Golf Trolleys

Using a golf trolley on the golf course will make your game a lot more enjoyable. Instead of carrying your heavy golf bag around the course for 18 holes, you can just use the trolley for the hard work.

Golf trolleys, also called golf carts, are available in electric versions and manual versions. The traditional version of this item is usually pushed or pulled, solely via manual effort. But with the advancement of technology, an electric and automated iteration of it has also made it into the spotlight. And although it is more on the expensive side, the convenience you get from it is irreplaceable.

The electric golf carts use a battery and a (remote) controller to direct it around. A manual golf trolley can be either the push or pull version. For long time golfers, finding a new golf trolley will likely be easier, but for the uninitiated and those just starting out, it can be quite a daunting task. If you belong in the latter group, worry not. This article will introduce you to some of the factors you need to consider which will help you find that ideal trolley.

What are the types of golf trolleys?

Most modern types of these golf carts are classified into two general categories: Manual and Electric. Each of these two also has its own sub-categories. For the former, its model can vary depending on the quantity of its wheels, while the latter on the other hand mostly ranges from the battery it uses and the features it offers.

• Manual Golf Trolley

If you want an inexpensive, yet still efficient, trolley for your golf bag full with your irons, woods and other golf gear, the manual push or pull golf trolley is the best way to go. Despite needing more physical labor compared to an electric-powered trolley, it does last you quite a long time, not to mention it also doesn’t need periodic recharging and maintenance.

There are only two ways you can move this type of trolley: push or pull, which is mostly determined by the number of wheel it has. If it is a 2-wheel golf cart, then ideally, it needs to be pulled. But if it has 3-wheels, pushing it would be the typical move.

The 2-wheel golf cart reasonably costs less than the 3-wheeled golf cart, albeit unstable when it comes to non-flat golf courses. As for the latter, you have a triangle wheeled setup, thus giving you more balance and control. Plus, it also has more options for additional accessories. Moreover, there are also 4-wheel builds of the manual trolley, which offers even more stability.

• Electric Golf Trolley

Sometimes, manual golf carts can still take up a significant amount of your body’s energy, and for a game of golf, you need all the energy and concentration you can muster in order to keep swinging at optimal strength. Lucky for you, the electric golf carts now exists.

Most electric golf trolleys relies on a battery to run, thus, the type and capacity of the battery it uses will also be a significant factor in choosing a specific model of it. Generally, the kind of battery for this golf trolley is determined on how many rounds it can run for, at a full charge. Some will only last for 1 round of 18 holes, while others can last for 2 or more.

Most electric golf trolleys also have their own monitors and indicators, which notifies you of things like: battery power, distance covered, pedometers, and the likes. And although there are still varieties of this equipment that caters to generic golf bags, majority of its modern brands already comes with their own matching bag, giving you that perfect fit and two-in-one value.

What are these trolleys made of?

There are different types of materials that can be used to make the golf trolley. Some of the most popular ones include aluminum, steel, or titanium.

Those made with aluminum tend to be the lightest among the three. But despite being easy to glide along the course, it does have a higher risk of being dented, because of its lightweight and soft build.

As for steel, you get a strong and durable construction, but at the expense of being heftier. The latest, and titanium-made builds on the other hand are like a combination of the former two materials, making it lightweight as well as durable, but considerably pricier.

Things To Consider Before A Purchase

Since manual golf trolleys are simpler to operate, there are some factors listed below which will only be applicable to electric trolleys. Other than that, the rest applies to both.

• Weight

Like mentioned above, the weight of the trolley will be mostly decided by the type of material it is built with. However, the electric golf cart is expected to be slightly heavier than the manual type, since it does carry a battery.

The weight of a complete golf bag with golf clubs and accessories is already quite a bit. The golf cart construction should be strong enough to carry this and be stable enough on uneven terrain.

For electric golf carts the extra weight of the battery needs to be taken into account. The whole construction of these golf carts is stronger and therefore heavier than the manual golf carts.

• Speed
  

This factor will mostly apply on electric-powered golf trolleys, since the speed of the manual sort will normally depend on your pushing and pulling force. As for the former, its running speed will typically be determined by a built-it speed dial. Some of its high-end brands may even have their own braking system.

With the (remote) controller you can adjust the speed of the electric golf cart.

• Assembly
  

There are usually two ways a trolley can be set up and dissembled: foldable or via detachable parts. The former is more efficient and easier to access, while the latter gives you more flexibility when it comes to storage, especially if you have a fairly small car trunk.

Normally you can remove the battery from the golf cart since that’s the most heavy part. After removing the battery, most electric golf carts can be folded up into a small package that will fit easily in any car trunk. The same counts for manual push or pull golf trolleys; these are very user friendly to fold up and are normally so light that everybody can place it in their car trunk without any problems.

• Accessories
  

Additional parts like an umbrella holder, bottle holders, phone cradles, and other non-electric accessories, can be found on both manual and electric trolleys. However, gadgets like digital displays and remote controls, among other similar functions, are only viable on the latter kind.

Whether you should opt for a golf cart with storage or all kinds of cradles and holders, is up to the golfer. Many golfers only require an umbrella holder and will put all their additional gear in the golf bag. Maybe a cradle for their golf GPS is a good option for easy access and use.

• Battery Lifespan
  

Batteries on basic brands of an electric golf cart will only last for 6 hours, while some expensive ones can go for 12 hours. If you plan on playing more than 1 game of golf (18 holes) on the same day (for instance in tournaments), then you will get more investment value with long-lasting batteries.

Hopefully you will be able to utilize the abovementioned discussions to your advantage, when you canvass your own golf trolley. Just remember, it is better to invest on proper equipment early, rather than regret it later on.