Historically, golf trolleys have been big, heavy and clunky. Manufacturers are now designing innovative folding mechanisms to make golf trolleys lighter and easier to carry.
This folding technology has dramatically reduced the physical footprint of golf carts stored in cars, garages and cupboards. It's not just push carts that are compact in size, even the best electric golf trolleys can be folded down to a small package.
Compact trolley's don't compromise on features either. In fact, many compact golf trolleys are equipped with GPS and remote functionality too—so you really get the best of both worlds with utility and practicality.
Below we have taken a look at some of the most compact trolleys available right now. Be sure to check out our full in-depth reviews of these models to get a greater idea of how easy a compact golf trolley is to use.
We also recommend checking out our guide on the best remote control trolleys or the best push carts to get a wider understanding of all the best golf trolleys currently available.
The Quick List
Lightweight, compact and with plenty of storage, the Bag Boy Nitron is one of the best push carts we've tested thanks to it nailing the basics.
For
- Folds down easily and compactly
- Well-thought-out storage areas for water bottles and phone
- Very little bag twisting over rough terrain
Against
- Fixed front wheel means it's less maneuverable than some
The PowaKaddy Micra's looks, compact folding size and lightweight frame will see it go toe-to-toe with any push cart currently on the market.
For
- Folds up incredibly compactly
- Two click folding mechanism is a breeze
- Well positioned and sturdy parking brake
- Glides easily across fairway and rough
Against
- Key Lock system only useful with a separate PowaKaddy bag
Having the chassis permanently attached to the bag saves time and space, while the premium materials and design make this a very desirable product.
For
- Lightweight and space-saving design
- Can be pushed or pulled
- Premium materials used throughout
Against
- Bag straps aren't elasticated
The Motocaddy Cube push cart is quick and easy to unfold and makes getting around the golf course a breeze. It is also very compact and lightweight.
For
- Compact and light while folded
- Simple to unfold
- Easy to push even on hilly courses
- Provides ample storage
Against
- Lightweight design means you have to be a little careful on side slopes
One of our favorite GPS electric trolleys currently on the market. The touchscreen GPS is very responsive, with the CT8 incredibly compact and lightweight.
For
- Superb, responsive touchscreen GPS
- Compact folding, lightweight and easy to carry
- High quality finish
Against
- Handle height takes a lot of effort to adjust
The M5 GPS combines Motocaddy’s reliability and practical features, with a crystal clear screen that houses the impressive moveable pin position pointer.
For
- Distances displayed on a crystal clear touch screen
- Ability to move the pin position enhances strategy
- Folds down compactly and quickly
- Long-lasting battery life.
Against
- Folding latches are quite stiff, but may loosen up with time
- Some hazard acronymns are confusing.
Most Compact Golf Trolleys - Lightweight Golf Trolley
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Best value
The Bag Boy Nitron is an extremely lightweight and—when folded down—impressively compact.
In testing, we particularly enjoyed the bungee straps which did an excellent job of tightly securing golf bags in place from start to finish. We found there was plenty of storage for other golf paraphernalia and the trolley just looks good too.
There's definitely no shortage of features either. There's an integrated beverage holder, mobile device holder and golf ball storage and handle-mounted parking brake making this incredible value.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed using the Bag Boy Nitron. There's no surprise as it why it's one of the more popular models available on the market.
- Read our full Bag Boy Nitron Push Cart Review
Best folding mechanism
The PowaKaddy Micra folds down extremely well and even made our Editor's Choice list. In testing, we found the Micra's sporty wheels effortless to push over terrain, even on some of the steepest slopes. We particularly liked the thoughtful attention to detail, with footbrake really well positioned behind the left wheel.
Crucially, the Micra folds down to a remarkably compact size. But don't worry, assembly is simple, thanks to a smart quick-folding mechanism that takes two steps. The Micra felt strong, robust and sturdy throughout testing too.
The the multi-feature handle console provides ample storage for your necessities, including a dedicated water-resistant cell phone storage area, a scorecard holder, a pen/pencil holder and storage for your balls and tees.
- Read our full PowaKaddy Micra Push Cart Review
Best 2-wheel
Combining European design flair with practicality, the Kaddey Switch might be one of the most unique golf push carts we've tested...
It's designed to be permanently attached to any golf bag for a more user-friendly approach. This saves bags of time and faff affixing bags to trolleys pre or post round. Plus, the design takes up next-no-space in your trunk.
In testing, switching between pushing and pulling was around the course was easy. The centre console is sturdy and comes with a good handle that was comfortable to grasp when pushing or pulling the cart. While some may be put off by its lack of a front wheel, the Dutch design and strong aluminum frame give this trolley a sharp look, that we certainly enjoyed during our testing session.
Our favorite thing about the Switch is that it's ready to play just seconds after loading out of your cart. It's as simple as clipping the XL wheels onto the device and you're away. The wheels come in a handy protective carry bag to keep dirt out of your car too.
- Read our full Kaddey Switch Trolley Review
Best lightweight
At just 6.8kg/14.9lbs, the Motocaddy Cube is an impressively lightweight compact golf trolley.
Right out of the box, we noticed the carry handle. It's very well-placed and makes it easy for anyone to carry once it's folded up. Unfolding just takes a few button clicks and movements but this quickly becomes second nature.
Another feature we loved was the Easilock compatibility. This allows any bag to sit on the cart securely. It has adjustable bag supports at the top and bottom, with a 24-month warranty and plenty of storage space making this a fantastic option for many golfers.
- Read our full Motocaddy Cube Push Trolley Review
Most compact electric
In the past, electric trolleys with GPS have been clunky and hard to handle. Enter: the Powakaddy CT8 GPS—the world's smallest touchscreen GPS golf trolley.
The CT8 GPS folds down to a whopping 35% smaller than its nearest competitor, a fantastic choice for those with small car trunks or minimal space to store a trolley at home. No doubt this one of the best golf carts and a great addition to PowaKaddy's CT series.
The GPS system is the same one we've become used to in PowaKaddy devices, but it's on a new and very clear 3.5" full-color touchscreen display. This makes the GPS very intuitive to use and has some really useful features such as scorecard, stroke index information, active green view and drop flag to give you accurate yardages on course. It comes preloaded with over 40,000 courses worldwide and requires no subscription.
- Read our full PowaKaddy CT8 GPS Electric Trolley Review
Best with GPS
We think the M5 GPS is one of the best golf carts available on the market. It combines reliability and practicality perfectly into a comprehensive and complete golf cart. The M5 GPS folds down very compactly, assisted by the ability to invert the wheels and the front wheel automatically folding underneath.
The assembly process requires two latches to be undone, and while they are quite stiff, with practice the trolley can be erected in under five seconds. To go along with this the trolley has a host of other features to it including large touch screen screen and a long battery life. On the large color touch screen, you can access front, middle and back distances, the hole par, a list of hazards and move the pin position for greater accuracy.
All of the M-Series models share the same compact folding frame design, so you get the same benefits on the M1 and M3 GPS too.
- Read our full Motocaddy M5 GPS Trolley Review
How we test foldable trolleys
Golf Monthly has a comprehensive testing procedure centered around using products properly, thoroughly, and over a number of rounds and golf experiences.
This is imperative for creating proper reviews, guidance and recommendations to help you make an informed decision on what product is best for you.
To be completely transparent, no manufacturer can pay for a good review. We tell it how it is and that will never change.
Prior to testing a product, the Golf Monthly team will usually attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology. This is especially important when considering how much technology is packed into a standard golf trolley these days.
The team then takes models out on the course for testing which is a simple process because everyone in the team plays golf regularly. We look to test each trolley in different conditions from rain to snow to assess the performance benefits that each product offers. We also look to address how easy each is to use, fold away and whether there are any stand-out features on that trolley that differentiate it from others on the market.
How to choose a golf cart/trolley
With a diverse range of golf carts and trolleys available today, choosing the right golf cart for your needs can be a difficult decision. Here's a list of things to consider:
1. Push or electric carts?
Put simply: push carts are more appropriate for golfers that play mostly on flatter courses. They're also less expensive than the best electric carts and offer better storage solutions on the handle console for items like balls and tees.
2. Weight
It might seem obvious. Push carts need to be lightweight as you can't rely on electronic assistance. Heavy push carts can be particularly tiresome when playing holes that go uphill, so be sure to pick one that is lightweight without sacrificing stability or durability.
Luckily, push carts are much lighter than electric carts. Just make sure the wheel bearings are nice and smooth—this will reduce the amount of manual effort required.
3. Folding
Thanks to their simple design and minimal components, push carts can be made far more compact than electric carts. If you're already short on space, this could be a deciding factor for you.
4. Maneuverability
Maneuverability is critical for push carts since you'll be doing the work in actually moving the cart. Poorly designed models make life more difficult which is precisely the opposite of what a cart is supposed to do. Of course, t there are some good four-wheel options in this regard, the Big Max Blade Quattro for example, but the more common design we have found to move easily are three-wheeled designs.
5. Storage
Finally, how much storage do you want on your push cart? If you require a lot of space, we'd suggest choosing a design with a large central console. Whereas if you're not carrying a lot, opt for a trolley that doesn't offer masses of storage space.
For more advice on some of the best golf trolleys on the market, visit our guides on the best push carts, best electric golf carts and the best golf trolley bags.
FAQs
Is a push or pull golf cart better?
A push golf cart is better than a pull cart. The action of pushing a trolley loaded with a heavy bag of clubs puts much less strain on your arms and shoulder than having to drag the same trolley and bag behind you. That means there is less chance that you could injure yourself on the course.
Are electric carts less compact than push carts?
As electric carts tend to have a battery and a few different power components that are not typically included in a push cart, they tend to be a little bulkier than a push trolley. But that's not to say that they aren't compact and there are some electric carts on this list that fold neatly down in the trunk of your car.
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