Golf carts have surged in popularity in recent years. Also known as 'trolleys' in the UK, golf cats course easier and help conserve energy—making 18 holes far less exhausting than carrying your clubs.
Today, there's a range of options available on the market. Brands such as Motocaddy, PowaKaddy and Stewart Golf have developed push carts, electric carts and even remote-control models to make walking the course more convenient, enjoyable and ultimately: easier on the body.
This guide should give you an idea on some of the best in the business in the remote, electric and push categories. If you want to be more specific then take a look at our guides on the best remote control trolleys, best electric golf trolleys and best push carts as well.
The Quick List
Lightweight, compact and with plenty of storage, the Bag Boy Nitron is one of the best push carts we've tested thanks to it nailing the basics.
The M5 GPS combines Motocaddy’s reliability and practical features, with a crystal clear screen that houses the impressive moveable pin position pointer.
While the design is one we are familiar with, the new technology that makes up the trolley's DNA creates a class-leading remote control experience
This model folds flat for easy storage and transportation to and from the golf course. It comes with a huge amount of storage and glides with ease.
It isn't as exciting as other options in this guide but the FX3 might be the easiest to use and boasts a practicality other options struggle to match.
A comprehensive and enjoyable remote-controlled golf trolley. The remote control functionality works as well as ever and the Performance Plan adds to it.
Load the next model
The MGI ZIP Navigator is a well-rounded remote electric trolley. It is well built, responsive and stable but more than anything it is good fun to use on the course.
Best Golf Carts
Top pick
You may not be familiar with Bag Boy but don't let that put you off. The Nitron Push Cart is replete with performance and technology. The lightning fast unfolding mechanism and secure build makes this a fantastic option for golfers of all levels.
Crucially, it's extremely lightweight and, when folded down, it’s very compact too making it easy to store in a trunk or closet. Although it doesn't feel as heavy or bulky as other products, it still remains strong and robust enough to cope with any demands rigorous activity around the course.
We also enjoyed other thoughtful features such as a scorecard console with integrated beverage holder, mobile device holder and golf ball storage, handle mounted parking brake and bungee straps to secure golf bag with ease. We were really impressed by the price point too—you can find this model at a much lower price point than other competitor models, and it is regularly on offer as well so you can save even more money too. This is why we included it in our guides on the best affordable golf carts, and best value golf push carts as well.
- Read our full Bag Boy Nitron Push Cart Review
Best electric
Motocaddy M5 GPS Trolley with bag attached on grass
At the top of Motocaddy's lineup sits the M5 GPS cart. Not only does it look fantastic, the hi-res 3.5” LCD display that can be controlled in all weather conditions—even when wearing a glove. The screen can also give yardages, track scores and the time of your round.
Thanks to the 3.5” LCD display, users can monitor time and battery life without hindering the ability to see the GPS distances and a view of the green. Plus, you can also move the pin position on the green so you can have greater confidence in choosing the right club. The drive system is efficient, reliable and incredibly intuitive to use.
Importantly, the cart folds down to a compact size which is assisted by the ability to invert the wheels and the front wheel automatically folding underneath. The assembly process requires two latches to be undone, and while they can be quite stiff, with practice the trolley can be erected in under five seconds.
- Read our full Motocaddy M5 GPS Cart Review
Best remote
At first glance, those familiar with Stewart trolleys will recognize many similarities, along with a few refreshed design elements. With its thoughtfully-designed 2 step folding system, the Vertx folds up to a surprisingly compact size, espcially when considering its overall size.
In testing, the new Active Terrain Control's (ATC) ability to tackle any sort of terrain or gradient on the golf course really stood out to us. It tackled some demanding gradients with total ease. We also thought the two wheels at the front performed well in terms of stability and maneuverability too.
Two points worth mentioning are the remote is a bit bulkier than its rivals, but it's still an ergonomic and easy-to-grasp design. Additionally the only thing that the Vertx is lacking versus its competitors from this year is the embedded GPS in the handle.
- Read our full Stewart Golf Vertx Remote Trolley Review
Most lightweight
The Big Max Blade Trio Push Cart in black
You just can't ignore the Big Max Blade's folding mechanism. It just takes a few seconds to erect; simply hold the handle into the chassis then pull the main component inwards. Simple.
Although it only weighs 6.7kg (14.7lbs), premium materials have been used throughout the chassis and handle area. With the XL mesh net, there's more than ample storage too—plenty of space for golf balls, rangefinders and GPS. The combined result is a push cart that performs remarkably well on the course, the Blade Trio just glides over all kinds of terrain. Sure, its wheelbase isn't that wide, but we found there's still plenty of stability on even the more rough and bumpy terrains. That said, some of the heavier tour bags might not be best paired with the Blade Trio.
One final thing, while this particular model is only available in the US and continental Europe, those in the UK can benefit from a very similar folding system on the Big Max Blade IP push cart.
- Read our full Big Max Blade Trio Push Cart Review
Simple folding system
If you prefer efficiency and effective performance over the really high tech carts with all the bells and whistles, the FX3 could be the one for you. Here you get all you need - a 9-speed power system, a 2.3" color display, lightweight lithium battery and one click folding system - and nothing that you don’t. As mentioned, the folding system is a dream and couldn't be easier to both setup or store away - proving to be one of the best we've tested to date.
As the name implies the trolley folds by simply pressing one button that’s located on the chassis. From here all you need to do is slide both sections of the cart down. The front wheel does remain in place, which means the FX3’s footprint is a little larger than some when folded but it’s a relatively minor issue. Considering all of this is included in one of the most affordable Powakaddy carts is really impressive.
The folding system is the star of the show, but there's other notable features to shoutout as well. The slender, lightweight battery is excellent and dead easy to use as you can simply plug it in and you're good to go. This is another feature you don't typically see in entry-level trolleys, so we once again appreciated it very much.
- Read our full Powakaddy FX3 Electric Trolley Review
Excellent GPS
Motocaddy M7 GPS Electric Trolley with bag attached
This is an upgrade on its predecessor the M7 Remote, with a new GPS system embedded into the handle. And if you're used to some of the other excellent Motocaddy models featured on our best electric golf trolleys guide, then you'll certainly enjoy this stunning looking model. As standard you get a 3.5" touchscreen, the device delivers front, middle and back distances to the green, dynamic green view with drag and drop pin placement, yardages to hazards, shot distance tracking and a scorecard tracker. It's a seriously comprehensive piece of kit that we loved playing around with.
So how does the trolley perform on the course? Well, let's start with the remote functionality, which is seamless to use. It is controlled by a small ergonomic remote which is responsive and easy to use, making this one of the best remote control golf trolleys. You can walk behind the trolley which has standard Down Hill Control that will keep the trolley going steady up and down the golf course. The trolley is very compact and easy to fold up too and can hold its own against some of the most compact trolleys on the market. If you're limited on space then this is a really good option to use, with the wheels folding under the chassis making it very easy to stash in the trunk of your car.
- Read our full Motocaddy M7 GPS Electric Trolley Review
Most compact remote
MGI Zip Navigator Remote Electric Caddy lying on grass
The Zip Navigator is very stable across all terrain and we quickly grew confident that, whatever part of the golf course we sent it scurrying across, we’d arrive next to our ball with our trolley and bag waiting.
The excellent stability is in part thanks to the rear 4th wheel which keeps the trolley from tipping backwards if it goes up a steep incline. It also features downhill speed control – a feature that stops it going too quickly down steep hills – which adds to the confident stability of the trolley. The remote has a ‘lock’ button that stops any buttons being unwillingly pressed while in your pocket and you can invert the wheels when folding it down to save on storage space. All in all, it's a very well rounded offering at a competitive price.
- Read our full MGI Zip Navigator Remote Electric Trolley Review
How we test golf carts
We test carts with the same ethos as all other golf gear - rigorously and comprehensively. If we say we have reviewed a golf product then we have done so out on the golf course, in different conditions. This is particularly important for carts because you want your model to perform as well in the winter as it does in the summer. The entire Golf Monthly team plays golf regularly so can put golf gear to the test with ease and it should be acknowledged that no manufacturer can buy a good review. Our team tells it how we see it.
What to consider when buying a golf cart
What factors should you consider when thinking about buying a golf cart and how do you choose the right model for you? We take a look below.
Electric/Push
Obviously the first thing you want to think about is whether you want an electric model, or a push cart. Electric designs are obviously more expensive but come with a lot more features and require less effort to maneuver. Push carts are cheaper, usually lighter and very easy to use.
Features
As we mentioned above lots of different models come with a wide range of features, and some look to simply perform as a trolley. For example some electric models come with GPS functionality, remote controls, shot-tracking and large LCD screens. Push carts also come with features like storage compartments, drinks holder, adjustable handle and so on. Therefore you should think about what extra features would be important to you when using a golf cart.
Ease of use
The whole point of a golf cart is to make life easier on the golf course when moving from shot to shot, so a cart that isn't easy to use is pointless. They have to be easy to maneuver on the course and getting it out of the car, and most designs fold away too so this foldable process has to be simple to put up and fold away as well.
Storage
Us golfers accumulate a lot of stuff whether it be tees, balls, scorecard, phone, wallet and so on and so forth. Sure it is easy to store this in the golf bag on the cart but for ease of access it is good to store things in the trolley too. As a result pretty much all trolleys come with storage compartments these days with some being larger than others.
Durability
A golf cart can be a large investment so it has to be able to last a long time, as well as deal with the rain, mud, and whatever general use gets thrown at it on the golf course. As such we recommend looking at models that are made from strong materials like aluminum.
Price
With so many brands making golf carts these days there is a model for everyone at every price point. If you want to go for the cheapest option which will just act as a cart, you can. Or if you want all the bells and whistles on an electric design, you can do that too. It is all a question of how much you want to spend.
FAQs
How long will a golf cart last?
Given the durability and premium materials used in golf carts these days, good models should last a number of years especially if well looked after and maintained. We have found the top models offer sturdy protection and also deal with tough golf conditions like rain well.
What brand golf carts are the best?
This is a difficult question to answer because so many brands make high-quality models. Motocaddy and PowaKaddy are two of the best when it comes to electric and push carts, whilst there are also smaller brands like Bag Boy, Sun Mountain and Stewart Golf that also make top-notch golf carts.
How long do golf cart batteries last?
In electric and remote carts battery technology has seriously improved over the last few years with manufacturers improving battery life in particular. Of course when answering this question it depends on the model of cart but we have found the best models usually offer at least 18 holes of play whilst the top models can do 36 holes as well.
If you enjoyed this guide on the best golf carts, why not take a look at some of our other buying guides, such as the most compact golf trolleys.
