- Jan 8, 2009
- 8,204
- 6,042
- Country
- Australia
Guys,
I recently picked up a Motocaddy S1 battery powered trolley/cart and can heartily recommend it. I'm Australian based and we mostly refer to trolleys or carts as buggies. My review is tailored for Australian members but I think Motocaddy is available around the world. It is UK made so it is definitely available there.
Enjoy!!
------------------
Intro
The 3 usual options for transporting your golf bag around the course is either to (1) carry them, (2) pull or push a buggy containing the clubs (either by human or battery propulsion), or (3) drive them around in an electric cart.
From my experience there can be polarized views about which is the ‘better’ option. In my view, there is no one better option. It comes down to the personal preferences and circumstances of each particular golfer.
The purpose of this review is not to persuade that any one of the above options is better than another. If you prefer to walk the course while carrying your clubs in a stand bag or if you prefer to drive an electric cart, that is fine. Rather, the purpose of this article is merely to review a type of electric buggy available for those who prefer to walk the course without carrying their clubs.
Background
Prior to reviewing the Motocaddy S1 electric buggy, my favoured option was to use one of the more popular brands of (human powered) push buggy; an option I found generally effective. Most of the better 3 wheeled brands roll along easily and pushing a buggy allowed me to walk the course (unless it was one of those courses that insist on electric carts). The main problem with push buggies is thick grass or the law of gravity can make them damned hard to push at times. Think lots of grunting and sweating in hot and/or hilly conditions.
Features
The Motocaddy S1 has a 200w electric motor which is powered by a 22 amp 12 volt battery. It has an ultra lightweight aerospace grade aluminium frame, with a weight of 7.6kg (excl. battery). In fact, in the U.K. one variation is sold without the battery and motor as a push buggy (Motocaddy S1 Lite (Silver))
The Motocaddy S1 comes with a diagnostic system that enables the user to identify a particular problem in the unlikely event that one arises. It has quick-release wheels with freewheel groove making it possible to complete a round, if a problem ever occurred with the battery or motor. The buggy has a one touch stop/start, set and variable distance control, and a current speed readout. When it comes to putting the buggy in the boot of the car, it has a space-saving, locking fold flat system.
The Motocaddy S1 also comes with a seat and a sand bucket hook, which are Australian add-ons because seats are a rarity in the UK and apparently sand isn’t used on their courses to repair divots. I understand that a metal ring to hold the sand bucket will soon replace the sand bucket hook. The seat is padded and has storage underneath the lid. If you don’t want to use the seat it can be left off without a problem.
A range of other accessories is available for the Motocaddy.
Main competitor
The main competitor of the Motocaddy is the Australian made MGI SL50 electric buggy. My review is not a comparison or critique of the MGI buggy, and I’m sure the MGI has its followers. Per chance, however, I had an MGI buggy demonstrated to me in a local golf store and after tinkering with its controls I am able to say that in my view the on/off button of the MGI (by virtue of the waterproof cover on the button) is less effective than the Motocaddy’s. That is because the Motocaddy has a simple stop start button which can be tapped on/off with a finger. The same cannot be said for the MGI. The plastic waterproof cover on the MGI’s switch prevents a simple tap on/off which could be an issue if an operator inadvertently lets the buggy get away from him/her and is reaching out to try and stop it.
Price
The price of electric buggies such as the Motocaddy seems to be around the $800 to $1,000 mark. In my view it’s money well spent because a round of golf is certainly more enjoyable with it carrying the clubs for you. A lot of the good quality push buggies come in at $200 to $300, so an electric buggy is not the much more of a stretch if you consider how long you will have the buggy.
How did the Motocaddy perform?
My review was performed over three rounds of 18 holes in the sweltering Christmas heat. In short, the Motocaddy came through with flying colours. The makers claim that the motor is whisper quiet and they are right. When the going gets tough and thick grass or uphill fairways are encountered, the motor is as quiet as it is on rolling flat ground.
The battery is only rated for 18 holes but I understand that 2 x 18 holes in a day without recharge are not out of the question. Certainly the battery handled the hard test I put it through. I have a heavy cart bag which carries my ‘kitchen sink’ of accessories and effects, so the Motocaddy had a fair bit of weight to push around. I didn’t do the buggy any favours either by not avoiding any slope or elevated green in order to put it through its paces. It ate up any hill, slope or thick-grassed area.
The buggy has a fixed front wheel and there’s a reason for that. The makers of the Motocaddy deliberately fixed the front wheel so that it would not deviate from it’s set direction, if the front wheel became caught in a rut or groove in the ground. That said, it is important to make sure the weight is evenly distributed in the left and right pockets of the golf bag. If too much weight is on one side of the golf bag, I observed it could cause the Motocaddy not to travel in a straight line but instead, in a long arc. But to put it in perspective, if the golf bag is properly centered the Motocaddy travels as straight as a die. Even if the weight of the bag is centered on one side, it is easy to put the Motocaddy back on track by a gentle touch on the T-handle bar.
Pre-set distance controls allow an operator to set it to travel either 15, 30 or 45 metres ahead before stopping. This is a handy feature if an operator wanted to deviate and help their playing partner to find a their ball or to buy a drink from a cart girl but wanted the cart to keep going in the original direction.
I certainly enjoyed walking the fairways and letting the Motocaddy do all of the hard work (especially in the sweltering conditions). I also finished the round a lot fresher than I would have if I had to push or pull a buggy. In fact, I wish I’d had a Motocaddy for my August trip to Canberra last year when I had to push my clubs up and down the hills of the Federal Golf Course.
I give the Motocaddy S1 a double thumbs up. If you are considering getting an electric buggy or even a push buggy, the Motocaddy is well worth a look. More information can be found here -> Motocaddy Australia Electric Golf Buggy
I recently picked up a Motocaddy S1 battery powered trolley/cart and can heartily recommend it. I'm Australian based and we mostly refer to trolleys or carts as buggies. My review is tailored for Australian members but I think Motocaddy is available around the world. It is UK made so it is definitely available there.
Enjoy!!
------------------
Intro
The 3 usual options for transporting your golf bag around the course is either to (1) carry them, (2) pull or push a buggy containing the clubs (either by human or battery propulsion), or (3) drive them around in an electric cart.
From my experience there can be polarized views about which is the ‘better’ option. In my view, there is no one better option. It comes down to the personal preferences and circumstances of each particular golfer.
The purpose of this review is not to persuade that any one of the above options is better than another. If you prefer to walk the course while carrying your clubs in a stand bag or if you prefer to drive an electric cart, that is fine. Rather, the purpose of this article is merely to review a type of electric buggy available for those who prefer to walk the course without carrying their clubs.
Background
Prior to reviewing the Motocaddy S1 electric buggy, my favoured option was to use one of the more popular brands of (human powered) push buggy; an option I found generally effective. Most of the better 3 wheeled brands roll along easily and pushing a buggy allowed me to walk the course (unless it was one of those courses that insist on electric carts). The main problem with push buggies is thick grass or the law of gravity can make them damned hard to push at times. Think lots of grunting and sweating in hot and/or hilly conditions.
Features
The Motocaddy S1 has a 200w electric motor which is powered by a 22 amp 12 volt battery. It has an ultra lightweight aerospace grade aluminium frame, with a weight of 7.6kg (excl. battery). In fact, in the U.K. one variation is sold without the battery and motor as a push buggy (Motocaddy S1 Lite (Silver))
The Motocaddy S1 comes with a diagnostic system that enables the user to identify a particular problem in the unlikely event that one arises. It has quick-release wheels with freewheel groove making it possible to complete a round, if a problem ever occurred with the battery or motor. The buggy has a one touch stop/start, set and variable distance control, and a current speed readout. When it comes to putting the buggy in the boot of the car, it has a space-saving, locking fold flat system.
The Motocaddy S1 also comes with a seat and a sand bucket hook, which are Australian add-ons because seats are a rarity in the UK and apparently sand isn’t used on their courses to repair divots. I understand that a metal ring to hold the sand bucket will soon replace the sand bucket hook. The seat is padded and has storage underneath the lid. If you don’t want to use the seat it can be left off without a problem.
A range of other accessories is available for the Motocaddy.
Main competitor
The main competitor of the Motocaddy is the Australian made MGI SL50 electric buggy. My review is not a comparison or critique of the MGI buggy, and I’m sure the MGI has its followers. Per chance, however, I had an MGI buggy demonstrated to me in a local golf store and after tinkering with its controls I am able to say that in my view the on/off button of the MGI (by virtue of the waterproof cover on the button) is less effective than the Motocaddy’s. That is because the Motocaddy has a simple stop start button which can be tapped on/off with a finger. The same cannot be said for the MGI. The plastic waterproof cover on the MGI’s switch prevents a simple tap on/off which could be an issue if an operator inadvertently lets the buggy get away from him/her and is reaching out to try and stop it.
Price
The price of electric buggies such as the Motocaddy seems to be around the $800 to $1,000 mark. In my view it’s money well spent because a round of golf is certainly more enjoyable with it carrying the clubs for you. A lot of the good quality push buggies come in at $200 to $300, so an electric buggy is not the much more of a stretch if you consider how long you will have the buggy.
How did the Motocaddy perform?
My review was performed over three rounds of 18 holes in the sweltering Christmas heat. In short, the Motocaddy came through with flying colours. The makers claim that the motor is whisper quiet and they are right. When the going gets tough and thick grass or uphill fairways are encountered, the motor is as quiet as it is on rolling flat ground.
The battery is only rated for 18 holes but I understand that 2 x 18 holes in a day without recharge are not out of the question. Certainly the battery handled the hard test I put it through. I have a heavy cart bag which carries my ‘kitchen sink’ of accessories and effects, so the Motocaddy had a fair bit of weight to push around. I didn’t do the buggy any favours either by not avoiding any slope or elevated green in order to put it through its paces. It ate up any hill, slope or thick-grassed area.
The buggy has a fixed front wheel and there’s a reason for that. The makers of the Motocaddy deliberately fixed the front wheel so that it would not deviate from it’s set direction, if the front wheel became caught in a rut or groove in the ground. That said, it is important to make sure the weight is evenly distributed in the left and right pockets of the golf bag. If too much weight is on one side of the golf bag, I observed it could cause the Motocaddy not to travel in a straight line but instead, in a long arc. But to put it in perspective, if the golf bag is properly centered the Motocaddy travels as straight as a die. Even if the weight of the bag is centered on one side, it is easy to put the Motocaddy back on track by a gentle touch on the T-handle bar.
Pre-set distance controls allow an operator to set it to travel either 15, 30 or 45 metres ahead before stopping. This is a handy feature if an operator wanted to deviate and help their playing partner to find a their ball or to buy a drink from a cart girl but wanted the cart to keep going in the original direction.
I certainly enjoyed walking the fairways and letting the Motocaddy do all of the hard work (especially in the sweltering conditions). I also finished the round a lot fresher than I would have if I had to push or pull a buggy. In fact, I wish I’d had a Motocaddy for my August trip to Canberra last year when I had to push my clubs up and down the hills of the Federal Golf Course.
I give the Motocaddy S1 a double thumbs up. If you are considering getting an electric buggy or even a push buggy, the Motocaddy is well worth a look. More information can be found here -> Motocaddy Australia Electric Golf Buggy