In recent years, electric trolleys have gone from feature-packed to arguably feature-daft. A top of the range electric golf trolley will now do pretty much everything bar hit the golf ball for you. But, with spiralling prices has this trolley technology trend gone too far?
The Motocaddy S1 DHC (downhill control) Electric Trolley promises to go against the grain by putting functionality first for golfers looking for nothing more than a great-looking, well built electric trolley that you can rely on to get you from tee to green (and everywhere in between in my case...)
I took it to Bingley St Ives Golf Club in Yorkshire to pace the undulating fairways and see what the S1 had to offer.
The Tech
The S1 and S1 DHC trolleys include what Motocaddy refer to as their quickest ever 1-step folding system.
It combines a modern design with a whisper-quiet 230W motor, super-lightweight Lithium battery and new visuals including a full-colour LCD display.
The trolley features Motocaddy's Click n Connect battery which is cable free, but also automatically disconnects the battery whilst folded and allows you to charge the battery without having to remove it.
Notable other features on the new S1 and S1 DHC Trolleys include:
- Nine speed settings
- Speed indicator and battery metre
- USB charging port
- Adjustable Distance Control (up to 45 yards)
- Oversize tubing
- Easilock bag-to-trolley connection system
The S1 trolley is available in Graphite/Red at an RRP of £599.99 for the Standard Lithium battery and £649.99 for the Extended Lithium battery.
The S1 DHC is also available in Graphite/Red and is priced at an RRP of £649.99 for the Standard Lithium, and £699.99 for the extended version.
Motocaddy S1 DHC Electric Trolley Review
Looks
Although it may not look it due to a new design moving on from the previous S1 model, the S1 DHC is the entry level product in Motocaddy's 2022 electric trolley line-up.
With that being said, I still think this trolley looks great. It's sleek, simple and sturdy looking from all angles boasting some impressive build-quality for an entry level product.
It's very similar to the Motocaddy M1 model from afar however on closer inspection you can see that the location of the battery has been moved to behind the main bar, this makes it much easier to take the battery in and out and also means the trolley feels sturdier with the main bars connecting more centrally to the lower chassis.
The styling follows a grey, black and red colourway which is a safe bet and will go down well with a wide array of styles of different golf bags. During my review I paired it with a matching Motocaddy Pro Series Cart Bag from Motocaddy's latest cart bag line-up and I can see the combination being a big hit with a lot of amateur golfers.
Setup
Every time I review a new golf trolley for Golfalot, I am increasingly impressed by the ease of setup of the modern-day trolleys across the market. The Motocaddy S1 DHC is no different. If anything, it's as simple to setup as any electric trolley I have tested.
Simply take it out of the box, click the battery into place using the small red tab in the middle of the frame, click in the two space-saving inverting wheels and then with two simple clicks of the '1-step-folding' system chassis, you're on your way. It really is a simple, no-fuss system that's pretty idiot proof.
If you're looking to buy your first electric trolley and don't have much experience using different models, with setup being so easy - the S1 could be a great option.
As we have seen in previous Motocaddy trolley models like the Motocaddy M1, the S1 DHC features the Easilock bag to trolley connection, which again worked perfectly when paired with the Pro Series bag. This simple system means that bag and trolley are locked into place adding stability with no chance of any rocking or sliding once the bag is strapped to the trolley.
A special mention in this section also has to go to the new battery, which is easier than ever to get working. The Click ‘N’ Connect battery means that it is now cable free and Motocaddy are on a par with the Powakaddy FX7 GPS Electric Trolley's Plug 'n' Play battery system.
On top of this, the 28V lightweight lithium battery can now also be charged without having to take it out of trolley itself - another small improvement, but a handy one all the same.
Finally I found that the detachable and adjustable bag supports to work really nicely. They can be clicked in or out around both the top and bottom of your golf bag and hold everything in place.
On-Course Functionality
On the golf course I enjoyed using the new S1 DHC. Firstly I was impressed by the rear wheels with all terrain DHC tread. Although they didn't quite look as good as the sporty Powakaddy FX7 GPS Electric Trolley's or probably the C2i GPS model's wheels, I found the traction to be superior, and not only on the grass but on various different golf course paths throughout the round.
For power, Motocaddy has kept the screen very simple making adjusting the level of speed clear. There is no excess information seen on other Motocaddy models like the M5 GPS trolley. You get a simple gear indicator to control adjustment through the 9 gears and a battery meter to let you know how much juice you have left.
The screen isn't the easiest to see in the world in bright light compared to some other LCD screens we've seen on the market recently, however for the level of information it is displaying it doesn't really need to be.
Below the screen sits the main Motocaddy power button as well as a built-in USB port below so you can charge up any accessories that you may need on the go. This is all encased in an ambidextrous handle, soft to touch and comfortable to hold throughout the round, with just enough grip to mean the trolley never gets away from you.
The S1 range has two model options the: S1 and the S1 DHC. DHC stands for 'downhill control' and is something we've been seen before with 2018's M1 DHC, it's an added extra for £50. This is a clever feature as it allows the trolley to maintain a constant speed when moving downhill so your trolley is never getting away from you. As well as this, there is a built-in electric parking brake to keep your trolley stationary on the steepest of slopes.
Although the Motocaddy may not been the smallest or lightest trolley on the market, with clever designs like the inverted wheels it still folds down pretty small once not in use.
Motocaddy S1 DHC Electric Trolley Verdict
This is a great golf trolley. It does exactly what it says it's supposed to, and does it well.
It's clear that Motocaddy have thought a lot about the different features and how to improve a golfer's round from the car to the course and back again.
Would I Use It?
Yes. Given the option, I would carry my golf bag all day - I find it quicker and it's just what I am used to. However if I was to use an electric trolley for longer rounds the S1 DHC would be the kind of model I would go for. It's quick to setup, easy to charge, robust, quiet and looks pretty good too.
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