Why I bought a Delta Ten Disc Golf Cart…

My two addictions in this world are disc golf and photography. As my love of disc golf has grown, I’ve accumulated many discs, bags, and other equipment. As my love for photography has grown, I’ve done the same thing with cameras, lenses, filters, and other gear. My photo habit has grown far beyond whipping out my iPhone to snap a pic every now and then.

That means that when I hit the course, I not only need a good way to carry my discs, I also need a place to safely carry my camera, lens, tripod, and other various equipment. Sometimes I feel like I’m packing for a small vacation just to go play a round of disc golf.

When I bought the Ridge Roller, it was a little tough for me to swallow the $400 price tag. But, as I wrote about here, getting a cart ended up being more than worth the money. And yet here I was looking at spending another $400… On something I already owned! That was a really tough pill to swallow. Convincing myself it was a good idea took a while and I almost didn’t do it. But after missing a bunch of really great picture opportunities because I didn’t have my camera with me, I decided that a Delta Ten was in my future.

If I hadn’t had the need for extra storage, I most likely would not have been looking at new cart options. I played most of this year with a Ridge Roller (see our review here) and was very happy. Sometimes life works in funny ways. What you do for one reason, you end up liking for a host of others. And that’s what happened when I decided to order a Delta Ten disc golf cart from Delta Disc Golf. From the moment I unboxed it I was in love.

As good as the All Terrain Disc Golf Cart (Ridge Roller) is, the Delta is a step better in almost every respect. I want to be very clear, though. At this time, the ZÜCA version of the Ridge Roller (available here) runs about $100 less than the Delta Ten. If $399 ($429 if you get it wrapped) is a bit too steep, don’t hesitate to look at the ZÜCA cart. This isn’t a good vs. bad comparison. It’s a really good vs. better comparison. In my opinion, however, if money isn’t an issue the Delta is the clear choice.

There are a few things the ZÜCA does better/differently and I’ll highlight those as we go through this review. When deciding which one is right for you, make sure you are keeping your own personal needs in mind as they are most likely different from mine. And with that, let’s get right to a visual tour of the Delta Ten Disc Golf Cart by Delta Disc Golf.

Visual Tour…

The build quality is amazing. This thing is a tank. Everything is held together with rivets or welds. Solid is an understatement. The material portions are heavy duty and the zippers are solid. The handle is secure. All it takes is a minute or two of looking this cart over in person and you are immediately impressed with the quality and engineering.

One thing I love is that this cart is built from the ground up for disc golf. Every feature is well thought out and has your disc golf experience in mind. You can tell that the designers not only play a lot of disc golf, but that they played a lot with this cart as they were developing it. There are so many little touches that come in handy. I truly appreciate the thought that went into building it.

The handle is comfortable and the pole it attaches to is adjustable. You can set the handle at a good height regardless of how tall you are. It also removes easily for transport and/or storage. I wouldn’t mind if the handle was a bit bigger around, but I’m 6’6″ with giant hands so that’s probably just a personal thing.

Pro tip:  When you are going through rough terrain, push the cart instead of pulling it.

One of the first things you’ll notice is the chest style disc storage. It’s super easy to get to your discs when accessing them from the top like this.

With the lid closed, this is a great seat. It’s also one of the few things I miss about the Ridge Roller. The Ridge Roller seat is about twice as high as the Delta. As a tall guy, it’s much more comfortable for me to sit on the Ridge Roller.

That said, this still works great and I have no real complaints. It’s also padded so you don’t need to buy an additional accessory to pad the seat like you do with the ZÜCA cart.

The top is held securely closed with two very well made tabs that have velcro on them.

When you flip the lid open, those same two velcro tabs flip around and hold the lid open. This keeps it from flopping around . On the inside of the lid, there is a putter pouch, mini pocket and another slot that fits a phone, scorecard, etc. I’ve become a huge fan of the UDisc app, so this is usually where my phone sits. It is secure and I have no worries at all about it falling out. I do wish the putter pocket held two putters, but that’s just me being picky.

Disc storage is ample. In the main compartment, you can easily fit 20-24 discs. The cart does come with 2 handy dividers.

Here you can see one of the main reasons I bought this cart. On one side of the divider is 15 discs (more than enough for me). On the other my camera sits safe and secure. The bottom and back of the main compartment are padded, so this is the absolute perfect way to carry my Sony camera. Even with my rather large 24-240mm all purpose lens attached, it fits very nicely. Unless I’m playing a quick round with my NutSac, I always have my camera with me now!

On either side of the main compartment, you’ll see another one of my favorite features, handles. On some spots on many courses, you need to pick up the cart and carry it. Up and down stairs, over creeks, in rough and hilly terrain. With a well placed handle on either side of the main compartment, the Delta is a snap to pick up and carry.

Under the main compartment is a zippered storage area. This is where the rain fly is stored. I can also fit a rain coat or sweatshirt in here. If the main compartment doesn’t have enough disc storage for you, this lower storage area can fit a bunch more discs.

Here is the rain fly attached. When cinched tight (unlike I have it pictured here) it does a nice job of keeping the rain out. It looks cool too. You’ll notice the Delta logos on the fly and the lower compartment door. There are little touches like this throughout the cart that I really love. It’s a reflection of the thought put into its design. No detail has been overlooked. And as for the rain fly, it does keep rain out of the open sides and front. If the lid is closed, your disc will stay mostly dry. Keep some towels in that lower storage and you are set for a wet day. Oh, and the rain fly comes with, it is not an extra purchase like it is with the Ridge Roller.

Behind the main compartment are two more storage areas. The Delta really shines when it comes to storage for things other than discs.

This compartment unzips to reveal safe storage for wallet, keys, phone, bag tags, and a bunch of other stuff. There’s quite a bit of room in here and when zippered, all is well protected. The compartment itself if padded and removes easily.

This compartment is intended for beverages. It is padded and insulated and does an ok job at keeping drinks cold. You can actually fit 6 cans in here! You can also fit 3 20 oz bottles. You all know by now I’m  carrying a Hydro Flask out on the course. My 32oz Hydro Flasks don’t fit in here, so I’ve had to change over to these smaller Hydro Flasks instead. I can fit two of them in here with room left over.

You can remove both compartments from the cart giving you a wider additional storage compartment that can hold discs, clothes, or other gear of your choice.

When I first saw these fenders, I wasn’t so sure they were needed. Turns out they are. They not only keep water and mud from spraying up everywhere, but they also keep any loose clothing from laying on the dirty tires if you are using the cart as a seat.

The wheels are the same wheels you find on the Ridge Roller. They have the same issue. You will get a flat.

***UPDATE:  In June of 2017, I ordered these solid 12″ wheels for my cart. They are a direct replacement for the stock wheels on either your ZUCA or Delta (for the Delta, they are a bit of a tight fit, but still work great). The solid rubber wheels eliminate the need to modify the standard air filled tires. Another huge benefit is that they are not bouncy like air filled tires. This ends up making your cart more stable. For a minimal cost, it’s a huge upgrade to your cart that you’ll be glad you made!!!

Pro tip:  Replace the inner tube with a solid core. You can do this with pool noodles.

Pro tip:  If you choose to keep these inflated with air, deflate them and then refill with fix a flat.

Pro tip:  Do not keep the tires fully inflated. They will bounce off of the smallest bump and cause the cart to tip. Instead remove just a bit of air for a smoother ride.

Pro tip:  Carry a small pump. Get one with a small head. The head has to fit inside the opening in the wheel which is tight.

One thing you’ll notice is that these are not quick release wheels like the Ridge Roller has. That’s because that is not needed. To put the ZÜCA cart into most cars or trunks, the wheels need to be taken off and it needs to be laid down. Not so with the Delta. Just remove the main handle and grab the side handles to lift it in. It is low enough that it fits comfortably in most cars and trunks.

The clearance is a little lower than the Ridge Roller when upright. The bottom case has 4 layers of protection, the ballistic nylon which is the waterproof layer, then a layer of foam which is the same foam as in the cooler so it can be used as one as well, then a protection layer of 1/8th inch plastic shield which you can feel from the inside and then one more layer of 1000 weave denier fabric. This should keep anything stored down here safe and dry.

There are also a couple accessories available. An umbrella holder and single drink holder are both available on the Delta site. They also just released a holder that can accommodate my 32oz Hydro Flask!

Don’t like black? First, what’s wrong with you? Second, check out all the incredibly cool colors and designs you can get this cart in! There is sure to be a color or pattern that works for you. I’ve got my eye on either a glow or carbon fiber wrap if I ever want to change things up. You can buy the cart pre-wrapped or you can buy wraps separately as your mood and preferences change.

Conclusion…

Let me start by restating that I’m thrilled to be playing with any cart. Whether you make one from an old stroller, buy the ZÜCA/Ridge Roller, or go for the Cadillac in the Delta Ten, you really will be happy you have one once you start using it.

With that said, I couldn’t be happier with the Delta cart. Everywhere I take it people stop me and have nothing but positive things to say. It’s improved both my disc golf and photography life. I can’t wait for this season to ramp up as I’ve got lots of traveling to new courses planned. I’m looking forward to taking the Delta on many an adventure this year. Make sure you are following here and on Instagram to see the pictures that come as a result!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The post Delta Ten Disc Golf Cart Review appeared first on Mind Body Disc - Disc Golf Blog.

ZÜCA All Terrain Cart / Ridge Roller Background…

If you read the article I posted last week, you know I’m a huge fan of using a cart when playing disc golf. Outside of quick rounds played with my NutSac, I use a cart almost every time.

Before I bought my first one, I did a lot of research. I really didn’t want to spend the money to be very honest. $400 is a lot of money to spend on something to carry your discs. Especially when you already own a few different bags! Do you know how many discs you can buy with $400?

(Currently priced at just over $300, see below for pricing details)

Because of that, my first thought was to go home made. There are plenty of you out there with converted strollers and ball golf carts. You prove that one doesn’t need to spend a ton of money to get wheels under their plastic. If you do a little poking around on line, you’ll find hundreds of different custom made disc golf carts.

That said, I’m lazy. I’m also not super handy. Another factor is that those strollers and ball golf carts work great on park style courses.  They can be a significant headache when it comes to wooded and rugged courses that have elevation. They can also be large and unwieldy. For those and several other reasons, I began to explore the world of purpose built disc golf carts. Once I owned one, I was immediately glad I hadn’t built my own.

During my initial research this year, I found a clear front runner in the world of disc golf carts. There was a guy on line taking metal framed rolling luggage/cases and customizing them for disc golf. I wasn’t sure about a cart made in a home workshop. My hesitations were put to rest during a tournament I played in this spring in Wisconsin. At that tournament there were no less than 15 of these carts being used by players. I went home that night and ordered one.

The cart I’m talking about is the Ridge Roller. These were originally made for play at the Rollin’ Ridge disc golf course (currently ranked the #3 course in the country by DGCR). It soon gained viral popularity on line. A Facebook page and website soon followed. It’s fun to look at the growth of this brand. What started as a project in a home workshop has turned into a professionally manufactured product.

Just a few months ago, the creator of the Ridge Roller partnered with the maker of the rolling cases (ZÜCA). This resulted in the birth of the production version of the Ridge Roller disc golf cart. It’s available on the Ridge Roller site as well as the ZÜCA site (as the ZÜCA all terrain disc golf cart).

***At the time this post is being published, there is a considerable price difference between the ZÜCA site and the Ridge Roller site. Make sure and check both before buying. Right now, the ZÜCA site is about $100 less than the Ridge Roller site.

This partnership meant a big upgrade to the Ridge Roller. As I write this, I’m looking at the original Ridge Roller I bought. Right next to it is a brand new ZÜCA made cart that they sent me for this review. The differences are notable and they mark a huge improvement on what was already a great cart. For the purposes of this review, I’ll be referring to the current production model.

Build Quality…

We play disc golf on a lot of varied terrain. It can range from flat and mowed park courses to forested courses with treacherous elevation. Nothing else matters if the cart isn’t well made. This is also where the purpose built carts shine over the home made carts. I’ve pushed and pulled my Ridge Roller through some rough courses (Squaw Creek, Lemon Lake Gold and Silver, and Highland Park to name a few). I was immediately happy I didn’t have a stroller or converted ball golf cart.

The ZÜCA / Ridge Roller is very well made. It took on ruts, roots, gravel, and hills just fine. There are a couple of issues with any cart on uneven terrain, but we’ll address that in a bit. As far as the ruggedness of the cart, it holds up nicely.

The frame is solid. Solid enough that the built in seat can support up to 300 pounds. The axel is just as solid. You would have to run this thing over with a car to bend or damage any of the metal construction.

The handle is thick and beefy and attaches securely. When tightened, it won’t move or bend. It also collapses for transport.

There are a couple things that could be better when it comes to durability. The most notable of those is the tires. The wheels themselves are fantastic. If the tires were filled with something solid instead of air, I’d have no complaints. Unfortunately, they are air filled. I’ve had 4 flats this year. While the cart can still get the rest of the way around a course on a flat, it’s not ideal. Each flat was fixed with that fix a flat stuff you spray into the tire.

***UPDATE:  In June of 2017, I ordered these solid 12″ wheels for my cart. They are a direct replacement for the stock wheels on either your ZUCA or Delta (for the Delta, they are a bit of a tight fit, but still work great). The solid rubber wheels eliminate the need to modify the standard air filled tires. Another huge benefit is that they are not bouncy like air filled tires. This ends up making your cart more stable. For a minimal cost, it’s a huge upgrade to your cart that you’ll be glad you made!!!

Pro tip:  Be prepared for flat tires.

This winter, I’m going to modify the tires on my cart. I ran into a couple of guys who were tired of fixing flats so they took pool noodles, cut them down, and made solid inner tubes. Works like a charm and no more worry about flats.

If you decide to stick with air in the tires, I’d say to buy a can of fix a flat (use the bicycle version) and keep it on hand. I’d also say to take just a bit of air out of the tires before using the cart. On fully inflated tires, bumps and roots tend to bounce the cart around too much. This causes the cart to tip and all your discs fall out. Softening up the tires a bit helps to absorb some of those shocks and bumps.

Pro tip:  When you are going through rough terrain, push the cart instead of pulling it. It does get off balance pretty easily. Since the discs go in the open front of the cart, you will end up picking up all your discs off the ground if it tips. By pushing the cart, you virtually eliminate the problem of it tipping over.

Capacity…

As I mentioned in a previous article, carrying capacity is one of the major benefits of using a cart. There is plenty of room for discs and other stuff.

The ZÜCA / Ridge Roller has 2 levels of internal storage that can hold 25-30 discs depending on your ratio of drivers to mids to putters. That’s both a blessing and a curse. Within a month of getting the cart, I was carrying 30 plus discs. More than twice what I was playing with before the cart. For me, that hurt my game. What I ended up doing was using the upper rack for discs and the lower rack for towels, hoody, rain coat, etc. By not putting discs in the bottom section, the ZÜCA / Ridge Roller has a tremendous amount of non disc storage inside.

The storage is great for large soft things like clothes and towels. It does not work well for smaller or harder objects like beverages or camera equipment. When using the cart, the entire front of the cart is open with nothing to hold the items inside. Someone could probably make a simple device to turn the bottom level of disc storage into a safer place to store other things. Like I said before, I’m lazy and not handy. I’d rather there was just more secure storage already built in. As a note, discs are held in place fairly securely. They will fall out if the cart completely tips, but are otherwise safe.

Outside of the main compartment, the Zuca is a little lacking in storage. It has several pockets on the sides. There is no padded compartment for keys, wallet, phone, valuables, etc. I used a small padded zippered case to hold that stuff and put it in the bottom behind the towels.

There is also a kind of pouch (see pics below) that attaches to the pole. It has a couple of velcro close sections that could be used to hold your valuables. For me, this is the biggest opportunity area of the ZÜCA / Ridge Roller cart. Key, wallet, and phone should all have a safe place built in. They don’t. There are a few places to stash those things (an inside side pocket being the most obvious), but none that seem like they are meant for that purpose. There is no padded, lined, or otherwise optimized storage of those items.

One of the best storage features of the Zuca Disc Golf cart is the dual cup holders. Securely bolted to the back are two drink holders that will both hold 32 oz Hydro Flasks. On bumpy terrain, there is a chance of the hydro flask coming out of the holder (because they are heavy). They fit, but are definitely just a tad larger than what the holder is meant for.

Pro tip:  If you are going to carry a single Hydro Flask, keep it on the side opposite of where you walk when pulling the cart. This will prevent you from accidentally kicking the drink with your heel as you walk. This will be more important for those of you with longer legs like me.

Visual Tour:

Visual Tour

Since a picture is worth a bunch of words (and I’ve typed too many words already), let’s take a visual tour of the Ridge Roller to finish off the review.

The handle is thick and angled comfortably. It fits well in the hand.

The handle is adjustable to a number of heights. Regardless of how tall you are, you can get it set perfectly for you.

The handle retracts into the base. This makes it easier to transport.

Pro tip:  When using the cart on rough terrain, push it instead of pulling it. The cart tips pretty easily when pulled over bumps, rocks, and roots. You can virtually eliminate this possibility by pushing it. I hear a lot of golfers say they won’t use a cart on some rougher courses. This little trick can fix most of that problem.

Because of it’s lack of storage pockets, it comes with this pouch. It’s not the best way to carry your keys, wallet, and phone, but it’s far better than the options on the cart itself.

The top of the cart is designed to be a seat. It is rated to hold up to 300 lbs.

Pro tip:  Get the optional seat cover. This provides a bit of padding and makes it a lot more comfortable.

There is also a handle in the top of the seat. This is nice when you have to pick the cart up to carry it over terrain it won’t roll over (stairs, stream crossings, big rocks, etc.).

Pro tip:  The cart can be awkward and unwieldy to carry by this handle. If you pick it up here, place your other hand on the top handle. Use that to lever the cart into a more balanced position that isn’t banging in to you. No matter what you do, the Ridge Roller is awkward to carry and can be tough to lug up and down stairs and steep inclines. It’s nice that it has a handle, but picking it up is a pain. I’d rather see two handles, one on either side, for a safer and more balanced carrying option.

The bag itself is made of durable material.

Pro tip:  While the material is durable, it will not stand up to large thorns and other similar hazards. Try to keep it clear of these things or the material will rip.

One very cool thing is the assortment of colors you can get the cart in. If you, like many other disc golfers, like to stand out as unique, it looks like the Ridge Roller site will have a frame and bag in a color combo you’ll love.

This side has a slim outer pocket. It also has what appears to be a nice sized zippered pocket. Appearances can be deceiving….

It zips open to a big open hole to the side of the disc frame. There is another slim pocket inside which might be an OK place for phone and wallet. It would be smushed up against the hard side of the rack, but it would at least be out of the elements.

The other side has two pockets. A thin one with a zipper. This will hold one, maybe two discs.

And an elastic pocket that will hold about 5 discs if you really cram them in. I was also able to fit a towel, rain coat, or a thin hoody in this pocket.

The front flap tucks away into a mesh pocket during play.

The internal frame seems well made and comes with one divider on the top level.

Internal disc storage of 25-30 discs is possible. I’m not a huge fan of the front facing disc storage. I’d rather see it face upwards so things are more secure. Upward facing storage would also make accessing the discs a bit easier. Overall, the discs go in and out pretty easily while still being secure. If the cart tips, they are all coming out. Make sure the cart doesn’t tip.

Pro tip:  If you need more storage, carry less discs and use the lower disc area to carry towels, clothes, ets. It does not carry small items or camera equipment well. Make sure whatever you put in here is secure or it will fall out of the front of the cart.

The raised front matches the axle height. That allows clearance over most roots, rocks, and other obstructions. It also allows the cart to sit in a good bit of water without getting the contents wet.

The quick release wheels and axel are nice since the cart will not fit in most cars standing up. Removing the wheels is a space saver. I did have issues getting the right amount of tightness on them. Too loose and the ends fell off. Too tight and the wheels don’t spin freely.

Pro tip:  When tightening the wheels, make it snug but not too tight.

Pro tip: If you stand it up (only possible in jeeps, vans, SUVs, etc.) in your vehicle for transport, secure it somehow. Otherwise it will roll around and tip over as you drive.

Pro tip:  Replace the inner tube with a solid core. You can do this with pool noodles.

Pro tip:  If you choose to keep these inflated with air, deflate them and then refill with fix a flat.

Pro tip:  Do not keep the tires fully inflated. They will bounce off of the smallest bump and cause the cart to tip. Instead remove just a bit of air for a smoother ride.

Pro tip:  Carry a small pump. Get one with a small head. The head has to fit inside the opening in the wheel which is tight.

The drink holders are great and WILL hold a 32 oz. Hydro Flask.

Pro tip:  Store a single drink on the opposite side that you walk on to prevent your heel from kicking the drink out of the  holder while walking. If storing two, be careful not to do this.

Conclusion…

I played most of the 2015 season with a ZÜCA all terrain disc golf cart / Ridge Roller. Not once did I ever second guess spending the money. It was definitely a worthwhile purchase and I’m happy I had it.

That said, it is still an early generation product. There are several things I do wish were better (storage for things other than discs being the biggest one). I would bet that over time, this cart will see several revisions that will make it better and better each successive time it is updated. The first of those revisions has happened recently. The upgrades present on the ZÜCA made cart are a big improvement over the cart that not too long ago was sold only on a FaceBook page.

If you talk to owners of the Ridge Roller, they are all happy with their cart. If you are in the market, it is a worthwhile choice.

As our regular readers know, Mind Body Disc is about honesty and transparency in all the reviews we publish. Because of that, I feel compelled to let you all know that I no longer personally use the Ridge Roller cart. I have switched to the Delta Ten (review coming soon). The Delta is about $100 more than the ZÜCA all terrain disc golf cart, but I needed two things the Ridge Roller just didn’t offer.

One was secure storage for my camera. I carry a very expensive camera and lens on many rounds and there just wasn’t anywhere to safely carry it on the ZÜCA / Ridge Roller. In fairness to the Ridge Roller, it was designed as a disc golf cart and it does a tremendously good job of doing that. If you don’t have several thousand dollars in camera gear to carry along with your discs, this should not dissuade you from purchasing the ZÜCA all terrain disc golf cart.

Two was upward facing disc storage. If you’ve followed my blog for any length of time, you know about my back problems. Having to bend down to look inside the front of the cart to see my discs just wasn’t working for me. This is another specific gripe that only a few of you will ever relate to. That and I haven’y had all my discs fall out of the Delta Ten once. It happened several time with the ZÜCA.

I want to be clear that if I didn’t have the above two concerns, I would still be using my ZÜCA all terrain disc golf cart today. I would not have even considered spending another $400 on a different cart. And I will say that the Delta is not perfect either. It’s just the better option for me at this time.

[tweetthis]Check out the ZÜCA all terrain #discgolf cart![/tweetthis]

I would encourage you to give the ZÜCA all terrain cart serious consideration for your disc golf cart dollars. I believe that of all the carts currently available, it represents the best value for your money. It is a great piece of equipment and I enjoyed playing the 2015 disc golf season with it at my side.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The post ZÜCA All Terrain Disc Golf Cart (Ridge Roller) Review | Mind Body Disc appeared first on Mind Body Disc - Disc Golf Blog.

Before this year, if I saw you with your discs in some kind of cart, my response would have been, “So how’s it feel to admit you are old and feeble?”. All in good fun, of course, but deep down I thought carts were only for the weak and lazy. I figured if I couldn’t muster the strength to carry around a back pack with 10-20 frisbees in it, I was in big trouble. Besides, there was no way I was going to spend a significant amount of hard earned money on a cart when I already owned 6 different bags.

My how things can change in the space of a year. In 2015 I had a change of heart in regards to disc golf carts. So much so that…

I admitted that I was old and feeble.
I spent my hard earned money on not one, but two of them.

I’m still just kidding with the old and feeble thing. That’s not why you buy a disc golf cart. You buy a disc golf cart because you are old and wise. You could even be young and wise. Really wise is the key word here. We’ve all heard the saying, “smarter, not harder”, right?

A Very Brief History…

Disc golf carts have been around for a while. It started with converted strollers and ball golf carts. Then Gotta Go Gotta Throw, a disc golf store out of Minnesota, developed the “Go Cart”. The Go Cart is basically a chair on wheels inside of which you could put your bag. It wasn’t until recently that companies have started making disc golf specific carts. Ones that do more than just add wheels to your regular bag.

In the end, all it takes is playing a round or two with a cart to see the light. As more and more players try them out, more and more players buy them. It used to be that you would only see the occasional person with a modified stroller or ball golf push cart. Now it seems like at least half the people I see playing in tournaments are using purpose built disc golf carts. You can count me among them.

A good number of those carts are home made, but there is an ever growing number produced specifically for disc golf. Part of this shift is due to the durability and mobility (or lack thereof) of converted strollers and such. Part of it is that there are now at least two very good options built specifically for our sport.

In the next couple of weeks, we’ll be posting reviews on each of those carts. The Ridge Roller from Zuca and the Delta Ten by Delta Disc Golf. Those two are the obvious choices in the market for purpose built disc golf carts.

Click here for an in depth review of the ZÜCA all terrain disc golf cart – aka the Ridge Roller.

If you are in the market for a cart, we hope these reviews prove useful.

If you aren’t in the market, here’s a few reasons you should be…

5 Reasons to Use a Disc Golf Cart…

1.You’ll play better disc golf. Let’s say that you normally throw par. On average, that’s a 54 on the score card. That means that in one round, you have picked up and set down your bag at least 100 times. A standard back pack bag with 20 discs in it (and no water) weighs right around 15 lbs. That means that you’ve moved 1500 lbs during one round! I don’t care how young and not feeble you are, that takes energy. That energy is better spent throwing discs and getting around the course. If you are fresher with more energy during a round, you will play better disc golf.

2.You’ll make more putts.  A lot of folks don’t put their bag down to putt. To conserve energy (or because they are lazy), a lot of folks putt with their bag on their back or shoulder. There isn’t a disc golfer out there who hasn’t seen someone miss an easy putt as a result. This never happens with a cart. With a cart you can miss your putts for other reasons.

3.There’s a chair! A lot of players, especially during tournaments, carry a small camping stool. There are also a lot of people who don’t bother with a stool (me included) because of the hassle of carrying one around. Disc golf carts have a seat built in! It’s part of the cart. Having a place to sit down (especially during those hot summer months) can be a life saver.

4.You can carry what you need and not worry about the weight. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left things at home or in the car (rain coat, hoody, extra towels, utility discs, retrievers, etc.) simply because I didn’t want to lug it around on my back. With a cart, you pack based on what you need for the round, not what you may or may not want to carry. It also makes those judgement calls (like whether you reeeeeally need an umbrella or not) easier. If it doesn’t take any extra effort to bring it with, you are much more likely to be prepared.

5.Beverages. Liquid is heavy. Carrying enough liquid to stay hydrated weighs your bag down. Carrying that liquid in well insulated containers (like my all time favorite Hydro Flask) makes it weigh even more. With a cart, carrying fluids is no problem. Some carts even have room for enough beverages for multiple people. I’ve seen modified strollers that have space for a full size cooler in addition to discs.

There are a lot more reasons than this to use a cart. To be honest, before this year, I would have argued with you on all 5 of those points. I might have even called you lazy.

The Real Reason to Use a Disc Golf Cart…

What made me most resistant, though, was the price. They are not cheap. In the end, none of those 5 things justified spending $400. At least not in my mind. So why did I buy not one, but two carts this year?

If you play in tournaments, you know the exhausted and drained feeling you have after playing two hot summer tournament rounds. You are mentally and physically drained. Most times you are done for the day. It’s all you can do to make the long drive home without falling asleep.

This year, after every tournament I played while using a cart, I played more disc golf. I either stayed at the same course and played another round or I stopped at another course on the way home. I wasn’t tired or exhausted after the tournament. I was ready to go!

I’ll never forget the first tournament where I used a cart. I looked at one of the guys on my card at the end of the second round and said, “I feel like I’ve barely played at all today. I can’t believe I waited so long to buy a cart!” His response was a knowing “Yup.”

He had been using a cart for years.

You can repurpose an old stroller you have stored in the garage. You can pick up a ball golf cart for a few bucks at a garage sale. You can go all out on a Ridge Roller or Delta Ten. There are a lot of options.

Whichever you end up using, I’d be surprised if you didn’t love using a cart. Sure, there will be times when you just want to grab your NutSac and hit the course for a quick round. But that’s not every round. If you play any amount of disc golf at all (especially tournament play), make the effort to get some wheels under that plastic. I’ll even promise not to call you old and feeble if you do!

Like the idea but not sure which cart to buy? Look for our reviews of the ZÜCA all terrain disc golf cart / Ridge Roller and the Delta Ten. Make sure you don’t miss either of those by joining over 1,000 other disc golfers who have subscribed to the Mind Body Disc blog!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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