ELECTRIC GOLF CADDIES 2019- What to know...

Several years ago we were just like you, shopping for a new electric golf caddy. It took us months to finally choose an electric trolley because every time we went online, we read something new about a motor or battery that would confuse us even more. When we finally bought our first caddies, we ended up disappointed in the quality anyway, which is why we continued our pursuit of a caddy that worked best for us and finally found it in the land down under…Australia.

WARRANTY: We strongly believe that when making an investment in a product that will carry your bag hundreds of miles over several years, the most important factor is quality. Ever buy an appliance and find out the warranty costs nearly as much as the actual product? Or purchase a $1,149 phone from a company (we won’t mention any names) who then asks if you want to buy a protection plan? We’ve experienced this far too many times and we think it’s lame.

A manufacturer who offers a three-year warranty on every part of their golf caddy obviously has confidence in the structural integrity and durability of its parts and components. We suggest reading the fine print of the warranties you will find on other websites. If you’d like to read ours, you can find that here (links to Warranty Page).

BATTERY: With the exception of cheaper carts that offer the heavier and less efficient lead-acid batteries, most major brands sell a lithium-ion battery. Depending on a combination of factors such as caddy weight, bag weight, how hilly a course is and what the battery’s amp hours (aH) and voltage are, will dictate how long it should last on a single charge. Because there are so many variables we suggest you just look at what the company advertises the battery is capable of powering. We know the QOD battery is 18aH and 14.4V, and this will allow you to use the battery for 36 holes in a single day. We cannot guarantee this will be the case for all three years of your warranty due to individual variables, but we know this should be the case for quite some time should you properly charge your battery. 

MOTOR: All brands offer a motor that is capable of handling the terrain you'd expect to see on a typical golf course. There may be some variation in the technical specs of the motor size, but this is usually due to the weight of the cart, whether or not it has a remote, and the size and type of battery it was designed for. We know the QOD’s motor is 180 watts and we have taken it up the steepest hills you can find on a golf course without any issue at all. We feel it’s a safe bet to assume every caddy on the market can climb all of the hills you will find on a golf course. The question then becomes, how long will it last? Which brings us back to the warranty.

FRAME: We find there to be a very common theme amongst leading manufacturers of electric golf trollies, and that is aluminum welds made by hand during the manufacturing process, and shortcuts taken on cheaper plastic compounds. These hand welds are susceptible to weak joints from welding errors, and the cheaper plastics will more easily crack, scratch, and fade over time. A powerful motor and long-lasting lithium-ion battery are great, but what if the entire foundation holding the bag cannot handle the inevitable wear and tear it will face over the years of folding and unfolding, bumpy terrain (in those rare moments we miss the fairway), and of course the various weather conditions all of us diehard golfers find ourselves playing in from time to time? The QOD caddy cart is built from a durable nylon 66 compound which makes up that molded pieces, aircraft grade aluminum for the sliding tubes and axle pieces, and stainless-steel bolts and connectors holding it all together. This ensures integrity throughout the entire trolley and is why the manufacturer has no problem offering the 3-year warranty.

TO PLAY REMOTE CONTROL OR TO PLAY GOLF?

QOD was designed with the purist golfer in mind, it's intended to be a reliable electric golf caddy that will help you to play your best because you no longer have to exert any energy carrying or pushing your golf clubs, but yet you still get to walk the course and think about your next shot and take in the terrain as you approach your ball. 

The QOD does not have a remote control. And we find having one less thing to think about, lose, or break, is a good thing when we’re playing a game as easy as golf is! However, if you are intent on using a remote-controlled electric golf caddy there are plenty online to choose from, we would just recommend looking for the caddy cart and lithium-ion battery with a great warranty as they are much more prone to electronic issues.