Some golfers prefer to carry their golf clubs or use a push trolley, as it allows them to burn more calories while improving their cardiovascular fitness. However, the continual lifting and steering of heavy golf clubs can take its toll on your body, especially if you regularly play on hilly courses.
The good news is, electric golf trolleys are battery-operated. They take the strain off your muscles so you can preserve your energy for the game.
But one of the biggest concerns of golfers is, what happens if the battery dies? Will you be able to push an electric golf trolley?
Here the experts at Clarkes’ Golf Centre explain everything you need to know about using an electric trolley – including how to push it correctly.
How do electric golf trolleys work?
An electric golf trolley uses a motor and battery to power it around the golf course.
Most modern trolleys have an 18- or 36-hole lithium battery. These are significantly lighter and smaller than their lead-acid counterparts, making it easier for you to lift them for storage and charging.
Electric trolleys can be controlled via a remote control or speed dial. Either way, you simply have to walk alongside it whilst it reduces the burden on your shoulders, arms and legs.
Can you push an electric golf trolley?
Electric golf trolleys are designed to take the weight of your golf bag and transport your golf clubs from one hole to the next, requiring minimal effort on your behalf.
However, if you need to push your motorised trolley – you can.
For example, if your trolley’s battery runs out of charge because you forgot to charge it up after your last round of golf, it’s helpful to know that you can push it manually. And if your battery dies time and time again, it’s worth getting yourself a new one – ideally one that will last 36-holes, which is the equivalent to 2 full rounds of golf.
If your golf trolley experiences a mechanical failure, it may stop working – leaving you with no option but to push it. Luckily, this can easily be avoided by regularly maintaining your trolley and its battery – ensuring any potential faults are identified and rectified sooner rather than later.
How to push an electric golf trolley
Although it may seem easy enough, there are a few steps you need to follow to ensure you push your electric golf trolley safely and correctly.
To start, you need to make sure that your trolley is on a ‘freewheel mode’ – otherwise, it will be difficult to push across the course.
If your trolley has a ‘tow’ mode, switch it to ‘run’. This will allow you to push it with ease and prevent it from rolling away from you when you stop to take your shot.
If the battery is flat, you’ll need to control it more as it’s unlikely that you will benefit from the additional features (i.e. downhill control or DHC). Remember to steer the trolley with both hands to ensure maximum stability when making your way across the links.
Want to get the most out of your electric trolley?
Given that an electric golf trolley is a significant investment to make, it’s understandable that you want to get the best value for your money. Therefore, you need to keep it in tip-top condition.
Most motorised models fold down to a compact size (with the battery in-situ). However, it’s good to get into the habit of lifting your trolley out of your car when you get home from the golf course. This will allow you to plug it in and relax knowing that it’s fully charged and ready for your next round of golf – saving you the effort of pushing your trolley.
If you’re looking to invest in an electric golf trolley and want to use it to its full potential, keep an eye out for one with a battery indicator. Though it may not be the fanciest feature on the trolley, this will allow you to monitor how much power it has left so you can figure out if and when you might need to start pushing.
For more tips on pushing an electric golf trolley, get in touch with the team at Clarkes’ Golf Centre. And if you’re unsure which trolley to buy, or you have a question about the motorised models available, call 01744 419 914.