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How much does it cost? And how does it perform? Jonathan Taylor has everything you need to know about the new Motocaddy SE Electric Golf Trolley
Golf trolleys have come a long way from the scruffy, heavy, difficult to manoeuvre objects of my youth. But, of course, back in those days, relatively few golfers used trolleys. And even as recently (!) as 20 years ago I reckon that most of my peers would carry their bags. But perhaps over the last decade or more, trolley use and ownership has risen significantly.
And there is a bewildering choice of trolleys now – both ‘push’ and motorised, with prices ranging from less than £100 to over £1700.
The Motocaddy SE is pitched towards the lower end of that range and is designed for the golfer entering the trolley market, or switching to a motorised model from a push version.
Motocaddy SE Electric Trolley Review: First Impressions
I was a little nervous when a rather large package arrived in the office containing the SE. It’s a similar sort of nervousness that I experience when unpacking some flat-pack furniture from a well known high street brand.
However I need not have worried. Less than five minutes after opening the pack, I had a fully functioning and rather smart looking trolley ready for action. The model I tested comes with a lithium battery, which we are told will charge form empty to full in less than five hours. The lithium battery does come in at a £70 premium over a lead acid battery but does offer a longer range and quicker charging.
The trolley was easy to fold away and open up, with very little effort required. Now I must confess that I tend to carry my bag rather than use a trolley. I did purchase a Motocaddy Cube a few years ago during an irritating bout of low back pain and was impressed by how neatly that (non-battery) trolley folded up. The SE is not as compact as the Cube, which may be a consideration for some.
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The battery can be left on the trolley or removed for charging. I liked that the charger came with a nice long flex and has four green LEDs which indicate the charge on the battery. It’s all very straightforward.
Motocaddy SE Electric Golf Trolley Review: NCG Review
The whole unit looked very smart in black and grey. There was certainly nothing to suggest that this is an entry-level or economy model from the appearance.
The handle is very simple with a green power indicator and a button which you press for on/off and rotate for speed. There is no visual display to tell you how fast you are going but there are nine speed settings , although I doubt you’ll need anything faster than ‘5’. When the dial is pressed to stop the trolley, and then pressed again to restart, it automatically resets to speed 2, which is sensible.
And that’s it. There is a USB charging port on the underside of the handle, but I can’t really see that being for anything other than emergency use (if you’ve remembered the correct charging lead). There’s no GPS, remote control or any of those bits of tech that add £££ to the cost of a trolley.
I found the simplicity of the Motocaddy SE to be its strength. I teamed it up with a couple of non-Motocaddy trolley bags, as well as a medium sized carry bag. In all cases I was able to achieve a secure and balanced fit with the upper and lower bag supports.
The battery was quiet and after 18 holes on my home undulating heathland course, the lithium battery was still 80% charged.
It’s a little frustrating that you have no idea of battery charge until you come to recharge it (remember the four LEDs on the charging unit), but I guess if you’re trying to get 36 holes out of one charge and run out of juice, the SE is only a couple of kg heavier than the Cube push trolley, so pushing it wouldn’t be a complete disaster.
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It is also compatible with Motocaddy’s accessory range so you can add umbrella holders, drinks holders and much more if you wish.
Motocaddy SE Trolley Review: Final thoughts
With the few previous mentioned above, I found this to be a straightforward and enjoyable trolley.
So for someone starting their trolley career or wanting to move on from a push trolley, this does the job perfectly.
The trolley comes with a 12-month warranty and the lithium battery has a 3-year guarantee. I expect the Motocaddy SE to give many years of reliable and faithful service with appropriate care.
