Converting to a push cart

[msellergren]

At 74+, I'm carrying a small Titleist bag...11 or 12 clubs.  After sitting on my ass during early covid, I decided walking was imperative, and I prefer carrying.  I've always found a push cart, and I have had two Sun Mountains and an electric trolley, as more difficult to maneuver and more tiring on our Crucian hills than just putting a small bag on my shoulder, which I do 5 days a week.  And I'm in the tropics.  

[I miss, I miss, I make]

I won a Sun Mountain over 20 years ago.  I had always carried before.  There are many newer "better" carts out there now so shop around.  Bottom line is that if you play a lot get something durable.  If space in your car is an issue consider that.  Mine has an umbrella holder.  A must in the Pacific Northwest.  Sun Mountain is pretty good for replacement parts like a brake cable.  I also replaced my pneumatic wheels with solid foam.  Overall better than carrying or a pull cart.

[Blandingblvd]

SAVE.  YOUR.  KNEES.  At 68, I was carrying a Ping Hoofer lite every round.  Until I blew out my knee going downhill off a teebox.  Torn meniscus.  A month and a half later I returned to golf with a push cart.  Yeah, carrying basically is easier.  You can walk over the green instead of going around it.  But taking that 25-30 lb. bag+clubs+balls+rangefinder+etc. off my back and putting in on wheels will save your knees, too.  Occasionally I will still carry.  But I'm back to pushing the next day.  If you want to continue playing deeper into the 60s and on, save your knees.

 

[Albatrossx3]

Get a motor caddie, there are many makes and price points so for a little more than a high end push cart you can get one that does the work for you.

Even a pricier remote control or follow caddy will pay for itself in saved cart fees and again, no pushing  a cart up the hills

[Play18]

1 hour ago, rva_golfer said:

Piggybacking off of Sydney, I use a Bag Boy Quad XL and have used it for about a year now. Not gonna lie, I used to be totally against walking and I only rode when I played. I was your stereotypical weekend hacker, having a "few" cold-ones with the group, never really taking golf too seriously. One round I played with a buddy who only walks and suggested I use his push cart to see if I liked it... AND LET ME TELL YOU WHAT! No lie I played the round of my LIFE!!! (I shot an 80 for anyone who cares). After birdieing 18 and beating my buddy who carried his bag (yes he blames his loss the fact I was using his push cart), I couldn't believe how good I felt during the round, I immediately went out and purchased my Quad XL on the way home. 

Since then, I now play 2-3 times per week and ALWAYS push. Not only is it fantastic exercise, you get to appreciate the course more and I find I am way more focused while I play. If you are on the fence, I definitely suggest the investment in a push cart (and I have nothing but great things to say about my Bag Boy Quad XL)!

I hope this helps you convert to the #pushcartmafia !!! 

I enjoyed using my Bag Boy Quad XL and it performed better than the 2nd gen Sun Mountain Speed Cart.  But, I think it's more work going uphill, downhill, around hazards and greens.  I switch back and forth between carrying and using the pushcart, but carry most of the time.  When I carry, I take the minimalistic approach and eliminate excess weight.  Take four balls, a few tees, rangefinder and water bottle and toss them in my Mackenzie bag.  Either way, walking the course is better for you and your game. 

[tdroma98]

On 5/4/2021 at 3:38 PM, Highfade77 said:

 

• Good for you for considering push cart. Easier on your body at any age, in my opinion.  I'm 61 and walk everyday.  I Use TourTrek - 3 wheel push cart model.  
  When looking for a cart my preference was making sure the cart could fit a stand bag, as well as a cart bag.  The stand bag has the funky bottom that pushes out the legs and that would get caught on my old cart and push the legs out. 
  Also wanted an adjustable handle; cart includes Cup Holder, Umbrella Attachment, pouch & storage compartment. Can add on other items.   
  Two big items for me: how easy does cart collapse & cart to fit in car; the ease of pushing the cart.  TourTrek meets both of those for me.  Collapses by pushing one button.  Cart is well balanced with bag, when pushing.  Good Luck! 

I am thinking about switching to a push cart.  I currently play 3 times a week and carry my clubs.  My current bag is the Ping Hoofer Lite bag.  My 4 ball partner uses a push cart he is 5 years younger then me.  I an 54 he is 49.  He swears by his push cart and often pokes fun at me for carrying.  

My questions are as follows.

What was the key factor in the decision to switch to the push cart?

What are the push carts that are on the market that made the transition easier?

Thanks

Highfade77

 

[Mike Coker]

I made turning 50 my time to start using a push/pull cart. First cart was the Bagboy "pull" cart.  Wheelbase was too narrow and cart would turnover when not being conscious of terrain. I bought the Clic 3.5 5-6 years ago and it's definitely a great "push" cart.  A lil pricey but we'll worth it IMO. I'll be 67 this summer and I still prefer walking versus riding in a cart. Yes, I too, have knee issues but walking is what I prefer.  

[kenkohl]

I'm 70 and I've used a push cart for 3-4 years. I'll still carry when I do a nine hole round, or in cooler Autumn temps. When temp get in mid 80's, I ride. The push cart is a bit of a chore of hilly courses and when course id soft/soggy. Aside from that, my shoulders, hips and knees thank me. And, yes, as mentioned above, make sure your cart doesn't take a lot of room.

[Mark Shukwit]

I began to get arthritis in my hips and carrying just aggravated it that much more. I still walk and push a cart 95% of the time. What I found interesting is the amount of wasted energy getting the bag off and on versu always have everything g you need right. I Bought a basic cart used and I love it- simple without a lot of compartments. I’m praying it never breaks as the news have too much stuff going on.

[Agent 87]

4 hours ago, I miss, I miss, I make said:

I won a Sun Mountain over 20 years ago.  I had always carried before.  There are many newer "better" carts out there now so shop around.  Bottom line is that if you play a lot get something durable.  If space in your car is an issue consider that.  Mine has an umbrella holder.  A must in the Pacific Northwest.  Sun Mountain is pretty good for replacement parts like a brake cable.  I also replaced my pneumatic wheels with solid foam.  Overall better than carrying or a pull cart.

 Playing in a power is terrible. I always walk. Clicgear is a grest choice. I've had one for over 10 years. They rarely fail.  Parts are cheap and easy to get. Also if pushing is too much or for those that have an injury or a disability that makes pushing difficult, Alphard makes a power assist add-on that'll motorized it. 

[FmrCaddie13]

Between playing and caddying starting in the mid 1980sn I'm not sure how many rounds I carried. Most of those rounds were pre-backpack strap bags and lots of heavy, leather tour bags owned by wealthy 15+ handicappers with extra clubs, the very early bag phones and tons of balls.  Carrying has messed up my posture and back. My right shoulder is noticeably lower when I look in a mirror. Pull carts are awful and when push carts came out it seemed like a gimmick. Pride that I still carried was also a factor. Back pain led me to give one a shot and I haven't carried since. Still love walking the course and now my back also loves it again.

[sixcat]

I am 46 and have been a proud member of #PushCartMafia since the mid 1990's.  Search the hashtag for some interesting follows on Twitter and Instagram.  Work smarter, not harder!

If I remember correctly. my first cart was a Christmas gift from my brother when I was 19 years old.  I think it came from K-Mart.  I noticed immediately that I liked it better than carrying.  It was rickety and cheap so it didn't last very long.  I have had everything from Bag Boy to ClicGear since.  I currently have a ClicGear 3.0 that I have used 5 or 6 days a week for over a decade.

 

[Russx5]

I love my push cart.  Got it a couple months ago.  Somewhat worried because at my home course the holes can be spaced out quite a distance.  If you stay on the cart path, it's just over five miles.  First time out, it was great.  Honestly, believe walking was easier on my body than bumping up and down in a cart all day.  Anytime I can use my push cart I do.  

[ballplayer002003]

Much like everyone else, I got mine when Covid first shut everything down.  I have a Clicgear and I love it.  The main thing for me was how easy and small it is to fold down.  This thing is super rugged and durable yet folds down super compact.  I like this.  Now, does it have tons of storage...no.  It has a small basket by the handle and a compartment that you can put balls, keys and your range finder if you choose.  What is also nice, I went to a larger bag (hybrid) so I don't need more cart storage since I now have more than enough room in my bag for bulkier items.  

[Donn lost in San Diego]

In case you need more urging, do it.  I have a 3 wheeler, Rovic Clic.  Get a lightweight cart and/or check the bearings, you want hi quality free rolling wheels, not yesterday's version of a wheel.  I chose a 3 wheel, I didn't want the extra weight of a 4 wheeler.  The Clic has a swivel front wheel.  It is not an advantage on most courses, I think only on a very hilly course might the swivel vs. fixed front wheel help.  I wish I could keep the bag attached, like on the old fashion 2 wheel fold-in-half, but I am happy with Clic.

[GaDawg]

On 5/4/2021 at 3:38 PM, Highfade77 said:

 

•  

I am thinking about switching to a push cart.  I currently play 3 times a week and carry my clubs.  My current bag is the Ping Hoofer Lite bag.  My 4 ball partner uses a push cart he is 5 years younger then me.  I an 54 he is 49.  He swears by his push cart and often pokes fun at me for carrying.  

My questions are as follows.

What was the key factor in the decision to switch to the push cart? Not have any pain between my shoulders from carrying my clubs.

What are the push carts that are on the market that made the transition easier? Personally, I have gone to an electric walking cart. Push carts are also great.

 

Thanks

Highfade77

 

[release]

On 5/4/2021 at 12:38 PM, Highfade77 said:

 

What was the key factor in the decision to switch to the push cart?

What are the push carts that are on the market that made the transition easier?

 

In my case, I had been carrying my golf bag from a single sling to double crossed shoulder bag.  In the earlier days, there were no light weigh bags and no built in bag stand.  I remembered I had to buy an attachment bag stand for my golf bag.

Anyhow, the reason I had switched to my first push cart was the ease of operation than the pull cart.  Mostly because of the shoulders were sore and my back was hurting after carrying the golf bag on the golf course.  I remembered the year I just turned 43.  

There are more options for the push cart on the market today than back then which had only two major players in the market place, namely, the SunMountain  and the Bolfboy.   If I were to shop all over again, I would consider several factors.  What type of terrain the push cart has to endure.  the total weight of the cart ( have to lift it onto and out of the back of my transportation twice , once at home and once at the golf course ).  The transporting size is a major consideration and the durability since I'd be expecting to keep it for many years.

Finally the price, I'm a miser on everything.  My current push cart was a ClicGear 3 which I bought years ago with the Holiday promotion.  Except it was a bit heavier than other makes, I had no complain.  I guess there is a tossup between the total weight and the material it is constructed with for durability.  Some other makes have a better roll ( with ball bearings in the wheel hub and air inflated tires ), but they have a higher maintenance history.

My eyes are on the ones powered by lithium battery and will follow me like my dog on the golf course.  My wife knows that and she probably will surprise me someday with it.

[sixcat]

At my home club, standing on the 10th tee up on the hill behind the clubhouse, the entire front side of the golf course is visible. I counted 24 push carts on the front nine Friday afternoon. 
 

I’d be willing to bet, there were that many on the back. 

[Superjoemofo]

I completely agree with most everyone here... I'm 37 and have been using a cart since I found one at a rummage sale 10 years ago... why put the wear and tear on your body when you can use a push/pull cart? Especially when you can find them used all over the place for ridiculously cheap... 

 

 

I'm a thrifter so it's hard to pass up a good deal on anything let alone used golf equipment...

[Kansas King]

I switched to a push cart about two years ago for posture purposes and have not looked back. Most things have been discussed on this thread but I will say that you don't want to cheap out on the cart and buy some of the cheaper sub $100 options (unless you're looking at used). Not that they are bad but if you use it regularly, the nicer ones are worth it. The one feature that I really like is having the wheel brake on the handle and not the foot operated one on the inside of the wheel. Having the brake on the handle is easier and it prevents having to do a weird maneuver to reach for the brake. I also strongly suggest you try them in a store to get a feel for how easy they are to open and close and to get an idea of each carts footprint. I personally have the BagBoy Quad and really like it. The four wheel models are far more stable on hilly courses over most three wheel models.