You are a few holes into a round. Your cart is rolling fine. But your towel is dragging in the mud, catching spokes, or getting wrapped around the axle. It is frustrating. It ruins a good towel and slows you down.
The good news is that the fix is usually simple and takes less than a minute. You just need to change where or how you attach the towel.
Why the Towel Keeps Hitting the Wheels?
The problem comes down to three things. First is gravity. A towel hangs straight down. If the clip is low on the bag, the towel reaches the wheel. Second is wind and movement. When you push the cart, the towel swings.
A swinging towel reaches the wheel even if it hangs an inch above it. Third is cart design. Most push carts have a low center of gravity. The bag sits close to the axle. That means the towel hangs right next to the spinning wheel.
Different cart models create different problems. A three-wheel cart has a large rear wheel that sits close to the bag. A four-wheel electric cart has smaller wheels, but the frame often has low bars where people clip towels. A pull cart has the bag sitting behind the handle, which sometimes puts the towel directly above the wheel path.
Cart-Specific Solutions That Work
For Three-Wheel Push Carts
These carts have one big front wheel and two large rear wheels. The rear wheels sit right under the bag. You usually clip the towel to a D-ring on the bag. That ring is often near the bottom of the bag, which puts the towel at wheel height.
The fix is to move the towel up. Do not clip it to the bag D-ring. Instead, loop the towel clip around the handle of the cart itself.
Most three-wheel carts have a handle that folds out. Clip the towel to the vertical part of that handle. This puts the towel a foot higher. It will hang above the wheels and never touch them.
If your towel has a loop instead of a clip, run the loop over the handle. Then pull the towel through the loop to tighten it. This creates a secure hold that does not slide down.
For Four-Wheel Electric Carts
Electric golf carts often have a low frame bar where people clip towels. That bar is at wheel height. Do not use it. Instead, look for the handlebar that you use to steer. That is usually two feet higher. Clip the towel there. The towel will hang straight down from the handlebar and stay above the wheels.
If your electric cart has a basket, clip the towel to the top rim of the basket. Most baskets sit above the wheels. This works well because the basket rim is wide and gives you room to attach a carabiner or clip.
For Two-Wheel Pull Carts
Pull carts are different because the bag sits behind you. The wheels are smaller and closer to the bag. The towel hangs down and hits the ground before it hits the wheel. But if you have a large towel, it will drag in the dirt and then get caught in the wheel.
The best fix for a pull cart is to tuck the towel into the bag. Fold it in half lengthwise. Then hang it so the fold goes over the strap that holds the bag to the cart. The towel will hang below the bag but above the wheels. If it still drags, double the fold.
Hardware Changes That Stop the Problem Completely
Sometimes moving the clip is not enough. The towel is just too long. Or the clip keeps sliding down. In that case, change the hardware.
Use a Carabiner Instead of an Alligator Clip
Most golf towels come with a small alligator clip. That clip is weak. It slips off the bag or the cart handle. Replace it with a locking carabiner. A carabiner clips securely onto a handlebar or a D-ring. It will not come off no matter how much the towel swings.
Get a carabiner that is about two inches long. That is big enough to hook onto most cart handles. Attach the carabiner to the towel loop. Then clip the carabiner onto the cart handle. The towel stays put.
Use a Retractable Badge Reel
This is the best solution for electric carts. You buy a small retractable badge reel. The kind that people use for work ID badges. Attach the reel to the cart handle. Then clip your towel to the end of the reel cord. Now the towel hangs from the reel. When you walk, the reel keeps the towel pulled up. It never touches the wheel.
The badge reel also prevents the towel from swinging. Without swinging, the towel stays in one place. That single change solves the problem for most people. You can find badge reels at any office supply store. They cost less than ten dollars.
Sew a Loop Higher Up on the Towel
If you have a sewing machine or a needle, take five minutes to fix the towel permanently. Fold the towel so the bottom edge comes up to the middle. Sew a new loop at that fold. Now you have two loops. The original loop at the top. A new loop in the middle. When you hang the towel from the middle loop, the towel is half as long. It will not reach the wheels.
You can also use a safety pin or a binder clip to create a temporary loop. Fold the towel up. Clip the fold with a binder clip. Then hang the towel from the clip. This is not permanent, but it works for that round.
The Towel Folding Method
If you do not want to buy anything or change hardware, just fold the towel differently.
- Lay the towel flat on a table.
- Fold it in half lengthwise. The long sides meet.
- Fold it in half again. Now you have a long, narrow strip.
- Drape the folded towel over the cart handle.
- Push the end of the towel through the loop at the other end. Pull tight.
This is called a girth hitch. It creates a loop that hangs from the handle. The towel is compact. It does not swing much. It stays at handle height. The bottom of the towel will be above the wheels.
You can also use this method on the bag handle. Just make sure you attach it high enough. The bag handle is usually above the cart frame. That works well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my towel still touches the wheels after moving the clip?
The towel is probably too long. You can cut six inches off the bottom. Use sharp scissors. Sew a new hem or use fabric glue to prevent fraying. Or fold the towel up from the bottom and secure it with a rubber band. That shortens the towel temporarily.
Can I use a magnetic clip on an electric cart?
Yes. A magnetic clip attaches to any metal part of the cart. Place it on the handlebar. The magnet is strong enough to hold a damp towel. Just make sure the magnet does not interfere with the cart electronics. Most push carts and electric carts have no sensitive components near the handlebar. It is safe.
Will a microfiber towel make the problem worse?
Microfiber towels are lighter than cotton towels. Lighter towels swing more in the wind. That makes them more likely to hit the wheels. Use the badge reel method or the folding method with a microfiber type towel. That keeps the towel from moving.
How do I stop the towel from getting caught in my pull cart’s folding mechanism?
Do not clip the towel near the folding joint. Clip it to the handle or the bag strap. If you have a folding pull cart, the towel can get pinched when you fold it up. To avoid that, always remove the towel before folding the cart. Or use a small towel that sits high on the bag.
What is the best towel size for a golf cart?
A towel that is 16 by 26 inches is a good size. That is smaller than a standard bath towel. It hangs low enough to clean your clubs but high enough to stay out of the wheels. If you use a full-size bath towel, it will drag. Cut it or buy a smaller one.
Final Tip for a Clean Towel
Even if your towel stays out of the wheels, it will get dirty from wiping clubs and balls. Keep a small second towel clipped high on the cart. Use that clean towel for your hands and face. Use the larger towel for clubs and balls. The small towel stays clean because it never touches the ground or the wheels. This is a small habit that makes a big difference during a round.