Matt Cradock
There was a time when golf trolleys were mostly used by older golfers and most just carried their bags on their shoulders. That is no longer the case as the performance and health benefits of not lugging a bag of clubs around on your back for four hours became clear. Now most golfers use a trolley top get them around the course, saving energy while reducing the time between shots. There are so many great options on the market though so it can also be tricky to choose the right golf trolley.
Fortunately, here at Golf Monthly we have put together this very handy guide to the best golf trolleys currently available after conducting extensive testing on a huge number of the products. These include products from the leading brands such as Motocaddy and PowaKaddy, who offer a wide range of solutions. Before choosing the first thing you need to do is to decide whether you want a push trolley, an electric trolley, or even a remote control trolley. These obviously vary in price, but for the golfer who is getting on in years or has health issues, a remote control trolley can be a real game changer.
To come up with this guide, we put each product through a rigorous process out on the course, as we compare factors such as overall quality, ease of use, weight, the trolley's interaction with a carry bag and of course value for money. Modern push trolleys can be lightweight, easy to use, and can be cheaper than electric golf trolleys so if you don't want to splash out on a fancy electric or remote control trolley, there are still a number of excellent options available for you as we will detail below.
The Quick List
The Bag Boy Nitron stands out for its folding mechanism, as well as its lightweight and compact frame design which makes it a joy to push.
This Eze trolley is robust and reliable, but also lightweight and so easy to push uphill. There are plenty of storage options on the handle too.
The PowaKaddy Micra is a valid contender for one of the best push trolleys on the market. It has good looks, a compact folding size and an ultra light frame.
The Motocaddy Cube model push trolley is very compact and lightweight and extremely easy to use.
The lightweight Kaddey Switch has a great design for saving space and features premium materials throughout.
The Blade Trio has an exemplary folding mechanism and compact, yet stable, frame. It provides a great user-experience, while the huge storage net below the handle is a welcome addition.
Best Golf Push Trolleys
Top pick
Perhaps the highlight of this trolley based on our testing is the lightning-fast folding mechanism that easily unfolds in one simple step, making this one of the most user-friendly options out there. Additionally, due to the compact size of this trolley when folded down, it can be stored anywhere around the house.
It's very lightweight but sturdy, and it's worth noting that when constructed it does seem quite wide when compared to some other trolleys, which we feel adds to the stability. The fixed front wheel is not as manoeuvrable as some but it has a lot of stability on offer, so it will come down to personal preference.
As well as nailing the basics, you get a lot extra for your money too and in our view this is one of the best value push carts that money can buy. Some of the various features include a scorecard console with integrated beverage holder, a handle mounted parking brake and bungee straps to secure the golf bag with ease, as well as a cell phone holder and golf ball storage.
- Read our full Bag Boy Nitron Push Trolley Review
Best value
The Eze Glide Smart Fold Push Trolley is an easily manoeuvrable three-wheeled trolley that as its name suggests, simply glides down the fairways! While some trolleys can be very clunky and hard to lift, the Glide is very lightweight and easy to lift out of the car, while it can also be packed away very easily afterwards.
What we really loved about the Glide is that it comes with a variety of accessories as standard. With most models you have to purchase a lot of these extras separately but here you get a scorecard holder, dry space for valuables and equipment, an umbrella holder and two wheel covers to keep the trunk of your car clean and tidy. Impressive, right? We certainly think so.
This is a very versatile bit of kit and can hold a variety of different sized and shaped golf bags from a slender carry bag to a larger stand bag. When testing this trolley we found that the bags could be locked into place via the trolley's adjustable brackets, which kept the bag secure and meant it did not wiggle when we walked over undulating terrain. Whilst it doesn't fold down into one of the most compact golf trolleys we have tested, it is nevertheless a very stylish piece of equipment.
- Read our full Eze Glide Smart Fold Push Trolley Review
Best looking
The first thing to say is that the frame of the PowaKaddy Micra is extremely compact and has a clever quick-folding mechanism which makes it very easy to assemble. It consists of two mechanisms which works by moving the first handle down and moving the other to tuck the front wheel under the chassis. By pushing the two ends together, the Micra folds up into a convenient shape and can sit easily in the trunk of your car without taking up too much space.
In addition to the compact nature, another feature we liked was the handle which is very soft and can be adjusted easily. On the course, we found the trolley to be very easy to move and we would say that it glides nicely around the golf course. In terms of extra features and practicality, the multi-feature handle console is great as it provides ample storage for most of your necessities, including a dedicated water-resistant cell phone storage area, a pen/pencil holder, a scorecard holder and storage for balls and tees.
- Read our full PowaKaddy Micra Push Cart Review
Most compact
Motocaddy are best known for producing some of the best electric golf trolleys money can buy, but they also know a thing or two about push trolleys and the Cube is great example of this, representing great value at the price it comes in at. As the name suggests, it is extremely easy to store in a cube-like package and we think this is one of the most compact golf carts money can buy.
When testing we found it was very easy to unfold as the process only requires a couple of button clicks and movements. Friction-free oversize wheels come as standard and these made the trolley very easy to manoeuvre around the golf course, with the wheels boasting maintenance-free rubber tyres that are quick and easy to release should you need to. They're also very easy to clean afterwards.
The Cube trolley is packed with storage options including drinks holder and room for balls and a sharpie, while it also offers adjustable handle height and a foot parking brake. We were particularly impressed with the Easilock compatibility which allows any bag to sit on the cart securely.
- Read our full Motocaddy Cube Push Trolley Review
Best 2-Wheel
A two wheel trolley you say? Tell me more! Ok we will. If you want a model that is a little unique, then the Kaddey Switch two wheeler is certainly one to check out. It's certainly different, that's for sure. This trolley is designed to be permanently attached to any golf bag, making assembly on arrival at the golf course as quick and seamless as possible.
Two large wheels on either side simply slot into the side of the chassis, and the Kaddey Switch can either be pulled or pushed along the ground, whicever you prefer. We found that this ability to do both was very convenient during testing, going up and down hills especially.
One final clever touch that shows just how much thought has gone into the design of this trolley is that you can even record your own golf swing by using the elasticated phone straps on the centre console and positioning the handle closer to the ground. It's quite something, as you’ve got your own cameraperson to hand to record your swings.
- Read our full Kaddey Switch Trolley Review
Most lightweight
Our final pick in this guide is the most lightweight option, the Big Max Blade Trio which comes in at a total weight of 6.7kg (14.7lbs), which will make it ideal for those golfers who want a model that is easy to transport, lift and maneuver. Despite the focus on how lightweight this trolley is, it is made from premium, sturdy materials, and also boasts an impressive amount of storage thanks to an XL mesh net under the handle.
The two-step folding mechanism takes seconds to fold out and the opposite is true as well. The handle simply folds down into the chassis, then one simple pull inwards of the main component and its completely folded down again.
This cart performed very well when out on the course as well. It glided well despite the rear wheels perhaps being slightly narrow so even though we experienced plenty of stability on bumpy terrain in testing, we think it may struggle a bit more if heavily loaded with a Tour bag. One final thing to mention, while this particular model is only available in the US and continental Europe, if you are in the UK you can find a very similar folding system on the Big Max Blade IP push cart.
- Read our full Big Max Blade Trio Push Cart Review
How we test the best golf push trolleys
We test all golf trolleys in the same rigorous and comprehensive way we test all other golf gear in order to give you the most honest, in depth and accurate reviews as possible.
Trolleys are taken out onto the golf course and tested in different conditions which allows us to judge overall performance in terms of manoeuvrability, robustness, ease of use, and so on. We believe that the only way to fully learn about products is to put them in play on the course because that is where you are going to be using them.
The different conditions are particularly important too when it comes to trolley testing because you will need your model to perform as well in the winter as it does in the summer, while it's also important to know how they cope with hills and slopes.
The entire Golf Monthly team plays golf regularly so any one of them can put golf gear to the test with ease. Finally, it's important to state that no manufacturer can buy a good review from us as our team tells it how they see it.
What to consider when buying a golf trolley
So you've decided to buy a golf trolley, but what are some of the factors you need to know about before purchasing? Well we have taken a look at some below.
Push or electric? – This is the first question you need to ask yourself, do you want a push model, or an electric trolley, both of which have pros and cons. You can also add remote to this category too, as that's another type of electric trolley.
Push trolleys are obviously less expensive than electric models, so they are a more cost-effective way of getting your clubs around the golf course. They also tend to be lighter, simpler to use and can be stored away easier. You also don't need to worry about charging a battery before you play. Push carts also tend to offer better storage solutions on the handle console for items like balls and tees.
Electric designs are more powerful, require less effort to use, and usually have a whole load of features built-in - such as GPS functionality or remote use. Of course whichever type of trolley you go for, the factors below will also play a role in your decision, particularly budget.
Weight – Push trolleys tend to be lightweight through necessity because you are pushing it along. This obviously gets harder to do uphill as well so make sure you go for a model that is lightweight but also doesn't sacrifice stability or durability. Ensuring the wheel bearings are nice and smooth will help to reduce the amount of manual effort required.
Maneuverability – With push carts, because you are doing some of the work in terms of propulsion and direction, good models have to be easy to maneuver. The lightness plays a role here but good models have to be able to turn easily and maintain balance on different lies and ground conditions.
Folding – If you want a model that folds down to nothing then a push trolley is the way to go. Most of the models above have clever folding mechanisms that allow them to fold down flatter, or just with a small footprint, which makes them highly convenient for the car or storage at home. Electric trolleys tend to be larger, heavier and take up more space.
Storage – Storage is another big factor and push trolleys tend to offer more than electric models. Some models then offer more than other push trolleys because they tend to have a large central console. If this is important to you then there are plenty of models above which will perform well here, however if you see yourself storing more stuff in the golf bag itself, then perhaps go for a model that doesn't have a large console.
Budget – Our final factor for you to think about is budget. As you can see above there are lots of models from different companies, that all come in at different price points so be aware of how much you can, or want, to spend.
For more golf equipment buying advice, check out our guides on the best golf push carts, best golf laser rangefinders, or best golf stand bags.
FAQs
Is a 3 or 4 wheel push cart better?
There really isn't much difference overall. In our opinion, three wheel push carts are probably a little easier to manoeuvre around the course. Three wheel push carts are also more commonly available. On the other hand, four wheel carts offer more stability over rough and hilly terrains and are less likely to topple over when off balance.
Are push carts worth it?
Absolutely, especially for golfers who suffer from back and shoulder pain and can't carry clubs. Or perhaps you just want to stop paying extortionate fees to use ride on carts at golf courses. Push cart ownership and usage skyrocketed in the US after the pandemic as people were forced out of carts and discovered the joys of walking the golf courses.
Are push carts better than pull carts?
There are many benefits to owning a push cart over a pull cart, with one of those being the fact that push carts roll much better and straighter over the fairways than pull carts. As well as the roll, there is also the health benefit, with a push cart much better for your back and shoulders, due to it putting less stress on those areas.
Do pros use push carts?
Put simply, no, professionals don't use push carts in tournament play as under The R&A and USGA's rule book, push carts are prohibited so it's very rare that you will see one on the professional circuit.
How much weight can a golf push cart hold?
A push cart has to hold a considerable amount of weight. Think about it, it must hold a golf bag, clubs, golf balls, waterproofs and any other necessities you carry. The average cart bag will hold between 1-3kg, but with the majority having aluminium frames and strong straps, they are built to withstand a considerable amount of weight.
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