Carrying Golf Bag vs Push Cart: Which Is Better?

Written by Todd in Golf Club Questions

Trying to decide whether to go all in and buy the push cart?

Are you struggling with the mindset that the best golfers carry their golf bags?

The situation for many golfers is that they carried as a junior golfer and probably into their 20s and then struggle to make the transition.

Or someone is just starting the game and truly wants to know which option is better.

Either way, we are here to help. There are pros and cons to both carrying your golf bag and using a push cart.

Carrying Golf Bag vs Push Cart: Which Is Better

Using the push cart is easier on the legs, back and shoulders keeping you fresh throughout the round for the entire 18 holes.  When there is a quality option as the push cart, go for it!  It could possibly help you score better and protect your body.

The push cart is a game changer! You still get to walk, but without the struggle of carrying a golf bag around all day!

Pros of Using A Push Cart

  • Easier on the body
  • You can carry extras in your golf bag
  • Other accessories help create a routine

Pros Of Using A Push Cart: Easier on the body

Let’s face it, walking 18 holes can be a challenge for some.  Throw in a 30 pound golf bag that you have to carry around for 4 hours and close to 7 miles and you can understand why some people go with the push cart.  I held out for many years and refused to use the push cart because there was and probably still is something special about carrying the golf bag in golf’s most natural way. 

Once I got over that and received a push cart as a gift from my family, I have been thrilled with the advantage of the push cart.

The biggest and most important benefit is the relief on the body.  Being able to walk alongside the push cart and simple push with very little effort helps maintain your stamina and energy levels throughout the round of golf.  The last thing you want is to lose your ability to maintain certain swing feels or swing speeds over the last 4-5 holes.  The push cart helps keep you fresh and going for the entire 18 holes.

For those that play competitive golf and are sometimes faced with 36 holes in one day, the push cart at this point becomes almost essential.  The advancement in some of the features on the push cart are impressive and easy to transport from home to course.

Resource: Are push carts worth it? (complete overview)

Pros of Using A Push Cart: You can carry extras in your golf bag

Every golf round can bring about different conditions such as warm or cooler weather, rain or dry weather, wind or no wind and sometimes you can experience all three conditions within the 4 hour round of golf.  Being able to carry different accessories that help ensure you are prepared for whatever conditions you may face can give you a competitive advance as well as help you be more comfortable.

When someone is carrying their bag, they have to worry about how heavy the bag will be throughout the round of golf over the course of 18 holes.  With the push cart you can load up your bag and not notice a difference as you are pushing the cart down the fairway. 

Also, many golfers want to carry a beverage and a snack and the push cart helps make that easier as well.  Overall, the ability to stock up your bag with all of the essentials and not worry about the weight of the bag is important to performance.

Resource: Is carrying a golf bag good exercise?

Pros of Using A Push Cart: Other accessories help create a routine

Most push carts come with some simple accessories that help you create a routine.  There is typically a holder for golf tees, golf balls, a scorecard, a cell phone and other essentials that you need for the round of golf and other personal items. 

Creating this routine and getting comfortable is important for the golfer to be able to settle into a process or routine with every shot and every hole.

Some golfers enjoy carrying their bag and I understand! There is something special and simple about carrying the bag!

Pros of Carrying Golf Bag

  • Easier to get from point A to point B
  • Simplicity

Pros of Carrying Golf Bag: Easier to get from point A to point B

When you are carrying a golf bag, it is easier to get from point A to point B.  For example, when you arrive at a green and your ball is on the backside, you are able to walk right across the green to your ball as you carry your bag.  You can then set your bag down close to your clubs and have everything you need right there. 

The golf push cart can get cumbersome around greens and tee boxes.  The advantage of carrying is that it is easier to get where you need to get to.  Hit one in the trees?  No problem when you are carrying your bag.  These simple things might be important to some.

Resource: Stand bag vs carry bag: which one should I buy?

Pros of Carrying Golf Bag: Simplicity

When you have a nice, light carry bag, getting from home to the golf course parking lot and then from the parking lot to the clubhouse and then eventually to the first tee is easier when you are carrying.  Also, if you travel with others for a golf trip or a tournament, fitting four golf bags in some cars is difficult enough, but even more difficult if you add four push carts to the mix.  The process overall is just easier without the push cart.  The bottom line comes down to performance on the course though.  What is more important to you?

Resource: How to choose a golf bag (3 key questions)

#1 Recommended Push Cart

#1 Recommended Carry Golf Bag

Carrying Golf Bag vs Push Cart: Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the golfer must decide and determine what is most important to them.  The ease of getting from point A to point B and the simplicity of the carry bag vs using the push cart.  The push cart allows the golfer to potentially perform better and keep fresh legs, back and shoulders throughout the round of golf.

The push carts are rather impressive today and collapse down to make for easy transport from home to golf course.  I would highly recommend the push cart for most golfers and those that are hesitant, might be surprised how enjoyable walking with a push cart can be and then never go back to carrying a golf bag.

Golf is an amazing game and one that many of us want to play for many years to come!  Oftentimes people get to play their most golf as they age and get closer to retirement.  Make sure you check out the great additions such as push carts to take the ease off the body and keep you young and ready to play!

The push carts of today are simple to transport and make the round that much better!

Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better

What does this mean for you?  I believe in the following recipe to get better:

1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor.  Here are some options:

Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:

2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed.  Here are some options:

Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:

3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier.  Here is a series on breaking through:

We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.

4 – Practice Frequently

Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system?  It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:

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