Among the most important safety accessories that any golf cart owner can purchase is a golf cart windshield. Most carts do not come with a factory-installed golf cart windshield. You will need to make a separate purchase and install the same on your cart.

However, this is an important purchase despite the likelihood of an additional cost. This is because the windshield can help protect you – and particularly your face – in the case of any flying debris that is flying towards your cart.

While a windshield can come in handy regardless of where you are driving your cart, it is particularly useful if you live (and use your cart) in an area that sees a lot of inclement weather or if you are planning to use your cart for off-road driving.

Most people think that there is only one general type of golf cart windshield available. However, this could not be further from the truth. There are a variety of options available for you to choose from, depending on your budget and your needs.

Windshield Options include:

Acrylic Golf Cart Windshield

This is essentially a very strong plastic. It is the most basic windshield material available on the market and is also the hardest windshield material available. Its commonness is due to the fact that it is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, which also means that this is an affordable windshield choice for your golf cart.

However, keep in mind that acrylic has a low shatter-resistance. This means that it is vulnerable to the impact of flying objects, like golf balls and rocks. On the other hand, it is highly scratch-resistant, so if you’re not anticipating shatter damage to your windshield, it may still be a good choice for your cart.

Impact-Modified Acrylic

This is essentially acrylic that has rubber added to it during the manufacturing process. This creates a material that has a higher impact resistance level. This means that while the impact of flying objects like golf balls may still result in cracks developing in your windshield, your windshield is far less likely to shatter fully.

These windshields offer far more protection and thus have a higher safety rating than acrylic windshields. However, keep in mind that the addition of the rubber results in a softening of the overall windshield. This means that it is far more vulnerable to scratch damage and will require more maintenance and cleaning. It is also more expensive than a traditional acrylic shield.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is the most effective of the three materials you can choose from. It is the only material that can withstand direct impact from flying objects, including golf balls and rocks, without breaking. This, therefore, also means that it is the safest option available in the market.

Polycarbonate is softer than both acrylic and impact-modified acrylic. This means that when there is an impact, the material gives rather than shattering or cracking. However, it also means that it is far more susceptible to scratches than the other two options and must be maintained carefully so that no damage is inadvertently done to the material while cleaning. It is also the most expensive of the three options, so it might not be the best choice for someone on a budget.

Final Thoughts

Once you buy a golf cart windshield, you will need to have it installed. This is not a complicated process and can be done by yourself if necessary.

However, a professional can help you select the perfect windshield for your needs and also guide you on how to best install without causing damage to your cart. If you’re in the market for a golf cart windshield, contact Carts & Parts at (937) 459-8891. We’d love to help you in any way possible!