Golf Push Carts: What To Know Before Buying One (Complete Guide)

If you’re a golfer who plays regularly but are sick and tired of lugging your bag around on your back during every round, then a golf push cart could be a great investment.

But if you’ve landed on this article, then you’re probably undecided whether spending between $150 and $300 on a push cart, or even more on an electric buggy, is actually worthwhile.

You’re also no doubt worried about if your golf buddies will think you’re lame if you start using a push cart, rather than a carry bag.

When you weigh all those things against each other, it all comes back to the all-important question: Are golf push carts worth it?

Golf push carts are an extremely worthwhile and increasingly popular investment for golfers. Their benefits include:

  • They save you energy by not having to carry your clubs on your back
  • They allow easy access to your clubs before each shot
  • They provide extra storage for golfing accessories
  • They come equipped with an umbrella holder for your umbrella
  • They can often come fitted with a seat for you to rest on during your round
  • They are easily transportable and don’t take up much space
  • They can, for an extra cost, be motorized and operated by remote control

While there still seems to be some stigma associated with using a push cart in countries like the USA and the UK – where the majority of players still prefer to carry their bags – in other golf-mad nations like Australia, the use of push carts is widely accepted and almost all golfers I know use them.

So, if you’re still not sure about whether a golf push cart is right for you, please keep reading.

I’ll elaborate further on why push carts are a great investment to make; explain what to look for when buying a push cart; and also give you my recommendation on the top push carts available to buy today.

What is a golf push cart?

A golf push cart is a relatively inexpensive piece of equipment that golfers use to transport their golf bag (with clubs) around the golf course. Golf push carts usually have three or four wheels, and allow golfers to save energy by not carrying their bag and clubs on their back during a round.

Golf push carts come in many different shapes, sizes, colors and prices, but they all serve the same purpose – to make it easier for golfers to carry their clubs while playing on the course.

I’ve been using a push cart throughout the majority of my golfing life, and I can say with confidence that I wouldn’t have it any other way.

And below, I explain why.

What are the benefits of a golf push cart?

The benefits of using a golf push cart are many. They:

  • Save you energy by not having to carry your golf bag with clubs on your back, which can be extremely tiring if you are playing 18 holes, or are walking a course that is hilly
  • Allow you to easily access your golf clubs, rather than having to take your bag off your back and place it on the ground each time you wish to pull a club to hit a shot
  • Come equipped with an umbrella holder, meaning you can play when it’s raining without having to carry your umbrella by hand (which can be extremely annoying)
  • Can accommodate a small seat that you can use to catch your breath during a round, which is especially useful for older players
  • Can, for a significant extra fee, be motorized meaning you don’t have to push them (and instead operate them by a remote control) while you walk the fairways
  • Don’t take up much space, meaning they are easily transportable and will fit into your vehicle with ease

When you consider the long list of benefits, it’s easy to see why a golf push cart is one of the most essential items you can buy once you save enough money to do so.

A golf push cart can be fitted with an umbrella holder and a seat, as pictured.

How do I choose the right golf push cart?

When I first began my search for a new golf push cart a few years ago, I had a clear criteria that my push cart had to meet before I made my purchase.

The ideal golf push cart has to be:

  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Set-up and folded down easily/be compact for storage
  • Visually appealing/stylish
  • Affordable and be priced within your budget

These were the key five boxes I had to tick in deciding on the right push cart for me, and I’ll explain why each point is so important.

Durability

Above all else, your push cart has to be able to withstand regular knocks and the weight of lugging your clubs around.

Whether it’s rolling around in the back of your car on the way to the golf course, or being pushed over bumpy, hilly rough, you need a push cart that is well-built, stable and robust.

Be wary of cheaper models that are built with thin frames, as while they seem appealing from a cheaper price perspective, it’s likely they won’t last long.

Lightweight

The whole purpose of using a push cart is to save you the energy of having to carry your clubs on your bag while walking the fairways.

If you opt for a push cart that is durable but weighs a tonne, then you’re defeating the point of getting one in the first place.

Look for push carts that are made from strong, lightweight aluminium as they will be far easier to use than models that are constructed from denser metals.

Compact storage/ease of set-up and fold-down

Push cart technology has come a long way over the years, and most models these days can fold down into extremely small spaces – which is exactly what you need, especially if you have limited space in your vehicle to transport your push cart and clubs to the course.

Similarly, you don’t want to be spending 10 minutes assembling your push cart every time you wish to play a round, so look for a design that can be set-up and folded down with the push of just one or two buttons (like my Bag Boy Compact 3 push cart, for example).

Avoid big, bulky push carts at all costs – they will be more of an annoyance than a benefit.

Visually appealing

At the end of the day, you have to be proud of the push cart you’re wheeling around the course, so style and appearance is very important.

For example, I never wanted a push cart that was bright and colorful, and instead preferred one that was all black.

You, however, might like a push cart that stands out from the crowd and prefer something in bright red or blue.

Choose a push cart that you like the look of, it’s more essential than you might think.

Affordable

When you factor in all the points above, at the end of the day your ideal push cart must fit into your budget.

Before you even start your search for a new push cart, you must set yourself a maximum spend limit and then work within those constraints.

While we would all love to have a limitless bank account and buy the best golf gear on the market, unfortunately that is not reality for the majority of golfers – meaning you have to be sensible and live within your means.

The same applies when buying a push cart. Make sure you can afford it.

My Bag Boy Compact 3 push cart, which I’ve used for the past three years.

Should my push cart have three or four wheels?

There is no right or wrong answer to this, as a three-wheeled push cart will perform just as well as a four-wheeled model.

I’ve outlined the main differences below that may influence your decision.

Three-wheeled push cart

  • Usually are more compact when folded down/can be stored more easily
  • Set-up time can be quicker, depending on design
  • Are slightly more susceptible to tipping over on hilly terrain than four-wheeled push carts

Four-wheeled push cart

  • Less compact/will usually take up more storage space
  • Set-up/pack-up time can be slightly longer, depending on design
  • Are more stable than three-wheeled push carts and rarely topple over, regardless of terrain

Overall, the advantages one way or another are negligible – I’ve used a three-wheeled push cart for years and it’s been absolutely fine.

It all comes down to personal preference.

Is a push cart or pull cart better for golf?

A push cart is infinitely better than a pull cart. With a push cart, you can more easily guide it as you navigate your way along the fairway or through the rough, due to it being in front of you.

A pull cart, however, is more difficult to steer as it trails behind you and is far more likely to topple over due to its basic, less stable design – meaning you’ll find yourself having to pick your scattered clubs off the ground far more often, which is extremely annoying.

Don’t waste your time with pull carts. Push carts are without doubt the superior choice.

Are golf push carts lame?

The answer to whether push carts are ‘lame’ or not will likely depend on which country you reside in.

Golf push carts are far more commonly used in nations like Australia, and less commonly in places like the USA and the UK (don’t ask me why, because I actually don’t know) however are slowly becoming more popular.

When Aussie golfer Adam Scott arrived in the USA and started playing college golf, en route to getting his PGA Tour card, many of the other players found it strange that he used a push cart.

As fellow PGA Tour player Charlie Hoffmann recalled in 2017:

“Everyone in college golf carried their own bag in those days. Everyone. But Scotty took a push cart. He certainly stood out because of that”.

While it may not have been seen as ‘cool’, it didn’t worry ‘Scotty’ – who has gone on to notch more than 10 PGA Tour wins, including the 2013 Masters championship, along with many European Tour victories.

If using a push cart is good enough for Adam Scott, it’s good enough for you too – and it’s definitely not ‘lame’.

Before Adam Scott had a caddy to carry his golf clubs, he used a push cart.

Are motorized golf push carts worth it?

Motorized push carts, which golfers can operate via remote control, have some distinctive pros and cons that you should consider before forking out the considerable sum of money to buy one.

Pros

  • They are remote controlled, meaning you don’t have to manually push them
  • Not having to physically push the cart means you save more energy during your round
  • Great for older players who still wish to walk the course, but don’t have the strength to push their cart manually
  • Ideal for players who suffer from back or knee pain as they don’t have to manually push them

Cons

  • The battery required to power motorized push carts makes them extremely bulky, heavy and difficult to transport
  • There is the chance of the mechanics breaking down, leading to repair costs
  • They are extremely expensive and can cost thousands of dollars to purchase

If you are an older golfer who has a place to store your equipment at your local club, then there is merit in buying and using a motorized push cart.

This can also be said for players who struggle with back or knee pain, and who might struggle pushing their cart manually.

But for the majority of other players, the exorbitant cost of purchasing a motorized push cart, the difficulties it transporting them to and from the course, and the ongoing upkeep fees does not make them a worthwhile investment.

If you are set on getting yourself a motorized push cart, we’ve written an extensive review on the best seven electric buggies available online, and given our top recommendations, which I’d highly recommend you read.

What are the best push carts to buy?

Using the criteria of durability, storage, weight, appearance and price, there is one golf push cart that stands out above the rest – the Bag Boy Compact 3.

As I explained in my in-depth review, which I highly recommend you read, I’ve been using the Bag Boy Compact 3 for three years and could not be happier.

It looks great, packs down into an extremely small package, is durable, sturdy and is affordable for the average golfer.

You can read more about why I think the Bag Boy Compact 3 remains the best golf push cart on the market, even years after its release, here.

But, if you’re looking for something else, some of the other reputable push cart models worth looking at are the:

Do your research, read the user reviews online and above all else make sure you are confident in your choice in push cart before making your purchase.

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Drew Wallace
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