Light it Up: Lighting Ideas to Make Your Golf Cart Stand Out

Looking to take your golf cart to the next level? Lighting is one of the easiest and most eye-catching upgrades you can make — whether you’re cruising the campground, riding in a parade, or just want your cart to light up the night.

Here are 7 unique lighting upgrades to consider adding to your cart!

Underglow Kits: Light Up the Ground Below

Underglow lighting is exactly what it sounds like – LED strips mounted under your cart that light up the ground around your wheels, and they look awesome.

Most underglow kits come with multiple color options, so you can switch from blue to red to green depending on your mood. Some of the fancier systems even include chase patterns that make the light appear to move around your cart. Look for kits that come with remote controls – being able to change colors and patterns without getting out of your cart is definitely worth the extra few bucks.
Installation is pretty straightforward. You’re basically mounting weatherproof LED strips to the underside of your frame and running some wiring back to a controller box. The good news is that these systems sip power, so you won’t be draining your batteries.

Wheel Well Lights and LED Wheel Rings

If you want to add dynamic lighting that moves with your cart, wheel well lights and LED wheel rings are two great options to consider.

Wheel well lights mount inside the fender area above your tires and create a nice glow around your wheels. These are relatively easy to install and often tie into your underglow or other lighting systems, letting you sync colors and patterns for a cohesive look.

LED wheel rings take things a step further by mounting directly on your wheels or rims themselves. These circular LED light rings illuminate the wheels as they spin, creating an awesome spinning light effect. Installing wheel rings typically involves more wiring and mounting hardware since they need to handle rotation, but these lights can make a huge difference, and you’ll definitely stand out.

LED Whip Lights: Flexible Flash and Fun

Originally popular on off-road UTVs, whip lights have found their way into the golf cart scene. These tall, flexible LED poles mount to your cart and make you easy to spot in a crowd.

Usually available in heights from 2 to 4 feet, many whip lights come with multiple flash patterns, solid colors, and even flag attachments for added personalization. They’re especially popular for parades, late nights at the campground, beach rides, or really any group event where you want to stand out or help your crew stay together. Most models now offer remote control operation, letting you switch colors and patterns on the fly. Another bonus—since the poles are flexible, they’ll generally be fine if you brush against low branches or tight spots.

Interior Lighting: Step Inside the Glow

Now let’s move into the interior and discuss some of the choices you have to light up your cart cabin.

Interior lighting usually means LED strips or pods under the dash, in the footwells, or even along the roofline. It’s great for nighttime rides when you want to light up the floorboard, cup holders, or just show off your setup a little more. Most kits are easy to install and can either tie into your underglow system or run on a separate switch.

You can keep it simple with a clean white glow, or go full RGB with colors and effects you can control by remote or app. Some even sync to music. However you set it up, interior lighting helps finish off the look and adds some solid nighttime functionality too.

Light Bars and Roof Lighting: Function Meets Utility

If you’re looking for something with real utility, light bars and roof-mounted lighting are a solid addition — especially for anyone doing nighttime driving through wooded trails, rural areas, or around the campground.

Most light bars mount up front on the roof or top of the windshield and come in a range of sizes and brightness levels. They throw out a wide, powerful beam that lights up everything ahead of you — way more than your standard headlights. For even more coverage, some people add smaller pods or corner lights to the roof or side mirrors to brighten up the area around the cart.

Beyond off-road use, a quality light bar can make a big difference if you use your cart at night for work, security, or really anywhere you’re cruising around dark properties.

Wrapping It Up

Whether you’re looking to add some style, improve safety, or just have more fun with your cart, there are plenty of lighting options to explore. From colorful underglow and wheel rings to whip lights and interior accents, each upgrade adds its own vibe and function. And with so many plug-and-play options out there now, it’s easier than ever to throw some of these cool add-ons on your cart.

Several popular manufacturers have taken note, with new golf cart models like the Evolution D5-MAX Series and Epic Carts E40FX now coming equipped with factory-installed lighting features. Whether you’re buying new or upgrading your current cart, lighting is one of the easiest ways to stand out.
Whatever route you go, just make sure your installation is clean and weatherproof. Nothing kills the vibe like lights that flicker out after the first rainstorm.