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REVIEWS On the Range This month SGB’s Richard Punyer reviews Stewart Golf’s new X9 Follow electric trolley


Overview: The company’s engineers have taken the X


Series chassis and given it a brand new heart- a new Bluetooth-powered electronics system that allows the machine to follow the golfer at just the touch of a button. To use the ‘follow’ feature, all the golfer


needs to do is press a single button on the new rechargeable remote control handset. Once the golfer starts to walk, the X9 Follow will stay a few paces behind and match their walking pace exactly. It even holds its position going down hills, with the patented electronics system automatically varying and braking the twin motors to alter both speed and direction. The user friendly design means that between the golfer stopping at their ball, to walking away again, no button presses are required. Stewart Golf’s engineers have also been able


to integrate two additional antennas under the X Series bodywork, so the only outward indication of change is a new badge and a blue LED that replaces the aerial.


As well as its ‘follow’ mode, the X9 Follow


also comes with full remote control functionality that existing customers will be familiar with. Golfers will now have the option of keeping the handset on the handle for manual control, using the remote control or activating the follow function.


Verdict: When Mark Stewart and I first met in


Orlando at the PGA Trade Show this year I was immediately captivated by the idea of Stewart Golf’s latest creation and couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. Having played golf for 43 years and for the last 20 having used an electric trolley in front of having to exercise constant physical control- the idea of a trolley that followed me about like a faithful hound was intriguing. For my demo, Mark and I met at my home


club, Chestfield Golf Club in Kent. It has a base of London clay which generates some very interesting and sometimes sharp depressions


and rises and I was apprehensive as to how to X9 would react. From the ‘racey’ alloy effect wheels to the sleek, almost British Racing Green bodywork,


the X9 looked the part. Being built for a heavier pro trolley bag, my Titleist carry bag was not ideal but still looked the part. After some quick instruction from Mark we set off down the first where I activated the ‘Follow’ feature. I walked at my normal speed and it simply followed me, wherever I went, although somewhat erratically. That was me! Initially not trusting its ability – which turned


out to be doing it a huge disservice – I kept turning around to see if it was actually following. As it is regulated by the relationship between the remote handset that is clipped to


40 SGBGOLF


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