Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Andy Hughes on September 27, 2020, 09:24:48 PM
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All, looking for a quality push cart that is easy to use, has enough storage for odds and ends, makes walking the course nicer (and not a battle to drag the clubs up and down hills).
Is the Clicgear 4.0 the way to go, or are there better options?
Many thanks in advance.
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I don't know much about carts, but the one I got because of the pandemic was a disaster for me. I couldn't get the handle where I needed to have it and hurt my back from pushing it in a bent-over fashion. My wife spent the extra money and got an electric one, and I'd do that if I were doing it again.
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https://walkertrolleys.com/
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I play at a predominately walking club, Clicgear is the push cart of choice, I still use the 3.0, goes well.
Because of the sun in Australia, you will see a lot of people using the umbrella stand in summer, which could explain the popularity.
The 4 wheel carts seem to sit too low to the ground for my liking.
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This past week my Sun Mountain Speed Cart GX arrived (was back-ordered for a couple of months) and I put it to use on Saturday. I'll report back after using it a few more times, but so far so good.
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I have a ClickGear 3.0 and it's really good.
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Following.
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I play at a predominately walking club, Clicgear is the push cart of choice, I still use the 3.0, goes well.
Because of the sun in Australia, you will see a lot of people using the umbrella stand in summer, which could explain the popularity.
The 4 wheel carts seem to sit too low to the ground for my liking.
Is the Clicgear push cart heavier than a Speed cart? It looks heavier to me.
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There was a recent thread on this topic which I can't seem to find. Clicgear is the way to go. Better in adjustability, rollability, foldability, accessories than Sun Mountain. I don't think any weight differences are material for most folks.
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Get a Clicgear. It's the industry standard.
Years ago, I had a Sun Mt speed cart, then more or less accidentally got a Clicgear for Christmas. I used the Clicgear twice, and immediately sold the Sun Mt. on Craigslist; it wasn't even a close call. I used that Clicgear (2.0, I believe) for 11 years, countless rounds and thousands of miles before I replaced it with a new 4.0 this year just before the toilet paper/push cart shortages. I only did that because the wheel bearings were shot; I could have replaced the wheels for under $100, but the 4.0 had a better brake, more storage, etc, so I figured I'd get the new one; if it lasts like the old one, I'll likely not be walking anymore before I have to decide what to do next.
The Clicgear is a beautiful piece of engineering. Folds up to a 2' cube, essentially never tips over, has great accessories available, and is just indestructible. I keep it in the trunk of the car all the time; it folds up so small that I never need the space.If you go to an NCAA women's event, you'll see LOTS of the players using push carts; ALL of them are Clicgears. (Men are push cart resistant, but the ones who do use Clicgear as well.)
My ONLY reservation about Clicgear would be IF you anticipate ever putting a device called eWheels on your cart, which is a $500 way to convert to an battery/electric cart, eWheels recommends that you get a push cart that has a front wheels that is able to turn freely instead of being fixed; eWheels works with Clicgear, but the turning radius is obviously bigger.
Hope that helps. I promise you that you'll never have buyer's remorse.
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This past week my Sun Mountain Speed Cart GX arrived (was back-ordered for a couple of months) and I put it to use on Saturday. I'll report back after using it a few more times, but so far so good.
I have one of these. No complaints. It folds up easily and is very easy to,push. Lots of places to store things.
Club ordered about 25 for members back in May. Maybe around $200...?
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Walker Trolley!!!
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+1 on the Clicgear! Been pushing one for about 3+ years. Also found it very easy to fix with replacement parts available directly from the company if it were to get damaged (don't ask how I know...lol)
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It only costs about $200 more than a Clicgear but can you really put a price on cool?
"Walker Trolleys’ flagship Cape model has been designated the official push cart of NLU’s “Push Cart Mafia,” an ever-growing group of walking golf enthusiasts who are making “push carts cool again.” Push Cart Mafia apparel featuring the Walker Trolley silhouette is available for purchase in the NLU Pro Shop (https://store.nolayingup.com/collections/short-sleeved)."
https://www.morningread.com/industry-news/release/2020-08-31/walker-trolleys-announces-strategic-investment-by-no-laying-up-to-grow-brand-promote-walking-golf (https://www.morningread.com/industry-news/release/2020-08-31/walker-trolleys-announces-strategic-investment-by-no-laying-up-to-grow-brand-promote-walking-golf)
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To echo everyone else… Walker Trolley or a ClicGear. I own one of the former and four of the latter. And a Sun Mountain or two.
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Is there that much difference? I think we have sun mountain but I would lobby for another brand if worth it. I have an old sun mountain but few places seem to allow outside carts
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Is there that much difference? I think we have sun mountain but I would lobby for another brand if worth it. I have an old sun mountain but few places seem to allow outside carts
If anyone gives a .... Sun Mountain has a feature no one ever seems to mention. The bottom of the Speed Cart Bag, now called the Sync, has a bottom that's designed to fit over the "foot" of the cart so the bag won't twist. The top is also designed to fit the cart's upper bracket.
Me, I use a Kangaroo. Flattens hills like nothing else.
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Though I still prefer to carry, I've always had a trolley for when my back is niggling.
Last year I said goodbye to the Sun Mountain push cart for an electric trolley. This is as muck of a step up as the three wheel push cart was over the two wheel pull. For those who have this option I'd unhesitatingly recommend it (cant remember why I was ever resistant).
Re bags. The latest generation cart bags have the slot on the bottom that matches the base that many trolleys now have. They also balance better. Worth investigating/investing.
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Reasons to resist battery operated trolleys are in the name...battery. Ya gotta charge the thing. More faffing about loading/unloading. They cost a pretty penny as well. They do come in handy for quite hilly courses though so a purchase of one is likely dependant on where one plays.
Ciao
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Is there that much difference? I think we have sun mountain but I would lobby for another brand if worth it. I have an old sun mountain but few places seem to allow outside carts
ClicGear > Sun Mountain, yeah. Build quality and durability alone make this an easy choice IMO.
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I like my Clicgear reasonably well, and I'll use it as long as it lasts. I don't plan on buying another one though. While the frame itself is built to last, most of the components are just plastic. I had a nut come loose from the brake hammer a few weeks ago while on a trip and it quickly rendered the cart borderline unusable. While it's nice that Clicgear sells replacement parts through their website, I learned that they don't keep all of them stocked, including the part you'll probably need. Ultimately, I was able to solve the problem for about 42 cents by pushing the cart two blocks through my little inner city neighborhood to the nearest hardware store and just finding a replacement nut.
So no big deal. But taking it apart, figuring out what had gone wrong, and then coming up with and executing on a plan to fix it still took a solid 90 minutes and I probably live closer to the store than you do. And I haven't even had it for 18 months yet. I'm not optimistic that it's going to last 20 years or anything like that. Plus, the accessories have been a major disappointment. I can't roll 50 yards without my cupholder dropping my water bottle (I own every size and shape Clicgear cupholder attachment available - they all suck). I just hold my own beer. You'll learn to love the feel of holding a hand-warmed beer can while you walk down the left side of 12 fairway and hope to find your tee shot.
The option to think about that's already been mentioned: A battery-powered cart. My club is full of them... literally. We've run out of space to store them for members, so a number of my friends transport theirs in the car, and they're not as cumbersome to deal with as you might expect. For the joy of having a caddie that doesn't talk at a per-round rate that's a fraction of what you're paying for the human service, they're well worth looking into. This will likely be my next purchase if/when the Clicgear is no longer viable.
The option to think about that hasn't been mentioned: The collapsible Riksha! I think it's the R-3000. I've used Rikshas a couple times since buying my Clicgear. They're MUCH easier to push, and good storage attachments are available. I've talked to people who think they're hard to "park" on a hillside since they don't have a true brake. My experience is that the Clicgear brake doesn't do a very reliable job on hillsides either, whereas you can always just lay the Riksha flat. Your bag stays off the ground, elevated and dry, and the cart doesn't go anywhere.
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Jason, my experience with Clicgear has been different. I also have multiple size cup holders and have never had a problem finding one that fits the beverage I'm drinking. And they make an excellent cooler attachment that fits between the back wheels if your drinks are too warm. My course is quite hilly (20+ "flights" on an iPhone, which I think only measures the elevation gain) and I've never had a problem with the brake, or any other component, in several years. I've never used an electric one, although I've had my ankles run into twice, which wasn't altogether pleasant.
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Reasons to resist battery operated trolleys are in the name...battery. Ya gotta charge the thing.
Ciao
Explains why your phone calls keep dropping out..
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I'm using my late father's Powakaddy (2010 era, perhaps) here in Scotland. My carry bag doesn't quite fit on it, but it takes the strain off my back at a time when physio isn't a readily available option.
I suppose the question is "would I replace it next spring if it packed in?" Probably not at this stage, but I would in due course.
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There was a recent thread on this topic which I can't seem to find. Clicgear is the way to go. Better in adjustability, rollability, foldability, accessories than Sun Mountain. I don't think any weight differences are material for most folks
This is just wrong! Sun Mountain beats Clicgear on all those factors, but perhaps accessories, which you perhaps can buy from Clicgear and bolt on to SM. And, lighter is noticeably easier.
Clicgear wins on reliability. I use Clicgear, because both of my Sun Mountains broke.
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It's great how many people are walking now. I wonder if it will last.
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I like my Clicgear reasonably well, and I'll use it as long as it lasts. I don't plan on buying another one though. While the frame itself is built to last, most of the components are just plastic. I had a nut come loose from the brake hammer a few weeks ago while on a trip and it quickly rendered the cart borderline unusable. While it's nice that Clicgear sells replacement parts through their website, I learned that they don't keep all of them stocked, including the part you'll probably need. Ultimately, I was able to solve the problem for about 42 cents by pushing the cart two blocks through my little inner city neighborhood to the nearest hardware store and just finding a replacement nut.
I'm with the others in having a very different experience with the ClicGear I have than you.
My daughter has punished the crap out of her ClicGear for four years now. In that time, I've replaced or repaired the following:
- The brake spring (a $4 part, so I got two extra as well).
That's it. She's shoved Gatorade bottles, 32-oz. steel drink bottles, water bottles, etc. in the cup holder thing (the XL cup holder, the skinny one is not all that useful). She's got the cooler bag that goes between the back wheels. She's got the cart mitts, the adjustable umbrella holder. The Cozy (the bag doesn't twist - most don't, but her stand bag sometimes would). She loves the seat, too, and uses that all the time.
She's not one to check on screws or nuts or bolts, but the Sun Mountains (my golf team has six) have had screws and bolts fall out five or six times, and they see far less use than my daughter's ClicGear.
FWIW, the Sun Mountain is about three pounds lighter than the ClicGear. The ClicGear's frame is a fair amount thicker
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I got the Cliqgear 4.0 and after five rounds I would say better than advertised. The ease of adjustment if the bag starts to twist is a quick fix with the notched rubber straps that are used to secure the bag. With the cup and umbrella holders thrown in you are good to go. Finally it seems sturdy enough to last.
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Personally I have only owned Clicgear 3.0 and loved it so I have not purchased a competitor to compare. Cliqgear 3.0 may seem a bit heavy to lift in and out of your car/truck. For this weight burden your benefits include 1) Plastic wheels (not air filled and popable in the desert) 2) sturdy construction (large tubular frame) 3) Accessories availability. Since I only walk about 30-40% of rounds, I have not not yet added a cooler or other accessories. My only drawback is the seat accessory offered. Instead of being able to fold the cart with the seat attached, it forces you to remove one of the wheels, attach the accessory seat and reattach the factory wheel. Technically no competitors do this well, just want to add my personal story. If a company could do this well it could be a game changer until then wealkers will continue to see out uninterrupted rounds with few breaks and impatiently spend the time waiting hoping for a better Cliqgear 5.0 version
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No one has mentioned Caddy Tek which I and several friends have. Three and four wheel versions available, lots of storage, light, folds nicely. Bought on AMZN. Even has a chair add-on which helps on long days.
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My only drawback is the seat accessory offered. Instead of being able to fold the cart with the seat attached, it forces you to remove one of the wheels, attach the accessory seat and reattach the factory wheel. Technically no competitors do this well, just want to add my personal story. If a company could do this well it could be a game changer until then wealkers will continue to see out uninterrupted rounds with few breaks and impatiently spend the time waiting hoping for a better Cliqgear 5.0 version
The 3.5 and 4.0 models I have don't have you removing the wheel at all (only for installation of the seat bracket). The seat unattached with a spring-loaded clip, and it detaches in a few seconds so you can fold the cart normally.
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I've used electric trolleys in the past and found that I kept forgetting they are electric and start trying to stop it by pulling on the handle leading to a bit of a strain in my shoulder. Somehow I find it easier and more comfortable using a three wheel push trolley.
I recently bought my brother a three wheel push trolley as a present. Folds up well and easy to set up. Comes complete with the umbrella holder. The make is icart. Anyone else used one ?
Niall
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Who knew that this seemingly innocuous subject could engender such strong opinions. As we discussed when we played, I've got a Clikgear 3.0 that I'm very happy with.
So, what did you decide, Mr. Hughes?
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It's great how many people are walking now. I wonder if it will last.
I'm going to guess no. I think it will be similar to what happens to car sales as gasoline prices fluctuate. When the pandemic fades, I think the people that were walking before still will be, and the people who only started walking because of the pandemic won't be. That's cynical, I know.
I played in a Member-Guest this weekend, on a 1966 George Cobb course that is one of the nicest walks you'll ever play; I doubt that the total elevation difference between the highest and lowest points on the course is more than a hundred feet or so, and the longest green to tee walk is probably a hundred yards or so. Heavy rain Thursday night until midday Friday, so cart path only. Then the weather turned cold; the temps on Saturday morning were in the 40's, and it was still cart path only. Oh, I did I mention that there is a pandemic? NC recorded the highest positive test numbers yet on Thursday and Friday!
I walked both days, as well as the Thursday practice round, pushing my Clicgear with a seat attachment, a giant umbrella, etc. I was the ONLY player in the field that walked. Not one of a few; the ONLY player who walked either day. I was really sort of stunned, but more than that, I was dismayed.
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With permission from Mr. Nicklaus, of course, "Golf My Way" by A.G. Crockett.
My 3.0 is a workhorse. The club's 3.5s haven't taken the beating of a rental fleet even though they don't get out all that much.
Pushing my cart adds about .2 miles to my walk and it exacerbates my neck problem if I don't consciously use my left arm and side to propel it. I prefer the cart presently mainly because it allow me to play with a full set and it seems to lessen the strain on my left heel.
I'd invest in a light-weight, easy to break down electric model if my club would allow privately-owned carts post Covid.
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Lou: Your club needs to get with the program and allow push carts and eliminate the snob appeal of not allowing them.
I have an electric trolley and it makes walking a much better option for an old guy like me and adds to the enjoyment of the round. I really don't see what the negative side of them is other than one's image but that is usually disparaged by some guy riding in a buggy.
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Lou: Your club needs to get with the program and allow push carts and eliminate the snob appeal of not allowing them.
I have an electric trolley and it makes walking a much better option for an old guy like me and adds to the enjoyment of the round. I really don't see what the negative side of them is other than one's image but that is usually disparaged by some guy riding in a buggy.
Jerry,
It's not snob appeal, it's revenue. It's exactly like clubs who say that you can't walk on weekend mornings and say that it's a pace of play thing, when of course the reality is that on a crowded golf course walking matters the least vs. riding.
The push cart thing at private clubs is presented as uniformity and a "look", but at one of my former clubs, the rental fleet was black Sun Mountains, which I had at that time, and I couldn't use my own. Lots of places have a similar policy.
It's always refreshing to me when a club simply says, "It's revenue!" That I get, and that I can support.
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Lou: Your club needs to get with the program and allow push carts and eliminate the snob appeal of not allowing them.
I have an electric trolley and it makes walking a much better option for an old guy like me and adds to the enjoyment of the round. I really don't see what the negative side of them is other than one's image but that is usually disparaged by some guy riding in a buggy.
Jerry,
It's not snob appeal, it's revenue. It's exactly like clubs who say that you can't walk on weekend mornings and say that it's a pace of play thing, when of course the reality is that on a crowded golf course walking matters the least vs. riding.
The push cart thing at private clubs is presented as uniformity and a "look", but at one of my former clubs, the rental fleet was black Sun Mountains, which I had at that time, and I couldn't use my own. Lots of places have a similar policy.
It's always refreshing to me when a club simply says, "It's revenue!" That I get, and that I can support.
Who was the genius that came up with the “trail fee”?
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Lou: Your club needs to get with the program and allow push carts and eliminate the snob appeal of not allowing them.
I have an electric trolley and it makes walking a much better option for an old guy like me and adds to the enjoyment of the round. I really don't see what the negative side of them is other than one's image but that is usually disparaged by some guy riding in a buggy.
Jerry,
It's not snob appeal, it's revenue. It's exactly like clubs who say that you can't walk on weekend mornings and say that it's a pace of play thing, when of course the reality is that on a crowded golf course walking matters the least vs. riding.
The push cart thing at private clubs is presented as uniformity and a "look", but at one of my former clubs, the rental fleet was black Sun Mountains, which I had at that time, and I couldn't use my own. Lots of places have a similar policy.
It's always refreshing to me when a club simply says, "It's revenue!" That I get, and that I can support.
Who was the genius that came up with the “trail fee”?
Another club that I belonged to charged a trail fee for walkers on weekend mornings during DST. Again, though, the GM was very frank about saying that it was a revenue matter, which I appreciated and supported and had no problem with.
I've never been in the situation where I had a private electric cart, but as long as the club was honest about WHY they were charging a trail fee, I don't think I'd have a problem with that, either. I think we all understand that there are hidden costs to cart usage that occur no matter who owns the cart.
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Club Corp and American Golf were/are bottom line oriented. AG in particular was big on finding ways to grow revenues per member/round. At my old club they went to a mandatory riding scheme during the morning wave weekends and holidays. Speed of play was first offered as the reason, but the manager finally admitted that it was to maximize revenues during prime tee times. Push carts weren't allowed, supposedly because they would make the club look too muni. I think that I was about the only golfer who walked during the weekend mornings even though I was charged a cart fee.
My TX club has a fleet of a dozen or so CilcGear 3.5, all in various states of disrepair. No private push carts were allowed prior to Covid, supposedly because they wanted to maintain a uniform, upscale look. The club is allowing private push carts during the pandemic restrictions because there simply aren't enough riding carts with one golfer per cart (some weekend mornings they run out by 9:30). Since 90% +/- ride, I am doubtful that we will have a more liberal cart policy when things return to normal.
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It's crazy to encourage or require using a cart or to discourage walking to play golf. Clubs must be out to lunch with such policies.
Ciao
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Hadn't ever given it much thought, but interesting to note the different golf 'cultures':
At my home course in Ontario (just outside of Toronto), on a typical day many people chose to ride in carts, including the 20-30 year olds, but I saw very few push-carts; while at my new home course in BC (just outside of Vancouver), I've not yet seen anyone riding in a cart, not even the 70 year olds, but a majority of golfers use push-carts (instead of carrying).
I don't know if in either/both cases it's golf culture driving club policy or club policy creating golf culture.
PS - re the original question: from what I can tell, ClicGear rules the day where I play: all of the quality push-carts I've seen are ClicGear, I've not seen a Sun Mountain yet. Maybe the former had a special promotion at the club before I got here -- there are even golfers with ClicGear caps and (I thought I saw) towels.
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I will add to my other post about liking my Caddy Tek: it’s a three wheel and I should be able to adjust the front wheel so it doesn’t pull one way, but the cart guys man-handle it storing it after every round so now it pulls materiality to the left every five feet, so I have to lift the front wheel up and re-route. Exhausting. So, there’s that.
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Peter,
The climate in Vancouver would approximate the British Isles, so it may be more related to climate that any particular golf "culture".
What burb of Vancouver are you located in? What course(s) do you play?
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All, looking for a quality push cart that is easy to use, has enough storage for odds and ends, makes walking the course nicer (and not a battle to drag the clubs up and down hills).
Is the Clicgear 4.0 the way to go, or are there better options?
Many thanks in advance.
I used to have a 3 wheel click-gear, and switched to a 4 wheel bag boy (link below). I love my bag-boy. Easy to fold up, light, stable. Regardless of which brand you like best, I highly recommend 4 wheels over 3.
https://bagboy.com/collections/bag-boy/products/quad-xl-push-cart
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Some guy on the Society of Golf Historians Facebook page just said, and I quote:” Pull cart ...at our club reserved for women and punks”.
I’m going to assume he isn’t a Brit or an Aussie...EDIT: Or an enlightened GCAer, of course!
???
F.
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Some guy on the Society of Golf Historians Facebook page just said, and I quote:” Pull cart ...at our club reserved for women and punks”.
I’m going to assume he isn’t a Brit or an Aussie...EDIT: Or an enlightened GCAer, of course!
???
F.
It’s Facebook, so why would you expect anything different?