By Jeffrey A. Rendall, Images from Clicgear

If you want perspective on how “easy” we have it in today’s golf universe, look at pictures of players from the (long) old days. Not only are the men formally dressed for the outdoor event -- with shirt, ties and sometimes coats -- it’s evident there was a lot more, for lack of a better way to put it, “exercise” involved with the game.

Sure, in many instances those overdressed gentlemen and ladies had caddies to tote their clubs, but they still hoofed it every inch of the golf course.

Not so in the twenty-first century. Pass by any course or club -- and chances are you’ll first notice a line of motorized golf carts awaiting their daily assignments. It’s almost as though electric and gasoline powered carts have inserted themselves into the game itself, just like those checkered knickered pants and long dressesfrom yesteryear.

Most golfers who’ve played since childhood grew up walking golf courses. Most who continued playing got used to taking powered golf carts once they came of age. And many of us are looking to go “retro” by returning to a walk-first mentality. If you’re like me you can’t wait to set foot on a course -- and don’t always want to leave the fairways to jump in a self-propelled cart headed for a paved path.

Luckily there’s Clicgear U.S.A, which allows for an easy stroll on the links. “We definitely see walking is making a comeback,” remarked Todd Hansen, National Sales Manager for The ProActive Sports Group. “Many clubs who maybe would prefer players use carts or a caddie, are getting pressure from the members to let them walk and push carts. We all know golf is better when you walk. Push carts make it easier to walk and they take much of the strain off your body. We have sold more carts every year vs the previous year. 13 years straight. This tells me there are more people interested in walking.”

That’s no joke. (Somewhat) gone are the days with mandatory (motorized cart) restrictions -- at least at most clubs. Some of the courses built in more recent times have long distances between greens and the next tee, designed for riders with big cart bags. Not so of older designs. These days if you can manage it, many health-conscious duffers are choosing to stay in touch with the earth.

According to Hansen, Clicgear USA is the exclusive distributor for all Clicgear and Rovic products in the USA and Mexico. “We did not start the company and we don’t make the carts,” he expounded.

“Clicgear was established in 2006 when the inventor came up with a better way to collapse a cart.  We connected with the inventor when they were looking for a distributor to bring the product into the USA market. We had been in business for over 20 years and had a strong reputation of offering high-quality products and offering great service. This was a good fit for Clicgear. We have focused much of our energy over the past 13 years to build the Clicgear brand.”

Yes indeed, the cart’s collapse-ability is the feature that first drew our attention. Not being overly familiar with push carts I can’t say whether other brands break-down the way Clicgear does, but if you’re looking for something that will fit nicely in your car’s trunk -- or even the backseat -- Clicgear’s the one for you. It’s amazing how little storage room the cart occupies when folded.

We chose the company’s best-selling cart, the Model 3.5+, which has three wheels. It looks a lot different than the basic two-wheel pull carts of old that you’d rent at the course for a buck. If the newer carts appear different it’s because they are different -- and better. “Push carts have evolved considerably over the past 15-20 years,” Hansen elaborated.

“Originally they were pull carts, now they are predominately push carts. Clicgear did not invent push carts and they were not even the first push carts available. As Clicgear likes to say, ‘We made push carts cool’. Before Clicgear push carts were big and bulky and they did not fold to a convenient size for easy transportation to and from the course. Clicgear’s original design from 2006 was the smallest cart available when folded. Others have followed, but Clicgear is the original and also known as the most durable cart on the market.”

Having only had the cart a short while I can’t speak to its durability. The cart certainly appears to be solid and sturdy and can most likely take a beating over the course of many, many rounds. We intend to treat ours well so hopefully things will work out.

Hansen said construction materials have evolved too. “Carts have definitely benefitted from material technology. We are using aircraft grade aluminum tubing for maximum durability while keeping the cart light. Other things like nylon reinforced plastic vs regular plastic or silicon instead of nylon are additional material improvements. If you look at how a Clicgear cart folds and unfolds, you can clearly see significant engineering went into the product when it was developed.”

Definitely. It’s funny that Hansen mentioned aircraft because when the cart folds up it reminded me a little of a plane retracting its landing gear after takeoff. Somebody smart must’ve worked a long time on this cart…it’s like one of those Mars rovers developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Only it’s designed for terrestrial exploration of the golf variety. And just like those spaceships were meant to endure strain over a long period of time, so are Clicgear’s carts. “The warranty on all Clicgear and Rovic carts is 3 years on the frame and 1 year on all parts,” Hansen said.

“We get calls all the time from consumers who still have the original first generation Clicgear cart (Model 1.0). That was 13 years ago. I would say a cart should last a minimum of 5-7 years if properly maintained. The thing about Clicgear is every part is replaceable and easy to install.  There is no reason to buy a new cart unless you want to upgrade because of new technology or you want to change color.”

The carts do come in a wide selection of colors, but it’s hard to imagine wanting a new cart for color alone. The only reason someone might want to change is for a lighter (in terms of pounds) model… but even then… “Weight is important, but primarily at the point of sale.  Consumers don’t want to pick up a heavy cart.

“Weight can often times equal more durability (not necessarily stability).  Stability is determined by the balance of the cart.  The balance is determined by how wide the wheel base is and how far the distance is between the front wheels and back wheels. Clicgear outperforms our competitors on stability because we have a wide back wheel base and the front wheel(s) create a solid overall base.”

Golf courses in my home region are very undulated and it’s always a concern that a push cart could tip over when changing terrain. Again, it’s a relatively small sample of personal observations, but the Clicgear 3.5+ never seemed to be in danger. Chances are YOU will tip over before the cart does.

And how long it lasts is really up to you. Again, Hansen continued, “Durability is ultimately what the consumer remembers about your product. How long did this product last? We are proud that Clicgear is the most durable cart available. Due to some of the things I mentioned earlier (aircraft grade aluminum tubing and nylon reinforced plastic), our cart is very durable.

“Clicgear carts use an aluminum tube where our competitors use a piece of wire (wheel struts for example), which further enhances the durability. Like most tires today,Clicgear uses airless tires. Clicgear also uses a combination of rubber and EVA foam as the tire blend. The rubber provides more durability vs a solid foam tire. Another key difference making Clicgear durable.”

There’s more. “Our cart is slightly heavier that most competitors, but it’s things like more tubing and rubber tires that adds the weight. We have found that the average consumer is willing to push a slightly heavier cart when they know it will last longer. Plus, how much are you going to notice 1-2 pounds when you are pushing? The only time you notice the extra weight is when you take the cart out of your car and put it back in the car.”

For the average man, you won’t even experience a difference then. Personally, I’d rather deal with the extra couple pounds and be assured the thing won’t break if you breathe on it funny.

Clicgear also offers over 30 accessories for its push carts. We chose the cooler bag for extra refreshments on blazing hot Virginia days, a shoe brush to regularly clean the soft spikes, a wheel cover to keep storage environments clean and a handy-dandy cup holder for expediency. All conveniently attach to the cart and add to your golfing experience.

Needless to say, there are also quite a few Clicgear models to choose from. Our initial intention was to go with the four-wheeled 8.0 model, but the knowledgeable sales staff recommended the Model 3.5+ plus for the type of bag I most often use. It’s worked out fine and I’m looking forward to years of use -- and exercise.

How to choose a model? Hansen shared his thoughts on the subject. “What features are important to me? For example, is compact size important to me? If I drive a large pick-up maybe size is no factor? Is on-cart storage important to me? If so, our large console and large storage net will likely be appealing. Do I want my brake to engage with a hand lever or foot? Do I like a rear wheel brake or a front wheel brake? Our front wheel hand brake is very popular. How much do I want to spend and how long do I want my cart to last?

“Clicgear has never been the least expensive cart available, but we have become #1 because the consumer understands the price vs durability. If they want a cart to last many years, they normally are OK spending a little more.”

No doubt. As with all purchases, it’s a cost/benefit analysis. Clicgear delivers value for the money. I can honestly say I’ve never heard a negative comment about the company. What’s not to like?

Just be thankful you don’t have to wear a suit to play golf anymore. And thanks to Clicgear, walking is easier now too!