I have always looked in awe at the “push cart mafia” fivesome, sprinting down the fairway and finishing 18 holes in under three and a half hours. I’ve always attributed a lot of their speed and smiles to their use of push carts – which, in my 45 years, I had never once used. Now that I’ve played over 15 rounds with my Bag Boy Nitron 3-wheel push cart, I’ve formally submitted my application to join the push cart mafia.
Dan Peterson
Dan Peterson is a golf-loving nut who is forever grateful to his grandpa for getting him introduced to the game. He regularly loses to his 16-year-old son at North Hills Country Club and gives back to the game by serving as Board President for the First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin.
First Impressions
The first thing that strikes you about the Nitron is how compact it is. When the box arrived at my house, I was surprised by how small it was. I thought, there’s no way a full-size push cart fits in this box. I was wrong. Setting it up was incredibly simple – putting on the wheels and getting it ready to go took less than five minutes in the parking lot at The Oaks Golf Course.
The Nitron has a Transformer-like quality to it, opening automatically with the push of a handle. I got the red and blue version, so naturally, I named mine Optimus Prime. Bag Boy offers 11 standard color schemes, and you can even create a custom look through their website.
The Nitron feels very light to me. It breaks down in seconds, is easy to lift into the car and doesn’t take up much space. I have a Honda Pilot, which has plenty of cargo room, but I wouldn’t foresee any issue fitting the Nitron and a couple of sets of clubs into a standard sedan’s trunk.
Design, Portability & Performance
Operating the push cart is equally simple. First, you secure your bag into the Nitron using Top-Lok® technology – my TaylorMade bag locked right in. Then you strap it down for extra security. When I say it’s secure, I mean it – your bag is protected like Fort Knox.
Next, you adjust the handle height to suit your stance. I missed this step in my first round and ended up with a weird pinch in my shoulder blades. Once I adjusted the height, that discomfort went away. The hand brake works great, too – pull the lever out to lock it, push it back in to release.
I didn’t officially time my rounds using the Nitron, but I’m confident I saved at least 10 minutes per round. A big reason? The built-in rangefinder magnet, which grips like a vice. Not having to dig into my bag’s rangefinder pocket 35+ times per round is a serious time saver. Having extra balls and tees readily accessible also sped things up. It was surprisingly freeing not having to fumble around in my pockets for tees.
One feature that really surprised me was the cell phone holder. It held my phone securely in place for the entire round, making it easy to check GPS, skip songs or respond to a quick email. You’ll be so seamlessly checked in on email your boss won’t even know you snuck in an emergency nine.
The drink holder is another nice touch. It’s convenient for keeping your beverage of choice close at hand, and honestly, it reminded me to stay hydrated – I’d jot down my score and immediately take a sip of water.
Another big advantage of using a push cart? You conserve energy. Rather than constantly strapping and unstrapping a carry bag and hunching over, you simply push. I get back flare-ups a few times a year, and I’m convinced this will help me stay healthier on the course.
Add-Ons & Limitations
There are several optional add-ons for the Bag Boy Nitron. It comes with an umbrella holder (which I haven’t had to use yet, fortunately). You can also add a seat attachment, and Bag Boy sells a fan that clips onto the cart – I definitely would have appreciated that during some of the 90-degree days we’ve had this season in Milwaukee.
If there’s a downside to the Nitron, it’s only when navigating very hilly terrain. One course I played has stairs leading out of a low spot, and carrying the cart up that hill wasn’t easy – and I’m in decent shape. On steep climbs, it takes a little extra effort. I’d imagine that’s common of most, if not all, push carts.
Final Verdict
While my application to the push cart mafia is still pending, I’ll be rolling with the Nitron in the meantime. It’s made walking the course more enjoyable, more efficient and a lot more fun.
Join the Push Cart Mafia with your own Bag Boy Nitron – shop their website!
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