The Villages 101

Golf Carts

Traveling throughout The Villages by golf cart is the #1 major reason why life in The Villages is so much fun.

Rentals
Etiquette
Service
Gas Filling

Sure, you can own/rent a house in The Villages without a golf cart, but you will surely see hundreds of them zipping around.

Short Rentals

If you need a golf cart for a short period of time (e.g one day, or a weekend or for extra family), the best choice is to go to the Villages Golf Cars stores located in the Village Squares. They have lots of inventory of 2-seat and 4-seat cars. They typically have enough inventory and do rentals on a walk-in basis. However, if you are wanting a cart in very peak times (Christmas, Easter) they recommend completing and paying in advance for a full-week rental. The stores are located in Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter Landing, Brownwood, and Magnolia. They do NOT deliver carts to your house, but the list below typically do deliver and pick-up.

Long-term Rentals

Most owners in The Villages also own one or more golf carts. If you are renting a home and it does not come pre-equipped with a golf cart, here are some places where you can arrange to rent a golf cart for your stay. Most of the companies that rent golf carts will deliver to your rental house and also will provide roadside service if needed. As of Spring 2024, the going rate for a 2-seat golf cart ranges from $450 to $600 per month. Here’s a partial list of rental companies:

Lucy’s Tip:

If you need a golf cart for DAILY or WEEKLY, some of the above companies may rent, but The Villages Golf Cars with locations in Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter Landing, Brownwood, and Magnolia Plaza do indeed offer walk-in daily rates. As of March 2023, their rates are $35 per day ($55 for 4-passenger) and $175 per week ($275 weekly 4-seater)

Golf Cart Driving & Etiquette

There has been a lot written and videos showing proper golf cart driving within The Villages. It’s really important to always play defensive driving. Cars may give you a wave to give you the right-of-way, but still be careful. The most important golf cart tips for renters and visors include:

  • NEVER drive on the roads. You will see signs that read “No Carts Beyond This Point”. If you find yourself lost or on streets (not paths), pull into the nearest village entrance and ask how to get back onto multi-modal path.
  • ALWAYS watch out for other golf carts, especially in tunnels and bridges. Slow down when you see an oncoming cart, bicyclist, or pedestrain
  • WATCH out for others on the paths. These are used by pedestrians and bicyclists. You never know if a dog walker or cyclist might make a quick move.
  • DO NOT let children drive a golf cart, even if sitting in your lap. This violates all rental contracts and is against policy in The Villages.

See our dedicated page on golf cart etiquette to learn about best practices for driving and parking your rental cart. It’s important for newbies and snowbirds to learn these special rules of the road in The Villages.

Golf Cart Tunnels

There is always some question about golf carts and the many tunnels throughout The Villages. Most importantly, drive slow, turn into and exit tunnels even slower and watch out for CURVED tunnel ceilings! The official Villages government publishes a list of tunnel dimensions. Some of the lowest tunnels are located:

  • MR4 Under Meggison Rd at the intersection of Warm Springs Ave 70″
  • WS1 Under Warm Springs Ave at the intersection of Meggison Rd 70″
  • B4 Under Buena Vista Blvd at Talley Ridge Dr (north near Belle Aire) 82″
  • B7 Under Buena Vista Blvd at Saddlebrook Recreation 82″

Golf Cart Service

The company that rents your golf cart may be quite a ways away from The Villages. If your cart breaks down and you need 24/7 emergency golf cart service such as a tow or tire change, contact 24 Hr Cart Club <HERE>. In addition to emergency service, they have a membership program for long-term renters or homeowners.

Golf Cart Gasoline Filling

Most gas-powered golf carts have a 5-7 gallon gasoline tank typically located under the front seat. Golf carts “typically” get about 20 miles per gallon. As a general rule, a gas powered golf cart takes 87 octane gas with less than 10% ethanol content, which is regular unleaded in the United States.

The primary dealer for sales and rentals of golf carts “inside the bubble” is The Villages Golf Cars. These filling stations can all be accessed directly by golf cart, but drive carefully as these stations are in “mixed use” roadway shopping plazas. They have locations at

Additionally, there are other public gas stations inside or on the edge of The Villages that you can drive a golf cart.

Most people recommend “non-ethanol” gasoline. Others simply use a fuel stabilizer or a higher-octane fuel. For snowbird rentals, you should ask your golf cart provider for their recommendations.

Golf Cart Electric Charging

There’s a lot of discussion about electric versus gas golf carts. And, there’s even more discussion about lead-acid batteries vs lithium for electric carts.

But, at this time (March 2024) there is no official charging network in place to recharge conventional or Lithium battery golf carts within The Villages. Stay tuned!

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