We use our back a lot in everyday life, but especially out on the golf course. Despite modern golf carry bags becoming a lot lighter and easier to carry, the best way to protect our bodies from the inevitable aches and pains is with a golf trolley. The best golf carts and trolleys best golf carts and trolleys can do all the work for you as you stroll down the fairway with no weight on your back at all – it’s a lovely feeling.
With the growth of technology incorporating itself into the game of golf, there are now options for the tech-obsessed generation, with GPS distance measuring devices attached to many modern trolleys – saving you money from buying one of the best rangefinders on the market. Remote control golf trolleys are an option now too, with some even following you around the course!
Additionally gone are the chunky, hard to handle options, replaced now by sleek and shiny designs. When considering which would suit you best, it’s important to factor in several things like storage, battery life, and overall features when looking to buy an electric trolley. They don’t come cheap, with prices starting around $450, so if this is a little too lofty we’d recommend investing in one of the best golf push trolleys as a great alternative. Alternatively, if space is at a premium at home, you should also check out our guide on the most compact golf trolleys, too.
The Quick List
Motocaddy M5 GPS Electric Trolley
The M5 GPS is one of the most complete and comprehensive products on the market, with an array of features designed to provide as much help on the course as possible.
PowaKaddy CT8 GPS Electric Trolley
One of our favorite GPS electric trolleys currently on the market. The touchscreen GPS is very responsive, with the CT8 incredibly compact and lightweight.
Stewart Golf Vertx Remote Trolley
The Vertx Remote features the familiar Stewart Golf design, but it’s the new technology that makes up the trolley’s DNA that creates a class-leading remote control experience.
Motocaddy M7 GPS Electric Trolley
A comprehensive and enjoyable remote-controlled golf trolley. The remote-control functionality works as well as ever and the Performance Plan makes for a superb GPS experience.
Stewart Golf Q Follow Electric Trolley
The Q Follow is great fun to use and, with practice, the switching between modes and use of the handset becomes second nature when out on the golf course.
PowaKaddy RX1 GPS Electric Trolley
The RX1 GPS utilizes a class-leading battery, responsive remote functionality, a premium touchscreen and sports car looks to offer a comprehensive package.
MGI Zip Navigator Remote Electric Trolley
The MGI ZIP Navigator is a well-rounded remote electric trolley. It is well-built, responsive and stable, with the main standout being how compact it is when folded.
Motocaddy S5 GPS Electric Trolley
The S5 GPS is a compelling option that really moves the needle when it comes to electric trolley innovation, reliability and ease-of-use. It is on the slightly bulkier side.
Motocaddy M3 GPS Electric Trolley
A superb electric trolley that does a little bit of everything and does it well. It’s compact and easy to assemble, while the usability is faultless and includes an excellent GPS system.
Motocaddy S1 2022 Electric Trolley
One of the most compelling entry-level electric trolleys on the market. It has a simple, one step folding system and you can charge the battery without removing it from the chassis.
A unique, practical and altogether enjoyable piece of technology that successfully converts push carts into remote electric trolleys. For the price, it provides a great option!
PowaKaddy FX3 Electric Trolley
A very solid entry-level electric trolley. While it lacks the excitement of more expensive models, the FX3 is very simple to use and does what it was set out to do perfectly.
Best Electric Golf Trolleys
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Top pick
(Image credit: Motocaddy)
Need a yardage? Just have a glance at the hi-res 3.5″ LCD touchscreen on the M5 GPS – that will sort you out. It can be controlled in all weather conditions and while wearing a glove, too. The screen on this trolley can help give yardages, track scores and time your round, and you can adjust the pin position on each green to get a more accurate reading to really dial in your yardages and the shot you should try and play.
If you sign up to Motocaddy’s Performance Plan subscription, you’ll even get real-time updates on the course with advanced course mapping which was a real highlight for us during testing.
The M5 GPS delivers a 28.8v power drive system which is found in every M-Series model in the Motocaddy range. It’s smooth, efficient and reliable which remaining very easy to control. You can also fold this trolley up with the battery still attached which is an underrated feature for handiness in the club car park after the round. The assembly of this trolley is a little stiff, however, and worth noting.
Most compact
(Image credit: Future)
The Powakaddy CT8 GPS is the world’s smallest touchscreen GPS golf trolley and also folds down a whopping 35 percent smaller than its nearest competitor! Therefore, it’s the perfect trolley for someone looking to squeeze it into the boot of their undersized car or smaller club locker.
The GPS system on the CT8 is the same we see in other Powakaddy models, but we loved the new and beautifully clear 3.5″ full-color touchscreen display during testing. The trolley is also very easy to manoeuvre – a criticism of these types of trolleys in the past. It’s also one of the best looking trolleys we’ve tested lately.
The GPS is helpful and easy to use, with features including a scorecard, stroke index information, enhanced green view and a movable flag on those greens so you can dial in the correct yardage. In testing we used it to really enhance our tactical approach to our round which improved our score. The GPS comes with 40,000 course across the world loaded and requires no subscription, which is a nice touch.
Best remote model
(Image credit: Tom Miles)
Now we’re getting gadgety! Those familiar with the design of Stewart trolleys will notice a number of refreshments to the overall aesthetic of the Vertx design. We loved the well designed and efficient two-step folding system – it folds up nice and compact considering the size of the trolley.
The performance of this trolley is highlighted by new technology under the hood called Active Terrain Control (ATC), which helps do exactly that – it’s an all new operating system designed to allow the trolley to adapt to any terrain at any time which is especially helpful to those playing on hilly or links golf courses.
We were impressed by the Vertx Remote Trolley as it glided up and down difficult terrain with ease. The two wheels at the front don’t look very big or useful, but looks can be deceiving, performing well in terms of stability and general maneuverability. It is worth mentioning that this trolley is a decent bit bulkier than some of the competitors and also doesn’t come with the embedded GPS in the handle we loved in both the Motocaddy and Powakaddy models.
Excellent GPS
(Image credit: Future)
The gadgets come in bunches on the Motocaddy M7 GPS because as golf carts go, this is one of the most exciting on the market with a lot of new features added including a spanking GPS system and remote control functionality.
Despite the flashy features, this cart gets the important basics features spot on. It’s compact and easy to fold which can save you a lot of space, and it easily holds it’s own again some of the most compact golf trolleys out there. The touchscreen feels like a mobile phone screen it is that clear, and it remained responsive even when the rain was teeming down. The GPS informs you with distances to the front, middle and back of the green with a dynamic drop pin placement for extra numbers. Yardages to hazards, shot distance tracking and a scorecard tracker also come as part of the package.
The remote functionality was seamless on the course, with the small ergonomic remote proving extremely responsive (it also just feels cool, right?). There’s Down Hill Control too, which helps keeps the trolley steady up and down the course. The battery is wired, meaning some may see it as a little outdated, while the anti-tip wheel has to be manually removed when folding down if in use which is a bit of a pain, but these are just small criticisms of an otherwise fantastic cart.
Unique follow feature
(Image credit: Future)
Stewart Golf are well known for their electric trolleys, and for good reason. The Q Follow is one of the high-quality installments, and it’s wonderfully techy. Perhaps one of the coolest golf gadgets ever made, the Q Follow allows players to walk off and let their trolley follow them around the course, which makes it a great option for those that may struggle to want to push or hold their trolley as they play.
The frame design is new and folds down nicely while an integrated carry handle makes it easy to lift it into your car – it is on the heavy side of things compared to other trolleys, however.
Finally, there’s a new retractable stabilizer comprising two wheels which automatically deploys as the trolley is unfolded. It is one of our personal highlights on the cart as it keeps it upright throughout the round. We loved the fact you don’t have to remove the battery while folding it up, another great feature of a top class trolley.
Best battery
(Image credit: Future)
A stunning golf cart that we enjoyed testing out on the golf course, the PowaKaddy RX1 GPS Electric Trolley is by far one of the best remote controlled trolleys on the market and is packed full of features that’ll help you improve performance.
It’s ultra responsive while looking fantastic too. The matte finish pops off with the splashes of yellow detailing, making it one of the best looking trolleys available for purchase.
During our testing sessions, we loved the remote functionality on offer, with this trolley boasting some very cool tech, including PowaKaddy’s Slope Traverse Assist which kept the cart running in a straight line down steeper gradients. A built in breaking system was also welcomed and that helped the trolley remain steady on undulating terrain.
The premium feel continues with the 3.5″ touchscreen display that held up in the adverse conditions and proved simple to use. It’ll fill you in with yardages to the front, middle and back of the green as well as any hazards. It’s not as advanced as some of the other GPS available on other trolleys we tested, but it gives you more than enough information to plot your way around the golf course.
Most compact remote
(Image credit: Golf Monthly)
The Zip Navigator is very stable across all different terrains and we quickly grew confident that, whatever part of the golf course we sent it scurrying across, we’d arrive next to our ball with our trolley and bag waiting.
The 4th rear wheel is unique but essentially prevents any chance of the trolley tipping backwards on a hill or in the wind, while down hill speed control does just that, adding to the confident stability of the trolley.
The remote has a lock feature, essentially a handbrake for your trolley, which is great for peace of mind as you make your way onto a tee box or green that your trolley wont make a surprise escape from your custody. You can invert the wheels when folding it down to save on storage space, which we also loved. All in all, it’s a very well rounded offering at a competitive price.
Excellent screen
(Image credit: Future)
Motocaddy are renowned for their expertise in the electric golf trolley market and, with the S5 GPS Model, we see several exciting features that will make it a hit for anyone who loves gadgets or some of the best golf accessories on the market.
If you’ve read this far, you know we love trolleys that fold up into compact, portable gadgets – the S5 GPS does this very nicely despite being larger than a number of other trolleys on the market. It also allows you to charge the battery while the cart is folded down, meaning you’ll never leave your battery behind again.
The technology in this cart is also pretty impressive. It comes with a fully integrated GPS system that you can access through a 3.5″ LCD touchscreen. It features a Dynamic Green View that matches the hole being played and gives you accurate yardages to wherever you want to play to. The last thing to note is that it comes with nine speed settings and an Adjustable Distance Control of up to 60 yards. Loading our bag on the trolley was super seamless too, thanks to the brand’s Easilock bag-to-trolley system, which made this a very efficient piece of kit to use.
Easy to set up
(Image credit: Future)
Sitting somewhere in the middle of its extensive line-up, we felt that the M3 GPS electric trolley could act as the perfect entry point for newcomers to the trolley game seeking strategic assistance, or it could just as easily suit those looking for a premium product that comes in at a more digestible price point.
There are many stand-out features when it comes to the electric trolley, one of which is how compact it is when folded down. Its official dimensions are 650mm (L) x 470mm (W) x 410mm (H) and, when we tested it out, it seemed to easily fit in a small trunk with plenty of room to spare for a set of clubs. The wheels can also be inverted, or come off altogether, should you need to squeeze it into an even tighter spot.
Just because it’s a little cheaper than other options does not mean it lacks on the tech side of things. It comes with nine speed settings, a speed indicator, Adjustable Distance Control which can set the trolley on it’s way to the next tee up to 60 yards away. The 2.8″ LCD touchscreen display is smaller than other we’ve tested but equally as clear, and you can track your shots and also comes with 40,000 pre-loaded courses.
Best sporty design
(Image credit: Future)
The new look Motocaddy S1 for 2022 has revived the iconic moniker and created a simple but powerful electric trolley that is 16% smaller than previous models, which also looks fantastically sporty.
It’s fabulous for compactness and incredibly easy to set up – we loved that in testing we could pop it up and down in one easy step. The Click ‘N’ Connect battery is cable free and automatically disconnects once the trolley is folded up which allows it to be charged without having to take it off the trolley – a handy touch.
With Motocaddy products you’ll always get reliability and ease-of-use, something the S1 has in abundance. Along with the simplicity, you can take advantage of the ‘EasiLock’ system on this trolley, which attaches your golf bag with ease. This means that you load and unload the relevant gear quicker and easier. Let’s also not forget to mention the USB charging point, bright LCD screen and the quiet motor, which when combined, turned into perhaps one of the most high tech carts we’ve tested recently. It’s a must buy if you’re the type of golfer who loves a gadget!
Unique golf gadget
(Image credit: Howard Boylan)
You may be wondering what the Alphard Club Booster V2 is? Well, this unique product, which made our Editor’s Choice List, allows you to convert an ordinary push cart into a remote one, it’s that simple!
It looks like a device you’d see on Star Wars, and thus assembly is a little fiddly but once assembled you won’t have to do it again (thankfully). You can attach any trolley to the Booster via two clamps to make into a rear wheel drive push cart with a bluetooth remote that connects surprisingly quickly.
The wide base helps gives solid stability across all terrains, while the integrated 6-axis gyroscope detects the terrain under the wheels every 10 milliseconds. This helps make sure the cart is always pointing in the right direction and, in testing, we were amazed with how accurately we could control the Club Booster V2 and how responsive it was. This is a ‘you have to see it to believe it’ style product!
Simple folding system
(Image credit: Future)
The FX3 is PowaKaddy’s ‘entry-level’ model, meaning it offers golfers the simplest form of an electric trolley with a 9-speed power system, a 2.3″ color display, lightweight lithium battery and one click folding system. It may be the bare bones when it comes to features, but this is all a lot of golfers want and need and may be an excellent purchase if you’re deliberating whether to go for a PowaKaddy or Motocaddy trolley.
Featuring PowaKaddy’s ‘plug and play’ lightweight lithium battery that ticks a lot of boxes compared to many of the other cumbersome batteries on the course, we think it’s a very solid entry-level electric trolley and we loved how easy it was to use. While it lacks the excitement of more expensive models, the FX3 does what it was set out to do perfectly.
Finally, we were able to benefit from this trolley’s super-simple one click folding system when we put it to the test on the golf course. It really is as slick as it sounds and by clicking on one button mid-way up the chassis of the FX3, you can guide both sections of the the trolley down into its folded up state. The only issue we had was that the single wheel at the front doesn’t fold in, which can be a bit of a problem if you’re looking for a more compact trolley at home or for your trunk.
How we test for the best electric golf trolleys
When it comes to testing golf gear, let alone golf trolleys and carts, Golf Monthly has a comprehensive testing procedure built around using the products properly, thoroughly, and over a number of rounds and golf experiences. That way we can produce proper reviews that help you make an informed decision regarding possibly buying a certain model. Getting down to specifics, we should first say that no manufacturer can pay for a good review, because we tell it how it is.
Our tests are done by golfers, for golfers. If we tell you we love a product, it’s because we do! There’s no such thing as a manufacturer ‘buying’ a good review, it has to earn such a title from our wealth of experienced testers. We aren’t afraid to say a product is bad either, but given the developments in golf equipment in recent years, we thankfully don’t have to do this very often.
We should also say that before testing even begins, the Golf Monthly team will usually attend product launches and meet with the manufacturer’s R&D experts to understand the new technology. With how much technology is in electric trolleys these days, we think having an understanding of what a particular model can do is very important. The team then takes models to do testing which is a simple process because everyone in the team plays golf regularly.
How to choose
Picking out the right trolley for you sounds like an easier task than, say, the right driver or wedges. Once you delve into the world of trolleys, it can be easy to become overwhelmed at the range of different options. We’ve set out below some key points that’ll help you get the right cart for your needs.
1. Manual/Remote/Follow
What we mean by this factor is what level of usability do you want your trolley to be? Manual electric trolleys are powered by a battery and then maneuvered by yourself especially in terms of direction and speed. Remote-control trolleys, as the name suggests, can be controlled wirelessly with the use of a handset.
Most remotes have four directions (forward, reverse, left, right), and because of this enhanced technology, these tend to cost a little bit more than manual models. Finally, follow models are designed to follow you around the golf course through wireless communications like Bluetooth. This means you don’t really have to operate anything.
2. Battery
What’s the point of an electric trolley with a rubbish battery? Are you prepared to take your home after every round to charge it, or do you want two or three rounds out of your battery before charging? It’s worth keeping this in mind when comparing different brands and models.
3. Features
Are you a tech geek? Do you want to know the yardage to that bunker, and this tree, and that water hazard? Or do you simply want a trolley which battery powered wheels on it? Go into your search open minded and slowly narrow down what you do and don’t want with your trolley – the more gadgets, the more money you’ll have to splash on it.
4. Foldability
Alternatively do you want a model that can fold down easily and conveniently when the time comes to store it away? Models like the PowaKaddy CT8 GPS in particular have been designed for this very purpose.
5. Accessories
Because of how popular electric trolley’s are, there are lots of accessories you can get now, such as proper covers, winter wheels, holders for GPS devices and drinks, and so on. Therefore when purchasing your trolley, have a think about your setup and what trolley accessories you might want with your model.
6. Budget
The final factor to think about is budget, what can you afford? With the variety of models above, you can find models that offer more value if that’s what you want, but if you really want to go all out then there are also models for that too.
If you’re in the market for a new trolley, make sure to check out some of our other guides including our guide to the best push carts, most compact golf trolleys, and our guide to the best value golf push carts.
FAQs
Are electric golf trolleys worth it?
There is no sugar-coating it, electric trolley’s are a big investment but we have found that the models above have really helped golfers physically. Going from carrying a heavy bag on the shoulders and back, to using an electric trolley is truly illuminating as to how much effort it saves. Indeed this point can also be applied to people differently not only because of golfers wanting to spend money at different price points, but also we all have varying physical capabilities and all play on contrasting courses. For example if a player has a bad back and plays on a hilly golf course, then an electric trolley will definitely be worth every penny. Whilst a golfer who is fit and healthy and plays on a flat course, despite undoubtedly also saving physical exertion, may not get as much out of an electric model.
What accessories should I get with my electric trolley?
There are a wide range of accessories available on electric trolley’s these days and there are some we regard as more important than others. First we would always recommend a rain cover, as well as an umbrella holder for when the weather turns nasty. A holder for a GPS device and a drink is also a must have because we should always remain hydrated on the course.
Should I buy a push cart or electric cart?
That depends on your preferences and budget. Ultimately, electric carts are a lot more expensive than push carts meaning that they are better for those who play regularly. But don’t rule them out entirely as you can find some very good and ergonomic options, that can be great for any player.
