Getting one of the best used golf carts on the market can save money and bring a healthy aspect to your game. A four-wheeled cart like the CaddyTek Explorer Version 8 SuperLite makes walking almost as simple as riding – and it’s definitely healthier. Let’s see what walking the course can do for you.
CaddyTek – Explorer V8 SuperLite
Whether purchased used or new, the CaddyTek Explorer Version 8 SuperLite is a difficult cart to beat. With ample storage and all-terrain abilities, this aluminum-framed lightweight offers heavy-weight usability. The cool-beverage bag can be loaded with ice, meaning refreshment is available when away from the turn.
- Rolls over tough terrain with ease
- Folds down compactly with minimal effort
- Storage aplenty
- Cool-storage bag is – well – pretty cool
- Front brake prevents cart wandering away
What Works
Well-Engineered
This golf cart has everything. There is the obligatory storage compartment at easy reach of the golfer. Also included are detachable cup holder and umbrella holder. The small cargo netting are beneath the storage compartment is great for holding trash until the next tee box.
Then there is the convenient cold-beverage bag, which can hold several cans of your favorite drink plus ice to keep them cool. The whole kit is supported by an aluminum-tube frame that is impressively stout. In short, this is a well-put-together push cart with few equals.
Folds to Compact Size
When completely folded down, the CaddyTek Explorer V8 is just 15.75 by 24 by 13.4 inches. This cart fits easily in almost any trunk space, and can also hitch a ride on the back seat in almost any car. There is a bit of a learning curve in getting it ready for play and folded back up again, but it doesn’t require a degree in mechanical engineering like some carts seem to do.
Rolls like an ATV
The CaddyTek Explorer V8 is equipped with two large (9.5-inch) front wheels and two larger (10.5-inch) rear wheels. Each is covered in a thin layer of solid rubber. The result is a cart that can roll easily over almost any terrain a golf course is liable to throw at it – including tall rough.
What Doesn’t Work
Front Wheel Alignment
While it isn’t the toughest chore on planet Earth, the process of aligning the front wheels on this cart is relatively difficult. Left unaligned, the cart can wander and force the player to apply constant side pressure in order to hold a line. Figure on taking some time to get the wheels straight (tool included) upon first use, but after that it’s butter.
Jef World of Golf – Deluxe Steel Pull Cart
While not a household name in the golf world, the Jef World of Golf Deluxe pull cart is still a popular option for those seeking an affordable cart. Even among its feathery competition, this an extremely lightweight golf cart.
That light weight comes at the expense of amenities the modern golfer might consider basic. There is no storage to speak of, and there is no third wheel like most modern carts have. Of course, a pull cart wouldn’t have said wheel, and being basic isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
- Considerably lighter than most of the competition
- Pulling is easier on the body than pushing
- Folding and unfolding much simpler than some others
- Not for taller golfers
What Works
Lightweight
Part of the appeal of a simple pull cart the Jef World of Golf Pull Cart is in its light weight. This is a cart that is simple to move around, even on undulating terrain. Some carts can weigh in at almost the weight of a full golf bag. This cart is much less of a load, making it easy on the knees and back.
Affordable
Even at full price, the Jef World of Golf pull cart is one of the cheapest ways to walk the course. It is a fraction of the cost of most of its competitors. Even still, it does the job it is tasked to accomplish. When purchased used, this golf cart has few competitors.
What Doesn’t Work
Clips are Weak
In order to undercut the competition, there had to be some places the manufacturer cut corners. Unfortunately, one of those places is in a critical location. The plastic clips that hold the golf bag in place are weak and prone to breaking under a heavy load.
This shortcoming is easy to work around, however. Taking it easy on the cart when in use makes the weak clips a non-issue. It is really only under heavy use that their weakness becomes problematic. More expensive carts can be tossed around. The Jef model – not so much.
Short Stature
A problem that is tougher to get around than weak materials is the short stature of the cart. Juniors, women and average-sized men will have no problems here. But taller men can find themselves stooping to reach the handle. Golfers on a tight budget may find the compromise is worth it.
No Storage
While there is a plastic sleeve for storing the scorecard, the Jef World of Golf pull cart has no real storage compartment. Now, there are a couple of indentations for golf balls and tee pegs, but there is no other storage on-board – not even a cup holder.
Cube – Push Cart
When the three-wheeled push cart hit the market a few years ago, it took the industry by storm. It was inevitable, therefore, that imitators were sure to follow. This Cube push cart model fits squarely into that mold, but it does an admirable job of flattering via imitation.
- Folds down to nearly half its unfolded size
- Two-button folding operation
- Built-in drink holder (with removable umbrella holder)
- Two-location brake (foot and hand positions)
- Lacks storage of some others
What Works
Proven Design
This cart uses a folding system that has been proven to work over the course of many years and many rounds of golf. While perhaps not intuitive, the simple steps are easy to master. Once folded, the cart easily fits into any automobile trunk space.
Almost No Assembly
One of the great things about this style of golf cart is that they come practically pre-assembled. The only things the user has to attach are the rear wheels, which go on without headache. Simply unbox your new golf cart, attach those wheels and you’re ready for a round of golf.
What Doesn’t Work
Not Quite as Solid as it Looks
While the original cart on which this one is based is a veritable tank, this Cube push cart is a bit less beefy. Everything is solid and well-built, but it lacks the heft of the original. It may be lighter (not by much) and cheaper (by a lot), but there is a price to pay in terms of longevity. Used lightly, it can last several seasons. But mistreat it and its lifespan will suffer.
Pinemeadow – Courier
The Pinemeadow Courier is not the flashiest nor the most expensive push cart available. What it lacks in flash, though, it makes up for in affordable functionality. Here is a golf cart almost anyone can afford. It may not have all the proverbial bells and whistles, but it simply gets the job done.
- Cheaper than most others
- Plenty solid for the cost
- Can accommodate any size golf bag
- Lacks Brakes and alignment adjustments
What Works
Priced Right
There is no more affordable three-wheeled golf cart that offers comparable functionality. No, this isn’t some space-age piece of modern tech, and it wasn’t designed in a wind tunnel. It is, however, an affordable and functional cart that punches above its weight class.
Sturdy Enough
Plastic wheels lighten the load, but they lead to quality doubts. Surprisingly, this cart handles terrain as easily as carts costing several times more. The treaded rubber is of comparable quality to the competition, and those wheels handle the bumps and hills of a golf course as well as any others do.
What Doesn’t Work
Larger when Folded
Sure, the Pinemeadow Courier folds down for storage and transport – just like the competition. However, it simply is not as compact as many of its competitors are. That might not be a problem for every user, but drivers of compact vehicles should take note.
No Brakes
This golf cart is certainly affordable, but part of the reason why is that the manufacturer skipped the part where you add a brake. The lack of a parking brake may not be a problem on flat terrain, but on a hilly course it may be a deal breaker.
No Alignment Adjustment
Most of the Pinemeadow carts seem to come from the manufacturer rolling straight and true. However, those unlucky enough to veer are bound to be that way for their life. There is no way to align the front wheel, leading some users to fatigue from constantly leaning into the cart.
Clicgear – Model 3.5+
The original. If this Clicgear Model 3.5+ looks familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen it on every golf course over the last decade. This is the golf cart that started the trend. Three-wheel maneuverability and simple folding to a compact size. These carts might be expensive, but they work flawlessly. Purchased used, they can be a great deal and a worry-free purchase.
- A solid reputation as the original of its kind
- Works flawlessly, pushes effortlessly
- Should last for multiple seasons, no matter how much it’s used
- The original
- All that functionality comes at a hefty price (even if used)
What Works
Quality Throughout
Clicgear makes its pushcarts from aircraft-grade aluminum tubing and high-quality plastic. The bearings in the wheels will last seemingly forever, regardless of the weather or conditions of operation. Longevity is not an issue with this cart.
Simple Operation
The first Clicgear was a revelation in design. A couple of simple steps and these things fold down to the size of a toaster oven. They fit into any trunk space with ease. There is a bit of a learning curve in getting them ready for play, but users are soon able to do so in seconds.
What Doesn’t Work
High Prices
All that longevity and functionality are pricey to say the least. Even at a severely discounted used price, the Clicgear 3.5+ can cost many times the price of the competition. You’ll know where that money went, but not everyone needs their cart to function effortlessly.
Part of a Healthy Lifestyle
Walking a golf course is a great way to add more physical activity to your lifestyle. The CDC (source) points out that activities such as walking lower our risks of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, cancers and depression. Choosing to walk instead of ride is choosing health.
Time to Think
Walking the course completely changes a round of golf. The hurried pace of riding in a cart makes the game seem hectic. Walking the course slows things down. The player has time to appreciate the natural beauty of the game. That extra time has an interesting result.
Speed Up Play
Oddly enough, walking can actually be faster than riding in a cart. When riding, we have no true vantage for our next shot, nor do we have the time to assess it. Walking up to our ball allows time for club selection and shot visualization. Often the best play is obvious before the push cart comes to a stop.
Conclusion
When cost is as much of a concern and function, there are certain push carts that get excluded as a matter of course. Version 8 of the CaddyTek Explorer makes the cut for its combination of affordability and functionality. There are others that function as well, but they tend to cost much more.
Try to save more cash, and you’ll likely not get the smooth operation and added features of the Explorer. Pushing a bag of clubs around a golf course is exercise enough. To lighten the load, it’s best to insist on a cart that squeezes in the amenities like the CaddyTek does.