From tee to green, these high-tech caddies take the grunt out of the stroll – letting you focus on your swing, not your stride.
There’s something inherently good for the soul about walking the fairways. Beyond the obvious physical benefits – improved fitness, better balance and a gentle boost for heart health – walking a round of golf offers time to think, decompress and stay engaged in the game. But let’s be honest: lugging a heavy bag or dragging a manual buggy can take the shine off.
That’s where motorised buggies/trolleys/pull carts – whatever your preferred term is – come in. These clever companions are transforming the walking game, offering effortless transport for your clubs and gear while letting you focus on your swing, not your shoulders. What’s more, you’re not losing any health benefits by slacking off on the carrying, according to a study overseen by Professor Graeme Close from Liverpool John Moores University. Close’s study focused on 16 elite college golfers, using three different modes for transporting their clubs on the course: carrying, pushing a trolley and using a Stewart Golf Q Follow electric buggy. The study has debunked the myth that carrying a golf bag for 18 holes provides a greater workout than using an electric or push buggy.
“What I would really want to emphasise is; don’t think you’re losing your health benefits by putting your clubs on an electric trolley. The benefit is coming from walking,” Close says.
Interestingly, the study also found that carrying produced the highest overall heart rate and heart rate fluctuation, a factor that could adversely affect match performance; lining up a crucial putt with an increased heart rate is not an ideal scenario for most golfers.
With modern features like GPS, slope control and even remote operation, the best new motorised buggies combine performance with convenience – turning every round into a smooth, stress-free stroll.
Ready to lighten the load and reap the rewards of walking? Here are our top picks for the best new electric buggies.
MGI Zip X1
The MGI Zip X1 redefines how the modern golfer approaches the game. Showcasing a sleek, seductive matte black gloss design with a bold gloss top box, the Zip X1 pairs style with power, offering unmatched aesthetics and performance. Equipped with digital electronics, variable speed control, and a battery indicator, this buggy makes navigation effortless. Its whisper-quiet 230-watt motor ensures a smooth, undisturbed ride while you focus solely on your swing.
With a three-year warranty, the Zip X1 is more than a buggy it is engineered with a Zip fold three-wheel system and a fully foldable rear fourth wheel. It features a fixed front wheel, ergonomic T-bar handle, GPS holder and an onboard USB charging port.
FIND IT: mgigolf.com
RRP: $1,199
Stewart Golf Q Follow
Stewart Golf’s all-new flagship model takes award-winning innovation and elevates it again with a next-generation compact Follow and Remote golf buggy. Designed, engineered and hand-built in Great Britain, the Q Follow uses a pioneering microcellular composite chassis to deliver the greatest way to play golf ever by combining cutting-edge technology with extraordinary design. Walk hassle-free down the fairway and leave your worries behind you as you get the pro-like benefit of Follow technology. Featuring a rechargeable lithium battery and secure Bluetooth connectivity, the compact handset gives you complete and consistent control throughout your round. With up to a 50-metre range, you have total flexibility to walk independently of your buggy. When you want to completely forget about it, simply engage Follow mode, clip the handset to your belt or back pocket and walk ahead. There’s also a manual setting for when you need it.
FIND IT: shop.stewartgolf.com.au
RRP: $5,499
PowaKaddy CT8 GPS
The all-new CT8 GPS is marketed as the world’s smallest touchscreen GPS golf buggy, allowing golfers the opportunity to enjoy smarter power. This model boasts a fully-integrated GPS, accessible via a new 3.5-inch TFT full-colour touchscreen display.
This high-performance model comes pre-loaded with more than 40,000 courses worldwide with no annual fees or subscriptions.
Simple-2-FoldTM system in the CT series collapses 20 percent smaller than the previous PowaKaddy Compact C2i models and 35 percent smaller than its nearest competitor on the market.
FIND IT: drummondgolf.com.au
RRP: $2,099
