# Follow me golf trolleys explained Source: https://pinandyard.co.uk/blog/follow-me-golf-trolleys-explained Published: 2026-10-12 Publisher: Pin and Yard **In short:** A follow me golf trolley tracks the golfer using a tag or remote you carry, or a camera that recognises you, and drives behind you at a set distance. They work best on open, gentle fairways and can struggle on steep slopes, in crowds and on wet grass. Most also have a remote mode for steering by hand. They are heavier and pricier than standard trolleys and need careful control near hazards and people. Follow trolleys promise the ultimate hands-free round: walk to your ball and the trolley comes with you. The technology has improved, and several makers now sell trolleys with follow modes alongside remote control. They are still not for everyone. This explainer covers how the tracking works, what they do well, where they struggle, how they affect battery life and what to check before buying. ## How follow mode works There are two main approaches. Tag based trolleys track a small transmitter or the remote control that you carry in a pocket or on a belt, and keep a set distance behind it. Camera based trolleys use a camera and software to recognise the golfer and follow them, sometimes started by a hand gesture. The gesture follow trolley in our guides is described as using visual tracking with a 120 degree wide angle lens and gesture activation. Both types need a clear line between trolley and golfer and work best when you walk at a steady pace. ## Where follow trolleys work well On open fairways with gentle slopes, a follow trolley is easy to live with. You walk to your ball, the trolley stops when you stop, and you do not have to think about it. Golfers who like walking at their own pace without pushing or steering find this the most relaxed way to get round. ## Using one on a typical round On the first tee, switch on follow mode and walk to your ball at a normal pace. The trolley follows at a set gap and stops when you stop. Before you play, check the trolley is stopped and out of your line, and switch it to standby if it has one. Near the green, many owners switch to remote or manual control and park the trolley on the side nearest the next tee. Between holes, paths and bridges are where most problems happen. Walk them with the trolley in manual or remote mode, especially if the path is narrow or has a drop at the side. Once on the next fairway, switch back to follow. ## Where they struggle Steep side slopes, very wet grass and tight paths are hard for any trolley, and harder when nobody is holding the handle. Crowded areas around tees and greens, where other golfers and trolleys move close by, can confuse tracking. Bunkers, ponds and ditches need careful handling: switch to remote or manual control near them. - Steep side slopes: risk of sliding or tipping. - Wet, soft grass: wheel slip and turf damage. - Tees, greens and paths: other people and trolleys nearby. - Hazards: ponds, ditches and bunkers. - Low sun or poor light: can affect camera tracking. ## Safety features to look for Good follow trolleys stop automatically if they lose contact with the golfer and have obstacle or pedestrian detection. The gesture follow model in our guides lists automatic stopping for pedestrians. Anti-tip wheels, electronic brakes and an easy manual stop are important too. Note: Always stop a follow trolley before playing, keep it away from other people and take manual control near hazards, steep slopes and greens. Check whether your club allows follow trolleys. ## Battery and weight Follow and remote trolleys carry two motors, sensors and electronics, so they are heavier than standard trolleys and use more power. Listings quote ranges in kilometres or holes; the gesture follow model lists up to 16 km, about 27 holes. Hills, wet grass and a heavy bag reduce that. Check the folded weight without battery if you lift the trolley alone. [Golf trolley battery not lasting](https://pinandyard.co.uk/blog/golf-trolley-battery-not-lasting) explains what affects range. ## Follow, remote or standard? Remote mode lets you steer from a distance and is useful near hazards where follow mode is risky. A standard trolley needs your hand on the handle but is lighter, simpler and usually cheaper. Our [remote vs standard electric trolley](https://pinandyard.co.uk/blog/remote-control-vs-standard-electric-golf-trolley) comparison covers that choice, and [best electric golf trolleys](https://pinandyard.co.uk/best/best-electric-golf-trolleys) compares current models including follow types. | Type | Hands free | Weight | Best for | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Standard electric | No | Lightest | Most golfers, small boots | | Remote | Yes, steered | Heavier | Hilly courses, hands-free steering | | Follow | Yes, automatic | Heaviest | Open courses, steady walkers | General comparison ## Before you buy Ask your club whether follow and remote trolleys are allowed and whether there are wet weather restrictions. Check the trolley's folded size against your boot, its weight, how follow mode is started and stopped and the support available in the UK. If possible, watch the maker's video of the trolley on a slope, not just on a flat fairway. ## Frequently asked questions **Do follow trolleys work on hilly courses?** On gentle slopes, yes. On steep side slopes, take manual or remote control. **Is there a Motocaddy follow trolley?** Motocaddy's range focuses on handle and remote control models; check the current range for any follow mode. **Do follow trolleys need a tag?** Some track a tag or remote you carry; camera based models recognise the golfer without one. ## Buying guides on this topic - https://pinandyard.co.uk/best/best-electric-golf-trolleys - https://pinandyard.co.uk/best/powakaddy-trolleys-compared ## Sources - [Stewart Golf](https://www.stewartgolf.co.uk/) - [Motocaddy](https://www.motocaddy.com/)