Stewart Golf Apex Remote trolley from £1,249
Stewart Golf has been a pioneer in the remotecontrolled electric trolley space since the brand was conceived 20 years ago. Its Q range – which includes the Q Follow and Q Remote – paved the way for what has become one of the most popular styles of golf trolley on the market. Now a brand-new model is ready to hit the course, with the Apex Remote joining the Q and X10 ranges in the British manufacturer’s fleet.
The Apex brings a world-first to remote golf trolleys in the shape of Active Terrain Control (ATC). This new operating system is designed to allow the trolley to tackle any sort of landscape on the golf course while being controlled from a distance with the Bluetooth remote.
Using a microchip, ATC allows the trolley to react to its surroundings and redistribute power accordingly between its twin motors. Unlike standard downhill braking, ATC means the Apex can automatically keep travelling at the same speed, uphill or downhill, without the user having to change the power output. The Apex also sees the debut of Stewart Golf’s second-generation Smartpower lithium battery, which is now available in 27-hole or 45-hole capacity variants.
The Apex also comes with the now familiar ultra-compact folding system that we saw in the Q series, which includes a built-in handle for easy transportation when folded up. Those with a keen eye for detail will also notice the distinct Stewart wheels have been changed for the Apex. The new 5S wheels provide increased traction for improved handling on the course, as well as giving the Apex a modern look. This is part of a wider refresh for the brand, which has also modernised its logo ahead of the new launch.
1. What benefits are there to designing and building trolleys from the ground up?
Creating and innovating is what we’re all about. Being able to design, develop and build our machines ‘in-house’ (and export to more than 50 countries) provides the freedom to go in directions other brands are not able or willing to go. Our team cares about getting quality right, which is the most important thing at the end of the day.
2. How will Active Terrain Control benefit golfers on the course?
ATC is a huge step forward and is a real dream to use on the golf course. Downhill control is great, but ATC offers so much more than that. ATC manages power delivery to each of the dual motors individually, which means it can dynamically react to changes in conditions. This means that the Apex Remote will maintain its speed and direction regardless of bag weight or slope, which provides consistency and confidence.
3. How has designing a remotecontrolled golf trolley changed over the years?
In some ways, it’s more pertinent to ask what hasn’t changed. Much like a sports car will always be small and mid-engined, a good remote must fundamentally be stable, controllable and powerful. Without these, the trolley becomes a hindrance. We start with these core principles, which is different to many brands that begin with a singlemotor trolley and adapt it for remote. With stability and performance at the core, we add the latest technology, stunning aesthetics and clever folding mechanisms to create a Stewart machine.
“STEWART GOLF HAS BECOME THE AUTHORITY ON REMOTE-CONTROLLED TROLLEYS. I EXPECT THE APEX WILL BUILD ON THE BRAND’S SUCCESS IN THIS SPACE”
Dan Parker, GM staff writer