The 10 Best Golf Push Carts
Special Honors
The Golf Bag Skate By attaching this nifty little wheeled device to its base, you’ll make your golf bag a heck of a lot more portable. You probably won’t want to use it for a full day on the links, but it will come in handy for a speedy nine holes at a small course or rolling your gear from the car to the motorized cart. thegolfbagskate.com
Walker Trolley Built to last with premium leather and anodized aluminum, this stylish model has an elegant look that should satisfy purists of the sport. It’s only fitting that the idea for this American-made cart originated over a neat scotch during a flight home from the picturesque courses of Scotland. walkertrolleys.com
Editor's Notes
July 15, 2020:
Replaced the Sun Mountain Speed GT with the Speed GX (also from Sun Mountain). Gave the Caddytek CaddyCruiser a slight upgrade, noting that the locking arms positioned near the top are effective in preventing the bag from shifting around as you walk between holes. The Tangkula Swivel 3 has a convenient built-in seat, but some users complain about its flimsy umbrella holder.
We’ve pointed out that the handle of the Bag Boy Quad XL can be adjusted to a wide range of height levels, making it suitable for small youth golfers or considerably tall individuals. Most models on this list include a drink holder of some sort, but both Caddytek carts also feature coolers, which is a nice touch for those who prefer their beverages cold.
The Walker Trolley — one of the additions to the Special Honors section — is relatively new to the golf scene, but it seems to be quickly gaining popularity. The company’s CEO says he wants the cart to appeal to modern golfers who respect the tradition of walking the game, but who also desire an upscale, cool-looking product on the course.
April 19, 2019:
When evaluating the top push golf carts, we included the top three and four-wheeled options. While some might prefer a four-wheeled cart for stability and the carrying of heavier bags, many like the maneuverability and compactness of the three-wheeled choices.
The Caddy Tek EZ V8 takes the top spot for having the largest, sturdiest tires in a three-wheel model, plus all the bells and whistles to get you through a full day on the links, like even a cooler.
Golf Push Carts Versus Golf Pull Carts
This makes it easier for them to be pushed without causing you to hunch when you walk.
While golf pull carts have been around since the 1940s, the first ever golf push cart didn't come about until 2002, and was the invention of a company currently known as the Bag Boy Golf Company, which also happened to be the company that created the golf pull carts, albeit under a different name.
It may have taken a long time for someone to develop a push-style golf cart, but it didn't take long for the public to realize that pushing a cart was considerably easier than pulling one. In almost no time, push carts gained mass acceptance and practically replaced pull-style golf carts altogether.
A golf pull cart traditionally has two wheels, while push carts will have either three or four wheels. This makes it easier for them to be pushed without causing you to hunch when you walk. The majority of golfers consider the push cart to be superior to pull carts, as it more efficiently transfers your energy to the cart, which makes it less strenuous. This can be especially handy on long days on the course where higher levels of fatigue may result in more strokes. When walking down the fairway, push carts tend to roll in a straighter line with less zigzagging, as well.
Since a push cart is in front of you the whole time, it also allows you to fiddle with things in the handle compartment, clean the heads of your clubs, or even pick up and put down clubs while you walk, as opposed to delaying play time when you are at the tee.
Benefits Of A Golf Push Cart
Golf push carts can be a boon to any golfer as seen by this study, which found that golfers using a push cart scored anywhere from two to five fewer strokes over nine holes.
Many players quickly notice they have less stiffness and soreness the day after playing if they use a push cart instead of lugging their heavy bag all day.
It is easy to understand why carrying a bag would be more strenuous than pushing one in a cart, therefore resulting in a higher stroke count, but the surprising result was that players pushing a cart had better scores than those riding electric carts. It's possible that this is a result of players staying warm and loose between holes, as opposed to letting their bodies cool down from sitting.
In addition to improving your score, pushing your bag can reduce the strain and chance of injury to your shoulders or core. It may also allow a player who might have had to sit on the sidelines because of a nagging former injury to get out there and play without worry of aggravating their condition. It's not just on the course where one can see benefits from using a push golf cart. Many players quickly notice they have less stiffness and soreness the day after playing if they use a push cart instead of lugging their heavy bag all day.
While carrying your golf bag may be the more traditional approach, many experts believe that switching to a push cart is a trend that is going to continue, especially at the collegiate level, and will most likely become the norm in the next five to ten years.
What To Know Before Buying A Golf Push Cart
Golf push carts come in a variety of styles and with a range of features. It can be difficult for somebody purchasing their first one to determine what the most important things to look for may be. While your personal preferences will play some role in which model you ultimately decide to buy, there are some features that almost every golfer can appreciate.
Just remember, the more features a cart has, the more it will generally weigh.
First off, you'll want to make sure that whichever cart you choose has a good braking system and a parking brake. This will make it easier to control when rolling it downhill and will also ensure you never have a runaway bag on your hands. You'll also want to keep your eye out for one with a lightweight and durable frame; most often the best choice is aluminum as it resists rust and corrosion, so it should last for years.
A good weight is somewhere between 13 and 17 pounds. It's also generally a good choice to go with a bag that has larger wheels, no matter whether you are choosing a 3-wheel or 4-wheel model. Since golf courses have a wide range of terrains to cover, larger wheels will roll more easily over obstacles in the more rugged areas, resulting in less user fatigue.
Another feature you may want to look out for is the ability to collapse for storage in a car trunk. If you often play in unpredictable weather, a cart that has an umbrella holder might be a smart choice, some may also have beverage holders, towel and glove hooks, or even a seat. Determining which of these features are most important to you will help you make the right choice. Just remember, the more features a cart has, the more it will generally weigh.