A beginner’s guide to buying the best golf trolley

Ask any golf club expert what the biggest ‘secret’ to lower scores is, and a swing tweak likely won’t top the list. Instead, they’ll rave about energy management. Walking a standard 18-hole course in the UK covers roughly five to six miles, often over undulating terrain and through thick, relentless grass. If you’re carrying a 15kg bag on your shoulders for four hours, your legs and back will feel it by the 14th hole – just when you need your concentration most.

In other words, choosing the best golf trolley for your game is more than a convenience consideration; it’s an investment in your physical longevity on the course. In this guide, we break down the different types of golf trolleys available and help you decide which setup will help you arrive at the 18th green feeling as fresh as you did on the 1st tee.

The great debate: push/pull vs electric

The first decision any beginner needs to make is whether to go manual or electric. Both have their place in a golfer's arsenal, depending on your budget and the type of courses you play.

The push/pull trolley: simple, reliable, and athletic

Manual trolleys (often called push or pull carts) are the go-to for many emerging golfers. Modern designs have moved far beyond the clunky two-wheeled pull carts of the past, with today’s three-wheeled options offering incredible balance and easy manoeuvrability.

• Pros: usually more affordable, lightweight, and require minimal maintenance beyond a simple clean (no batteries to charge).

• Who it’s for: golfers playing relatively flat parkland courses who enjoy the exercise but want to take the strain off their shoulders.

• Pro tip: first and foremost, look for a model with a foot brake and a good storage console for your scorecard, balls, and accessories. The best push/pull golf trolleys are often made from aluminium or steel for durability, feature ergonomic handles and smooth-rolling wheels for easy movement, and adopt folding mechanisms for compact containment.

The electric trolley: reduced strain and smooth performance 

If you regularly play hilly courses or simply want to mitigate any unnecessary physical exertion, an electric golf trolley is a genuine gamechanger. It uses a motor and a rechargeable lithium battery to do all the heavy lifting for you, with advanced features to make play feel even more intuitive on the course.

• Pros: effortless navigation of hills, advanced features like GPS and distance measurements, and a significant reduction in fatigue.

• Who it’s for: the intermediate player looking for a long-term investment in their game, or anyone who finds carrying or pushing a bag physically taxing.

• Pro tip: if you’re weighing up the features of different electric golf trollies, it’s good to note that technology like electronic braking systems (EBS) can automatically slow movement on downhill slopes – a must-have for safety on steep UK courses. 

The power players: PowaKaddy vs Motocaddy

In the UK market, two brands reign supreme. Both offer incredible quality, reliability, and aftersales support, which is vital for a piece of tech that often lives in your car boot. However, some subtleties set each apart.

PowaKaddy trolleys are known for their Plug ‘n’ Play battery system, which eliminates fiddly wires, charges in less than five hours, and lasts up to five times longer than lead-acid. The brand also offers something to suit every player, ranging from the entry-level FX range to the ultra-premium, GPS-integrated CT models. 

Motocaddy trolleys, on the other hand, are renowned for their compact folding designs – ideal for smaller car boots – and innovative accessories, including a station capable of holding up to four extras at one time. In particular, the brand’s M Series is a firm favourite for golfers who need to save space. 

Key features to consider before buying

If you’re still comparing options to find the best golf trolley for you, keep these four factors in mind:

1. Folded size: measure your car boot before you buy. Many modern electric trolleys fold down incredibly small, but some manual push/pull carts can be surprisingly bulky.

2. Battery life (electric only): most trolleys come with an 18- or 36-hole (extended) lithium battery. If you often play more than one round per day or your home course is exceptionally hilly, the extended battery is a wise investment.

3. Weight: if you have to lift your trolley in and out of a high SUV boot or across tricky terrain, the weight of the frame matters. Aluminium frames typically offer the best balance of strength and lightness.

4. Aesthetic: while a trolley is a functional tool, it’s also part of your overall aesthetic. So, explore a range of different styles, alongside complementary cart bags and accessories, to help build confidence on the course.

The foolproof way to find the best golf trolley is to see how it feels firsthand. View our complete golf trolleys collection to see the latest deals and models. Or, if you’re still torn between manual and electric, pop into one of our shops in Huddersfield, Hull, or Wirral – we’ll let you test drive a few models on the shop floor to see which one feels right for your style and pace of play.