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Push vs Electric Golf Trolley: Which Is Worth It, and What Each Costs

Push vs electric golf trolley comes down to three things: how often you play, how hilly your course is, and how much you want to spend. A push trolley takes the weight off your shoulders for under £200; an electric one also takes the effort out of your legs and arms, for anything from about £500 to £1,500. Motocaddy, one of the biggest UK brands, sells push models at £189.99 and £219.99 RRP and electric models from £549.99 to £1,499.99 RRP in its 2026 range. This page compares the two, explains the features that matter on an electric model, and covers batteries, winter course rules and flying.

Push vs electric at a glance

When a push trolley is enough

A good push trolley is one of the cheapest upgrades in golf. It takes 10kg or more of bag off your shoulder for four hours, folds into a small car boot and needs no charging. It suits:

• golfers who play once or twice a month;
• flatter courses, or nine-hole rounds;
• anyone who travels to golf and wants something light to throw in the car;
• juniors and beginners, whose bags are lighter anyway.

Look for a one-step fold, a wide wheelbase that does not tip on side slopes, a front wheel that can lock straight, and a brake for parking on slopes. A carry bag on a trolley also works, but a cart bag sits more securely; see our golf bags guide.

When an electric trolley pays off

An electric trolley makes more sense the more you play and the more the course climbs. Lullingstone Park's Championship Course runs over rolling parkland in the Darent Valley, and four hours of pushing a full bag up and down it is real work. The case is strongest for:

• weekly or more frequent golfers, where the cost per round drops quickly;
• players with back, shoulder, knee or hip problems;
• older golfers who want to keep walking rather than switch to a buggy;
• anyone who notices their game falling away over the last few holes.

Electric trolley features that matter

Lithium battery. Almost every current electric trolley uses a lithium battery that clips on and off. Standard batteries are sold for 18 holes and extended ones for 36; hilly courses, wet ground and cold weather reduce that.

Downhill control (DHC). An electronic brake that stops the trolley running away down slopes. Motocaddy sells several models with and without it, and on a hilly course it is worth the extra, typically £50 on its list prices.

Adjustable distance control. Sends the trolley ahead a set distance and then stops it, so you can walk to the ball while it waits further on.

Remote control. On the dearer models, a handheld remote lets you steer the trolley without touching it. Useful, but most golfers manage well with the handle controls.

GPS screens. Some trolleys have a built-in GPS showing distances to the green. If you already use a watch or rangefinder, you do not need it; see our golf GPS vs rangefinder comparison.

Fold and weight. Check the folded size against your car boot and whether you can lift the frame in and out comfortably. The battery comes off separately.

Batteries: looking after them, and flying

• Charge after every round, using the charger supplied.
• Over winter, store the battery indoors, not in a cold garage, and top it up every month or so if you are not playing.
• Check the warranty terms before you buy: the trolley and the battery are often covered for different periods.

Flying is the catch. Airlines apply IATA rules to lithium batteries: those over 100Wh need the airline's approval and those over 160Wh are banned on passenger aircraft. Check the watt-hour figure printed on the battery. If it is too big, take a push trolley abroad or hire one at the course; our golf travel bags page covers the rest of the packing.

Winter and wet weather

Trolleys put far less weight on the turf than ride-on buggies, so courses usually keep them running long after buggies are taken off. In very wet spells some clubs ask for winter wheels with wide, smooth tyres, or ban trolleys from certain areas such as aprons and the approaches to greens. Keep to paths where they exist and walk the trolley around, not across, the edges of greens and tees. Our pages on winter golf rules and course conditions through the seasons explain what changes at Lullingstone Park.

Try one first

If you are unsure, hire before you buy. Lullingstone Park hires both push and electric trolleys; reserve one when you book by calling the pro shop on 01959 533793. Our page on buggy and trolley hire explains how it works, and the green fees and tee booking guide covers the cost of a round. Plan the rest of your visit from the Lullingstone Park Golf homepage.

Sources: Motocaddy UK electric and push trolley ranges and prices (checked 14 October 2026); IATA lithium battery guidance. Prices change and retailers discount regularly.