How to Open a Clicgear Golf Cart

On this page (10 sections)

1. How to open a Clicgear golf cart in 6 steps
2. Where are the release clips on a Clicgear cart?
3. Should you open the frame before fitting the bag?
4. How do you lock the frame and the wheels?
5. What does a 4 wheel golf push cart need at setup?
6. How do you check the brake before you walk off?
7. How do you fold a Clicgear cart back up?
8. Should you practice opening the cart at home first?
9. What are the common opening mistakes to avoid?
10. Which Clicgear cart is easiest to open?

Here's how to open a Clicgear golf cart: release the frame lock, swing the front wheel out until the frame clicks, then push the rear wheels down flat. Set the bag on the saddles, tighten the strap, and test the brake before you walk off.

The whole job takes about a minute once you know where the fold clip sits. That's why learning how to open a Clicgear cart properly saves time at the car park every round.

How to open a Clicgear golf cart in 6 steps

Release, swing, lock, set the wheels, fit the bag, and test the brake is the order. Follow it once and the cart opens the same way every time.

1. Stand the folded cart upright on its wheels.
2. Undo the fold clip or locking arm that holds the tubes together.
3. Swing the front wheel forward and away from the rear wheels.
4. Push the frame until the hinge locks into place.
5. Push the rear wheels down until they sit flat and lock.
6. Fit your bag, tighten the silicone strap, and pull the handbrake.

The Clicgear Model 4.5 and Model 8.0+ both use a folding frame with a lock that holds the cart shut when it's packed away. Keep the clip in place while you carry it so nothing swings open in the boot.

On the Model 4.5 the frame runs on three wheels, with one front wheel under the bag and two rear wheels that fold under the body. The Model 8.0+ adds a fourth wheel and a wider base.

In both cases the frame lock is the first thing you touch and the last thing you set when folding.

Where are the release clips on a Clicgear cart?

The main release is the fold clip on the frame tubes; the rear wheels have their own spring-loaded catches. Look for the clip near the middle of the frame where the tubes cross.

The fold clip is usually a small lever or arm that clips onto a tube. Press or lift it, and the frame loosens so the front wheel can swing out.

The rear wheel catches sit above each rear wheel. Press the lever and the wheel folds down, or folds flat when you pack up.

The Model 4.5 also has a hand brake lever on the handle, separate from the fold clip. That lever works the brake, not the frame, so don't force it expecting the cart to unfold.

If the cart came with a manual, keep it in the car for the first few rounds. The Clicgear website also hosts the folding instructions for each model.

Should you open the frame before fitting the bag?

Yes. Open the frame fully and lock it first, then fit the bag.

A bag on an open frame sits on the saddles the way it will during the round.

Put the bag's base on the lower saddle. Slide it up against the upper saddle so the bag strap can grip it.

The Model 4.5 uses adjustable upper and lower bag saddles and Clicgear's silicone bag strap system for a secure fit. Clicgear says the cart fits most stand and cart golf bags.

If your bag is loose in the straps, the cart will feel unstable on uneven ground. A firmer golf cart bag for the money can make the saddle fit easier.

Fitting the bag on the Model 8.0+

The Model 8.0+ uses the same silicone strap system, but its wider base and longer wheel base suit larger cart bags. Clicgear lists it as fitting most standard and large cart bags.

Slide the bag base onto the lower saddle, press it against the upper saddle, and pull the silicone strap tight so the bag can't rock when the wheels roll over a curb.

How do you lock the frame and the wheels?

Push the frame open until the hinge clicks, then fold each rear wheel down until its catch locks. Both need to be fully seated before the cart carries any weight.

On the Model 4.5, the rear wheels fold under the frame for storage. On the Model 8.0+, two rear wheels handle the extra width.

Stand behind the cart and look down the frame. The tubes should run straight and the front wheel should sit square under the bag.

A frame that feels loose means the hinge isn't fully locked. Fold it back and try again with a firmer push.

The silicone strap system also helps here. A bag held tight by the straps sits centered on the frame, which keeps the cart from leaning once you push it.

What does a 4 wheel golf push cart need at setup?

Set the rear wheels flat and level on both sides, then press down on the frame to settle the catches. A 4 wheel golf push cart sits on a wider base, so each rear wheel matters.

The Clicgear Model 8.0+ has an extra wide and long wheel base for more stability. Its dual-braking lever locks both front wheels, so it holds on a slope.

Check that the wheels point straight ahead. If one sits twisted, lift the cart and let the wheel swing into line before pushing it.

The Model 8.0+ runs maintenance-free airless tires, so there is no tube to pump or patch. That means the only setup check is that each wheel is seated and spinning free.

How do you check the brake before you walk off?

Push the cart forward with the brake on; it should not roll. Do this before you load the bag or turn away on a hill.

Clicgear fits the Model 4.5 with a hand brake that holds the cart in place, and the brake cable runs internally on the frame. The Model 8.0+ uses a dual-braking lever that locks both front wheels.

Press the brake, then give the cart a gentle push. If it creeps, release and press again until it holds.

Test on the practice green or the car park, not on the first tee box. If the brake sits close to full travel, adjust it at the lever before your round.

The Model 4.5 brake cable is routed inside the frame, so it stays clear of the bag straps and the folding hinge. That routing is one reason the frame opens and closes without snagging the brake line.

How do you fold a Clicgear cart back up?

Release the frame lock, push the front wheel back toward the body, and collapse the rear wheels flat. Slip the fold clip back on so the frame stays together.

Fold the handle first so it sits against the frame. Then fold the rear wheels and swing the front wheel in.

On the Model 8.0+, Clicgear uses a slide-to-close mechanism for folding. The Model 4.5 folds to 13 x 15 x 24 inches, small enough to sit in most trunks.

Wipe grit off the wheels and frame before storage. Keep the strap dry so the silicone keeps its grip.

The Model 8.0+ folds to 15 x 17 x 27 inches. That is a little larger than the Model 4.5, but the slide-to-close mechanism means fewer moves once the frame is unprotected.

If your cart is a different brand, the same clip-and-swing idea applies. Our guide to opening a CaddyTek golf cart covers that frame.

Should you practice opening the cart at home first?

Yes, open and fold it twice at home before your first round. A dry run shows you where the clips are and how hard the hinge needs to be pushed.

Take the cart out of the box, open it on a flat floor, and fit your bag. Leave it open overnight in a garage, then fold it to confirm the clip holds.

The Model 4.5 weighs 16 pounds and carries a 1 year manufacturer warranty. Opening it correctly and keeping the frame clean is the simple care that warranty expects.

If you're still choosing what to push, our explainer on what is a pull cart in golf separates a pull cart from a push cart.

What are the common opening mistakes to avoid?

Most mistakes come from opening the frame halfway, forgetting a rear wheel catch, or fitting the bag before the frame locks. Each one shows up as a rattling bag on the first fairway.

Opening the frame without locking it lets the bag tilt forward as you push. Skip a rear wheel catch and the cart leans to one side.

Pushing with the brake half on wears the brake pads. Seat the bag loosely and it slides down against the strap.

Set the straps tight against the bag, then roll the cart a few feet to check. The Model 4.5 also lets you adjust the front wheel for smooth tracking, which helps once the cart rolls straight.

One more easy miss: carrying the cart by the handle with the fold clip still undone. The frame swings open in your hand.

Clip it shut first, then lift it by the frame.

Which Clicgear cart is easiest to open?

The Clicgear Model 8.0+ suits anyone who folds a cart often, because its slide-to-close mechanism keeps the whole open-and-fold job to a few moves. The Model 4.5 is the better pick if you want a lighter cart that folds smaller.

Pick the Model 4.5 if your trunk is tight, since it folds to 13 x 15 x 24 inches. Pick the Model 8.0+ if you want the wider 4-wheel base and the dual-braking lever.

Whichever you choose, the steps above are the answer to how to open a Clicgear golf cart: release the lock, swing the front wheel out, lock the frame, set the wheels, then fit the bag and test the brake. Do it once at home and it becomes part of your pre-round routine.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Clicgear cart need to be opened before fitting the bag?

Yes. Open the frame fully first, because the upper and lower saddles only line up correctly when the cart is in its locked position.

Drop the bag on, slide it into the straps, and tighten the silicone strap before you head out.

Why won't my Clicgear cart lock into place?

The frame usually needs a firmer push at the hinge until you hear or feel the click. Check that nothing is caught between the tubes and that the wheels are swung fully out, then fold it back and open it again.

Can a Clicgear cart stand on its own when open?

Yes. Once the rear wheels are fully down and locked, a Clicgear cart sits upright on its 3 or 4 wheels.

Set the handbrake before you load or unload the bag so it can't roll.