Powakaddy Freeway II electric trolley review

Sunday, 1 March 2009
Mike Harris
12 Comments

Powakaddy Freeway II electric trolley

Powakaddy Freeway II review

As a long time Powakaddy electric trolley user I’m always keen to see what improvements have been introduced with each model. I got my first one about 8 years ago when they were considered only for older golfers and frankly haven’t looked back. As someone who often plays 36 holes in day (especially in men’s open comps) and likes to have the kitchen sink in my bag, a Powakaddy has always been a no-brainer.

In the intervening period more and more golfers have seen the benefit of them for not preventing injury and preserving energy. Indeed, these days, few serious elite golfers would step onto the course without one. So when the new Powakaddy Freeway II turned up in the Golf Monthly office I was particularly interested to try out what Powakaddy promised was a major upgrade on the previous Freeway.

Design wise the new Powakaddy Freeway II retains the understated, sporty looks of its predecessor with the major change being in the handle which is now much more sturdy and ergonomic than before. If I had a criticism of previous models it was that the handle never seemed to be hard wearing enough. I have had issues with my last two. The new version has well and truly sorted that issue.

The handle also incorporates an LCD screen, which shows the time, battery charge and the speed the Freeway II is travelling. The unit can also measure distance it has travelled between shots and show the total distance the Powakaddy has travelled. To ensure you don’t break any rules in competitions where distance-measuring devices (DMDs) are not permitted, these two functions can be easily switched off by selecting Competition Mode when you turn the trolley power on.

When not in competition mode, the Freeway II has a Digital Distance Function that allows you send the trolley off for 10, 20 or 30 yards (or meters depending on what unit of distance how you have set) before it stops. I’d recommend you practice this on flattish bit of fairway with no hazards in view to get an idea of how far to send it off in more challenging terrain!

I found all of the above very simple to programme and a complete doddle to use on the course. A major bonus is that the instruction booklet is written in genuinely easy to understand language with clear how-to diagrams as support.

The Powkaddy Freeway II comes with either a lead acid or lightweight lithium battery. My test model had the later and I was seriously impressed with a) how much lighter it is than the lead acid models I have used before (75% lighter apparently) and b) that you can fold the trolley down without having to remove the battery which makes getitng it in and out of the car so much easier.

My first outing with the Freeway II was at Walton Heath (February 27) and it was performed faultlessly. The Freeway II manoeuvres well, the new functions are useful and easy to get to grips with and like all Powakaddies, its design is stylish and understated. My sole criticism of the lithium battery model is that it’s only designed for 18 holes.

At £649 for the lithium model (£449 for the standard battery) it isn’t cheap but quality costs and in my opinion this is the best electric trolley on the market.

Reader comments

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October 20 12:20

Sammy Smyth

I read with interest your comments and wonder if you have continued to use the trolley and how you rate it now. I have just returned my third freeway 2 and being a massive powakaddy fan am very disappointed that I seem to have pushed this model more often than I have walked behind it.

March 10 17:54

miles heathman

A great disappointment for me, sadly. The lightweight battery is great, but why no fully charged light on the charger? Motor is silent, electronic brakes work well, and the frame is so much stronger than the last model. But I hate the display screen which is unreadable in sunlight, and mists over in rain. The actual control system looks good, but works less well. Speeds are erratic, it is easy to press the wrong button, and the controller has bad attitude with occasional minor errors! I dare not use the 10,20 & 45 yard limited run facility, as it has done a runner several times without stopping, and I cant run fast enough to catch it. And why should I have to at £800? Powacaddy should do better at that price, and test their product properly - and it has been back in for updates twice.

July 22 15:19

B.Irvine

I receiived as a gift a new Freeway2 golf trolley on the 11/09/2009. So far i have had it in for repair 3 times with abroken driveshaft , gearing broken , and screen misting up.
Is there a problem with this particular model?
When playing today my partners driveshaft snapped on his Freeway 2 trolley.
Has anyone else encountered these problens?

October 11 14:22

Phil McEwan

I've just read 3 critical comments on the Freeway 2. I'd agree with all the comments - it's not been designed or made such that it's fit for purpose! Powakaddy tell me that they can't refund my money, i'm going to make sure that they do. I've had two so far (the first was repaced at no charge) and the experience is shocking. I've just had it returned after a "full overhaul, all parts replaced" to find that it lasted 2 holes before the same problem re occured - battery shows full charge when you switch it on then quickly fades away and the machine stops. I foolishly paid for a remote controlled machine beofre that, that's an even bigger disaster. All in all i've had 3 years of pushing Powakaddy trolleys around some otf the finest golf courses in Scotland and they don't seem to be getting any better!

November 14 18:32

DAVID WILKINSON

I have had my freeway 6 months it has been back to the shop 4 times twice with wheel problems once with the sreen steaming up, the last week the main wheel shaft broke in half.
This trolley is now back at powercaddy being repaired.
I have asked for a refund but they say they will repair it and i will not have any more problems. Having looked at the reviews i think when i get this trolley back i will have to sell it, as people are saying that the wheel shafts keep breaking.

THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH SURELEY THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS THEY HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE TROLLEY

March 18 09:39

David Raistrick

My Powakaddy iFreeway II s now 14 months old and I question seriously whether it is fit for purpose. Trading Standards should note.
Its only redeeming feature is that it looks good.
The step function control mechanism which behaves erratically has failed and been replaced. Please let me have the simple potentiometer control.
The brass bearings on the axle 'slipped' from their housings and a repair had to be made. Teething troubles?
This week on a flat errain the axle broke leaving me to push the heavy trolley for the last 5 holes. Back tp Powakaddy for a repair.
This trolley model had too little proving before it was released to the general paying public. Fit for purpose, it is not.

April 29 20:19

Jeff Watkins

My Powakaddy Freeway 2 is seriously not fit for purpose. Trading Standards should be informed and the company dealt with accordingly..
It certainly looks good but that's were it ends.
My machine is 18 months old, had light use, one round per week when it's running and still the failures keep happening.
Twice now, it has been returned to Powakaddy and rebuilt, only to fail yet again shortly after its return.
Even my club Professional drew a blank with them. After numerous telephone calls, passed between uncaring staff, he contacted the local rep who again promised a return call would be made. Guess what, still waiting for the call.
My letter claiming unfit for purpose, addressed to the Managing Director was passed to their non existent customer service department who did nothing.
Powakaddy buyers beware. Maybe you should look at other manufactures first.

June 07 20:45

N A Clark

My freeway II is now just 14months. The battery packed up after 5 months. the screen mists up, not that you can see it on a sunny day anyway. The push button controls have a mind of there own.I have spent more time chasing the cart down the fairway and swearing about this badly designed heap of rubbish, that it has seriously affected my handicap. Today was the final straw that broke the donkeys back. Playing at Hintlesham hall in Suffolk, on the 3rd hole, the axle decides to break in half. Never again will I buy a Powacaddy product. It seems that the golf market is easy money to big name producers.Powacaddy being one of them. Please. Before releasing an exspensive piece of kit onto the market. make sure you have done the road tests.

August 19 19:56

BRIAN MOXLEY

I have had the Freeway 2 for 18 months. The drive shaft broke afer 6 months and was repaired at no cost.
The control unit has now failed and was never reliable the switch was far too delicate for the task.
Comments abov support the fact that this was a badly designed trolley. I will not bother to have it repaired.

September 20 16:28

Bernhard Sumper

Sadly I have to agree with all the comments about about Powacaddy's Freeway 2 with lithium battery.
I got my trolly in June last year and was highly delighted with it until this June when the rubber on the handle perished and the screen went blank. On return from repair (which by the way took 4 weeks) the maximum speed was snails pace and the brake did not display or work. It has now been back for the best part of 5 weeks
and I have just been told by Powakaddy that they can not find it !!!
I whish I had bought a Motocaddy.

October 30 18:27

Neil Farmer

Sadly my Freeway 2 has just failed 2 months after my warranty expired ! It had to be returned for repairs 3 times in the first year after I bought it. First with a grinding noise from the gearbox - turned out the motor worked loose and shredded the cogs. Then the axle broke, then the fogged control and finally intermittent speed problems that I have lived with. Two weeks ago during a round at my club Stoke by Nayland the grinding noise happened again and the trolley will not move - I just want rid of it and will go to the new light weight push models with no motors to worry about - I never want another Powacaddy!

November 24 20:02

Mike Craddock

I thought it was only me having problems. I bought my Freeway 2 prior to my Captain's year as I knew I would be playing lots of golf, little did I realise I should have kept my old Hill Billy. I have had a broken axle (repaired at no cost), brass bushes coming out of the axle housing, misted windscreen but the biggest irritation has been the loss of power even though the screen is indicating a fully charged battery. Our last hole has quite an incline and it is always at this point that the trolley gives up the ghost.
Our Pro has been most helpful, replacing one of two new batteries, the latter being a 36 hole one. Only today have I returned from the local Powakaddy service agent who tested out both battery and charger in an attempt to cure the loss of power problem, both were fine.
My frustration prompted me to discover this site. Two things are for certain. 1. I am a lot fitter for pushing such a heavy trolly around. 2. Powakaddy have not heard the last of it from me.