Walking, pushing cart uphill (push vs pull vs carry)

[joostin]

I saw posts saying pushing carts uphill sucks... it does.  Figured I'd make a thread for this.  IMO:  Carrying is probably easiest here, but if using a push cart (non motorized), pulling is easier uphill than pushing.

 

You still have to lean forward uphill, but at least you don't have to hold/push anything with both your arms and shoulders at an awkward position.  When pulling you can also use one arm and swing the other like normal, or to claw up the mountain or hold your beer.  My take:

 

- Steep Uphill = pull with cart behind

- Slight Uphill = still pull

- Flat = push or pull, or give a big push to let the cart roll by itself... when push cones to shove

- Steep Downhill = cart in front, leaning back

- Slight Downhill = cart in front, sometimes let cart coast down by itself (away from hazards and children, playing the fade or draw bias of the cart 😉)

- Sidehill Lie = play the fade or draw again...... actually push so you can torque the handle to keep the cart from toppling over

 

I'll still carry sometimes playing 9 or on a mostly par 3 course.  Carrying you can walk across greens and all, and tap in putts with bag on back.  But over 18 push/pull cart is easier on my back and legs.... Getting a cramp in the calves once in a while on a follow through is not fun 😳  (I know - hydrate, stretch, foam roll, calf work).  Anyway, hope going uphill sucks less this way.

[bellken]

Short, steep uphill, I will sometimes pull. Long uphill stretches, I, usually, push.

 

I have thought about getting a lightweight bag to carry with a partial set of golf clubs - minimalist golf, but, I am taking forever to research lightweight carry/stand bags.

[KARL M]

I found carrying easier than a pull or push cart when it came to hilly courses.

 

When i had a back issue i tried a pull cart rather than carrying.  This was a major mistake as the cart caused a twisting of my back pulling the cart uphill with one arm. It was worse than the pain from carrying.

[brew4eagle]

Carrying 8 clubs in my Hoofer Lite with almost nothing else in it works well for me.  Don't even notice the bag over 18 holes.

Edited September 13, 2021 by brew4eagle

[Ripken08]

On 9/11/2021 at 1:49 PM, KARL M said:

I found carrying easier than a pull or push cart when it came to hilly courses.

 

When i had a back issue i tried a pull cart rather than carrying.  This was a major mistake as the cart caused a twisting of my back pulling the cart uphill with one arm. It was worse than the pain from carrying.

+1

[596]

When I walk carrying, I use a small Sunday bag with 8 clubs and nearly no extra stuff in the bag.  It's light and easy.

 

Normally when walking I use a remote follow cart.  There is nothing better.  

 

I will not use a push/pull cart.  I find it harder then carrying a small bag.  It hurts my back and my hips.

 

 

[caniac6]

If you can afford it, I strongly suggest getting an electric cart. You can maintain your posture going up hills. I have a remote, but have to keep my hand on it going up a steep hill. 

[Bigjim1022]

Interesting timing of this topic.  I came to this part of the forum to see if anybody else has run into this issue.  Played 9 last night and walked using my push cart (Clic Gear 3.5+) and also walked 18 last Sunday using my cart.  By the end of the round my lower back was pretty stiff, I hadn't had this issue before using the push cart so I was curious if anybody else has run into this.  Is it as simple as needing to adjust the handle height or something else?  

[eric61]

I think the pull idea going up a steep hill is totally right. (And gave OP a laughing emoji reaction on the post for "when push comes to shove.") Additional tip: Drop the handle lower if you can, when pulling up a hill. 

 

This exact issue has me carrying more than using my push cart lately. The courses around here don't have huge elevation changes, so it's more wet/soggy days where I hate using the push cart.

 

Then again, this is WRX and I'm an obsessive tinkerer. So I've also been thinking about working out an iron/wedge set with 5/6 degree gaps rather than my current 4 degree. I definitely find it easier to carry for 18 if I only have 11 or 12 clubs, but I don't like dropping clubs I'd otherwise like to have -- I don't want to just like, not carry my lob wedge and 3 wood, even though I'd only use them a few times. Every time I try dropping a couple clubs I know I don't really need for a specific course I've played a lot, I wind up finding a way to get myself into the very rare situations on those courses where I need exactly what I left in the trunk that day. I'd rather have a second set with everything covered by 11 or 12 clubs, if possible.

[a_gorilla]

On 9/15/2021 at 6:16 AM, Bigjim1022 said:

Interesting timing of this topic.  I came to this part of the forum to see if anybody else has run into this issue.  Played 9 last night and walked using my push cart (Clic Gear 3.5+) and also walked 18 last Sunday using my cart.  By the end of the round my lower back was pretty stiff, I hadn't had this issue before using the push cart so I was curious if anybody else has run into this.  Is it as simple as needing to adjust the handle height or something else?  

I basically have the handle height set so that I bend my elbows at 90 degrees in order to push (about belly button high for me). Also try not to extend your arms when pushing and keep the cart closer to your body and see if these make a difference.

[sittingbull]

It all depends if its uphill both ways and if its raining 

[joostin]

9 hours ago, a_gorilla said:

I basically have the handle height set so that I bend my elbows at 90 degrees in order to push (about belly button high for me). Also try not to extend your arms when pushing and keep the cart closer to your body and see if these make a difference.

I find myself popping a wheelie sometimes when pushing, front wheel off the ground, maybe for the same comfort as I can't adjust my handle height.

 

Playing as a kid with my dad we'd usually rent the crap pull carts at the course, rusty 2 wheel ones, so that's probably why I default to pulling with a push cart.  Carried all 14 for years until I tried a push cart and preferred it.

[joostin]

9 hours ago, sittingbull said:

It all depends if its uphill both ways and if its raining 

"When I was your age, I used to walk to school, uphill..."

[joostin]

14 hours ago, eric61 said:

Every time I try dropping a couple clubs I know I don't really need for a specific course I've played a lot, I wind up finding a way to get myself into the very rare situations on those courses where I need exactly what I left in the trunk that day.

The one time you need it is the one time you don't have it... never fails!  Bigger loft progressions in the middle can definitely work, keeping the scoring clubs and tee clubs.