Reader Review - Powakaddy FW3

By: Golf Shake | Thu 06 Aug 2015

Powakaddy have been at the fore front of the electric trolley market from the very beginning. They have enjoyed huge success and maybe most of all with their FW range. We recently got our hands on the new and improved FW3 trolley. Golfshake reader, Bruce Varga headed out on the Brabazon Course at The Belfry to test.

What Powakaddy say:

The FW3 model offers golfers a great-value essential product. A completely new PowaFrame and low-profile chassis design, with the added simplicity of the new Plug ‘n’ Play Battery System l. An ambidextrous control with soft touch T-Bar grip alongside the new Power on/off LED indicator and Power, Pause & Resume function provide additional performance capabilities.

Other stand-out features include a powerful whisper quiet motor, 5-spoke quick release wheels, PowaKaddy’s proven 3-Fold mechanism, improved front wheel adjustment and PowaKaddy Key-lock Base

Available in a Polar White or Classic Black frame colour with Piano Black trim, the FW3 offers golfers unbeatable value without compromise at a suggested retail price of £335 (Standard Battery), £370 (Extended Range Battery). New for 2014, this entry-level trolley is also available with the added benefit of Lithium power at a recommended retail price of £500 (Lithium Battery) and £555 (Extended Lithium Battery).

Bruce Varga Review (5 Handicap)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOvlCOXFGxY

Bruce tested the Powakaddy FW3 on The Belfry's Brabazon course

Looks

The trolley looked very stylish with a mix of metallic black metal and matt black plastic making it look very contemporary and appealing to all age ranges., in fact it also looked easy to use out of the box and the bag straps and basic controls were far from daunting to the average golfer.

Feel

The trolley felt exceptionally light to manoeuver even when being manually manipulated rather than under battery power. The handle was ergonomic and comfortable the entire round. The trolley as a whole was easy to be familiar with and start using off the bat without any reservations or mid-round awkwardness.

Performance

The trolley performed really well, battery was still extremely good after a long 18 holes and responsiveness from the controls were instant throughout the round.I really liked the way the trolley was easy to manipulate under power and had no issues with inclines and descents with a good centre of gravity, meaning the trolley never felt like it would tip up on the steeper inclines.

Pros

The trolley was lightweight, easy to manoeuvre and was instantly part of my days toolset without having to get adjusted to it's controls or handling. Sleek good looks is always a winner on the golf course and the Freeway 3 certainly had a stylish look and feel whilst also being extremely quiet.

The speed control was extremely responsive and this made it very easy to find the speed for my pace. Once found the simple click on/off function meant that it instantly returned to my preferred pace without having to adjust the speed controller each time.

Cons

The only true drawback I found was that the dial that also acted as the on/off function had both a button in the centre and a rotating outer edge for speed control, which also acted independently as the on/off button also.

Leaning into the trolley to select a club often lent to inadvertently turning the trolley on and it starting off whilst trying to remove your selected club, which was a little annoying.

The Bottom Line

All in all this trolley fits the bill perfectly. for the price range and the easy of use, there is not many trolleys on the market that can compete.

With sleek looks, ease of use and very quiet when operated, this is an ideal companion for the golfer looking for someone to carry their clubs for them. It offers no further display or measuring functions but this simplistic approach can be less distracting from the shot at hand.

Ultimately a clean, practical and attractive option in the electric trolley range.