How do I choose a golf trolley?
How do you find the best golf trolley for you?
How to choose a golf trolley... Electric or manual? Feature-packed or sleek? 18-hole or 36-hole battery? Remote control?
There's a lot to consider when choosing a golf trolley
Over the last 30 years, all categories of golf equipment have undergone radical change, but perhaps not as much as the golf trolley.
Choisir un chariot de golf - Table des matières
The best push golf trolleys on the market today are a far cry from the rudimentary two-wheeled contraptions you used to have to clumsily drag behind you.
And the best electric golf trolleys are on a completely different level to the heavy, cumbersome and unreliable beasts of yesteryear.
You can even get expensive remote-controlled golf trolleys to follow you around.
Here are the main things to consider when buying a golf trolley for the first time or upgrading your existing trolley...
How do I choose the right golf trolley?
Choosing between a 2-wheel, 3-wheel or electric golf trolley
The first thing to consider is whether or not you need or want motor assistance. Cost will be a key factor in this decision. But while non-motorised push trolleys are generally the cheapest option, there will be a degree of overlap between the most expensive three-wheeled push trolleys and the cheapest electric trolleys.
You also need to consider whether or not you're prepared to put in the extra effort and organisation to recharge an electric trolley and get it ready for the next round, although this process is now much easier than it used to be.
Finally, do you really need an electric trolley? If you play mainly on hilly courses or undulating terrain, then yes, it will take more of the load off your shoulders. But if you play mostly on flat ground, it may not be such an urgent priority, as today's three-wheeled trolleys are lightweight and move freely.
There's no doubt that carrying your clubs on a trolley instead of on your back saves energy for the far more important task of hitting your shots. Gone are the days when only older golfers used a trolley or cart. Many younger players are now opting for this modern, energy-saving option.
The following descriptions explain the differences between the trolleys to help you find the one best suited to your game:
Manual push/pull trolleys
The lighter, less expensive alternative to the electric trolley is the manual push or pull trolley.
A two-wheeled manual trolley is designed to be pulled behind you, while the more stable three-wheeled trolley is usually pushed.
If you're playing on flat ground, the balance point of a two-wheeled cart will make it easy to pull and it may cost less than a three-wheeled push cart.
The 3-wheel push trolley is more common these days and is much lighter to move and more stable than the old 2-wheel push trolleys.
Most are equipped with more accessories, including brakes to slow the trolley down or hold it still while you play your shot.
Some modern 3-wheel trolleys have larger wheels and smooth bearings that glide over the grass with air-filled tyres that are very suitable for the course.
There are also push trolleys with 4 wheels, which are even more stable.
A manual trolley is an inexpensive alternative to an electric buggy or a trolley hired from your golf shop, as it can last for many years and there are no extra charges for recharging the battery.
The most compact golf trolleys
One thing that can often put people off investing in a golf trolley is their size and weight.
Although there are still some models that are on the bulky side, manufacturers have noticed that many golfers prefer a lightweight, compact folding golf trolley that fits easily into cars and garage spaces.
In recent years, manufacturers have continued to innovate in terms of folding and mechanisms to make golf trolleys easy to transport and use.
Quite simply, the modern compact golf trolley is the easiest way to transport your clubs around the golf course.
These models can be folded and unfolded quickly and efficiently, while ensuring they take up as little space as possible to save space in the car, garage or wherever you keep your golf equipment.
How do I choose an electric golf trolley?
Electric golf trolleys use a battery to propel them around the golf course to reduce the effort needed to carry your golf bag or push/pull a manual trolley.
They can be controlled using a remote control or a speed selector that allows the trolley to follow the golfer as he or she walks, saving the energy needed for the swing.
Although it's the most expensive option on the market, it's a fantastic long-term investment that will allow you to concentrate on the game.
What are the selection criteria to be taken into account?
What capacity for your battery?
If you opt for electricity, what battery capacity do you need?
Simple, ready-to-use systems and the ability to charge batteries on site, on the trolley, have done away with much of the old drudgery of battery charging.
Batteries have come a long way in recent years, with the arrival of lighter, more powerful lithium options.
You still have to decide whether you only need an 18-hole rechargeable battery, whether you need to buy a long-life battery or a 36-hole battery, but always remember to have equipment that allows you to play your favourite golf course with a certain degree of comfort.
Size and storage options
Similarly, you need to make sure that the size and shape of the trolley will fit comfortably in the boot of the car and where you intend to store it at home.
That's why it's worth considering some of the most compact golf trolleys on the market, as they can fold up very easily without taking up a lot of space in your garage, car or wherever you store your golf bag.
What are the features and preferences when selecting a golf trolley?
We are now entering the realm of personal preferences.
Electric trolleys, in particular, now come with all sorts of big and small accessories, such as a scorecard, an aluminium frame, a cup holder, an umbrella holder, so you have to decide what looks really useful and what may look great but you'll never actually use.
We won't go through all the little features available on a trolley here, but do you need: a handy pocket for all your items; a USB charging port; a function that lets you send it self-defined distances; a colour screen to display distances and GPS information?
The answer may be yes to all these questions and many more, but it's worth deciding what your essential needs are so that you don't end up paying for features you'll never use.
If you decide to opt for an electric trolley, you then need to ask yourself whether you want to opt for remote control.
Remote-controlled golf trolleys have been around for a few years now, and have gone well beyond the stage of being a mere novelty.
Price is, of course, an important factor. And at some clubs, having a trolley that follows you around with your hands free can sometimes make other golfers want to see you off somewhere!
But as with all things in life, if you want the best of the best and you have the funds, then why not?
Whichever trolley you choose, you're going to have to manoeuvre it around your garage, the boot of your car or the trolley shop at your golf club every time you use it.
So make sure you make the right choice, and that the trolley you buy is manoeuvrable enough, especially if you have a bad back.
Check the weight on the manufacturer's website and, ideally, try handling one in shop before you buy or ask a friend who owns the same model to let you try it with your golf bag to get a better idea of how it will feel.
Because golf for us is synonymous with meeting and sharing, at The Belvédère Annecy Golf Club, you won't just find a beautiful training facility,you'll also find a soul, an atmosphere...
In other words, an ever-smiling welcome that will make you want to extend your sporting experience with a moment of relaxation.
At The Belvédère Golf Course, just outside d'Annecy, you can enjoy a meal with a breathtaking view of the Aravis massif.
You will also find at your disposal some very nice infrastructures such as :
- A 230-metre multi-storey driving range
- A putting green
- An approach area
- The Annecy Golf Academy with two instructors
- Adapted golf clinics In summer and weekend
- Adapted golf courses for children during school holidays
- A 9-hole golf course to put your training into practice
