golf cart

IPA/ˈɡɒlf kɑːt/
IPA/ˈɡɑːlf kɑːrt/

golf cart — noun

1. A small four-wheeled electric or gas-powered vehicle that carries golfers and th

1.nounA2
Definition

A small four-wheeled electric or gas-powered vehicle that carries golfers and their bags from one part of a golf course to another.

Example

Hao drove the golf cart carefully along the narrow path to the ninth hole.

collocation: drive a golf cart

The country club bought ten new golf carts with sun canopies for its members.

Common collocations
  • drive a golf cart
  • ride in a golf cart
  • rent a golf cart
  • electric golf cart
  • golf cart path
Synonyms
  • golf buggy

    Chiefly British term; interchangeable in meaning but regional

Usage Note

Commonly found at golf courses, resorts, and large private estates. May also be called a golf buggy in British English.

Common Mistakes

I drove my golf cart to the supermarket.
I drove my golf cart to the next tee.
A golf cart is designed for use on a golf course, not on public roads.

2. A lightweight frame with two wheels and a handle, designed to hold a golf bag so

2.nounB1
Definition

A lightweight frame with two wheels and a handle, designed to hold a golf bag so that players can pull their clubs behind them while walking the course.

Example

Baraka pulled his golf cart as he walked from the green to the next tee.

collocation: pull a golf cart

Esme bought a foldable golf cart that fit easily into the trunk of her car.

adjective + golf cart: foldable golf cart

Common collocations
  • pull a golf cart
  • foldable golf cart
  • lightweight golf cart
  • push a golf cart
  • manual golf cart
Synonyms
  • golf trolley

    British term for a two-wheeled pull cart for golf bags

  • pull cart

    Shorter informal term commonly used by golfers

Usage Note

Unlike a motorized golf cart (sense 1), this type has no engine and requires the player to walk and pull it. Also referred to as a trolley in British English.

Common Mistakes

I drove the golf cart to the putting green.' (when using a two-wheeled pull cart).
I pulled the golf cart to the putting green.
Sense 2 has no engine, so you pull it by hand.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Golf cart is the most common term worldwide for a four-wheeled motorized vehicle used on a golf course. Golf buggy is the preferred term in British English and is uncommon in the US, though both refer to the same object. Golf car is a less common variant used mainly in commercial or technical contexts by manufacturers and course managers; it sounds more formal and is rarely heard in everyday conversation. If you are speaking American English, use golf cart; in the UK or Australia, golf buggy sounds more natural. For the manual two-wheeled version that you pull by hand, use golf trolley (UK) or pull cart (US).

golf cart ↗golf buggygolf car

Common collocations

Nouns

  • golf cart path
  • golf cart rental
  • golf cart battery
  • golf cart key

Phrases

  • from the golf cart
  • by golf cart

Prepositions

  • in a golf cart
  • on a golf cart
  • off the golf cart

Etymology

Middle DutchOld EnglishEnglish

The word golf is thought to come from the Middle Dutch word colf or colve, meaning a club or stick used in a medieval ball game. The sport of golf as we know it was developed in Scotland. The word cart comes from the Old English word cræt, meaning a wagon or carriage. The compound golf cart first appeared in the early 20th century as motorized vehicles began to be used on golf courses, and later broadened to include manual pull-carts for golf bags.

First known use

1899

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1