Product Review: Formula Remote Golf Trolley

I like to walk the golf course every time it’s permitted and find that electric trolleys are the perfect companion – they do all the heavy lifting and leave me alone to focus on my game. As such, I’m always keen to see what’s new in the trolley market. Recently, I tested the Formula Remote golf trolley from JPSMGolf.

The Back Story

JPSMGolf is Canada’s leading distributor of golf trolleys and has built an enviable reputation over the past 19 years, not only selling electric trolleys, but also providing top notch service to their clients. It’s been a passion project for company owner and Managing Director Joseph McLuckie ever since his original electric cart was stolen along with his car.

The Company has been very successful delivering leading brands such as Stewart, Motocaddy, Powerbug and Cart-Tek to Canadian golfers but McLuckie had long dreamed of having his own trolley too, so a few years ago, when quality issues with one of his top brands became a big enough headache, he pulled the plug on that arrangement and began the process of filling the gap with his own machine.

McLuckie knew precisely what he wanted and drew on his experience working with other brands to craft a machine that would meet his exacting standards. Formula Remote was launched at the PGA Merchandise Show in January 2024 and last year earned rave reviews, including Most Wanted and Best Value awards from MyGolfSpy.

The Product

When it comes to product specs, some people want to know every detail and then there are others like me who take the approach that I don’t need to know how the watch works, I just need to tell the time. For the former, you can see all of the product specs HERE.

For the rest of us, here are a few of the key features to consider:

Two Operating Modes

The Formula can operate as a fully remote trolley using the handset to control speed and steering or in manual mode. This is an important distinction as we’ll see later.

Automatic Steering Assist

Seamlessly navigate any course as the trolley intelligently adapts its direction to the terrain, ensuring effortless movement on slopes, inclines, and rough patches.

Automatic Down-Hill Control

Say goodbye to runaway carts and hello to controlled descents, as the Formula Remote governs speed on downhill stretches, enhancing both safety and convenience.

25.2V Integrated Battery with Status LED

Experience uninterrupted performance with the powerful 25.2V battery. Track your power levels effortlessly with built-in status LEDs. Elevate your game with reliable, long-lasting power. This battery is likely good for two rounds on many courses.

Rear Charging Port

No need to remove your battery or bag to charge up. Plug your charger right into the rear port on the trolley, and you will be ready to go for your next round.

The Test

My review took place at the Toronto Hunt Club where I was met by McLuckie and Director of Marketing Andrew Nicholls. The Hunt is a beautiful nine-hole George Cumming design that hugs the shore of Lake Ontario and has enough elevation change to put the Formula Remote through its paces. I would be testing the Formula Remote, while McLuckie and Nicholls were field testing beta versions of future Formula models.

On first inspection, the Formula is an elegant looking piece of machinery with attractive colour accents that highlight its sleek design. It has three-spoke all-terrain wheels that make you think you could go anywhere with it and a 360-degree rotating dual front wheel assembly that makes turning a breeze. The battery is tucked away as part of the main chassis and doesn’t even have to be extracted for re-charging.

Some trolleys aren’t good at holding stand bags, but the Formula isn’t one of them. My golf bag sat snugly on the foot bed and two straps held it securely in place – something we’d learn was critical later in the test.

After a brief tutorial on the operation of the handset, we were off.

In remote mode, the Formula was pretty easy to operate. The handset had buttons for forward, reverse, right and left, speed controls and an on/off switch. The steering buttons were quite sensitive, so course adjustments just required a light touch. Speed control was easy too – usually matching it to my walking speed or sending it off in all directions at high speed when the need arose. I could dial it down too when negotiating tight spaces, cart paths and boardwalks.

By the fifth hole, I had safely navigated around ponds, climbed hills and moved the trolley properly when in proximity to tees and greens. Maybe I was getting a little cocky as I steered it along a narrow strip of grass between the green and a bunker. Maybe my slight course correction was a tad heavy on the button but before I knew it, the Formula was on its side in the bunker – wheels spinning – and me looking frantically for the kill switch.

No damage done. My golf bag was still securely in place and apart from some embarrassment for my “operator error”, we all moved on. You may recall that one of the features of the Formula Remote was that it has two operating modes. That would have been a good time to switch to manual mode, where the remote-control handset goes back in its cradle on the trolley and the operator (me) manually steers it along that narrow strip of grass.

Our round concluded without further incident.

Back in the parking area, we removed my golf bag and folded the trolley in two easy steps to a profile that fits easily into most trunks or SUVs.

Conclusions

The Formula Remote looks great, is easy to operate and has more than enough versatility to operate in any conditions. I was impressed with the Downhill Control function – a benefit that will undoubtedly be handy on some of the hillier courses in the region – and the Automatic Steering Assist. That function made it seem as if the trolley had a memory of where it was supposed to go – even after being diverted by a side-hill trek, it found its way back on course.

I also like the rear charging port which means you don’t have to remove the battery for charging.

The Formula Remote comes with the trolley, a rechargeable handset, battery and charger, and an Accessory Station that includes a drink holder, umbrella holder and sand and seed bottle. It retails for $1,899 which is less than prices charged by competitors for comparable products in the remote trolley category.

Overall, a terrific product at great value!

For more information about the Formula Remote, click HERE.