RINGING ENDORSEMENT
One of the biggest powered trolley rental fleets in the country is generating strong income at The Belfry, where 22 S1 models complete with long-lasting Lithium batteries are regularly selling out.
“The new Lithium battery trolleys have proven very successful for us here at The Belfry,” said Phil Hoye, Golf Retail Manager at the iconic four-time Ryder Cup venue, which recently re-opened a stunning new Golf Shop. “We welcome many golfers to our resort each and every day, across our three renowned golf courses, and we regularly sell out our full fleet of Motocaddy trolleys.
“We have received some great feedback on the trolleys, with a number of guests looking to purchase one off the back of their positive experiences out on the course,” adds Hoye. “Following the major investment across the whole resort, we want to make sure that we are aligned with the very finest products and brands throughout the game of golf, and Motocaddy are helping us to provide these unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
GOLD SERVICE
Motocaddy employs a team of seven dedicated Territory Sales Managers across the UK & Ireland to deliver a top class service to its retail partners.
“Each of these individuals has responsibility for quite a large part of the golfing landscape in their territory and each one continues to make a great contribution to the success of the brand,” said Sales Director Neil Parker.
The Territory Sales Managers are:
Steve Morris (South West), Marie Allen (South East), Peter Kingsley (East), Nick Brooker (West), Mike Walker (North), Iain Grant (Scotland) and Conor Fox (Ireland).
To find your nearest Territory Sales Manager, please call Motocaddy on 0845 058 9818.
TEST MATCH SPECIAL
Three Motocaddy trolley models picked up test wins in the UK’s most popular golf magazines recently.
The status of the S1 as the world’s favourite electric trolley was backed by Golf Monthly, who declared the model top of its annual test of seven current electric trolleys saying it: ‘stands out from the crowd as a fantastic performer’.
The S1 PRO picked up the prestigious Gold Award in Today’s Golfer, with equipment editor Joel Tadman pronouncing: ‘The S1 PRO has the perfect balance of essentials and features with no gimmicks.’
To complete the hat-trick of wins, National Club Golfer opted for the compact-folding M1 PRO as its star-performing trolley from the ten models tested. ‘My favourite – it folds down to a very compact size, the carry handle is a good idea and the trolley is so easy to assemble,’ said tester James Tompkinson.
Golfer TESTS... TROLLEYS NATIONAL CLUB RECOMMENDED
POWAKADDY FREEWAY ABOUT: A new lightweight, oversized central tube and soft-touch ambidextrous T-Bar handle gives a sporty look. The LED indicator and pause/ resume function provide extra performance capabilities. PRICE: £369.99 (18-hole lead acid), £399.99 (36-hole lead acid) PC: This is a very simple, straightforward and easy-to-use
trolley. The speed control is easy, with just a red and green light indicating which mode it’s functioning in. It has a quiet motor which tracks well and is a nice trolley which does all that’s asked of it. CC: Nice handle, very simple to understand and the switches are easy to use. There is a good amount of pulling power and overall this is a great trolley.
WHAT WE LEARNED Conclusions from testing the best trolleys
From appearances to folding and ease of use to fitting in your boot, these are the findings from the NCG panel...
1
SIZE MATTERS As a general rule, our testers preferred those
trolleys which folded down to a compact size. It makes it easy to transport them around and put them in the boot of
4
GET THE BATTERY RIGHT Although we weren’t testing batteries it is
impossible to comment on trolleys without talking about them. Lead acid batteries are heavier but can be substantially
Rental fleet at The Belfry
your car. We found the Go Kart, Big Max and Motocaddy M1 Pro models especially straightforward to fold down.
RECOMMENDED
MOTOCADDY M1 PRO ABOUT: This trolley weighs just 10.5kg and folds down to a size not much bigger than airline hand luggage allowance. The two-bar frame adds support and the trolley features numbered sections for easy assembly, a USB charging port and an integrated accessory station. PRICE: £399.99 (18-hole lead acid), £549.99 (18-hole lithium), £599.99 (36-hole lithium)
PL: One of my favourites. Easy to move about and I like the digital display and handle. It’s very sturdy and looks neat with the lithium battery. It unfolds easily thanks to numbers indicating what to move first. JT: My favourite. It folds down to a very compact size, carry handle is a good idea and the trolley is so easy to assemble. Sturdy and easy to control.
2 3
LOTS OF OPTIONS It seems there are more options than ever with
electric trolleys. There are models to suit all
budgets and style preferences, whether you prefer metal or plastic, cheap or expensive, basic or feature-packed, there will be a model out there to suit your requirements. So it’s worth checking out a few models properly.
THINK ABOUT LOCATION Before making a purchase, it is important
to think about the type of course and terrain that you will use the trolley on. If your course is hilly then weight distribution and power will be crucial, but if it is flat then manoeuvrability and speed control will be key features. Bear that in mind when buying.
www.nationalclubgolfer.com | JANUARY 2014 93 NCG pp 92-93 Trolley
Test.indd 93 28/11/2013 14:35
cheaper. If you want a lightweight trolley then go for lithium but, if you are working to a tighter budget, then lead acid is the way to go.
5
TRUST THE BRAND One of the consequences when buying any piece
of electronic gear is that sometimes things go wrong. So it is important when
buying an electric trolley that you make purchase directly from the brand or from a trusted retailer. You need to be confident
that it will be repaired easily and efficiently if problems occur.
Integrated Device Cradle USB Charging Port
Round / Lost Ball Timer Speed Setting
Clock Distance Measurements Battery Meter
Speed Controller
MIGHTY PROFILE
SMALL BUT
MIGHTIER COMPACT FOLDING AND GADGET-PACKED
The brand new, compact-folding M3 PRO electric trolley borrows the three-point folding system made popular by the award-winning M1 PRO and combines it with performance features including ‘round’ and ‘lost ball’ timers, clock, battery meter and multiple distance measurements. It also offers an inbuilt device cradle, capable of holding a wide range of GPS devices that can be powered from the patented USB charging port.
www.motocaddy.com
Another high profile advertising campaign is set to back the sales drive this year.
New adverts will appear across 16 consumer publications and more than 150 websites promoting the new M3 PRO trolley, S1 PRO and S3 PRO QUIKFOLD models, plus the new EASILOCKTM battery benefits.
technology and lithium
The M3 PRO features under the headline ‘Small but mightier’ as a sequel to the ‘Small but mighty’ strapline used last year to promote the brand’s first compact-folding trolley.
“The new campaign will reach more golfers than ever,” said Marketing Manager Oliver Churcher. “Each ad spotlights the innovation behind a new product and allows both consumers and retailers to gain an understanding of the key features and functions on offer.”
Summary
This was a very interesting test, particularly as it was the first time we tested both electric and push models. The latter had obvious advantages, including the size they folded down to and the fact there is no preparation needed. But if you play most of your golf on a hilly course we would suggest that a push model simply isn’t for you. The effort needed to push a trolley up and down big hills was very noticeable, and you will benefit hugely from an electric trolley. If you play a flat course, they are great for those making a switch from carrying, but who don’t wish to go electric. From a selection of excellent models, the Clicgear 3.5+ received our vote thanks to the very thoughtful design touches. Because each trolley is designed to suit
different needs, it was always going to be difficult to pick out a winner. The Motocaddy S1 stands out from the crowd as a fantastic performer. Stylish looks are combined with impressive build quality, ease of use and all at a very competitive price – whether you opt for the Lithium or lead-acid offering. At the premium end of the electric trolley market, if you have a top-end budget, there is no doubting that the Stewart Golf X7 Lithium is a great piece of kit that will catch the eye and bring an added element of fun to owning a trolley. When assembling all 12 trolleys in one morning it became even clearer how much of a benefit having a Lithium battery can be, particularly if you struggle with back pain. If the decision on battery choice comes down to cost, it could be worthwhile sacrificing some of the added extras on premium designs and opting for a cheaper trolley and a more expensive battery. Reliability is obviously something we cannot test in one day. What we do recommend is that you give careful consideration to where you purchase your trolley from. Make sure that it is easy to send your trolley back if something goes wrong, and pay attention to the warranty being offered on both the trolley and battery. You should also speak to friends about the reliability of the trollies they own.
AT A GLANCE Best on test...
BEST PUSH H
CLICGEAR 3.5+
BEST
PREMIUM H
STEWART X7 LITHIUM
BEST
ON TEST H
MOTOCADDY S1
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THE TEST ELECTRIC TROLLEYS Greenhill Golf GT Skyline £569 Tested by: Chris Alexander Battery: 36-hole lithium Rounds played 30+
www.greenhillgolf.co.uk
Pros: A robust and powerful unit. Easily assembled and fits well into the boot of the car. Looks good and has
been extremely reliable throughout the testing period. I enjoyed the distance control function. This is my favourite trolley of all I’ve ever used. Cons: Some of the wiring looks vulnerable and you must check that nothing is rubbing on the axel. While it’s easy to assemble, the catches may bite back if you’re not careful. Conclusion: Chris said this was the best trolley he’s ever used – and he’s tested a fair few in his time. UK-based
Greenhill’s upgraded version has proved a real hit. The pre-set distance control is easy to use and the sporty alloy-effect wheels look great. The features are all easy to access with one knob. The display showing the battery level is also a welcome addition. Suspension keeps the trolley stable in use and stops the clubs rattling excessively on rough ground. There’s five battery options, too.
Performance: 4.5 Reliability: 5 Value: 4.5 THE NUMBERS
Looks: 5 Ease of assembly: 4 Ease of use: 5 Functions: 4
TG Rating: HHHHH
BRONZE AWARD
PUSH/PULL TROLLEYS
Ezeglide Smart Fold 4G £149 Tested by: Nick Gough Rounds played: 11
www.jsint.com
Pros: I found it easy to assemble, store in my small car boot and also push around while playing, due to
the comfy height and four wheels that helped it move smoothly on the course. It’s a strong yet lightweight trolley so I didn’t feel tired using it as I do sometimes pushing or pulling my old manual trolley. Cons: You have to get used to the looks and movement of a four- wheeler – and take playing partners’ supermarket sweep jokes when golfing – while I’d also prefer an easier brake system to operate.
PowaKaddy Freeway Sport £679 Tested by: Rob Munro-Hall Battery: 18-hole lithium Rounds played: 30+
www.powakaddy.com
Pros: While the lithium battery is easily capable of two rounds, the battery charge indicator gives extra
SILVER AWARD
confidence. Straps keep even the biggest tour bag firmly in place and are quick to attach. Ability to power up or down the battery from the control binnacle is very useful between rounds. Can be set to self- drive selected distances and the EBS breaking system helped down slopes. Cons: Hard plastic casings don’t inspire confidence and feel fragile, but so far have proved robust and durable. Plastic catches which hold the folded
Motocaddy S1 PRO £549.99 Tested by: Howard Boylan Battery: 36-hole lithium Rounds played: 30+
www.motocaddy.com
Pros: A great looking trolley, especially in white. It folds and locks easily and quickly with the lithium battery still
attached. A simple stop/start button doubles as a nine-speed dial which has a speed to suit everyone’s walking pace. A quick-release front wheel adjuster helped me keep it tracking straight and it’s light to lift, too. Cons: I wish the trolley was an inch shorter when folded so it would fit in my tiny boot. The bottom fastening strap needs to be pulled all the way around to where my brolly exits the holster on my staff
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TODAYSGOLFER.CO.UK
bag and can be fiddly to fasten. Conclusion: The S1 PRO has the perfect balance of essentials and features with no gimmicks. This trolley was allocated at random to Howard, but he said that it would be the one he’d spend his cash on. The way it simply folds down and clicks down into place, with the battery still housed inside, makes it one of the simplest to load. Reliable and good value, too.
Performance: 5 Reliability: 5 Value: 4 THE NUMBERS
Looks: 5 Ease of assembly: 5 Ease of use: 5 Functions: 4.5
TG Rating: HHHHH AWARD GOLD
trolley compact are fiddly to latch and sometimes pop open when the trolley is being lifted in or out of the boot. Conclusion: This trolley came back with a strong recommendation. It is quick, albeit a touch fiddly, to fold and unfold, but attaching the bag is simple. If the hard plastic continues to be durable this will be a very good long- term piece of kit. Looks great, but this lithium option is on the pricey side.
Performance: 5 Reliability: 5 Value: 4 THE NUMBERS
Looks: 5 Ease of assembly: 4 Ease of use: 5 Functions: 5
TG Rating: HHHHH
Conclusion: If you want a simple trolley that’s relatively easy to set up and get going, this is a great option with a reasonable price. It’s easy to push and our tester certainly felt that four wheels were better than three. It has so far proved durable and robust. Its stylish looks and ease of use made it hard to fault, apart from the brake being a little fiddly and assembly proving cumbersome at times.
Performance: 4 Reliability: 5 Value: 4 THE NUMBERS
Looks: 3 Ease of assembly: 4 Ease of use: 3.5 Functions: 3.5
TG Rating: HHHHH
Golf Locker Qwik Fold 2.0 £149 Tested by: Ryan Palmer Rounds played: 14
www.direct-golf.co.uk
Pros: Surprisingly impressive. This trolley looks great and my bag sits on it perfectly. It’s very easy to
assemble and put away and it has proved to be reliable so far. Cons: I’ve found it a little unstable going across steep slopes and as yet have not used the umbrella holder, but would imagine this might cause havoc in a strong breeze given how light it is. Doesn’t look overly classy. Conclusion: Erecting the trolley is so easy and the big plus is the fact that it accommodates a carry bag in the correct position so the clubs and
Big Max Blade £299 Tested by: Sean Turner Rounds played: 20
www.bigmaxgolf.com
Pros: Being able to fold it so flat saves a lot of space. It’s so light, which makes it easy to move when pushing or
pulling. The double brakes are handy on a hilly course and both the bag straps are really easy to adjust. The accessories are easy to attach, too, just clicking on and click off. The handle height is adjustable. Cons: It’s expensive for a push trolley. The brake pedals seem a little flimsy and I’d worry about them snapping if you were a bit aggressive. Plus they don’t stop the trolley where you are – it rolls either forwards or back until it
catches on the spokes, so it moves half-a-yard either way before stopping if you’re on a slope. Conclusion: In terms of functions, it has no faults. It’s one of the lightest models on test, easy to assemble and packs away neatly into the carry bag, saving on boot space. It’s a well designed, easy-to-use pull trolley, and though it is pricey, there’s still some value here.
Performance: 4 Reliability: 5 Value: 2 THE NUMBERS
Looks: 5 Ease of assembly: 5 Ease of use: 4 Functions: 4
TG Rating: HHHHH
TODAYSGOLFER.CO.UK ISSUE 315 ➔
pockets could be accessed. The trolley pushes easily, despite some wobbling on slopes, and at the end of the round it’s easy to pack away with just two release straps, which hold the bag really well in place. Press the release button and the trolley folds away nice and compact, just use the straps that hold the bag in place to lock it all together. Good quality on offer here, without the premium price tag.
Performance: 4 Reliability: 5 Value: 4.5 THE NUMBERS
Looks: 3 Ease of assembly: 4.5 Ease of use: 4 Functions: 3
TG Rating: HHHHH
THE TEST ELECTRIC TROLLEYS HOT WHEELS WOR D S J O E L TADMAN PI C T U RE S H OWARD B OY L AN that carrying your golf clubs and
walking 18 holes can have a negative effect on your game. Researchers asked seven average golfers to play a simulated game by walking six miles while carrying a weighted bag. After each mile the golfers hit 20 shots. The boffins analysed every swing, and found clubhead speed and accuracy decreased as
the yards mounted. If you needed convincing that a trolley can help your game, there it is. There has never been a wider range of
golf trolleys available, and the market is still growing. But it’s not an easy decision. Do you go for electric or push? Budget or pricey? If you have a small car, it needs to fold compactly. If you often play more than 18 holes in a day, you need a powerful
UKADDY £379 Tested by: Chris Jones Battery: 18-hole lithium Rounds played: 11
www.ukaddy.co.uk
We put 18 electric and push trolleys through their paces to find the best ➔ A survey conducted in 2010 revealed
Pros: It’s one of the cheaper lithium battery trolleys. For some buyers, that’s all that matters, because the trolley
battery. If you’re looking for a new model – or thinking about your first – we’ve tested 18 electric and push-pull versions to help your buying decision. Both the TG equipment team and a handful of readers tested them over at least eight rounds – in many cases a lot more – and combined the marks to reveal which trolleys should be on your shortlist.
itself looks good and hasn’t let me down. The silver frame looks modern and locks with a reassuring click; it’s quick and simple to set up and operate with one knob; the whole thing feels sturdy and well-made. Cons: Like the options on a car, some things just make life easier – even if you don’t really need them. For instance, the rucksack-strap bag holders are adequate, but I’d prefer them to be elasticated; the operating
knob does its job, but I’d have liked some speed settings; and the lithium battery is a lot lighter than the lead- acid versions – but it’s still very heavy. Conclusion: If you want a stylish, functional trolley that takes your golf bag from the first to the 18th with no frills, it’s perfect. No other trolley here offers a similar package for less than £400 with a lithium battery, but it doesn’t look or feel cheap.
Performance: 4 Reliability: 4 Value: 4 THE NUMBERS
Looks: 3 Ease of assembly: 4 Ease of use: 4 Functions: 2
TG Rating: HHHHH
Pure Titanium £2,990 Tested by: Kevin Brown Battery: 27-hole lithium Rounds played: 9
www.pure-trolley.co.uk
Pros: Titanium is used in everything, from laptops to buildings. It's a versatile metal that looks great and
lasts a lifetime. I love the minimalist, arty design, and little touches like the wooden toggles to fix your bag and the soft-touch grip. But it’s not just form over function – it’s easy to put together and use and equally easy to store in a small space. It looks funky, and certainly draws attention. Cons: It’s not what you’d call cheap. And the battery holder came adrift on the first outing; it only happened once, but that was annoying. Plus that front
Stowamatic GXT £199 Tested by: Jake O’Reilly Battery: 36-hole lead acid Rounds played 16
www.thesportshq.com
Pros: It’s an absolute bargain at £199, and was very easy to assemble, with an unfolding frame and just two wheels to
Three things we’ve looked for in every model
SIZE MATTERS For the modern man, boot space is at a premium and a trolley that folds nice and compact and is not too heavy to lift in and out of a car is a big plus.
PERFORMANCE A quick assembly and go – that’s what we want. And once it’s going, all we want to worry about is where our ball is going, not whether our bag is secure...
FUNCTIONS Getting from the first tee to the 18th green is the least we expect. Features and built-in bonuses played a key part in our assessment.
slide on and click into place. This also meant it was extremely easy to collapse and fit in the car each time. The controls are sleek and simple. Cons: The motor was reasonably loud, which could be annoying when walking past tees and greens while others are playing. There’s only seven speed settings and a few more options around walking pace to account for different people’s speeds would certainly be beneficial. The
battery is heavy at 7.5kg too. Conclusion: For golfers that roll up in the car park with little time to spare and need a trolley that can pop up in an instant so they can focus on the first tee shot, the Stowamatic GXT fits the bill nicely. It isn’t the most action packed, or stunningly designed, of those on test, but as the only electric model under £200, it’s well worth your consideration.
Performance: 4 Reliability: 4 Value: 5 THE NUMBERS
Looks: 3 Ease of assembly: 4.5 Ease of use: 4.5 Functions: 2
TG Rating: HHHHH
TODAYSGOLFER.CO.UK ISSUE 315 ➔
axle doesn’t provide much support for a big, plastic-bottomed tour bag, which slides about a bit. Conclusion: Power trolleys don’t come much more stylish, durable or easier to use than this, but that’s the least you’d expect for the price. It’s as much a style statement as it is a trolley and some golfers may prefer to spend that cash on a new set of clubs or a golfing holiday of a lifetime.
Performance: 4 Reliability: 4 Value: 1.5 THE NUMBERS
Looks: 3.5 Ease of assembly: 4.5 Ease of use: 4.5 Functions: 3.5
TG Rating: HHHHH
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