Motocaddy S5 GPS Electric Trolley Review

Motocaddy has grown considerably since it brought the groundbreaking S1 to the market in 2005.

Now the world’s biggest selling electric trolley brand, it has never been behind when it comes to product development.

One such innovation is the S5 GPS, introduced in March 2023 as the flagship of the S series range, a top quality electric trolley that incorporates GPS technology. 

Tech Specs

• High-performance fully-integrated GPS with 40,000 pre-loaded courses
• 3.5” LCD touchscreen display
• Automatically finds local courses in seconds
• Front, middle and back of green distances, plus hazards
• Dynamic green view for accurate pin measurement via drag & drop pin positioning
• Green map updates to display the shape of the hole being played
• Shot distance measurement
• Score tracking
• Clock and round timer
• USB charging port
• WIFI or Cellular for over-the-air updates and Bluetooth smartphone notifications 
• CLICK ‘N’ CONNECT lightweight lithium battery
• Next generation, high power 28V system EASILOCK compatible
• Pop-out port for on-board battery charging
• Powerful, whisper-quiet 230w motor 
• Space-saving inverting wheels
• Free 6-month Performance Plan trial

Looks

The S5 is sleek & stylish thanks to its small, lightweight battery that easily slots into the body of the trolley. Its blue stripes on a smart aluminium frame certainly makes it a stand-out good looker on the first tee.

Performance

There is no carry handle on the S5 frame but it is easy to take in and out of the car boot by simply holding onto the tube. Its wheels invert too, reducing its footprint slightly.

I found it easy to put up and down by pulling on one blue catch, a considerable improvement on legacy models.

You can charge the battery in situ, but those without power points in the club’s trolley store probably prefer to charge the battery off the frame. 

After a round simply folding the trolley automatically powers off the battery - a very useful feature. The good news is that this battery is much smaller and lighter than its predecessors. Removing and replacing it is a simple task thanks to the straightforward cableless fitting.

With the golf bag installed you are a click away from getting on the move and the first thing noticeable is just how quiet the trolley is. Not trouble hearing your playing partners talking about your bad swing with this trolley!

The typical speed dial is a familiar feature and manoeuvring up and down the fairways is easy.

The big attraction of the S5 however is the built in GPS system which I found intuitive to operate, and easy to see thanks to its generous-sized, crystal clear display.

For me, the biggest advantage was the course mapping. As a user of a rangefinder, the ability to quickly glance at the screen without the faff of taking a reading was an excellent step forward. Testing against my laser proved its accuracy and the ability to judge distances to hazards and adjust the pin position on screen proved a boon.

Course mapping is automatic - just turn on the trolley and it finds the first tee within a minute.

As well as course mapping the unit allows for a host of useful data such as score tracking and shot distance measurement. A round timer and AED locator are also included.

Its cellular connectivity is a great bonus - the device is able to update firmware and new course data on its own without having to piggy-back a phone or other cellular or wi-fi device.

Pros

Easy to fold, simple set up and all over top quality performance makes this a trolley to be reckoned with. The GPS module is a great advantage; it’s easy to use once you have the hang of its extensive features and the screen graphics quality is excellent. The cordless lightweight battery slots in and out with ease and the ability of charging on and off the trolley is a useful feature.

Cons

The GPS screen feels a bit vulnerable to accidental damage in storage and in transit which perhaps explains why a neoprene screen cover is an optional extra. The demo model had a tendency to topple backwards on inclines suggesting a little extra weight would help over the front wheel, depending on the weight of your bag.

While the GPS is invaluable it is obviously only of use when you have your trolley with you so you might need an alternative when travelling abroad.

Some will be disappointed with the annual £50 Performance Plan fee after the six month free trial has ended.

Bottom Line

This is a great machine to use and its features make it a worthy consideration for any golfer. I particularly liked the easy assembly and the integrated GPS unit is first class.

You can buy the S5 GPS online today from Scottsdale Golf or American Golf for £949.

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