How to Install a Cooler Mount on a Golf Cart? | Fit Your Cart’s Mount

For the full breakdown, see our best Cooler for Golf Cart guide.

Most universal kits bolt onto existing rear fender hardware, while others attach to the seat-back rail or roll bar. Before you pick up a tool, check your cart model and mounting surface—it determines whether the job takes 20 minutes with a socket wrench or requires a drill and center punch.

Pick the Right Mount for Your Cart Model

Four common mounting styles cover most golf carts. The rear fender mount is the universal workhorse—it bolts onto existing rear fender holes on EZGO TXT, Club Car DS, and Club Car Precedent without any drilling. If you own a Yamaha G16 or a less common model, you’ll need to drill 1/4″ to 5/16″ holes into the fender. The seat-back mount (sometimes labeled ASM-SAM) clamps onto the sweater basket rail at the top of the rear seat and works well when the fender isn’t accessible. Roll-bar mounts attach to the front crash bar or roll bar, but the bar must measure at least 1.5 inches in diameter—smaller bars won’t hold the bracket securely. Club Car RXV models have a dedicated scuff guard mount that slides into channels on the scuff guard, while Atlas carts use a specific bracket that replaces the top-rail sweater basket hardware. Check your cart’s rear body and rail setup before ordering.

Tools and Hardware to Have Ready

Gather everything before starting. You’ll need a socket wrench, a drill with 1/4″ and 5/16″ bits (if required), a center punch to prevent bit slip, masking tape to protect the finish, a hex key, and a mallet for tight brackets. Your kit typically includes 6mm bolts or 1/4″ x 1-1/4″ screws for seat-back mounts, but some brackets require carriage bolts for the bottom two holes—those cost a few dollars at any hardware store.

Installation Steps by Mount Type

Rear Fender Mount (No Drill for EZGO / Club Car DS) is the simplest route. Locate the two bolts on the rear fender and remove them with a socket wrench—keep them if the bracket reuses the same holes. Position the bracket over the holes and thread the included bolts through, tightening evenly so the bracket sits flat. Set the cooler onto the bracket and secure it with clips or straps.

Seat-Back Mount (ASM-SAM) works for carts with a sweater basket rail. Find the holes on either side of the seat-back mount and choose a position that doesn’t interfere with bag rack removal. Remove the two sweater basket bolts from the top rail and save them. Place the cooler bracket under the rail and thread two supplied bolts through the original holes, tightening by hand only—power tools can strip threads or crack the rail. Check that the cooler clears the seat back and doesn’t block bag rack access.

Drilling Required (Yamaha G16 or Universal Kits) takes more time but works for any cart. Hold the bracket on the fender and mark all four bolt holes with a pencil. Apply masking tape over the marks, then use a center punch on each mark for a starting divot. Drill with a 1/4″ or 5/16″ bit depending on your kit. Once holes are clean, install bolts with rubber spacers (most kits include six) to level the cooler if the surface isn’t flat. Tighten everything snugly and secure the cooler with straps, leaving at least 6 inches of free strap length and fusing the cut end.

FAQs

Will a cooler mount fit my EZGO TXT without drilling?

Yes, most universal rear fender mounts use the existing bolt holes on EZGO TXT models. No drilling is needed—just remove the two rear fender bolts, attach the bracket, and secure the cooler. The same applies to Club Car DS and Precedent models.

What if my cooler doesn’t sit level on the bracket?

Use the rubber spacers included with most universal kits to level the cooler. Place them between the bracket and cooler base as needed before tightening. If your kit didn’t include spacers, flat rubber washers from a hardware store work just as well.

Can I install a roll-bar mount on any golf cart?

Only if the roll bar or crash bar is at least 1.5 inches in diameter. Bars smaller than that won’t support the bracket securely, and the mount will wobble under the cooler’s weight. Measure your bar with a tape measure before buying a roll-bar mount.