Electric Push Carts - is Follow Me really worth getting?

[richerod]

Wondering if folks have experience with these and could share some thoughts?

Is the "follow" feature a must have?
Seems like Stewart and Foresights have this feature. Are there others worth considering?
Would a remote-only buggy be sufficient?
Any thoughts on the Club Booster V2?

[Wigalo]

Thanks for reporting back. Nice pics. About 42 pounds, 2x's heavier than my clicgear. I guess that's manageable .

Have fun this weekend!

[richerod]

How tall is handle from the ground? Would this work for some one who is 6'4" or 193cm?

[p3eps]

I’ll measure it when I get home.
Generally, the ideal of a remote / follow trolley is NOT to use the handle though! Only for tight paths / car parks etc... and you’d only be guiding it rather than pushing it.

[richerod]

Appreciate it. Wondering when they are available in US

[p3eps]

The centre of the handle is exactly 1m off the ground. I’m 6ft 2” tall, and it feels fine to me to push about.
I’m not going to lie - I wouldn’t fancy pushing it round a course for 18 holes if I’d forgotten to charge the battery!
I did have to do that once with my X9 Follow when I left both my batteries at home. It was pretty draining, as it’s not light!

[p3eps]

Had the Q Follow out on the course now.
Did a first impressions video if anyone’s interested!

https://youtu.be/cooZ4oEhbds

[Dax]

Thanks for doing the review!

[p3eps]

A bit robotic - but I tried!! Will do an updated one once I’ve had more time on the course with the trolley.

[richerod]

Nice review. Curious to see and hear more thoughts after a few rounds.

[richerod]

Looking at the MGI Navigator which they had on display at the local PGA Superstore. Looks cool and pretty solid. Couldn't try it but the reviews on it seem positive. It doesn't have follow feature but does have a remote which I guess means I would follow it. I'm also considering the ForeCaddy because of the follow but seems like enough folks have had one issue or another. Doesnt seem like Q is available in US yet.

[Anansi]

I don’t think that “follow” features are a must have. Remote control of your trolley, however, is a serious game-changer if you like to walk courses.

The biggest impediment to follow features is that (1) they can be difficult to trust, and (2) they mess up my workflow when approaching a ball, hazard, or area that requires careful maneuvering.

(1) Trust Issues
I’ve watched playing partners confidently stroll off the tee and realize 50 yards later that their trolley isn’t behind them. Whether its user error, a connection error between remote and trolley, or something else entirely, over the course of a round, you’re likely to spend a significant amount of time checking behind you to make sure your cart is where it’s supposed to be. Until the tracking technology improves, the occasional “check-backs” are going to be part of the user experience. You have to decide whether that will annoy you over time.

In contrast, if you use a remote to pilot a trolley ahead of you while walking, you’ll never have to worry about leaving it behind. One of the early models I’ve seen (the name of the company escapes me) had a “march forward” feature where the trolley would roll ahead of you and use rear-facing sensors to maintain consistent speed and distance. It would also keep the remote “centered” behind it. These features allowed you to “steer” the trolley by walking naturally, and when you turned the centering function would turn the trolley. It was very natural to make course corrections with minimal remote input. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen this feature adopted in newer/current trolleys, but I argue that it would be much more useful for users than a follow feature.

(2) Workflow Issues
I have Alphard Golf’s V1 Club Booster on my ClicGear. After I hit a shot I send the trolley ahead of me and start walking. I usually “park” my trolley to the side of my ball before I arrive. I then retrieve my laser from the trolley, get my distance, swing, replace my club, and send my trolley off toward my ball again. Note that I’m consistently moving forward in this workflow. The trolly is generally in front of or right next to me at all times.

With a follow feature, I would need to walk up to my ball, deactivate the follow feature, walk back to the trolley retrieve a laser, walk forward to my ball, get my distance, walk back to the trolley, select a club, walk forward to my ball, swing, walk back to the trolley to replace the club, activate the follow feature, and walk forward toward my landing area with a quick check behind me to make sure the trolley is still trundling along.

Given this workflow, the practical utility of a follow feature was minimal for me. If I’m approaching dangerous ground (tight walking path, steep drop-offs, water hazards, etc.) I want the trolley where I can see it so I can make sure it doesn’t decide to start an impromptu triathalon. I’d rather send a trolley ahead of me and steer it around a fairway bunker, than be forced to “trust” the trolley not to cut the corner too sharply while it’s tracking behind me.

[p3eps]

I don’t think that “follow” features are a must have. Remote control of your trolley, however, is a serious game-changer if you like to walk courses.

The biggest impediment to follow features is that (1) they can be difficult to trust, and (2) they mess up my workflow when approaching a ball, hazard, or area that requires careful maneuvering.

(1) Trust Issues
I’ve watched playing partners confidently stroll off the tee and realize 50 yards later that their trolley isn’t behind them. Whether its user error, a connection error between remote and trolley, or something else entirely, over the course of a round, you’re likely to spend a significant amount of time checking behind you to make sure your cart is where it’s supposed to be. Until the tracking technology improves, the occasional “check-backs” are going to be part of the user experience. You have to decide whether that will annoy you over time.

In contrast, if you use a remote to pilot a trolley ahead of you while walking, you’ll never have to worry about leaving it behind. One of the early models I’ve seen (the name of the company escapes me) had a “march forward” feature where the trolley would roll ahead of you and use rear-facing sensors to maintain consistent speed and distance. It would also keep the remote “centered” behind it. These features allowed you to “steer” the trolley by walking naturally, and when you turned the centering function would turn the trolley. It was very natural to make course corrections with minimal remote input. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen this feature adopted in newer/current trolleys, but I argue that it would be much more useful for users than a follow feature.

(2) Workflow Issues
I have Alphard Golf’s V1 Club Booster on my ClicGear. After I hit a shot I send the trolley ahead of me and start walking. I usually “park” my trolley to the side of my ball before I arrive. I then retrieve my laser from the trolley, get my distance, swing, replace my club, and send my trolley off toward my ball again. Note that I’m consistently moving forward in this workflow. The trolly is generally in front of or right next to me at all times.

With a follow feature, I would need to walk up to my ball, deactivate the follow feature, walk back to the trolley retrieve a laser, walk forward to my ball, get my distance, walk back to the trolley, select a club, walk forward to my ball, swing, walk back to the trolley to replace the club, activate the follow feature, and walk forward toward my landing area with a quick check behind me to make sure the trolley is still trundling along.

Given this workflow, the practical utility of a follow feature was minimal for me. If I’m approaching dangerous ground (tight walking path, steep drop-offs, water hazards, etc.) I want the trolley where I can see it so I can make sure it doesn’t decide to start an impromptu triathalon. I’d rather send a trolley ahead of me and steer it around a fairway bunker, than be forced to “trust” the trolley not to cut the corner too sharply while it’s tracking behind me.

I’ve been using a Follow trolley for almost 3 years now, and can count on 1 hand the amount of times I’ve ‘left it behind’. Generally, you start walking - look to make sure it’s coming, and then look again when you’ve stopped.
If I was on some really rough terrain, or a steep hill, I might check to make sure it’s coping. I could hear my previous X9 follow behind me, so I knew it was there. Generally, you’ll hear the chatter of your clubs vibrating.

Manoeuvring round obstacles (bunkers / water etc) become habit to walk a few paces further away from them to avoid the trolley falling in. I don’t even think about it any more - I just do it. It’s only a couple of paces behind me, and it’s just walking pace, so not like there’s a lot of thought required anyway. If there’s something ‘dangerous’ like a bridge across water, then it’s not difficult to either put the trolley out in front of you using the remote... or easier still, guide it with your hand on the handle for that short section. You can switch between remote / follow at the touch of a button

I’ve had a Stewart trolley with remote for 12 years now. The remote handset had physically been the same on all 4 trolleys, although the insides have changed. I have always had the remote on my belt (back / centre) when playing a shot.
I use the Follow feature slightly different from the manual / videos.
On the first tee, I hit my shot. I put my club back in the bag, press the Follow button, and walk off. Once I get to my ball, I take a step past it on the right hand side of it - and wait for a second... the trolley stops right behind me. With the remote still on my belt, I press the stop button. I know on the handset where the stop / follow buttons are without looking!
Turn round, grab my Bushnell and measure the distance, then pick up the right club. Play the shot, put the club back in the bag, press follow... and walk off again.

As I approach the green, I generally take the handset of my belt and direct the trolley past me (grabbing my putter) and sending it off to the next tee.
That’s on a good day obviously, when my ball is on the green! Sometimes it follows me off to the left or right 😂

I’m not going to say I couldn’t live without Follow mode again... as that’d be a really stupid statement. Instead, I’ll say I wouldn’t buy another trolley without Follow - unless the technology gets better and there’s something better comes out.

Although the trolley being out in front of you sounds like a good idea, this requires the trolley second guessing where you’re going to go. I can’t see how that can work effectively, which is why we haven’t seen any of the big trolley manufacturers do it with any success.

[Wigalo]

p3eps, thanks for a great review. I am in the states and have pre-ordered a Q Follow. Never had any desire to own the Forecaddy...then I accidentally watched a few videos on it.

The follow range is farther and there are buttons on the handle which will make the transition to assist mode much easier than having to use the remote as is required on the Q.

Although the Q looks better in my opinion (matches my car down to the red calipers) and folds down smaller, I just couldn't get past the functionality of the increased follow range and motor controls on the trolley handle. Oh, and saving $750 U.S. doesn't hurt either.

With all that being said, I like the looks of the Q so much that I struggled to cancel my pre order, which I did last night and ordered the Forecaddy.

Motogolf has them in stock, so another bonus is that it should be here within the week as opposed to May.

I'll report back when it arrives.

[richerod]

Wigalo Looking forward to your impressions of the ForeCaddy.

[p3eps]

In the UK, the Foresight Forecaddy has only recently been released. It’s retail is £1950, and the Q Follow is £1649 (black edition), so is £300 cheaper.

I’m not sure what you mean by the Forecaddy has a further follow range? Do you mean remote use - as in theory, the trolley will always be a few feet from you in follow mode?

I said in my review I prefer the Stewart X Series look over the Q Follow... however the Q is much better looking than the Foresight one (personal opinion). It also folds neater.

The controls on the handle are a bonus though... as my X9 Follow handset had a fault last year. I had to send it back for repair, and in this time - the trolley was unusable. It was less than 2 weeks, however was an inconvenience. Having a handle control would have at least enabled me to use it as an electric push trolley.

[Wigalo]

richerod. will definitely post my thoughts. Received tracking information and it will be here Tuesday.

p3eps . Wow that's interesting that the Q is less expensive there. Here, the carbon fiber and large battery upgrade was $3000 US. The forecaddy is only $2250 AND includes $150 in free accessories.

The forecaddy uses ultra wide band instead of Bluetooth, so the follow has 55' and remote 65' of range. So kind of likea Tesla, you can summon the cart from much farther away and it will follow without actively controlling it with the remote.

I definitely like the look and folded size of the Q, but I like everything else better with the forecaddy.

[p3eps]

I guess it’s because Stewart Golf are manufactured in the UK, and Foresight in the US. My local brand is cheaper - and so is yours!

Ah, ok - I need to be within a few metres of the trolley to enable the follow mode. I don’t see it as an issue, as I usually start it after I put my club back in the bag.

In the UK, the Q only comes with 1 battery option. Black Edition at £1649, and Carbon Edition at £1749.
Carbon looks nicer IMO, however it’s just painted plastic!

Look forward to hearing what you think of the Forecaddy when you get it shortly!

[Wigalo]

My forecaddy arrived this past Tuesday and I used it for the first time today. Here are my observations.

1. The follow feature was definitely worth the extra $$ to me. While I did use the remote feature a couple of times, it was so easy using the follow and assist modes.

2. I went back and forth between the Q follow and Forecaddy. Although I still like the looks of the Q better, Follow Me from 55' was a great feature and I used it more than once today. Today we played split t's and it came in handy while waiting for the forward golfer to t off. I was able to t off, walk to to the forward T to watch the other golfer t off, then hit the follow button after the T shot and my caddy caught up as I walked and they rode.

The course I played today is typically a rider cart course because of the elevation changes and distance between t boxes, but I walked it with my forecaddy while the other 3 in my group rode. Having controls on the cart handle to control assist up hills was so much more convenient than having to use the remote control.

The forecaddy had another nice feature. When in assist mode, you can simply point it in the right direction and let it go. When it gets 15 or so feet away from the remote, it stops by itself. Great for Automatically keeping your cart clear of the tbox.

3. Finally, the forecaddy actually looks better in person. The looks are growing on me. Has a great wireless phone charger attschment.

After reading the early reviews, I initially dismissed the forecaddy. I think they may have changed the handle design and updated the firmware. Other than a couple of user errors, I had no problems today.

If you are looking for a motorized cart, I would say spend the extra $ on the follow feature. Although I haven't seen the Q in real life, the added features of the forecaddy made it the choice for me and it came in at $750 less.(if you are in the US)

[richerod]

Wondering how you found the remote when you did use it. I understand it is a "joystick" rather than directional buttons. Is that accurate? As this was your first round did having this cart with follow feature alter your preshot routine? When you would reach your ball did n you have to use remote to stop FC where you wanted it to stop?

[Wigalo]

richerod, yes there is a flat joystick as opposed to buttons. I wondered before using if it would pose a problem, but I adjusted to it quickly.

As far as my pre shot routine goes, it was seamless. Follow mode to ball. I would walk about two paces past the ball with one big step to the left so that the cart would pull up just to the left of the ball and angle left. I'd then grab my range finder off of the magnet on the cart, shoot the target and grab my club. From there, I would push the go arrow (this takes the cart out of follow mode) on the handle so that the cart would go forward and left about 15 feet....line up my shot as usual and hit it. From there I walk towards the hole, hit the follow mode button and repeat.

Sounds like a lot, but it took the same amount if time as with my push cart. Additionally, I was able to concentrate more on the upcoming shot with the cart following.

[pwade3]

I have never had an electric cart so sorry if this is an obvious question. Have been thinking about it and I like what I am hearing about the Forecaddy. Will the cart freewheel if you want to just push it without any motorized assist?

[Wigalo]

Good question. Yet another nice feature of the F.C. while stopped, just hit the down speed arrows on the handle a couple of times and the motors are disengaged, letting you freewheel the cart. I used this feature several times during my first outing.

Based on what I gather in the Q documentation, you have to physically adjust the tires on the axel to get it to freewheel. p3eps can correct or update this.
The fc's wheels can also be adjusted in a similar fashion, although I'm not sure why you would need to as the down arrow is just so easy. (Maybe the freewheel is freer?? I dunno, I may try it out)

Oh, one more thing that I forgot to mention in my post . The indicator lights by the front wheels are a nice touch. I kept the remote attached to the back of my belt for 90% of the round and hit the follow button by touch. Its nice to see at a glance what mode the cart is in.

[p3eps]

If the Q Follow is off, it can freewheel - although with some resistance.
If it’s on, then you can move it, but it’s like you’re pushing against the motor - so pretty tough.

If you want to freewheel properly, it’s a case of unclipping the wheels from the drive mechanism on the axels. Takes 2 seconds per wheel... but this isn’t something you’d really do unless you’ve run out of battery or the cart had failed in some way.

I think if I press down, the trolley will reverse!