When we first invented the golf pull cart over 75 years ago, we weren’t trying to start a revolution. Our founder Bruce was simply looking for a way to make walking the course feel easier, smoother and a little smarter.
But along the way, from several pull cart innovations to our initial introduction of the push cart you know and love today, we learned something most golfers never think about until it’s too late: not all push carts are built the same. And buying the wrong one can mean awkward folds, wobbly wheels and back pain halfway through the round.
Whether you're walking for the health benefits, trying to focus more on your game or just tired of cramming into a riding cart, choosing the right push cart matters more than you’d think. And as a company that designs them, tests them and talks with walking golfers every day—we’ve learned a lot about what actually works.
In this guide, we’ll show you what to look for (and what to avoid) when shopping for a golf push cart with no fluff, no fake reviews and no gimmicks. Just honest, experience-based advice from a team that lives and breathes walking golf.
Why Push Carts Deserve a Second Look
We know, we know. Push carts can get a bad reputation depending on who you ask. But at the end of the day, they’re a tool designed with the same purpose as everything else in your golf bag—to make you play better and get the most out of your round.
Push carts were invented back when people didn’t even have the option to take a riding cart. The time when everyone walked—"golf how it was meant to be played,” as my grandfather would say. But eventually in the mid-1940’s, our founder was tired of lugging his heavy leather bag around in the blistering Oregon heat. So, he did what anyone would think to do: he put wheels on it. I think you can guess how that went (or else I wouldn’t be writing this).
Throughout the years, we’ve seen the invention of the riding cart, leaving us with three options for how we choose to get around on the course. Pushing, carrying or riding, and people can be as divisive about these choices as they are about their sports teams.
But the truth of the matter stands: studies show that pushing your clubs helps keep you more relaxed and shoot better scores. It’s what’s inspired a takeover of young players choosing to walk the course with their push carts—the Push Cartel or the Push Cart Mafia as they’ve dubbed themselves on Reddit.
What Actually Matters in a Push Cart?
Push carts, like every other product you buy, can be made a hundred different ways at a variety of price points. So, what actually matters? And what do you need?
Let’s start with the basics: the wheels. When you buy a push cart, you want to buy one that’s going to hold up for years and years. This means sturdy, maintenance-free tires. We’ve found that EVA foam material holds up the best to give you a good balance of traction, give and longevity.
Next, foldability. You want to look for a cart that is going to fold down quickly and easily fit in your trunk (or clubhouse locker, if you’re one of the lucky ones). Something a lot of people don’t consider when thinking about a push cart in your trunk is that your golf bag is also going to be back there, along with your golf shoes and whatever random assortment of things that have been lost to the Trunk Abyss. Prioritizing compactness is key depending on where you live, where you will store the cart when not in use and what kind of car you drive. The focus on this question for buyers is why we have two specifically designed small-folding carts in our lineup—the Slimfold and Compact 3.
To this previous point—cart weight. If you’re having to frequently pick it up, move it from the garage to the trunk to the clubhouse and everywhere in between, you need something that isn’t going put extra strain on you. We suggest keeping it under 20 pounds for a push cart and no more than 30 pounds for an electric push cart.
This one seems like a given, but a good brake system. Too many push carts have a bad brake that couldn’t hold the cart back on an ant hill, or just simply don’t include one. You need a cart that will stay where you put it, especially on those courses with more hills.
Last, and most important, to consider, in our opinion, is storage. Think about it—if you’re going from a riding cart to a push cart, you’re leaving behind a lot of that cart space. You need a push cart that has a good beverage holder, not the plastic ones that hang off the side and will snap off the second you get it in your trunk. You need designated space for your golf balls, tees, headcovers, cell phone, range finder, umbrella, wallet, keys, you name it. We suggest keeping note of what you use frequently during a round, and comparing carts for who has the best storage options.
Who Push Carts are Best For
While we are biased to say they are great for everyone, there are a few groups out there who would see great benefit from making the switch.
- Golfers with back and shoulder issues
- Players who frequent hilly courses
- Health-conscious golfers
- Serious golfers who want more focus
- New players who want to learn course terrain
If you have back/shoulder issues, golf at a course with hills or are just lead a healthy lifestyle, you have to try pushing. Pushing keeps your muscles loose without straining them, which helps you play better and feel better. Along with keeping your muscles loose and ready for your next shot, walking and using a push cart also gives you a ton of other health benefits that include strengthening your heart health, increasing your stamina and burning on average 36% more calories per round compared to riding.
If you’re serious about golfing or are a new player, walking is an uncontested way to connect more with the course. It gives you time to breathe, see the way the fairway rolls and get a better sense of environmental factors like wind and humidity. It isn’t a coincidence the pros walk the course—walking improves focus and helps you play your best golf.
What Makes a Push Cart Feel Lame (And How To Avoid It)
When shopping for push carts, it’s important to know what actually does make a push cart lame.
- Annoying to unfold/fold
- Clunky design
- Too many locks and levers
- Lack of storage
- Lack of stability
You can’t be the person who rolls up to the course dragging out a heavy, clunky push cart that takes forever to set up. If your cart has six steps just to unfold, it’s already too many. The fewer steps it takes to get from your trunk to the tee, the better — and that pain point hit home for us. As golfers ourselves, we were so frustrated by slow, overcomplicated designs that we spent years creating a better solution. That’s how the Nitron was born—a push cart that literally opens itself.
Lack of storage is a big no-no for your push cart. Not enough storage space means you’ll be the person trying to balance headcovers, jackets, your hot dog and a beer all while trying to push your cart. You’ll look like the guy in the grocery store who went in for one thing and is awkwardly balancing 9 items by the time he stumbles to the front… don’t be that guy. Get a cart with space for what you need.
An unstable cart will ruin your round fast. There’s nothing more embarrassing than a cheap push cart not being able to navigate a small slope and toppling over, sending your bag contents and clubs all over the fairway. We shudder just thinking about it. Make sure you’ve got a cart with a wide, stable base. And if you’re extra clumsy (or just like to test your luck on large hills) look into grabbing a 4-wheel push cart like our Quad Pro.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking of switching to a push cart, great choice! Just be sure it’s one that fits your game.
