Do black golf cart seats get hot? And what to do about it.

The last thing you want to deal with on a toasty day is red hot golf cart seats. They can be uncomfortable and, in extreme conditions, dangerous to ride on especially for kids. So, you may be wondering if seat color will affect the temperature of the material. This is especially the case when dealing with the darkest of colors: black.

Black golf cart seats will hold more heat and be hotter than other colors. Generally speaking, the darker the color of the seat, the more heat is absorbed. There are options, like golf cart enclosures and seat covers that can help if your seats are getting too hot on summer days.

Depending on where you are living, your seats may get hotter more often than you’d like. If this is the case, then black seats may not be the best option for you. While re-upholstering the seats may seem like the only option, there are some other routes you can go to help alleviate heat issues. But, if you are wondering why your black seats get so hot, there is a simple answer.

Why Do Black Seats Get Hot?

To answer this question, we need to dust off the old middle school science textbooks. Basically, black absorbs the radiation coming from the sun. Other lighter colored materials have some level of reflectivity that bounces that energy away. Black, on the other hand, absorbs almost all of it. This is why you shouldn’t wear black when practicing night sports.

Additionally, the energy that is being absorbed by the black material doesn’t just go away. It gets converted. This conversion changes the energy from the sun into other energy, namely heat. This is because black generates heat that then can then transfer to your skin through contact.

This is the same reason why wearing an all-black outfit on a summer day is a bad idea. All of the sun’s powerful rays are transferred into heat instead of being reflected away. Other colors are also culprits of this phenomenon, but black is the worst offender by and large. Black has the capacity to absorb almost all the wavelengths of visible light, reflecting none.

To put it simply:

  • Black absorbs the most heat of any color.
  • It takes the energy from the sun and turns it into heat.
  • Coming in contact with this heat will transfer it to you, making you hotter.

Will Your Golf Cart Seats Get Too Hot?

While it is true that black golf cart seats will hold more heat than other colors, there are some factors that can help alleviate some of that burn.

  • Color of your cart
  • Seat material
  • Your cart’s roof

The color of your cart can be a significant factor in how much heat it absorbs. If you have a darker colored cart, then the chances of your seats getting hotter increases. Alternatively, if you have a lighter colored cart, you can help prevent heat from being absorbed.

Seat material can also play a role. Some materials are better suited for heat dispersion such as cloth seats. Keep in mind that this is always counterbalanced by the need to use durable outdoor materials for cart seats. If you are looking for the best material, you could opt for marine vinyl. This type of vinyl is UV resistant, meaning it helps reflect light, and it is very durable. Leather golf cart seats may get the hottest.

Finally, considering most carts have a roof, exposure to the direct sun may be minimal to begin with. If you have a lighter colored top, this can help even more to disperse some of those heat waves. Additionally, if you have a windshield, it may help reduce the amount of heat hitting your seats.

What You Can do to Help With Excessively Hot Golf Cart Seats

If you are stuck with black seats in a hotter climate, you know it can be a struggle. This is especially the case if you are using your cart daily. But, before you start shopping around for new seats, there are a few options you can try.

  • Using seat covers – Seat covers are a great way not only to style up your cart but also to change colors to one more forgiving in the sun.
  • Golf Cart Enclosure – These covers allow for a full enclosure to be fitted around your cart. It will not only help block the sun but also keep the rain and wind out.
  • Use a towel over the seat while using your cart on hot tdays

These are just two options you could explore to help get rid of that excess heat from your black golf cart seats. They allow for limited alteration to your cart and can be fitted by almost anyone. But, they add a visual element to your cart that may not be what you are looking for.

If this is the case, you may want to go ahead and consider either purchasing new seats or having your old ones reupholstered.

What are the Best Colors for Golf Cart Seats?

While black seats often offer style and elegance, black golf cart seats are by far the worst when it comes to absorbing heat. So, if you are looking to replace your seats or are buying a new cart, you may want to source better colors and materials.

We have already discovered that marine vinyl seats can help alleviate some of the excess heat, but what colors should you choose? Generally speaking, you want to find lighter colored materials to reflect the UV energy better. But there is still a lot of variety, so don’t feel you can’t match a color to your cart’s overall design.

Some examples are:

  • Tan
  • White
  • Cream
  • Green

Honestly, most colors are going to be better than black. Even darker shades of blue will be better at reflecting heat than black seats. Keep in mind that most colors will still absorb some heat. Even with white seats, you’ll still feel a little burn when you sit down on a hot day.

Tips for Keeping Your Cart Seats Cool

If you are still struggling with hot seats, there are some other things you could try. These often don’t require extra hardware and have more to do with your driving habits. While you don’t always have to do these things, they can really help you keep your cart cool in the summer months.

  • Stick to dusk and dawn – If you can, try and only use your cart during times when the sun is not at its peak.
  • Park in the shade – Since most of the heat is absorbed when you are parked, consider finding a spot in the shade if you are leaving your cart for a long while.
  • Wear appropriate clothing – Much like black cart seats, what you wear can also be a factor in how much heat you are experiencing. Try and wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothes.
  • Stay Hydrated – Styling hydrated can affect how your body regulates its heat. Try and keep water in your cart at all times just in case you run into a hot day.
  • Cover the seats with a light-colored towel or blanket on super hot days

As you can see, with just a few changes to your day, you can really help mitigate how hot you and your cart seats are getting. Above all, make sure you are aware of the day’s heat index. This can be an excellent indicator of how hot you might be getting in your cart.

What about your rear golf cart seat getting hot?

As your rear seat will be out in the sun all day, it will get hotter than the seats under cover. You can buy an extended roof that can cover part of the rear seats, or you can simply use a towel or blanket to cover then on really hot days.

Conclusion

Black golf carts seats certainly do get hot. This fundamental quality of the color black means it’s by far the worst offender when it comes to soaking up the sun and getting too toasty. If you want to avoid this, you can either use seat covers, a golf cart enclosure or reupholster your seats. Changing your driving habits can also help keep your seats cooler.