Complete Golf Cart Financing Guide

Golf Cart Financing Made Simple

Most golf cart buyers finance their purchase — and for good reason. With new golf carts ranging from $6,000 to $25,000+, spreading the cost over 36–84 months makes ownership accessible without depleting savings. At TIGON Golf Carts, we've structured thousands of golf cart loans and built relationships with the country's leading specialty lenders.

This guide is your complete resource: what lenders we work with, what rates to expect, how your credit score affects your offer, and step-by-step tips to get the best financing available.

TIGON Golf Carts Financing Partners

We work with six industry-leading lenders, each with different strengths depending on your credit profile, cart type, and purchase amount.

Sheffield Financial / Branch Banking & Trust (BBT)

The nation's largest golf cart lender. Sheffield Financial originates more golf cart loans than any other lender and has financed carts at TIGON locations for years.

• Rates: 0% promotional APR (select models) to 9.99%+ standard
• Terms: 24–84 months
• Best for: Strong credit (680+), new cart purchases, promotional rate offers
• Pre-approval: Soft inquiry, no credit impact

BLI Heartland

A specialty recreational vehicle lender with strong programs for both new and used golf carts.

• Rates: Competitive — varies by credit and cart age
• Terms: 24–60 months
• Best for: Used cart buyers, mid-range credit scores

DLL Financial

Focused on commercial and fleet purchases. Excellent for businesses, golf courses, HOAs, and property management companies buying multiple carts.

• Best for: Commercial buyers, fleet purchases, corporate accounts
• Terms: Customized based on purchase size

Roadrunner Financial / Octane

Known for fast approvals — often same-day decisions. Great when you need quick financing turnaround.

• Rates: Competitive for approved buyers
• Best for: Speed, buyers who want same-day approval
• Approval speed: Often 1–2 hours

Univest Capital

A regional powerhouse particularly strong in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware markets — areas where TIGON has its highest concentration of locations.

• Best for: Mid-Atlantic buyers, competitive alternative to Sheffield
• Local expertise: Strong understanding of PA and NJ market

Dealer Direct

An independent financing partner whose programs may serve buyers who do not qualify for conventional lending. Approval, rates, terms, and down payment vary by applicant and model.

• Best for: Credit-challenged buyers, unusual situations
• Flexibility: More flexible underwriting than bank programs

Current Promotional Financing Offers

0% APR Financing

Available on select new golf cart models from DENAGO, Evolution, ICON, TEKO EV, and other manufacturers during promotional periods. Requirements typically include:

• Credit score of 700+
• Down payment (typically 10–20%)
• Clean credit history (no recent major derogatory events)
• New cart purchase (not used)

Low Down Payment Programs

Many programs accept as little as $0–$500 down for qualified buyers. A larger down payment does improve your rate and reduces the loan-to-value ratio.

Extended Terms (Up to 84 Months)

84-month terms spread payments over 7 years. On a $12,000 cart at 7.99%, this yields approximately $189/month. Extended terms mean lower monthly payments but higher total interest paid.

What Affects Your Golf Cart Loan Rate?

Credit Score Impact

Other Key Factors

Down Payment: More down = lower rate and lower monthly payment. A 20% down payment significantly improves loan offers.

Loan Term: Shorter terms have lower total interest. A 36-month loan costs less overall than a 72-month loan, though monthly payments are higher.

New vs. Used: New carts qualify for better rates and promotional offers. Used carts over 5 years old may have limited lender options.

Cart Price: Higher purchase amounts ($15,000+) may unlock better institutional rates.

Debt-to-Income Ratio: Lenders look at your monthly income vs. existing monthly debt obligations. Lower existing debt = better approval odds and rates.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Financed at TIGON Golf Carts

Step 1: Check Your Credit Score

Know your score before applying. You can get free scores from:

• AnnualCreditReport.com (official free report)
• Your bank's mobile app
• Credit Karma (free ongoing monitoring)

Step 2: Get Pre-Approved Online

Step 3: Select Your Cart

Browse our new golf cart inventory and used golf cart inventory. Knowing the cart you want helps our finance team match you with the best program.

Step 4: Review All Offers

Our finance managers present all available lender offers side by side. We'll explain the difference in total cost, monthly payment, and rate for each option.

Step 5: Finalize and Drive Home

Most transactions are completed same-day. Bring a valid government ID, proof of insurance (required by most lenders), and any down payment.

Special Financing Programs

Bad Credit Golf Cart Financing

Dealer Direct and other independent financing partners may offer options for applicants with:

• Recent bankruptcies (discharged 1+ years)
• Previous repossessions
• Scores below 600

No Money Down Financing

Available for strong-credit buyers (700+). No money down means you're financing 100% of the cart price.

Rent-to-Own

For buyers who prefer not to use traditional credit or need maximum flexibility:

Business and Commercial Financing

For golf courses, HOAs, resorts, campgrounds, and fleet buyers:

Golf Cart Financing by State

TIGON Golf Carts finances golf carts across all 15 physical stores:

Pennsylvania (Hatfield, Long Pond, Pocono Pines, Scranton): PA financing guide →

New Jersey (Ocean View, Bayville, Rio Grande): Competitive rates serving the Jersey Shore market

Delaware (Dover): Serving central Delaware buyers

North Carolina (Raleigh): Competitive programs for the Raleigh/Triangle market

Indiana (South Bend): Serving northwest Indiana

Virginia (Gloucester Point): Hampton Roads and coastal VA financing

Ohio (Swanton): Northwest Ohio buyers

South Carolina (Orangeburg): Serving the greater Orangeburg and Midlands market

Florida (Lecanto, Citrus County): Year-round Florida market

FAQ: Golf Cart Financing

Can I finance a used golf cart?

Yes — most lenders finance used carts. Rates are slightly higher and terms may be shorter for older carts.

How long does financing approval take?

Sheffield and Roadrunner/Octane often provide same-day decisions. BLI and others typically respond within 1–2 business days.

Does applying for financing hurt my credit?

Pre-qualification uses a soft inquiry (no impact). Formal application uses a hard inquiry (typically 2–5 point temporary reduction).

What credit score do I need for 0% financing?

Typically 700–720+. The exact threshold varies by promotion and lender.

Can I pay off my golf cart loan early?

Most golf cart loans have no prepayment penalty. Confirm with your specific lender at time of application.

Can I trade in my old cart?

Yes — TIGON Golf Carts accepts trade-ins. Trade-in value is applied to your new purchase, reducing the financed amount.

Ready to Get Financed?

Our finance managers are available at all 15 TIGON Golf Carts physical stores — or online 24/7. Apply now and get rolling.