effective.

A GPS unit will be one of those things you will never be disappointed you added to your golf cart.

 

2. Steering Wheel Lock

 

A steering wheel lock will be very similar to a steering wheel lock you would put on a car.

The lock will need a key to be able to release it, and that key will not be kept anywhere near the golf cart.

When you purchase a steering wheel lock, you will need to make sure you actually use it.

This is the problem that most people have with a steering wheel lock.

They will run into a store and think they will only be gone for a minute, so they don’t put the lock on.

The steering wheel lock is only effective when you use it!

Steering wheel locks are not usually all that expensive.

The only annoying thing about these is that you will have to carry them on the cart at all times.

If you have storage in your cart, this is not a problem, but most people will keep it on their dashboard and just pull it out when they need it.

If you choose a GPS unit, you may still want to include a steering wheel lock as part of your plan to protect your cart.

 

3. Pedal Lock

 

A pedal lock will work the same way a steering wheel lock will work, but it will keep the pedal from moving and allowing the cart to engage and start to move.

Of course, this won’t help your cart from getting towed away, but it certainly helps to prevent a quick and easy theft of a cart.

Pedal locks have a key on them, so you will have to carry the key with you when you park your car and move away from it.

A pedal lock is also an affordable way to protect your cart and keep it safe.

In addition to protecting your cart from theft, the pedal lock is a good choice if you want to make sure your kids don’t accidentally drive the golf cart away.

 

4. Hidden Kill Switch

 

A hidden kill switch will make sure the golf cart will not start even when it is hot-wired.

The hidden kill switch is used on a gas golf cart to truly protect the cart from being stolen.

You will have to remember to engage the switch when the cart is not in use.

The hidden kill switch is placed in a location where a thief would not be able to see the switch.

Therefore, they may just think there is a mechanical issue with the cart and give up on the process entirely.

A hidden kill switch can be done in a number of different ways.

If you don’t know how to install this on your own, you can talk to a local golf cart repair shop, and they will help you determine how a hidden kill switch can be used on your cart.

Again, this is a deterrent that will only work if you have it set up properly, and you engage it before leaving your cart unattended.

 

5. Unique Key

 

Potentially, the number one reason people get their golf cart stolen is that it has the same key as all the other similar golf carts.

In fact, in many communities where there are lots of golf carts, your cart will sometimes get mistaken for someone else’s.

A cart like an E-Z-GO will have the same key as another E-Z-GO.

They will come from the manufacturer this way.

There are times when this can be a good thing (if you were to lose your golf cart keys), but it can also be a bad thing.

If a person with poor intentions gets ahold of an E-Z-GO master key, there will be lots of golf carts they can steal with very little effort.

If you don’t have a GPS installed on your cart, then you will potentially never see it again.

The good news is that you can change your key on your golf cart to a unique key.

A local golf cart repair shop can put in a custom key for you so that you will be the only one who has access to your particular cart.

As long as you know you are not going to lose this key (and you don’t leave your key in your cart), then you will be all set.

Remember that, when you walk away from your golf cart, you should always have your key with you.

This is so the cart doesn’t get stolen and also so that nobody gets hurt.

 

6. Golf Cart Cover for Outdoor Parking

 

Although it is best to park your golf cart indoors if you want to prevent a theft, sometimes this is not possible.

If your garage is full and your cart must be left outside, there are a few steps you should take to protect it.

First of all, try to park the cart out of view of the road.

If people are driving by your property, don’t let them know you have a golf cart sitting there waiting for the taking.

Another thing to do is to put a golf cart cover on the cart.

A cover will not necessarily protect your golf cart from being stolen.

It is just one more reason for a thief not to take the time to mess with the cart.

Most of the time, someone who is stealing is going to need quick access and a quick getaway as well.

If the cart is parked around the back of your house and has a cover on it, there is a much greater chance you are going to see the thief.

They will know this, and it could be all that is necessary to deter them from taking the cart.

 

7. Park Cart Indoors and Lock the Door

 

If you have the ability to park your golf car indoors, that is the safest and best place to keep it.

Of course, this will help to make sure your cart doesn’t get stolen, but it will also very likely prolong the life of your golf cart as well.

If you park the cart indoors, you must make sure you lock the garage or barn it is parked in.

If a person were to break in, you don’t want them to be able to have access to the cart and potentially steal it.

When you park an electric cart indoors, make sure you are checking on the battery charger as this is a potential fire hazard at times.

Also, never run a gas cart indoors or in a garage.

If you simply pull it in and park it, that is completely fine.

Your cart will be protected from the elements, animals, and a potential thief when you can park it inside.

 

8. Park Cart Close to You at Stores/Restaurant/Beach

 

If you are taking your golf cart to a public place, it makes sense to keep the cart parked close to you.

This is not always possible, but it is smart for you to keep an eye on your cart.

If you use the cart to go to the beach, try to at least stay in the same general area of your cart.

If people see you going back and forth to your cart often, they will be less likely to steal it.

When a thief sees a cart that has been left unattended for several hours with no sign of an owner, they may take the opportunity to grab it.

When you are going to leave your cart unattended for long periods, it does make sense to use an additional security device or measure.

The GPS is going to be one of your best choices to make sure that, even if your cart does disappear, you should be able to find it again without much trouble.

 

9. Security Spotlight

 

The security spotlight is a great way to protect your golf cart but also to protect your home.

A spotlight with a motion sensor will recognize any motion and illuminate the area.

This is particularly helpful when someone has a cart in the back yard of their home.

If a golf cart thief decides to approach the cart in the back yard, the spotlight will turn on.

This will alert you that there is movement near the golf cart, and chances are the thief will get a bit startled as well.

When the light turns on, they will be exposed, and they may choose not to steal your golf cart.

These types of spotlights are a great idea to put on your back door or garage or even your front door.

Make sure that, if your golf cart is parked outside, you are going to be alerted if a person were to get close to it.

 

10. Cameras

 

Last on our list is something that is very similar to the spotlight, but instead, it will give you an idea of anything that is happening on your property.

With a camera, you can keep an eye on your golf cart if it is parked outside.

You won’t have to continually monitor it as some cameras will be able to let you know when there is motion around the golf cart.

Another thing to consider with the camera is that you will have evidence if your cart does get stolen.

With a spotlight, you will get a warning that someone may be near the cart, but with a camera, you will have a video detailing exactly what happened.

This video can be shared with local law enforcement to potentially help you get your golf cart back.

Although they will not be able to guarantee the return of your golf cart to you, the video could also help to make sure that other people do not have their golf cart stolen.

Cameras to keep an eye on your property or yard used to cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

There are now some very inexpensive options out there that most homeowners can install for a fair price.

 

Conclusion

Hopefully, these tips have helped you understand what goes into keeping your golf cart from being stolen.

It’s a terrible feeling to look outside and see that your golf cart is no longer parked where you left it.

Installing a few simple security devices will help to make sure you never have to experience this feeling.

Installing a golf cart anti-theft device is something you will never regret doing.