Stewart Golf Q Follow Independent Review Episode 4

[@petermrattray]

Good news - the adjustable umbrella holder is back in stock. I’ve just ordered one so I can try it out. I’m hoping not to see the rain for a while… but it’s always windy, so can still see how it goes!

[@mattburford2627]

Do you think this will negate using the central slot to hold the remote?

[@petermrattray]

I’ll tell you on Tuesday, but I think it probably will.

[@Jacknox]

Thank you for these reviews. I've purchased a Q Follow and am into week 3 of my waiting period. I will spray some Cosmoline on the exposed bolts and bits after watching your review because I tend to play through the rain.

[@petermrattray]

Only another 9 weeks to go then! We get rain a lot here, so I’m going to have to do something with the bearings and screws to try and keep them rust free. I do still have the broken rear stabiliser, so could steal the bearings off that and give them some protection.

[@mattburford2627]

Another great video, thanks. Looking forward to the full review 👍

[@petermrattray]

Thanks! It’ll probably go over most of what I’ve already said. I’ll hopefully get a nice evening in the next couple of weeks that I can go out on my own, take my time, and not worry about my game!!

[@Simon-hz3vt]

Got mine finally last week Pete one month later than scheduled. Had my first round yesterday after a practice session on our estate! I'd got a bit worried about weak handle and no buttons on the trolley etc but it's my first electric trolley (I'm 61) and I have to say it all makes sense when you use it. It's just not designed to push - so use the handset! I spent much more time steering than following but that's my golf! I got the brolly holder too, so we'll see how the handle copes with that but it feels pretty solid, the weight is all low down so upper flex should not be a problem - this thing is not ever going to flip it's super stable. My battery will not connect to the App at all which is annoying, hopefully SG can sort this. But overall I am well pleased. Watching my peers having to push/steer their £900 carts around I thought that my extra spend is well worth it - we'll see. Anyway great series thanks. Hope no post-cognitive dissonance sets in at your end - or mine for that matter!

[@petermrattray]

Glad to hear it’s finally arrived. Yes, it’s all done by the handset… but sometimes I feel like I just want to move the trolley forward a few feet when playing a shot, or I’m in someone’s way etc. In order to do that, I need to either take the handset off my belt and use it… but more often I lift the rear wheels off the ground and just push the trolley. Having a couple of buttons would be great for that! I tested the umbrella holder on a pretty horrible day and was surprised how well it coped. Very little flex, despite the umbrella blowing everywhere. Quite pleased to be proved wrong with that one. My battery always connects, provided the app has been properly shut before hand. It only takes a few seconds, then shows me the percentage. I barely use the app now I’ve figured out the limits of the battery. Generally I charge it every second round to make sure it’s ok. My latest video that I’m putting together has a bit about follow vs remote, and I agree with you - the follow is well worth the extra premium. It means you can take your mind off what the trolley is doing and enjoy your round!

[@jimlock6152]

Just came of the golf course and was cleaning my trolley down and I have two chips on my wheel guard where the fibre coating is off.. not a happy bunny at all.. I would have sent you picture but don’t know how..😢

[@petermrattray]

Gutted. I think the best option is actually buy the black edition, and wrap the black bits. Cheaper and more durable.

[@jimlock6152]

@@petermrattray definitely, be interesting to see what they have to say about it at Stewart’s.. it’s a sad state of affairs when you pay extra for carbon to discover it’s not even a millimetre thick coating..

[@jimlock6152]

@@petermrattray they’re saying I’ve probably bumped it and sent me a link to purchase another two.. the layer of carbon is paper thin

[@petermrattray]

I thought the carbon was just a hydro dipped bit of plastic. I can see the way it’s painted on when I look at the underside of my wheel arches, and it kind of blends into black. How much do they want for 2 new wheel arches?

[@jimlock6152]

@@petermrattray £50 plus about £5 for postage.. they wanted me to send it back for a second opinion, I just told them “are you kidding it took eight weeks to get here”

[@PrtPrtPrtGood]

Excellent review once again Peter. I'm starting my first season with the Q-Follow and am a bit surprised by a couple of issues. Firstly, the sound from this is much louder than I expected! My wife's Motocaddy is silent in comparison. Also the remote seems to lack sensitivity at times which causes some near misses when trying to stop this thing. Did you have any comment on this and I'm wondering if you'll be moving on to the Apex.

[@petermrattray]

I actually have a ‘2 years with the Q Follow’ video filmed that just needs a little bit of editing before uploading. Hopefully it’ll be uploaded in a few days. Yes, the motors are a bit louder than most other trolleys… but I tend not to notice it because it’s behind me. I can say I’ve noticed the lack of sensitivity issue - mine always responds as soon as I touch the button. No delay at all. I’m not interested in an Apex as it doesn’t have follow… but it looks to have some pretty interesting technology in it. Looking forward to trying one out and seeing how it compares. Hopefully, one day, the new tech in that makes its way to a follow trolley!

[@PrtPrtPrtGood]

@@petermrattray Looking forward to viewing your review.

[@robertforsythe9654]

Great review. I live over here in Western Australia. I have upgraded twice on the MGI navigator models. The latest version I used for a year and just sold it. Playing lots of golf I tend to get sore thumbs pressing the buttons all the time. The remote control gets a he'll of a work out. The Q follow appeals to me. Question....once you get to your shot how do do get the buggy in the correct position? It sitting what looks like a clublengh away would put me off. Thanks

[@petermrattray]

Thank you… I guess where it ends up depends on your personal preference. For me, I have it in follow - and take a step or 2 past my ball (about 2ft to the right of the ball) and stop. As soon as the trolley catches me and stops, I press the STOP button. This usually has the trolley about 2ft in front of me when playing my shot. That’s where I like it - as I have easy access to my Bushnell rangefinder, and my towel to wipe my club after the shot. If you wanted it to sit further behind the ball, you could press STOP when you reach the ball rather than walking past it. You could also walk further away from the ball. As the trolley follows you, it’s up to you where you walk, then press STOP where you want it. Hope that makes sense?

[@oneplaneswinger]

Hi there, I’ve enjoyed your videos. I have a q follow and it gets jumpy and weaves back and forth left and right quite often and is not very smooth. Do you have any ideas? I’m not using it near any other Stewart cart. Thanks

[@petermrattray]

I don’t have that problem, so I’m afraid I can’t comment. Mine follows me pretty straight - any left / right movement is pretty minimal.

[@ash-gf5vi]

Thanks for the reviews helped me makes my decision on which trolley to buy.. Motocaddy m7 remote or stewart q follow 🤔

[@petermrattray]

Still sounds like you have a tough decision to make!!

[@ash-gf5vi]

@@petermrattray They both have pros and cons.. but I think build quality is the main issue with stewart Q.. the broken rear wheel.. the overly flexible handle arm which may cause issues with an umbrella on a windy day.. the lack of display.. these issues vs the only pro is the follow feature.. is the stewart Q worth the additional £700 vs motocaddy M7 remote 🤔

[@petermrattray]

I guess it really boils down to whether you want the follow function or not? The second stabiliser I have has done 11 rounds now, and no hint of snapping. It may have been as Stewart advised - fractured in transit and snapped with the smallest of impacts. Either way, their response was instant, and it was resolved in under a week (including a bank holiday weekend!). I imagine if the handle was to have a similar incident, this would be ‘handled’ (excuse the pun!) in the same speedy manor. The display isn’t a factor for me, as I’ve never had a trolley with a display before, so don’t miss it. I have a Garmin watch and a Bushnell range finder too - so don’t need a GPS on my trolley. I would however like to see some sort of controls on the trolley handle, but again - I’m used to not having that having used Stewart trolleys for 12+ years. If the Follow feature isn’t on your list of requirements, then you could compare the M7 remote v’s the Q Remote (which is significantly cheaper), but I guess the M7 would win that comparison based on your comments above?

[@ash-gf5vi]

@@petermrattray Thanks for the update and comments.. the follow feature is the only function that makes me look at stewart q.. but I think you are right take that out of the equation and the motocaddy M7 would win.. ... will be interesting to see one on with umbrella on a breezy day.. thanks again for the reviews.

[@lollylaunder]

Thanks Peter for taking the time to put these together, very informative. I ordered my Q follow black and bag a couple of days ago, there's a twelve week delay now so unfortunately won't get to enjoy it until mid August but looking forward nonetheless. I'm never one to turn down interest free credit so took the twelve month option on that, also can include accessories on the finance, maybe charters would be interested to hear about that. No adjustable brolly holder still so have gone for the fixed one. Think the accessories are very reasonably priced considering. As an aside what brand are the shirts you wear with what looks like JL on the collar ? Will you be getting hedgehog wheels for the winter? Did you have them on previous trolleys ? and how did you find them ?

[@petermrattray]

Nice one... it’ll feel like a long wait, but it’ll be worth it in the end! It’s the adjustable umbrella holder I’m after. I had the fixed one on my X and F series... but the adjustable one claims to sit higher - which is good for me at 6ft 2”! We rarely get rain without wind here, so I’m interested to see how it will hold up with the flexible handle. I already have the hedgehog wheels from the first release - which look a bit different (they’re black, and came with a set of black front wheels too), but to be honest I never really used them. My course doesn’t make it a requirement, and I feel that they end up tearing the course up as the trolley turns. You’ve probably seen the trolley steering, and that it generally stops one wheel to turn - which kind of skids. With the hedgehog wheels and a soft fairway, this can kind of rip it up. The regular wheels offer enough traction on my course, and I rarely find the need to use the hedgehog ones. JL is J Lindeberg. I mainly wear that or Galvin Green stuff. My golf wardrobe is probably more extensive than my regular clothing 😂

[@ITS_BOBBY47]

Do the old hedgehog wheels...for the X fit the Q? Was told by Stewart that they do not? And there are new versions out that fit all models. Maybe you have the new HH wheels that fit all models.

[@petermrattray]

I’ll have to check, as I haven’t actually tried them on the Q to be honest. The fitment on the wheels has been the same since the X3, and I bought my HH wheels for the F1 when they first came out. As far as I’m aware, there are only 2 types of Stewart HH wheels - and I have the old / original ones. The only reason I could think of that they don’t fit would be they have a bigger overall diameter (taller spikes) which would scrape the mudguards? I’ll have a look tonight. If they don’t fit, I won’t be buying the newer version anyway, as I feel they cause more damage than good the way the cart skids to turn.

[@paulinsley1045]

Hi Peter, How are you getting on with the Q follow now?

[@petermrattray]

Still going well. Must be almost 2 years now, and no issues apart from the rear stabiliser snapping at the start. I might do a ‘2 years with the Q Follow’ video!

[@paulinsley1045]

@@petermrattray glad to hear it. I’ve just purchased a refurbished one but not as yet got it out on the course. Any useful tips?

[@paulowen7290]

Another great video, thanks. Still waiting for mine to arrive next month sometime. I agree that it is very disappointing to hear of the bearings and screws rusting in our British weather. It used to be the adage that you get what you pay for but in all walks of life that doesn't seem to be the case these days. Did Stewart Golf supply replacements? Any thoughts on coating the items with a protective film? Also waiting for the adjustable brolly holder. Also now worried about the fixing to the handle as the flex of the handle seems to have a lot of movement which I guess is the trade-off between lightness and sturdiness. Has this been an issue? Looking forward to your next review. Thanks again, appreciate your frankness.

[@petermrattray]

I have sent Stewart an email asking about the rusting screws / bearings and will see what they say. I also asked if there is something I should be doing to prevent it. At work, we cover our subsea loggers in Molykote - which is a waterproof grease to stop them rusting. I wonder if a smear of this on the bearing would help it. I’ve had 3 other Stewart trolleys and umpteen sets of wheels, and never had a rusting issues with any of their screws... and they’ve seen more than their fair share of rain being in Scotland! Hopefully the adjustable umbrella holder is back in stock before the end of summer. I’m hoping I won’t need it for the next few months!! But on a serious note, the handle does have a fair bit of flex... and I’m really not sure how it’d cope with a brolley attached to it on a reasonably windy day. I went through 3 X-series brolley holders, as the original 2 had plastic threads and snapped with a gust. The 3rd one was redesigned with a metal thread and was much more resilient. Next month is only a couple of days away... so hopefully you don’t have much longer to wait!

[@jimlock6152]

My rubber round the bottom for holding the bottom of the bag is the opposite.. mine lies flat in front of my trolley and I just have to pull it up and over.. can it be taken of and turned around

[@petermrattray]

I’ll have a look and see if there is a way to swap it. Mine it pretty annoying pinging back up. It’s maybe the way I store it that makes it so that though?

[@jorel997]

wonder if stewarts golf will replace the carbon that is chipped at the back otherwise you might have to put some sticky felt on it to stop it rubbing but none the less not good

[@petermrattray]

They have replied back saying they are looking at putting a rubber stopper on the circle part that rubs, and will send one out when they have figured it out. No mention of a new carbon strip though. Shame - as the damage is already done. They did send me 10 new screws for the rear wheels.

[@jorel997]

@@petermrattray did you get your rubber stopper yet i called them today and they said they now fitting them to all new trolleys good work im sure thats down to this review

[@petermrattray]

I got the stopper in an envelope at the end of last week. It just pushes in, and stops the handle rubbing the carbon. It’s a shame it’s too late for mine, as the carbon is already damaged. I need to contact them again and ask about getting replacement carbon.

[@jorel997]

@@petermrattray good news buddy great videos by the way keep up the good work !! ordered mine 8 weeks ago at time of purchase said 6 weeks but its been 3 weeks over that said they are waiting for batteries i appreciate everything is taking longer than normal but do feel a little bit fed up not got the trolley when they said they would i dont think they will throw in something extra for the wait but i do think they should do that to be honest

[@petermrattray]

They’re sitting at 12 weeks lead time on their website now. Good news, I got a replacement bit of carbon yesterday, and have a free post label to return the damaged one. Certainly worth asking for some sort of compensation, however I don’t know if they’ll entertain it! Must be frustrating, as we’ve had some cracking golfing weather recently.

[@jimlock6152]

Sadly you probably damaged the screws outer layer when you removed them to spray the covering.. I know it shouldn’t be but that’s probably what’s happened… the bearings used to rust regularly on the X series.. small front wheels.. I find the Bluetooth connection better than the X9 follow….

[@petermrattray]

I did the same to my X9F, and had the wheels done in black. The screws on that were nearly 3 years old and never rusted. I’ll have to get in contact with Stewart and see if I can order some new screws. Totally agree with the Bluetooth comment. Mine hasn’t dropped out once... and my X9F would have dropped 20+ times by now.

[@jimlock6152]

@@petermrattray remind me off the old Japanese motorbikes of the 70’s screw heads were always rusting and the British bikes were fine. Maybe boots on the other foot now..🤷🏼‍♂️😂

[@sandysmith6490]

Great review Peter, can I ask you is the q as noisey as the x9 , I found the x9 to be quite noisy indeed , regards Alex

[@petermrattray]

Thank you! I’d say the noise is much the same to be honest - especially after it’s done a few rounds.

[@raymondsmith3186]

Hi there I was wondering what your opinion is regarding the noise of the trolly as I find it to be alot louder than the x9 follow ?? . Also when mine the q follow and my mates x9 follow are side by side my trolly doesn't like it and starts spinning in circles , not ideal when ur trying to play a round . Cheers Ray

[@petermrattray]

I would say that my Q Follow is noticeably quieter than my X9 Follow was. It’s by no means a silent trolley, and has quite a distinct running noise to it, but it’s not ‘loud’. I’ll quote from the manual here… “If you are playing with someone else who has a Stewart Golf Follow (any model), then make sure you operate Follow at least 5m / 5.5yds from the other machine. Within this range the ‘active zones’ may interfere”. Certainly doesn’t sound ideal! I guess I’m lucky that none of my mates have a Follow trolley!

[@Discoveryman11]

Great reviews Peter, I’ve really enjoyed them. I have just had my Q follow delivered and have tried to mark the follow button with nail varnish but it came off after a couple of holes. How did you mark yours?

[@petermrattray]

Thank you! I started off with a blob of super glue, but it came off too. I few extra handset skins lying about, so I tried something a bit riskier that I probably wouldn’t have done if it was my only one! I took a Stanley knife, and cut across the button several times horizontally, and vertically. The button then had a ‘texture’ that made it unique so I could feel it. I’ve been using it for so long now that I don’t really need that reminder anymore!

[@Discoveryman11]

@@petermrattray brilliant thanks Peter, I ordered an extra skin so will have a play. I was undecided

[@Discoveryman11]

@@petermrattray was undecided about which trolley to buy after having a couple of Motocaddy’s. After watching your review I decided to take the plunge, best golf purchase I have ever made. Thanks very much 👍

[@petermrattray]

Glad you found them useful! I wish I was on commission for the amount of people who’ve said that 😂