Stewart Golf Q Follow Independent Review Episode 3

[@tomhenry7535]

Saw all of your reviews mate - thank you for the time and effort that went into all of them - you did an outstanding job of describing the pros and cons of this product. Just ordered mine today here in the states and I’m looking forward to using this product! Thank you again for your efforts -- you might want to work for Consumer Products in the future!

[@petermrattray]

Thanks for the kind words, and glad you found them useful. What sort of lead time is it to get one in the states? 8 weeks for the UK, so I imagine you’ll be a while?

[@tomhenry7535]

@@petermrattray - 8 weeks Peter - as unbelievable as that sounds! Thanks again for the great reviews!

[@petermrattray]

It’ll be a long wait - but hopefully worth it in the end. I had a couple of items delivered to the UK from USA recently, and they only took a couple of days - so I guess it shouldn’t really be any longer for you.

[@Simon-hz3vt]

@@tomhenry7535 It may be longer I think Tom. I am at 10 weeks now and I'm only 5 miles from the factory :-(

[@bettybonareri5]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I live in Germany, can’t wait to get my order… 7 weeks wait… looking forward 😊

[@petermrattray]

Thank you… hope you found it useful. The wait is torture, but I’m sure you’ll be happy when it finally arrives!

[@markturner9032]

Just to say thank you for doing these informative reviews on the new Q series from Stewart Golf, they have certainly helped me form an objective opinion on the product. Hopefully they will also help SG make some tweaks to the product, and not just the price! 🙂

[@petermrattray]

Thanks for the positive comments. I can’t see the price ever going down unless there’s a Black Friday / January sale... but we can live in hope! The newest model is always around that price - I have vague recollections of the F1 Lithium being £2000 when it first came out! I’d love to see a couple of buttons on the handle though.

[@jimlock6152]

@@petermrattray when I had the x5 and I just got it back from a service I wanted to upgrade to the X7, as my mate had just bought his they offered me £250 trade in.. I had just paid £256 for the service.. 🤬

[@petermrattray]

The trade in values were shocking when they used to offer them. Much better to sell independently... which is probably why they stopped the trade in. I’m sure they offered something like £350 for my F1 against an X9F, and I sold it on eBay for over £800. Probably not much profit in buying a used trolley and having to refurbish / sell as used / offer a warranty.

[@jimlock6152]

@@petermrattray I gave it to a pensioner next time I saw it, it was shining like new.. 3 years ago and is still going strong.. he’s always boosting how he can operate it from over a 100 yards away.. old antenna

[@dagmarbuysse]

Thank you for your thorough review. You convinced me. I’m getting a Q follow!

[@petermrattray]

Ha ha… I’m not trying to convince you! I gain nothing from you ordering - hence the independent bit! Glad you found the useful though.m, and hope you love the trolley when it eventually arrives.

[@PaddyP538]

Sweet! I was waiting for this upload. Great job!

[@Vonwolfgang2011]

Great video!! Thank you from the states!! :-)

[@petermrattray]

Thank you! 👍🏻

[@matthewtheriault6251]

Good review and update. I just ordered mine. Hoping that it is a worthy investment for my golf game experience. Thank you!

[@petermrattray]

Nice one! Stewart claim it’ll knock 3 shots off your game, so that alone should be worth the investment!! 😂 On a serious note though, I hope you love it!

[@kevgiles4645]

Ha was looking for this just a couple of days ago..! Great job - and we have the same home course ;)

[@petermrattray]

Ha ha... will be there in about 2 hours seeing if I can get a 3rd round out of this battery. At least the 16th is downhill and 17 / 18 are pretty flat if it fails 😂

[@kevgiles4645]

@@petermrattray haha just watched you tee off from the range, two tee times behind you 🤣

[@kevgiles4645]

@@petermrattray did it make it all the way on 3rd round?

[@petermrattray]

Yup! 12% remaining. A bit risky knowing that it dies at 5%, and I probably wouldn’t recommend it... but good to know if I ever forget to charge it or have a last minute round!

[@colinshannon]

Nice Review Peter. I have had my X7 for 9 years and I must admit I have really enjoyed having the buggy. Even my friends have bought the X9 after they had a practice with mine for a few rounds. I have had to buy spares over the years, such like a new handle and shaft and upgraded the original wheels. The plastic is a little flimsy on the X series and I see from your review they have upgraded this for a more robust frame. I have just bought a new 36 hole battery for my X7 as now worried after 9 years the old one will fail, and thinking of selling and getting the Q Remote as I like the review on the battery power on your model. One question you may have missed is the charging time on the battery. Either from zero to full or 50% to full. Great review and you gave the product a proper test. Look forward to your reply. Colin a fellow Scot playing golf in Norway. Very short golf season.

[@petermrattray]

Thank you... I know what you mean about the X-Series chassis. Although the base is pretty tough, the plastic cover parts not so much. I had to replace the top shell on mine after it’d been taken on the coach on a golf outing. I think the driver must’ve put my bag on top of it - causing a large crack. I fitted it myself, which involved a reasonable amount of work. I had the battery cover crack too - not sure how, but a big chunk snapped off. Never had a handle go, but I rarely use the handle. The Q’s chassis seems pretty solid, but I’m still a bit dubious about the handle and the stabiliser. Hopefully the stabiliser breaking was a one off... and that my fear of the handle breaking is unnecessary. I have a garage full of wheels, as I always upgraded mine when the newer ones were released. I have 3 spare sets of the current ones, the old metal ones with the round edged tyres, hedgehog, and recently threw out the plastic flat ones from the X3! The 36 hole battery on the Q Follow seems great, and I managed 3 rounds at my home course with 12% remaining. I probably wouldn’t make that a regular occurrence, but nice to know it can do it if I forgot to charge. I never had the 36 hole battery for the X9F, but had 2x 18 hole batteries instead. These were more than capable of 27 holes, as I played 27 holes with them a few times. I guess that is course specific though, as I’m sure I couldn’t get 27 holes of Trump International out of one!! The downside I guess is that you have no indication of what’s left on the X-Series and it could die at any minute. At least the Q has the battery app to check what’s going on. Just be mindful that the Q Remote comes with an 18 hole battery, and not the 36 hole one in the Q Follow as standard... and is an extra £150 for the 36 hole battery. I’ve only charged the Q Follow 3 times so far. The day I got it, the day I drained the battery to zero, and then after my third successful round last weekend. I plug it in, and leave it overnight, so I have absolutely no idea how long it takes to charge up. Next time, I can take it inside and charge it to see how long it takes. It seemed to drain pretty linear, so I imagine the charge would be much the same. My pal worked in Oslo for a couple of years, so I was over there a few times during his stay. Never got a round of golf though!

[@colinshannon]

@@petermrattray Thanks for the reply Peter. Will Probably upgrade next season. I live in Trondheim and play out of Byneset Golf Club. The down side is a short golf season, but we can play for 24 hours in the mid summer. Doesn't get dark. Strange to walk off the course at 2am.

[@imrantazim2688]

I'd buy this trolley tomorrow if it had a small LCD screen with all the basics information on it and better handle with better grip on it. I hope to see these in the next upgraded model and if so I'd purchase one straight away.

[@bettybonareri5]

I can’t wait for mine to be delivered😊. I live in Germany, 7 wks waiting time is just to damn long😥

[@cpking7]

Follow featured looks far smoother than my X9: I'd never dream of walking so close to a pond. Just based on that, if the X9 goes off a cliff, I'll switch to the Q. One lower back question: how does the weight compare with the X9? By the way, learned something that isn't addressed in my X 9 manual: there are remote operations you can use to turn the follow feature on (capable of following) or off (effectively the same as the remote version ) until you change it back, which first came up when adjusting the trim. Not sure the purpose of this, but made me think the follow feature was broken till getting a text with instructions from the US Stewart tech guy, Josh, who is very helpful. Thanks for the info, and fine job on the videos.

[@petermrattray]

I think my X9F followed much the same to be honest. I’m not suddenly walking closer to bunkers and ponds than I previously did. I could quite easily take my X9F along a 6ft wide path and not worry about it going off the edges as long as I didn’t zig zag!! Weight wise, I think the Q Follow with the battery in it is actually heavier than the X9F was. I used to fit the battery to the X9F in the house prior to carrying it out to the car so it was ready to go when I got to the course. I think the weight difference must only be about 1kg, and that’s probably the difference between an 18 and 36 hole battery. It’s not the weight that makes a difference to the lower back, it’s the weight distribution. Lifting an X-Series is a 2 handed lift, and the shape means it has to be out in front of you. The Q is a 1 hand lift, and from the side, so much easier on the back. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still heavy and bulky... however it’s much easier to do and without the same strain. I’ve been on outings in the past where we took a coach and went for 2 rounds. I’d have to do 2 trips back and forth to the bus with my gear (trolley, then bag and holdall). With the Q, I could potentially do it as 1 as the trolley needs a single hand now. Interesting that you can turn the follow off on a semi permanent basis. Not sure why you’d want to buy a follow trolley and disable the feature?! Not like you could turn it on on a non follow model, as it doesn’t have the antennas.

[@cpking7]

@@petermrattray I leave the X9 open to lift into my SUV: to avoid squatting all the way dawn, grab front bungie with one hand and halfway up the neck with the other, then fold it up once it's in. I think I had more back and forth than you in follow mode, especially going up hills, because my bag was top heavy: buying the Stewart bag gives much better balance. Follow "turning off" makes no sense to me either! I only learned I had turned it off - accidentally - after I adjusted the trim to keep it from circling left. Emailed tech support, who sent the following, in case you ever run into this issue: To reprogram it back to work both in Follow mode and in Remote mode simply:

[@cpking7]

Cut off the instructions! 1. Ensure the handset is turned off.

[@cpking7]

Down below, it's not letting me give the tech support directions to turn follow back on, so I'm doing trying it here: First, you press and hold down the green "follow" button and then also press the blue "On/off" button: the blue light on the handset will flash once. Next, release all the buttons, then switch on the handset using the blue"on/off" button. Your handset will now work in follow mode again.

[@petermrattray]

I’m not sure if I’d have enough height in the car to put the trolley in without folding it. I always put mine in the travel bag before putting it in the car, so I lifted mine by the handles on that. Not much different to lifting the folded trolley, as the handles are at either end of the bag. I’d end up walking from the garage to the car (probably only 15-20 steps) in a hunched over stagger. The Q eliminates that - as I can walk pretty normally whilst carrying. I’m sure the Stewart bags are exactly what’s required, but I’ve never tried one. I wanted a 100% waterproof bag for playing in all conditions, and Stewart don’t offer one of them. Interesting how they’ve added the ‘key’ to the base of their bags to pair with the Q. I’ve still had no issues with my own bag rotating though. Thanks for the guide on how to turn Follow on. Hopefully I never need it though!

[@jimlock6152]

I’ve already bought another remote just to be on the safe side..165! Slightly more expensive than the x9 remote.. certainly a good upgrade IMO.. even though I think it’s slightly noisier than the x9..

[@petermrattray]

Can you have both remotes in use at the same time? I didn’t think it’d pair with 2 remotes at once. I have an Anker Power Bank and USB cable in one of the pockets in my bag... along with a couple of zip ties for the day (which will eventually happen!!) that I forget to charge the handset. I think my Q is slightly (not much) quieter than my X9F was. Maybe I’m comparing a new set of motors v’s a 3 year old set though?

[@jimlock6152]

@@petermrattray not sure if it will pair up with both at the same time but it should. I will let you know when I actually have it.. 😉 i actually have the H2NO elite bag as well (2 years old)

[@jimlock6152]

Your correct I cannot have two handsets connected at the same time

[@petermrattray]

I didn’t think the trolley would be capable of 2 simultaneous connections. Shame really... if it had worked, I’d have considered buying another. I used to find my handset drained the battery a bit when not in use. If it was fully charged and left on the shelf for a week - if I plugged it in again, it’d take 20mins charging to turn green again. I wonder if you leave your spare handset in your bag for several months that’d eventually drain completely? Simple solution would be to rotate them.

[@jimlock6152]

@@petermrattray exactly, that’s what I will do

[@NorthernIrelandBob]

Thanks for the reviews. I have ordered a Q Follow and it’s due to arrive in November 2021🤞 I have always had Powacaddy’s and play 4 times a week! My pro jokes with me and says my trolley has “been to the moon and back”😂. I just hope the Q Follow is as reliable as my other trolleys🤞

[@paulowen7290]

Great video thanks. I've just ordered one before coming across your review. When steering but powered I presume you use the remote to move forward and then just use hands to guide. I'm a bit concerned regarding the amount if flex/twist in the handle as this could be a problem and a wear on the joints/ anchor points. Have you noticed any movement in the arm? I ask because as it neatly folds down to a compact size if the arm/handle flexes it could twist out of alignment and make folding down difficult. Are you able to comment based on your experience please? Thanks in advance .Paul

[@petermrattray]

Yes, press the forward button a couple of times to match your walking pace, and steer with your hands on the handle. There is a bit of twist when steering, but I find guiding using the centre of the handle has less flex than using the ends. If you use 2 hands, there is less flex too... but then you don’t have a hand to operate the remote - which means clipping it to the handle (which doesn’t feel very ergonomic to me). All the flex seems to be on the top section of the handle. To be honest, I don’t use the handle much as I mainly use follow / remote, so I don’t envisage there being an issue. I’m now 7 rounds with the trolley, and have no issues so far other than the rear stabiliser snapping.

[@mattburford2627]

Thanks for another great video. It’s very useful to see on course footage, especially with the camera on the trolley. Good to hear you’re pleased with it. You can imagine if a manufacturing fault is found with the stabiliser perhaps a stronger replacement could be provided by Stewart. Were you charging the handset at all in between the rounds, or did this last longer than the trolley battery as Stewart quote it will?

[@petermrattray]

If a manufacturing fault is found, then it’d be a very expensive issue! There must have been hundreds of trolleys made so far, and they would all need this swapped over. Most would probably need returned to base for repair, as not everyone would want to take it apart themselves. Even just the cost of shipping trolleys back and forth would be eye watering! Much cheaper to fix as and when they break, as some may never break. I was charging the handset between rounds, as there is no way of checking its battery level. The app gives the trolley battery stat... but I have no idea how long the handset on will go for. I’ve managed 2 rounds in the same day on outings with my X9F (I had 2 trolley batteries), but I was always a bit scared the handset would die before the end!

[@malbfc1]

Hi got mine last week when in follow and I stand still waitting for my playing partner to take his shot it pulses does yours thanks

[@petermrattray]

Yes, both my follow trolleys have done that. The trick is to wait for it to stop, then take a 1/2 step back towards it. That way you’re no longer on the edge of the follow zone.

[@malbfc1]

@@petermrattray Brill wish it had a brake when your on a steep down hill that's all I can fault it on

[@petermrattray]

Is that stopping on a hill to play a shot, or running you down when in Follow mode?! If it’s the first one, you have to position in across the hill!

[@malbfc1]

@@petermrattray hi mate is your trolly a bit noisy?

[@petermrattray]

Depends what you’re used to. I’ve had 3 previous Stewart trolleys, so I don’t feel this one is any louder - if anything I’d say it was quieter. The chap I was playing with last weekend has a Powakaddy, and it barely made any noise... so in comparison to that, mine is a good bit louder. At the same time, the majority of the time my trolley is behind me, so I don’t even notice!

[@jimlock6152]

I’m having issues with my app showing percentage, states that’s it’s connected but takes ages to show.. any tips? Please

[@petermrattray]

I think I know the issue you’re having. On my iPhone, if I check the battery app it connects the first time and gives me a percentage within a few seconds. If I try again, it doesn’t seem to work. You have to force the app to quit and open it again to get it to work. It’ll connect then. Not sure if Android has the same issue?

[@jimlock6152]

@@petermrattray thank you will try that later today.. I’m loving mine now, absolutely first class… living as close to Trump national do locals get discount? Surely you must🤷🏼‍♂️

[@petermrattray]

See how you get on - hopefully that solves it. Yes, Aberdeenshire residents get a better price. One of my mates has joined, so his guests get to play for £50... so will hopefully get a few more rounds there this year! A standard full price round is about £300 in the summer 😳

[@jimlock6152]

@@petermrattray good mate to have..

[@thegrahams100]

Thinking of buying a second hand x9follow, is there THAT much difference? Views appreciated...

[@petermrattray]

The simple answer to that is NO! The X9 Follow is a great trolley, with the main difference being the way it folds. If you don’t mind the bigger / bulkier folded footprint, then I personally would be picking up and second hand X9F for much cheaper than a QF. I sold mine for £975, but it had 2 batteries, travel bag, umbrella holder - and was immaculate. Others at the same time were selling for £800-£900 in good condition. Some cheaper if you weren’t worried about scratches and scuffs! I don’t really see much difference in the updated electronics. I definitely wouldn’t have been swapping and X9F for an X10F (same trolley with newer electronics). I only changed mine for the smaller footprint / easier to carry.

[@thegrahams100]

@@petermrattray thanks for that Peter, very useful. Barrie

[@byronshirley2467]

How long does the remote usually last?

[@petermrattray]

The remote is advertised to last over 2 rounds. I’ve used the one on my X9 Follow for 2 rounds on the same day a couple of times without any problem. I haven’t tried the Q Follow one for 2 rounds, but it should be the same. The problem with the remote is that there is no way of knowing how much juice is left in the battery. The trolley can connect to an app and give you a percentage... but the remote can’t. Safest bet is to charge it before every round!

[@bettybonareri5]

Thanks

[@keithzuccala213]

So Bottom Line: X10 Follow or Q-Follow and why, please? As an independent reviewer I expect you to not only have a preference but not be afraid to state it, and I truly trust that opinion over others whose livelihood relies on keeping the manufacturers who send them products for free, to stay afloat. Thank you!

[@petermrattray]

I guess it depends what you’re looking for. I had an X9 Follow and swapped to the Q Follow as I wanted a more foldable, easier to carry trolley. Not much difference in the trolleys apart from the folding, the better battery in the Q, and the newer motors / electrics - which I don’t really notice any difference. As far as I’m aware, the Q Follow and X10 Follow have the same electronics under the bonnet... so the only real difference is the chassis. The Q Follow comes with a 36 hole battery (although I just managed 54 holes with it!!) and the X10 Follow has an 18 hole - so I guess that’s to be considered in the price. If I’d had the X9 Follow, and the X10 Follow came out... I wouldn’t be upgrading, as I don’t really see it as a worthwhile upgrade. Personally, if I was going to buy a new one as a first time customer, then I’d be getting the Q Follow. The folding, easier to carry, smaller footprint in the car /storage make a big difference to me. The X10 Follow is based on a chassis that’s been proven for at least 12 years, and has no issues. The Q is a new chassis, and I’ve had the stabiliser snap. I’ve heard stories of handles snapping too. I guess the question you need to ask yourself is do you want a compact foldable trolley, or do you want proven reliability? Having said that - Stewart support is so good, I have no concerns with my Q, as if it breaks, it’ll be fixed straight away.

[@ITS_BOBBY47]

@@petermrattray Since you had the X9 follow....would you say the follow operation in the Q is any better than what you experienced in the X9? Other than the folding anything else that is an upgrade over the X9.....yes I do have the X9 and have found the follow mode seems jumpy/erratic at times.

[@petermrattray]

Not a huge difference to be honest. I think the Q sits back a bit further, and tends to go in a straighter line without so much zig zagging. I’ve now done 7 rounds, and the handset hasn’t dropped connection once. My X9F would’ve probably dropped 10+ times in that time. Folding and ability to carry is the main thing. The battery / app is a good addition, and having the wheel on the stabiliser seems to make a difference to how well the trolley climbs hills.

[@ITS_BOBBY47]

@@petermrattray Decision made....Q Follow CARBON EDITION ordered. Reason: Will fit in my Corvette sports car (has carbon fiber trim) much more easily than the X9 and improved Follow/motors. Thanks Peter!

[@petermrattray]

Nice one! It’ll feel like a very long wait - but hopefully it’ll be worth it!

[@muddymarvellous]

If they were serious about this. They would want to look at the broken parts to see if there was a material defect..?

[@petermrattray]

I’d guess if there were a lot more broken ones they’d maybe want to see them. As things stand, there have only been a couple (what they told me anyway). My second one has now done 12 rounds without issue - so maybe the original it fractured in transit.

[@careerstreet]

Range Rover svr?

[@petermrattray]

Nope! If you watched the 1st video, I spoke about the F-Pace having a decent sized boot 😀

[@b2bbogey735]

That's the Trump course that caused a lot of environmental protest?

[@petermrattray]

Yes, that's the one. The man is a buffoon, but his course is fantastic. Rated in the top 10 in Scotland, and top 100 in the world. Very very tough!

[@b2bbogey735]

@@petermrattray Word got to Sweden as well. Looks nice! Played Turnberry long time before it became Trump Turnberry. Magic👌. Scenery. Wow!

[@jimlock6152]

@@b2bbogey735 the changes at Turnberry are fantastic.. mind you the price is away up 😩

[@JNeuel]

no offense, but you shouldn't play golf at trump courses

[@petermrattray]

None taken... I don’t care about the politics of it, I played it because it was recommended as a great course. It’s a fantastic setup and less than 10 miles from my doorstep. A nice change from my usual course.

[@JNeuel]

@@petermrattray as a lover of a true links style golf courses I understand what you mean.

[@jimlock6152]

I’m no fan of Trump but having played The Ailsa after the changes he’s had done.,, it’s awesome imo

[@NorthernIrelandBob]

This is about a trolley! No need for political statements!!