Back to basics: Motocaddy SE Electric Golf Trolley

Has the Motocaddy SE Electric trolley made golf simple again? Join me as I discover why Motocaddy have taken all the faff out of golf carts and gone back to basics…

In a world where technology is advancing rapidly, we tend to get lost in all the new exciting things that are hitting the market. Nearly all of the best golf carts have some GPS or DMD feature which will have you focusing more on that than your actual golf game. The SE is a breath of fresh air in the trolley market, the lack of technology is a unique selling point for me.

It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but for any golfer out there wanting simplicity and value for money from their golf trolley, I don’t think you can look past the Motocaddy SE. For golfers who have only ever used a push trolley or are new to the game of golf, this is a great point to enter the market. While the Motocaddy M5 and M7 GPS are great and offer quality products to golfers who want a remote or GPS, the SE is a great addition to a lineup that needs something a little simpler.

Simple but effective

If you’re after simplicity then the Motocaddy SE is it. Its QUICKFOLD technology has the frame folded down in fell swoop. I’d advise you to be careful of your fingers, as I did trap mine but that was because I didn’t understand which way the mechanism folded, user error! This trolley will struggle to beat some of the best Motocaddy trolleys for their compactness so don’t expect it to fold up small. It has a length of 850mm and a width of 595mm which is quite substantial.

The wheels do come off but that doesn’t have much effect on making it any smaller. As I found out the hard way, make sure the wheels are on the right way round! It wasn’t till after my first round that I realized they needed to be on a certain way. This made the trolley struggle to move and had me thinking there was an issue when in fact it was me unboxing it and not reading the instructions.

The SE is so simple, for me it is a win-win. It does everything you need a trolley to do without the faff. I love GPS and all the gadgets but this made golf simple and I could focus on my game, and for those of you who need to have the option of a GPS, there is a USB charging port. This allows you to add a GPS on your phone which sits nicely on the phone holder accessory.

Built to last

I’ll happily say that this trolley is great for all golfers. No matter what level you’re at, if you need an electric trolley without all the extra bits this is a superb choice. The SE has excellent build quality and after multiple rounds with it, it’s already showing signs that it is built to last. Similar to lots of old trolleys you still see out on the course today you can tell there have been no corners cut and that durability was a big topic of conversation in the design process. The design is also timeless it is certainly going to age well, it looks great now and will look great in years to come.

As is the case with most trolleys nowadays, the Motocaddy SE fits almost any stand or cart bag easily, but if you’re looking for the best companion a Motocaddy bag is the one. It supports any cart bag well but thanks to the EASILOCK system Motocaddy bags fit a treat as usual, with the clips they just slot in the base and you don’t even need to strap it up the bag will stay secure.

The trolley goes across a range of terrains very well. I’ve had it out in wet and dry conditions and was pleasantly surprised by the overall performance of the trolley. The nine-speed setting gives you plenty of options depending on your walking pace but a big issue I had was that you could never tell how fast it is set too. I’m not sure if it was a cost-saving exercise but the lack of a speedometer was really frustrating.

It is the only thing in my opinion that lets this trolley down, I’d start the trolley next to the green and not have a clue what speed it was on and it would go shooting off or trundle at a snail’s pace. Apart from this small issue, I do believe this is an excellent entry-level option for golfers after something simple and effective.

The Motocaddy SE comes with an option of lead acid or lithium battery. The Lithium option is £70 more expensive and I think it is a no-brainer to spend the extra cash and get a battery that will easily do 36 holes. Not only will it do 36 holes but you get an extra 2-year warranty (3-year total) on the battery as opposed to 1 year which is certainly something to consider when purchasing.

Final Verdict

I think for any golfer out there who wants a trolley to do the simplest of tasks without all the bells and whistles then the SE is a superb option. For golfers who want a little bit more from their trolley, I think they’ll be looking elsewhere. But as far as an entry-level trolley goes I don’t think you can get much better. It’s durable, quality, and does what it says on the tin. I think the biggest compliment I can give this trolley is that it feels like a Motocaddy, the build quality and performance match anything I’ve tried in the past.

Also Consider

The Motocaddy SE is a budget-friendly trolley that will do most things a golfer needs a trolley to do. It is great at getting your clubs around the course but that is about it, if you desire a trolley with GPS, remote, or more compact then Motocaddy have a few more options to choose from. The M7 GPS has all three! It is compact and comes with both a remote and built-in GPS. If you’re after a compact GPS then our TG Editor’s Choice Award winner The Motocaddy M5 is one of the best electric golf carts on the market.

About the author

Will Shreeve-Peacock – Golf Equipment Writer

Will is an expert in golf shoes, GPS watches, rangefinders, and training aids.

He has a degree in journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and four years’ experience working in golf retail with American Golf where he was trained by a host of the big-name manufacturers.

A six-handicapper, Will has played golf for more than a decade and is a member at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincolnshire.

Motocaddy SE Electric Golf Trolley 

RRP: £429.99 (Lead Acid) | £499.99 (Lithium)

Weight: 9.0kg

Dimensions: 850mm (L) x 595mm (W) x 355mm (H)

Warranty: 1-year Trolley | 1-year Lead Acid Battery | 3-year Lithium Battery

Motocaddy.com