golf cart: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral/informal
Quick answer
What does “golf cart” mean?
A small, motorized vehicle designed to carry two or more golfers and their equipment around a golf course.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, motorized vehicle designed to carry two or more golfers and their equipment around a golf course.
Any small, electric or gas-powered utility vehicle, often used in other contexts like large private properties, resorts, airports, or retirement communities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'golf buggy' is the predominant term, while 'golf cart' is common in American English and internationally.
Connotations
In the UK, 'cart' might evoke a horse-drawn vehicle or shopping trolley more readily. 'Buggy' sounds more modern/technical.
Frequency
'Golf cart' is understood but less common in the UK; 'golf buggy' is standard. In the US, 'golf cart' is universal.
Grammar
How to Use “golf cart” in a Sentence
VERB + golf cart: drive, use, rent, park, ownADJECTIVE + golf cart: electric, gas-powered, private, sharedgolf cart + NOUN: path, trail, access, driverVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “golf cart” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We decided to golf-cart our way around the resort.
- They were golf-carting supplies to the clubhouse.
American English
- We'll golf cart over to the ninth hole.
- He golf-carted his clubs to the pro shop.
adverb
British English
- [Rare] They travelled golf-cart slow through the lanes.
American English
- [Rare] We proceeded golf-cart style around the complex.
adjective
British English
- They followed the golf-cart track to the green.
- We took a golf-cart tour of the estate.
American English
- She lives in a golf-cart community.
- We stayed on the golf-cart path.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the context of golf course management, resort logistics, or electric vehicle manufacturing.
Academic
Rare, except in studies of leisure, transportation, or sustainable design.
Everyday
Common when discussing golf, retirement communities, or large facilities like airports.
Technical
Used in specifications for low-speed vehicles (LSVs), battery technology, or course maintenance.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “golf cart”
- Using 'golf car' in everyday speech (it's technically correct but less common).
- Saying 'golf cart' for a hand-pulled trolley (that's a 'pull cart' or 'trolley').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A golf cart is a motorized vehicle you ride in. A golf trolley (or pull cart) is a non-motorized, wheeled frame you push or pull to carry your golf bag.
It depends on local laws. In many places, certain types of 'street-legal' golf carts or Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs) are permitted on roads with speed limits typically under 35 mph, provided they have required safety features.
Yes, it is a closed compound noun (written as two words, but sometimes hyphenated as 'golf-cart' when used attributively, e.g., 'golf-cart path').
No. While electric models are very common, especially at golf courses, there are also gas-powered golf carts. Utility versions for farms or industry might be gas-powered.
A small, motorized vehicle designed to carry two or more golfers and their equipment around a golf course.
Golf cart is usually neutral/informal in register.
Golf cart: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɒlf ˌkɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɑːlf ˌkɑːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly from 'golf cart'. Potential metaphorical use: 'life in the golf cart lane' for a slow, leisurely pace.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of GOLF: 'Gets Over Lengthy Fairways' in a CART.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LEISURELY/SLOW MODE OF TRANSPORT (e.g., 'Their project is moving at a golf cart pace').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common British English equivalent for 'golf cart'?