How To Choose The Right Electric Golf Caddy
Selecting the right electric golf caddy can be quiet simple. To start ask around your club to see what everyone is using, find out the pros and con’s. There are a broad range of electric golf trolley s on the market today, and the demand has been very high over the past few years and prices are very competitive due to this demand. So how do you decide which one would be the best investment? Here is my list of facts you should be considering before you purchase.
Weight should be your fist consideration, especially if you transport your caddy in your car, getting this in and out could become a hassle. However with today’s materials you can find a light eight caddy that’s durable and easy to remove from your trunk. Average weight is 20 to 25 lbs not including battery.
Dimensions is next, your looking for something small enough but rugged that will fit in the trunk of a car along with your golf bag. Generally dimensions on average for folded, length-34″, width-20″, height-12″ and for unfolded, length-42″-45″, width-20″ and height-34″-42″ and maximum loads total around 70 lbs.
A quick note about maximum load the lighter your bag the easier it is to maneuver around the course, due to the fact “most front wheels” are stationary and create drag when turning. There are a few manufacturers that have front wheels that turn, such as Kangaroo.
Next on my list is climbing capacity, if you play on a hilly terrain look for a trolley that can climb a 20% grade with no problem. The last thing you want is helping push your cart up the hill. This can wear you out in a hurry. Motors are a very important factor in the makeup of your trolley. Most come with 200 watt motors which is plenty to do the job. Also make sure they are sealed and maintenance free.
Batteries are important, look for deep cycle 28-ampere/hr battery, and I prefer the new gel batteries they can stand up to multiple charging. You can expect a battery life between 12 months to 2 years depending on how much you play. Example I play 3-4 times a week and play a very hilly course, and replace my battery about every 15 months.
Warranty is next, now these can differ quite a bit from 6 months to 5 years depending on manufacture. Batteries usually have a 6 month warranty.
And last but not least customer service, do they return phone calls, are they quick to address the problem and find a solution. I found that customer service has been excellent, I’ve owned two different brands and I’ve had to send both back for service and was quite pleased both times. After sending my carts back
I received both back within 10 days and everything in proper order. One cart was totally replaced no questions asked.
So enjoy your new electric golf caddy and start walking down the middle of the fairways swinging your arms, you may even see your scores come down.
Bob Lee
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