Motocaddy marks decade of Downhill Control technology

Ten years after introducing its first Downhill Control (DHC) model, Motocaddy is extending the pioneering option across all of its compact M-Series trundlers released this year.

The brand new line up of M-Series models with Automatic Downhill Control are the M1 DHC, M3 PRO DHC, M5 GPS DHC and the premium M-TECH trundler with luxury finishes. Each compact trundler can maintain a constant speed while moving down a gradient and comes with an electronic parking brake and all-terrain wheels. The soon to be released M7 REMOTE trundler will also offer the innovative DHC feature and is set to take ‘hands-free’ golf to a new level.

Both the M3 PRO and M-TECH models also feature high-resolution full colour LCD screens, while the award-winning M5 GPS version is the world’s first compact-folding electric trundler to include a fully-integrated GPS system built into a super-responsive touchscreen display, viewable in all weather conditions. These M-Series models share a revolutionary ‘SlimFold’ design that offers a smaller folded footprint for easy car boot transportation and storage. The trundlers are powered by a whisper-quiet motor and super-lightweight waterproof Lithium batteries. All Motocaddy trundlers – including the simple-to-use M1 model – feature a USB charging port, Adjustable Distance Control and free Accessory Station as standard.

“Extending DHC models across the M-Series provides golfers with more than just a greater choice of styles and functions to confront slopes on the fairways,” said Marketing Manager Oliver Churcher. “DHC trundlers can also help them avoid potential injury by reducing the strain on knees, hips and ankles when going down hills. That’s one of the reasons why the popularity of DHC trundlers is rapidly growing at pace, especially in the UK market,” he added.

Back in 2010, Motocaddy launched a twin-motor model designed to offer golfers hands-free golf and take more of the strain out of playing hilly courses. It proved popular among golfers in countries like Switzerland, Germany and Austria who appreciated its stability on courses where a traditional trundler would freewheel down a slope.

Compared to the modern versions, the original DHC trundler was heavy in weight, since it incorporated two motors working in unison. It was also heavy on power, requiring a big Lead-acid battery, so tended to creep down the hill when parked.

The big breakthrough came in 2015 with the development of new Motocaddy technology that made it possible to use a single motor to achieve even better results than the twin motors. In conjunction with the lighter motor able to control speed on the steepest slopes, the addition of the brand’s exclusive solenoid electronic parking brake proved to be the ultimate game changer.

“It’s a more technological equivalent of a car handbrake,” said Motocaddy Director Paul Straker who worked on the original DHC designs. “We also added a limited slip to the differential in the gearbox, which avoided the prospect of power pulsing from one wheel to another and creating spin, especially in wet conditions. The additional of all-terrain wheels also made a crucial difference,” he added.

Since 2016, Motocaddy has incorporated DHC options across several of its best-selling trundlers in the UK market, powered by a streamlined Lithium battery that proved to be the final piece in the jigsaw as the practical value and unrivalled control became more evident to regular golfers. An increasing number of them also appreciated that the benefit of DHC technology was not confined to ‘hilly’ courses, as every golf course has varying degrees of slope - even if only around tees and greens.

“According to our research, DHC models are seen by golfers to make the game more relaxing and enjoyable. Gone are the days when they need to position the trundler at an angle to secure it on the slope or worry about the trundler freewheeling down a hill,” added Churcher.