PowaKaddy FX3 Electric Trolley Review
Being a new golfer, I soon realised why everyone I was playing with had one of the best electric golf trolleys. It saves a lot of energy and feels like the amateurs version of a caddie!
I started playing in February 2022 when it was carry bags only on the course and I started by doing 5-holes, then 9, then 12 and then 18. By the time I got all the way around I was quite tired and decided to invest in one of the best push trolleys as an inexpensive investment.
After using that for a number of months, I was then gifted an electric trolley from a golfing friend who wasn’t feeling the greens anymore - golf is often a game of hand-me-downs.. It was an old PowaKaddy model with a pretty hefty battery, but it did move on its own and changed my world. I realised why when playing competitions people with push trolleys would rent electric ones, it really does save your energy for playing!
Inevitably, the older trolley started dying around six holes into the round and, due to the heaviness of a pre-lithium battery, it was even more hard work to push it than carrying it. Enter the new PowaKaddy FX3. Have I known love like this? Not on the golf course at least.
This model is at the entry level of the range and that is reflected in the price in comparison to other trolleys. If you are looking for all the bells and whistles, this might not be for you, but for beginners and newer golfers it does enough that it’s not distracting , like having a remote trolley , but it does really take a load off.
From the 36 hole battery I was testing, I squeezed two and a half rounds, so huge kudos to the very lightweight and easy to use Plug'n'Play 30-volt Max battery. The one time I did forget to charge it, and ended up pushing it a bit, it was fairly light and it has a super smooth roll, so for those who are very forgetful the FX3 still has your back.
I am something of a Mary Poppins on the golf course, and my golf bag always has lots of things in it so it’s a good job that the PowaKaddy Premium Tech cart bag came loaded has nine pockets, including two dri-lock zips for valuables, great for the constant rain we’ve been having. On the couple of days it has been dry and warm, the cool compartment kept my sandwiches (and prosecco) cool.
The bag features PowaKaddy’s new Mag-Lok attachment allowing PowaKaddy Cart Bags to lock onto all compatible PowaKaddy electric trolleys without the need for a lower strap. I must confess I don’t love this and I feel the bag twist a little. BUT, that might be because of the millions of things in my bag.
PowaKaddy also offers many accessories to pimp your trolley. I got the essential umbrella one and one for my phone. I’m looking at buying the seat to help rest my legs through any slow play. I also got the carry bag to protect my boot. Handily the one-click fold down system makes this easy to get into the boot, so one of the most compact electric golf trolleys, but I'm not the super angelic kind that fully cleans my trolley after each game!
The 2.3'' full-colour widescreen display screen on this trolley is entry level, it only shows the speed it’s going and the battery, you can see when it's paused. Which is pretty much all you’ll need. I was impressed with how bright and easy to read it was, even in bright light. It clearly shows your speed, whether the trolley is on or off as well as battery life. I've noticed a pleasing change in the operating dial in that it is much more ergonomic than in Powakaddy designs of the past. It feels more tactile when you use it, with the hard plastics replaced with a softer rubber around the dial pictured in yellow above.
Overall this is pretty much the complete package when it comes to a simple, entry level electric trolley. Sure, it would've been nice if it has a few more features, but they are available elsewhere in the Powakaddy range in the shape of the FX5, FX7 GPS and the all-new, compact CT8 GPS.
If you're after a simple, effective and reliable way to transport your golf clubs around the course, the FX3 has to be on your shortlist.
