2020 Push Cart Buyer’s Guide
PLEASE NOTE: As was the case with our golf nets and putting mats Buyer’s Guides, because of increased demand stemming from COVID-19, we were not able to obtain some popular push carts. We will update our list of the best push carts for 2020 as more models become available.
With an ever-increasing number of options available, finding the right push cart to fit your needs can be a bit overwhelming. We’re here to help.
This year we tested ten carts. The list includes 3-wheel carts, 4-wheel carts, and cart with a unique one-click system that practically opens and closes itself. Features run the gamut, and the prices of the models tested range from $129.99 to $299.95. The best push carts for 2020 offer an ideal combination of features, maneuverability, and stability to allow you to focus on your game, not your cart.
Whether you’re ready to buy a push cart today, buying advice to help you find the right cart, or just want a closer look at what’s on the market, this guide will help you find what you’re looking for.
Big Max Blade Quattro - The Space Saver
Small car? Small garage? Small anywhere you need your push cart to go? If that's your situation, consider the Big Max Blade Quattro. Its primary feature is its ability to fold up not much thicker than the width of your hand. It's so compact it will easily fit behind your seat, with room to spare. The Quattro also secures your bag upright and prevents twisting.
Best Push Carts for 2020 – What to Look For
Maneuverability
Ultimately, you don’t want a push cart that’s cumbersome or gets in your way on the golf course. That’s not the point. Carts that offer 360-degree front-wheel rotation provide the best maneuverability. Carts that have fixed wheels can be harder to maneuver when crisscrossing fairway or, in some cases, pushing through the rough. For instance, four-wheel carts are often more stable but are also less maneuverable. Golfers may need to lift the front wheels off the ground to complete turns. The ROVIC RV1S and the Bag Boy TriSwivel II are the most maneuverable push carts we tested this year.
Features
As with most anything else, it’s important to find a push cart that offers the features you’re looking for. Some of the best push carts for 2020 are also the most feature-rich. A braking system is a must if you play on hilly terrain. It’s worth repeating; front wheels that swivel are ideal for golfers looking for ultimate maneuverability. Some carts offer a tremendous amount of center console storage, while others offer a wealth of attachment points for nearly any imaginable accessory.
Push Carts for Juniors
One size can't be expected to fit all. That's especially true for junior golfers. There's no need for kids to push over-sized carts. The Bag Boy Quad Junior, Clicgear RV3J, and US Kids Golf Youth 3 Wheel Push Cart are designed with juniors in mind.
Folded Size
When folded down, some carts are significantly more compact than others. A push cart needs to fit into whatever space you have available. If you have limited space in the garage or wherever you plan to store your cart when not on the course, consider forgoing features for a smaller storage footprint. For those looking to minimize space requirements, the Big Max Blade Quattro is the most compact push cart we tested.
Bag Boy Nitron - The One Click Wonder
For some, opening and closing a push cart can be more trouble than it's worth. Bag Boy's Nitron leverages a piston filled with compressed nitrogen to eliminate the difficulty of opening and closing the cart. Simple and effective, the Nitron, quite literally, opens at the touch of a button.
Stability
How does the push cart handle uneven and challenging terrain? Some carts tip over easily when on a sidehill, while some of the best push carts for 2020 are more stable because of a wider wheelbase and better weight distribution. Stability is also a measure of the cart’s ability to keep your bag in an upright and fixed position. You don’t want it twisting or falling off the base as your round progresses. BagBoy’s combination of patented Top-Lok technology and velcro straps help lock stand bags in place for added stability. The most stable carts we tested this year are the Bag Boy Nitron, Bag Boy TriSwivel II, and the Big Max Blade Quattro.
The Best Push Carts for 2020 - Features
| Product | Wheels | Weight(lbs) | Colors | Swivel Wheel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bag Boy TriSwivel II Check Price | 3 | 16 | 2 | Y |
 | Bag Boy Nitron Check Price | 3 | 16.75 | 8 | N |
 | Bag Boy Quad Xl Check Price | 4 | 14.2 | 7 | N |
 | Big Max Blade Quattro Check Price | 4 | 6.5 | 4 | N |
 | Rovic RV1S Check Price | 3 | 17 | 5 | Y |
 | Clicgear Model 4 Check Price | 3 | 21 | 9 | N |
 | Clicgear Model 8+ Check Price | 4 | 22 | 3 | N |
 | Inesis Compact 3 Wheel Check Price | 3 | 15.2 | 2 | N |
 | Izzo Rover II Check Price | 3 | 13 | 4 | N |
 | Sun Mountain Pathfinder 4 Check Price | 4 | 17 | 8 | N |
EXPERT TIP - The Benefits of Big Wheels
While smaller wheels help make for a more compact cart, large, wide wheels not only provide better stability, but they make it easier to push the cart through deep rough, rocky cart paths, and whatever other trouble you might find yourself in on the course.
More Tips
- If maneuverability is at the top of your wish list, consider a cart a 360-degree swiveling front wheel. They allow for effortless turning on a dime.
- If you are a golfer who plans to accessorize your push cart (pimp your ride, so to speak), Clicgear offers every type of accessory imaginable.
- Golfers come in different sizes. The best push carts for 2020 feature adjustable handles to help ensure you can maneuver it comfortably.
- Push cart durability varies tremendously. It’s important to consider the toll course conditions take over the life of a cart. Flat and lush courses won’t inflict nearly the same punishment as hilly courses with sandy soil. If durability is your primary concern, none are built better than Clicgear.
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The Best Push Carts for 2020 - Rankings
| Product | Stability | Durability | Features | Maneuverability | Folded Size | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rovic RV1S Check Price | 3rd | 5th | 1st | 1st | 4th | 93.5 |
| Clicgear Model 4 Check Price | 8th | 1st | 1st | 3rd | 2nd | 93 |
| Bag Boy TriSwivel II Check Price | 1st | 6th | 4th | 1st | 4th | 92 |
| Bag Boy Nitron Check Price | 1st | 6th | 4th | 3rd | 2nd | 90.5 |
| Big Max Blade Quattro Check Price | 4th | 3rd | 9th | 3rd | 1st | 90 |
| Clicgear Model 8+ Check Price | 5th | 1st | 1st | 10th | 10th | 89.5 |
| Sun Mountain Pathfinder 4 Check Price | 5th | 3rd | 6th | 6th | 6th | 89.5 |
| Bag Boy Quad XL Check Price | 5th | 6th | 6th | 6th | 6th | 87 |
| Inesis Compact 3 Wheel Check Price | 9th | 9th | 8th | 6th | 6th | 82 |
| Izzo Rover II Check Price | 9th | 9th | 10th | 9th | 6th | 80 |
Best Push Carts for 2020 – FAQ
Q: Does it matter how many wheels a push cart has?
A: Most of the best push carts for 2020 are 3-wheel models, which tend to be easier to maneuver. Golfers who play on uneven terrain may want to consider a 4-wheel cart model as they tend to be a bit more stable.
Q. What are some advantages of a push cart versus a riding golf cart?
A. With some courses limited to walking only, a push cart may be your best option for taking the weight off your back. Some enjoy walking the golf course, and some would argue that walking gives you a bit more time to think. The typical riding cart fee is over $15, so over its lifespan, a push cart will save you money and be better for your health.
Q: Are push carts allowed on every golf course?
A: Push carts aren’t allowed on every golf course. Some courses have explicit rules prohibiting them. While it’s not common, when playing a course for the first time, it’s advisable to check with the pro shop to confirm that push cart use is allowed.
Push Carts Contribute to Lower Scores
Using a push cart can help you shoot lower scores. A study by Neil Wolkodoff found that using a push cart can save an average of 2.5 shots over 9 holes compared to carrying your bag. Golfers using a push carts also better scores when pushing or walking with a caddie versus riding in a cart.
Q: Do push carts work with stand bags?
A: While just about any cart can handle a stand bag, the frequent twisting can be frustrating. Features like Bag Boy’s Top-Lok were designed to eliminate the frustration many stand bag owners experience when using a push cart.
Q. Do push carts need maintenance?
A. Eventually, your push cart will show some wear and tear, and some parts will break. The more common parts that go bad over time are brake cables, cart straps, and wheels. Most manufactures offer replacement parts at reasonable prices. While brake cables can be difficult in some models, most repairs are simple.
How We Test
We're here to help you find the perfect push cart to fit your needs.
To do that, we employ a thorough and fully independent testing process that leaves no feature unexplored, no detail unchecked, and no stone unturned.
Our Metrics
Push Carts are tested head to head using rigorous protocols.
The metrics we consider when rating travel bags include Durability, Folded Size, Maneuverability, Features, and Stability.
Bert Pit
3 months agoI bought the bagboy tri swivvel a few years ago and cannot recommend it. Twice the brake cable is broken and because it is Y shaped you have to buy the specific type. Assembly is not easy even for the handy do it yourselfer.
Definitely don’t buy these if you ever play golf in dusty environments. If dust gets between the front wheel release button, the button will remain pressed and the wheel will no longer click into place and simply fall out on the first movement. I can see from the photo at the top of this article that this has not yet been changed.
Samuel
5 months agoI’ve always wondered why there are no push carts designed like the jogging baby strollers. I used to have a BOB jogging stroller and it was so much easier to push than any push cart I’ve used. I’m currently using the BagBoy Tri-Swivel II push cart. The similarities are that both have 3 wheels and the front wheel turns 360* for easy maneuverability. The main difference is the BOB has 16″ thinner air-filled rear wheels, compared to 11″ wider flat wheels on the BagBoy. It’s harder pushing the BagBoy through thick rough, and the wheels always collect grass clippings and mud. If a golf manufacturer could just strip a BOB stroller down to its frame and then outfit it to hold a golf bag, that would be a revolutionary design.
Dan
7 months agoCan I ask what bag are you using in the review? That looks like it’s in the perfect sweet spot between a stand and cart bag. Thanks!
P.J. Evans
7 months agoBack in the market for a push cart, figured I’d start here. I really wish a manufacturer would make a cart where the bag isn’t so slanted. I use a cart bag and love it, but finding a push-cart where it sits upright is almost impossible. There was a company several years ago called “Upright Caddy” that did a phenomenal job, but it was pretty much a one-man company and he sold it to “Clever Caddie”. Unfortunately, there was no real advertising and the only place to buy it was RockBottomGolf.com or direct. It eventually went under — too bad. Loved that cart and I can’t find a suitable replacement for it. I thought about ClicGear 3.5+ with the Tour Bag Accessory, but these days, can’t even find that in stock anywhere.
Will some golf bag manufacturer PLEASE look into designing a push cart that bags can sit upright in???
Mike
9 months agoVery surprised Sun Mountain isn’t one of the top choices., for me they’ve been the ‘gold standard’. Since I’m back to walking now, I’m using a 3-wheel Sun Mountain Speed Cart, probably 2016 model year that I bought near-new on eBay for $90 (including shipping). I have a seat on it & an extra storage bag. It’s is a beast wouldn’t blow over in a gale. It’s folded footprint is (old-school) large, but space in my SUV is never a consideration. Absolutely certain this cart will last for many years. I would only vaguely consider switching if I found another 3-wheeler of similar quality that a) had a swivel front wheel, & b) held my bag more upright..
Richard
9 months agoWalking the course is my preferred way to play golf (great exercise). Excited to see the future of push carts! Thanks for the great reviews.
Michael Santillo
9 months agoOf the top rated bags which one has the bag most upright
Don’t like having to fight to pull the clubs out
Deal
9 months agoDoes anyone know of a good push cart to use with a dog? I have a 70 lb lab and would like to be able to take him to the course for an evening 9 every week. The course is dog friendly as long as they are on a leash, and I am wondering if anyone has found or used a particular push cart model that might be conducive to hooking up a dog leash. Odd question but would appreciate any insight.
Hawk23
9 months agoI have had the Bag Boy Tri Swivel for four years.At the time I was also considering the Clicgear 3.5 but the easy manoeuvrability of the Tri Swivel.was the decider.Play about 30 rounds a year.Never had any problems., including with the brake which gets used regularly.
Dom
9 months agoI bought my Clicgear 3.5+ in 2013 and it’s still rolling without an issue. The Clicgears are heavy but the durability and stability factors are better than the rest. It has helped save my back, but I still carry on the hilliest of courses. I haven’t needed many of their accessories but a cart cover is great in the rain and an extender for the umbrella holder is a must. The 4.0 seems to be of a similar build, so you could probably get a 3.5+ for a cheaper price.
shortside
9 months agoBag Boy Quad XL paired with the Bag Boy Defender. Love how the bag drops in secured with no straps to fuss with. Done and done. Looks like it’ll get a lot of use this season. Wisconsin courses appear to be no carts for the foreseeable future.
SAM
9 months agoIn my experience, I saved 3-4 shots when I ditched the pusher for a ride on!
Don
9 months agoI had the Clicgear 3.5 for about 10 years and just recently got the RV1S to pair with eWheels. The only real complaint I have with the RV1S are the bag strap.s, especially the lower strap. I I like the bag straps of the 3.5 much better.
Dom
9 months agoI am also hearing this about the new RVIS. How does the support for the bottom of the bag differ on the newer one? The 3.5+ seemed to not do a great job supporting certain bags I’ve had over the years. I’ve had a couple bend in half at the bottom so a sturdier base was needed.
Steve
9 months agoHow about a buyer’s guide on electric push carts for us old guys who need a little assist ?
AL
9 months agoThey did one in June last year… https://mygolfspy.com/2019-electric-push-cart-buyers-guide/
While it doesn’t have a lot of comparisons its still available. All it took was a quick search to find this.
Rich
9 months agoThere’s a battery/axle out there that fits the Rovic. A minimal mod to the rear wheels, and the battery locks in. I believe it’s called “eWheels”, and you can still use the cart with the battery removed.
Scott
9 months ago@Rich if you are talking about Alphard’s eWheels MGS did a review https://mygolfspy.com/tested-alphard-golf-ewheels-electric-push-cart-kit/
The company is working on version 2 which can be found here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ewheels-v2-turn-any-pushcart-into-a-smart-caddy#/. I saw the V1 in a Puetz or Pro Golf and started reading about them which was one of the reviews the drew me to MGS; lo and behold one of the guys in our league had gotten one. @Steve, Pretty decent piece of gear and not a bad price. As hilly as is is around here I am seriously considering dropping a deposit on the V2.
George
9 months agoI did a price check on every cart tested and not one of them were in stock. I guess toilet paper is not the only rare commodity these days. .
DGA3
9 months agoSame here. I was seriously considering purchasing one, so I looked at several of the most popular golf retail websites. They are all out of stock.
Dawg Golfer
9 months agoUpdate to above. You can find clicgear 4.0 on ebay from a minimum of $510 to $750. One I bid on wound up with 79 bids and went for $726. One buy it now went for $650.. Supply and demand I guess…. A lightweight bag and 7 clubs in it for me I guess.
Alex
9 months agoGot the Big Max Quatro in an open box return (cheaper) from Rock Bottom Golf. Folds up nice as stated and can put it into my 13 cubic foot trunk with my bag easily. . Only issue is that in high winds, it will blow over if not on flat ground (I don’t like to use park brake as often as I should, but don’t want to “waste” the brake).. It may be because I put my stand bag on it, it seems like I need more weight towards the front wheels– does not seem as stable as other four wheel carts.
Other than that, it is a very useful cart.
Dave
9 months agoThis has been my experience too. If you leave it sitting on slightly uneven ground it may flip over. If you release it to run.down a small hill unattended it will almost certainly tip over. The weight distribution when loaded is poor compared to other carts. It either needs a slightly longer wheelbase or more weight in the front axel to be more stable.
On the plus side it is very compact when folded, and is very easy to fold/unfold.
JC
9 months agoMy CaddyTek from Costco works as well as anything I’ve seen on the course and cost about $120.
Unbeatable.
MIgregb
9 months agoGreat review, as usual.. If you really want to make a friend, hold a raffle & give the test carts away… now!!!
Kevin Ryan
9 months agoI have had the Bag Boy Triswivel for 3 years now. I like it. They are correct about the braking system. One of the wheel brakes has failed and the other still works. The brake system has a lever that pushes a piston into grooves in each wheel. On one side the cable has failed (after two years) and so the piston does not engage. However, I am adding the E-Wheels system to the cart to convert it to motorized and you have to disengage the brake system anyway for the conversion. The E-Wheels then replace your rear cart wheels. So no net loss for me. The cart folds easily and locks the bag in place so it doesn’t rotate sideways which I always found annoying. If you use a Bag Boy bag then it has a locking system specifically for those bags. I’m tall so the umbrella holder never seems to work well on any cart for me. The front-wheel lock works very well for rolling it down hills and maintaining your direction on severe sidehills. If they improved the brake system durability I’m sure it would have ranked #1.
Karlton Uhm
9 months agoAnother great review. I was a long time Sun Mountain cart guy, but my wife gifted me a Bag Boy Quad XL, and I love it. The TOP-LOK secures my stand bag, and it has plenty of storage without unnecessarily digging through your golf bag. Plus, the four wheels keep the cart stable on uneven terrain.
Don
9 months agoMy wife and I both had the Rovic RVS1 carts and both experienced the front wheel collapsing going down slopes causing us to lose balance. Both were “repaired” by the store that we purchased them from but they both continued to collapse because they would jam with wet cut grass. We sold them and went with the regular Clicgear and have not had any problems with those.
Xhooper
9 months agoI have a 12 year old Clicgear that has over 600 rounds on it… The “Volvo” of carts.
I replaced the foam handle pad and brake cable., lube it with Wd40 occasionally, and that’s it. Parts and accessories are inexpensive and readily available. Highly recommend. It’s bulletproof.
Viking
9 months agoI have had 3 carts in 50 years none of them cost more than $20, all very good. Why pay $130-$300 for a simple cart?
First one was steel and lasted forever just sold it, rest were aluminum and well the are lighter they don’t last as long. but lasted decades.
Why would a course not allow a push, pull cart?
Easier to pull than pus.h.
Tee Lasssar
9 months ago1. pace of play–hilly courses or courses with long distances between holes may want cart play to maintain pace of play 2. revenue–the course doesn’t make $15-30 if you carry or use your own cart.
I always play better walking. My former CC in NE Ohio permitted walking any time except peak weekend hours 7:30-10 Sat. and Sun. and big events or shotguns. This was a great compromise–my buddies and I always took 10:01 and hoofed it !!
B.Boston
9 months agoSome research suggests that push carts are better for your body.
https://www.mytpi.com/articles/health/should_golfers_push_pull_or_carry_their_clubs
Marty Lensing
9 months agoI purchased a Sun Mountain speed cart after observing my playing partners with the faddish Click Gears struggle with unfolding and seat assembly etc
I’ve also pushed both and mine is considerably lighter thus easier to push. Surprised you did not test this cart.
Frank
9 months agoLike you were reading my mind. Just went to order a push cart and this is up. Good review, already very limited quantities of most as courses are stating to open to walking only play. But great forward thinking guys to get this out so quickly. MGS is the best !!
Dennis. Wells
9 months agoWhen I started walking I bought a used self-propelled for the golf bag. I’ve gone through a couple. . Now that I am 76 I only walk nine holes. As I’m a retired plumber and I have a plumbers back and knees. But not bad. I think in some respects I do play better walking. When I played in the golf leagues you always had to ride. And I like going out in the morning early so I will interfere. I still can’t get nine holes in lesson two hours. Good article on the pushcarts.
steven
9 months agoI have an older clicgear cart and I like it. The one thing I would like to have is the model with the rotating front wheels for better movement. The downside is trying to avoid side hills.
[email protected]
9 months agoI’m disappointed that you didn’t test all of the different brands. I have a caddytek which works perfectly and would probably fall under the category of best value cart
Harry Nodwell
9 months agoAt the top of the article, you will find the reason for not including every brand on the market.
Bucky CC
9 months agoFully agree. I’ve had a Caddytek cart for about 5 years now and it’s still going strong.
Bob
9 months agoNice to see a little love being sent Rovic’s way. RV1S is a good cart. I got it when I was driving a Fiat Panda (small car). Nice features, easy to push and decently priced, in my book.
Really, though, you can’t go wrong with any of the carts in the price range. I just like the swivel wheel, is all—so much easier to push around, and can be locked in the straight position, if need be.
Kevin
9 months agoAlmost glad for a minor injury that forced me to buy a push cart a little over 10 years ago. I had no interest in giving it up after I healed. I’ve had a Bag Boy TriSwivel for several years now and really like it. Oddly you list the brake as the weak link, but I’ve had no issues whereas the ClicGear I previously owned had a brake that constantly broke. Great pushcart otherwise, but I got sick of fixing the brake several times each year.
Luis
9 months agoI have had a clicgear for a number of years and it is still durable. What I would like to see in the carts is a flat surface (in between the push handles) facing the person who is pushing. With a flat surface, you can easily write your score/notes and hold your phone. Most, if not all of the pushcarts angle the surface between the handles away from you.
Bob
9 months agoPush carts are hard to find right now since most courses when finally opening will not allow riding carts because of social distancing at least where I play.
Funkaholic
9 months agoHere in Atlanta the courses have remained opened, the carts are sanitized and it is one man to a cart. It is not really an option to walk many of the public courses here due to extreme elevation changes and some have long distances between many holes because of land features or neighborhood designs.
Viking
9 months agoAllow them in most places I see on the web but usually 1 person per cart or 2 if they are from the same household. Guess would have been a good time for a course to have the one person scooter style carts now, many people would really like them but not good for older stability challenged people.