Find the Perfect Golf Cart that Follows You

My father-in-law is a talented golfer, so when it comes time for birthday or Christmas presents, one of his gifts is usually golf related.

Unfortunately, at this point in our nearly two decade relationship, I’m starting to run out of golf gift options.

This year, instead of purchasing a dozen Pro V1 golf balls, I decided to ask him if he had any items on his wish list. He hesitated for a few seconds before weighing in.

“Josh, I’d really love an electric golf cart that follows you around the course…but I think they’re pretty expensive.”

This unique request led me on a deep-dive to find the best electric golf push cart. I learned a ton, and now I’m going to share all of my takeaways with you, free of charge.

So let’s get to it.

First, what is an electric golf caddy?

An electric golf caddy is basically a golf push cart that is driven by a motor.

If you’ve ever walked around the golf course with a cheap manual push cart, you know that its a better option than carrying your bag all over the course.

You also know that it’s not a perfect solution. Wheels jam, push carts tip, and you still have to exert some force to move around those clubs.

The electric golf caddy is meant to be the solution for these shortcomings.

In places like the UK, the motorized push cart (sometimes referred to as a golf trolley or electric trolley) is quite popular. But here in the US, the electric push cart is still catching on.

For better or worse, most Americans like to ride during their golf course round instead of walking.

My father-in-law is one of the exceptions to the rule. He tries to walk the course whenever he can.

With that reality in mind, I set out to find him the perfect follow me golf caddy.

How to Choose a Golf Cart that Follows You

There are plenty of remote control push carts, but there are only a few options on the market when it comes to push carts that follow you as you play. If you’re shopping for one of these units, there are five metrics that I think you should consider. Those include:

• The price
• The follow technology
• The features
• The weight and size
• The warranty

The price range for these units starts at about $1,500 and runs all that way up to the $4,000 mark, so if you’re hoping for a cheap gift option, look elsewhere.

My research led me to these super official rankings.

Model	Weight	Dimensions	Holes Per Charge	Warranty	Listed Price	More Info
Stewart Golf Q Follow	33.5lbs	21″ x 23.6″ x 12.6″	18 (or upgrade for 36)	2 years	$2,699	Get Details
Stewart Golf X10 Follow	33.5lbs	25" x 32" x 12.6"	18 (or upgrade for 36)	2 years	$2,599	Get Details
ForeCaddy	35lbs	32.28″ x 23.64″ x 18″	36	1 Year	$2,249	Get Details
CaddyTrek R3	36lbs	21″ x 24″ x 11″	27	1 Year	$1,895	Get Details

The Top Dawg – Stewart Golf Q Follow

When it comes to golf carts that follow you, the Stewart Golf Q Follow is the Mercedes Benz of the lineup (minus the maintenance headaches of a German luxury vehicle). If you’re looking for the best motorized cart, this is it.

I can put my money where my mouth is. The Stewart Golf Q Follow is the cart I ended up buying for my father-in-law.

The Specs

Price: Starting at $2,699
Weight: 33.5lbs
Folded Dimensions: 21″ (tall), 23.6″ (wide), 12.6″ (deep)
Warranty: 24 months for cart and lithium battery

See this at IntheHoleGolf.com.

Key Features

The Q Follow has the best follow technology available on the market. This means that golfers can fully trust that their unit is following along in step, even on hilly courses. I really like the rear stabilizer wheel which helps ensure that this unit won’t tip when the terrain gets dicey.

A SmartPower lithium battery offers 18 holes of golf on a single charge. You can upgrade at checkout (+$200) for a better lithium ion battery that will carry you through 36 holes. I wish this battery was included as part of the package, but I also get why they created this up-charge option.

A downhill brake will apply automatically if the unit picks up too much speed.

Follow, remote mode and manual mode are included with every Q Follow, so if you are wanting the best of both worlds, you can get a follow cart and a remote control golf cart all in the same purchase.

Weight and size matter. Golfers often forget that they will be lifting their electric golf trolley in and out of their cart, and some of the options are heavy and bulky.

But not the Q Follow.

Stewart Golf utilizes a unique microcellular composite chassis that allows this unit to transform into much smaller footprint. Best of all, the electric cart can be lifted with one hand.

There are a few small details that make a big difference. Soft touch handles are a nice feature for the times when you need to manually move your cart. An integrated scorecard holder is weatherproof and magnetic, ensuring the lid always stays closed when it’s not in use.

There are some add ons and accessories as well. The most common options are an insulated drink holder and an umbrella holder.

The Recap (Pros and Cons)

See the Q Follow In Action

Next in Line – Stewart Golf X10 Follow

If you’ve done any “golf cart that follows you” research of your own, I’m sure you’ve come across the Stewart Golf X10 Follow. This is a close runner-up to the Q Follow in my book. I landed on the Q Follow primarily because it folds up smaller, but the X10 may serve some golfers better while saving them a bit of money up front.

Stewart Golf claims that the X10 Follow is widely regarded as the world’s finest golf cart, and for good reason. Here’s what you need to know.

The Specs

Price: Starting at $2,599
Weight: 33.5lbs
Folded Dimensions: 12.59″ (tall), 25″ (wide), 32″ (long)
Warranty: 24 months for cart and lithium battery

Key Features

Much like the Q Follow, the X10 Follow utilizes the best follow technology available on the market.

The standard lithium battery that comes with the unit can power you through 18 holes of golf without any trouble, but you can upgrade at checkout (+$200) for a better lithium ion battery that will last through 36 holes.

A downhill brake will apply automatically if the unit picks up too much speed.

Follow, remote and manual mode are included with the X10, so this cart has three convenient modes of operation. The remote recharges easily via USB.

Weight and size go up slightly with this model. The X10 isn’t gigantic, but when folded, it will require two hands to lift into your vehicle.

My father-in-law sometimes deals with back problems. The last thing I’d want is for him to mess up his back putting this golf car in his trunk.

The design details are really sharp. The X10 comes in several appealing color options including metallic black, metallic silver and pearlescent white. There is an integrated ball and tee holder (something the Q Follow doesn’t have), as well as a scorecard and pencil enclosure.

There are some add ons and accessories including a drink holder, umbrella holder and upgraded “hedgehog” wheels.

The Recap (Pros and Cons)

See the X10 in Action

Add-ons cost extra

The Renegade – The ForeCaddy by Foresight Sports

If you’re hoping to land slightly lower on the budget scale, the ForeCaddy is worth your attention. I really like ForeCaddy’s website and the fact that its backed by Foresight Sports, a company known for its high quality golf simulators.

The Specs

Price: $2,499
Weight: 40lbs
Folded Dimensions: 32.28″ x 23.64″ x 18″
Warranty: 12 months

Key Features

The ForeCaddy’s follow technology was upgraded in its newest model (ForeCaddy 1.5). Much like its competitors, golfers use the remote as a beacon for the trolley to follow.

Automatic braking and speed control are helpful for hilly golf courses. A smaller rear wheel adds to the stability of the unit.

ForeCaddy’s lithium battery should hold up for two full rounds, and unlike the Stewart Golf options, you don’t have to pay for an upgrade to tackle more than 18 holes.

There were several complaints about this unit in the early days, including issues with following and a frustrating remote, but the newest model seems to have corrected those issues. A new precision 4 way drive remote replaced the clunky joystick option that ForeCaddy 1.0 users didn’t like.

Advancements in AI, along with a vision camera result in more stability and better follow technology.

Four operation modes are included in the standard package. Those include manual, power assist, remote mode, and follow mode.

The ForeCaddy weighs about 7 lbs more than the Q Follow or X10 Follow. Not a big deal, but worth noting.

Its folded footprint is larger as well, but that larger footprint actually makes the ForeCaddy slightly easier to set up when you pull it out of your trunk.

The design details are solid. The ForeCaddy doesn’t look cheap or overly futuristic. It looks good without trying too hard.

A golf ball / scorecard holder is built into the unit.

The add ons for the ForeCaddy include a phone charger (which is a game-changer in my opinion) as well as a drink holder, sand/divot repair holder and an umbrella holder.

The Recap

See the ForeCaddy 1.0 in Action

The Budget Buy – The CaddyTrek R3

The CaddyTrek R3 has the lowest retail price of the units I researched. It is also unique in the follow me golf caddy department because it doesn’t require a remote in order to follow you around. All of the other trolleys require that you keep a remote (“beacon”) clipped to the back of your outfit.

The Specs

Price: $2,195 (but you can find it cheaper)
Weight: 36lbs
Folded Dimensions: 21″ tall x 24″ wide x 11″ long
Warranty: 12 months

Key Features

The CaddyTrek R3 utilizes a first-of-its-kind Smart A.I. Vision Follow technology. This is a nice step forward in the sense that a golfer doesn’t have to carry a remote, but it is safe to say that this follow technology isn’t as reliable as what you’d expect from 7 rounds of technology improvements from Stewart Golf.

A people avoidance feature is paired with the smart follow technology. If someone crosses the path of the CaddyTrek R3, the cart will slow down automatically until the person has moved through its line of sight.

The R3 ships with a 24v lithium ion battery that will last through 27 holes on a single charge. Unlike Stewart Golf’s options (18 hole battery), this superior battery setup comes standard.

However, the CaddyTrek R3 battery doesn’t quite match the claims made by the ForeCaddy unit which promises two full rounds (36 holes) on a single charge.

Follow, remote and manual mode are included with the CaddyTrek R3.

This is the heaviest of all the units I reviewed, weighing in at 36lbs compared to 35 and 33lbs for the other electric push carts. Not a deal breaker, but it should be noted.

If you’re going for style points, the CaddyTrek R3 is the least attractive build, in my opinion.

However, the unit is offered in three colors (black, red, and blue), so some golfers may like having more color options to choose from.

There are also basic storage areas below for golf tees and some smaller equipment. The R3 utilizes space that competing models do not.

The add ons for this unit aren’t very impressive. The scorecard holder and cup holder are very basic attachments.

The Recap

See the CaddyTrek R3 in Action

Closing Arguments

I spent a ton of time reading reviews, watching videos and dissecting each product website.

My ultimate conclusion when it comes to choosing a golf cart that follows you:

You get what you pay for.

Stewart Golf gets the trophy for producing the best overall units in terms of reliability and customer service. This is the option I went with for my father-in-law.

I have no regrets (other than the price I paid).

At the same time, all of the units bring something unique to the table. Competition is good, and each of these companies will continue to innovate.

If you’re up for the gamble on one of the more affordable follow me golf caddies, I think there’s a case to be made. My only concern is how these units will hold up in the long term.

Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy write-up, and thanks to the golfers who have reached out with additional insights.

If you have a personal review for Q Follow, X10 Follow, ForeCaddy or R3, I’d love for you to post your thoughts in the comments below.