Motocaddy M5 GPS Electric Trolley Review
The M5 GPS was the world's first electric trolley with a fully integrated touchscreen GPS built into the handle, and it went on to win Golf Monthly's Best Electric Trolley award. Years on, updated versions keep the same core idea: yardages, course maps and trolley controls in one screen, with no separate watch or rangefinder needed.
That convenience comes with real trade-offs worth knowing before you commit to a trolley-integrated GPS rather than a standalone device, and reviewers have been consistent about what those are.
- The original touchscreen-GPS electric trolley, later named Golf Monthly's Best Electric Trolley of 2022
- 3.5-inch touchscreen shows 40,000+ preloaded courses with front/middle/back yardages and a moveable pin position pointer
- GPS functionality is tied entirely to the trolley, so there are no yardages if the trolley itself can't be used that day
- A separate DHC version exists specifically for downhill speed control, so check which one you're actually buying
The Short Version
- The integrated 3.5-inch touchscreen GPS is genuinely unique in the category and reviewers consistently rate it as the standout feature.
- Automatic Distance Control lets the trolley travel ahead of you on its own toward the next tee or up the fairway.
- Because the GPS lives on the trolley, you lose it entirely on any day you can’t use the trolley, and screen damage means losing GPS along with the display.
- The standard M5 GPS doesn’t include Downhill Control. That’s the separate, pricier DHC version, worth checking before you buy if you play hilly courses.
Motocaddy M5 GPS Electric Trolley
Motocaddy M5 GPS Electric Golf Trolley 18 Hole Lithium Battery
How it performs
The 3.5-inch touchscreen is the reason this trolley exists, and reviewers across several generations of the M5 GPS agree it delivers on the concept. It’s bright and readable in a range of weather, works with a glove on, and shows front, middle and back yardages alongside hazard distances and a moveable pin position pointer that’s genuinely unusual for a trolley-mounted display. The GPS comes preloaded with over 40,000 courses, so there’s no separate app subscription required to get yardages on most courses out of the box.
Automatic Distance Control is the other headline feature reviewers consistently call out. Set it going and the trolley will travel ahead of you toward the next tee or down the fairway on its own, a genuinely practical touch once you get used to trusting it. The 28.8V drive system and 230W motor are described as whisper-quiet, with nine speed settings and a battery that charges without needing to be removed from the trolley.
The honest limitation, flagged consistently across reviews old and new, is that the GPS lives entirely on the trolley. If you play a course that restricts trolleys on a given day, or if the touchscreen gets damaged, you lose your yardages along with it, unlike a separate watch or rangefinder that travels with you regardless. One long-term reviewer also pointed out that golfers who don’t specifically want integrated GPS, and would be happy with a phone app or a separate device, may be paying for a feature they don’t fully need at this price point. Golf Monthly’s earlier testing also noted that some of the on-screen hazard acronyms take a little getting used to, a minor point, but a real one.
Motocaddy M5 GPS Specifications
- Genuinely unique integrated touchscreen GPS with a moveable pin pointer, unlike anything else in the category
- Automatic Distance Control is a real practical convenience once you’re used to it
- Excellent build quality and a compact, well-engineered folding system
- Whisper-quiet 230W motor with nine speed settings
- Award-winning reputation, backed by consistent praise across several review generations
- GPS functionality is entirely tied to the trolley, so there are no yardages on days you can’t use it, and none if the screen is damaged
- The standard M5 GPS doesn’t include Downhill Control; that’s the separate, pricier DHC version
- Doesn’t offer 3D course maps, slope-adjusted distances or green-undulation detail that some rival GPS systems include
- Premium price that one long-term reviewer felt may not suit golfers who don’t specifically want GPS built into the trolley
Where it sits in Motocaddy's range
The M5 GPS is Motocaddy's flagship GPS trolley, but it isn't the only GPS option in the lineup, and the step up or down changes what you're actually getting.
- M3 GPS: a more affordable Motocaddy GPS trolley, without the M5’s full touchscreen feature set.
- M5 GPS: covered in this review. The integrated touchscreen flagship, standard downhill handling.
- M5 GPS DHC: adds Downhill Control specifically for sloped courses, at a higher price.
- M7 GPS Remote: a step further up, with remote control functionality on top of the GPS.
- M-Tech: Motocaddy’s top-tier trolley, at the highest price point in the range.
If the integrated screen is the main draw but the full M5 price is more than you want to spend, the M3 GPS is the obvious place to look first. Deciding between electric and push, or comparing brands? Our electric trolley comparison weighs Motocaddy against PowaKaddy and the rest.
Want to Spend Less? The M3 GPS Is Worth a Look
If the M5’s price is more than you want to spend, Motocaddy’s own M3 GPS costs meaningfully less while still bringing GPS into the trolley. You give up the M5’s full touchscreen feature set and moveable pin pointer, but you keep Motocaddy’s build quality and reliability at a lower entry point into GPS-integrated electric trolleys.
Motocaddy M3 GPS Electric Golf Trolley Charcoal 18 Hole Lithium Battery (Pre Order)
How We Compiled This Review
We haven’t pushed this trolley around a course ourselves, so rather than fake a hands-on account, we built this review from independent testing published across the golf media, checked against Motocaddy’s own published specifications.
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Cross-generation testing
Compared reviews across several generations of the M5 GPS, including current-model testing, rather than relying on a single review from one launch cycle.
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Cross-checked expert reviews
Read and cross-checked reviews from Golf Monthly, Golfalot, GolfMagic and Golf Guy Reviews.
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Checked the award context
Verified the Golf Monthly Best Electric Trolley of 2022 award directly rather than repeating the brand’s own press release uncritically.
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Verified against Motocaddy specs
Checked every technical spec against Motocaddy’s official product documentation.
Where a long-term reviewer raised a genuine value concern, namely whether integrated GPS is worth the premium for every golfer, we’ve included that directly rather than only repeating the positive coverage.
What to Check Before You Buy
If you regularly play hilly courses, check whether you need the separate DHC version for downhill speed control before assuming the standard M5 GPS includes it.
Since the GPS lives on the trolley, consider whether you need a backup yardage method for days you’re carrying or pushing instead.
If you already use a phone app or GPS watch happily, weigh whether the M5’s premium over a non-GPS electric trolley is worth it for your game.
The standard battery covers 18 holes; an Extended lithium battery version is available if you want extra range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Motocaddy M5 GPS worth the money?
If integrated GPS with no separate watch or rangefinder is genuinely useful to you, most reviewers say yes. If you’re happy with a phone app or already own a GPS watch, the premium over a non-GPS electric trolley may not be worth it.
Does the M5 GPS have Downhill Control?
No, the standard M5 GPS doesn’t include Downhill Control. That’s a separate model, the M5 GPS DHC, at a higher price.
What happens to the GPS if I can't use the trolley?
You lose access to the yardages, since the GPS is built into the trolley rather than a separate device. This is worth considering if you regularly play courses with trolley restrictions.
How many courses are preloaded?
Over 40,000 courses come preloaded, so most golfers won’t need to add courses manually before playing.
What's the difference between the M5 GPS and M3 GPS?
The M3 GPS is Motocaddy’s more affordable GPS trolley, without the M5’s full touchscreen feature set and moveable pin pointer.
No surprise charges at the door: VAT and import duty are included in the price and prepaid. Delivery is €7, free over €120, in 2–4 working days.
The M5 GPS remains one of the most genuinely innovative electric trolleys available, and the touchscreen GPS is exactly as useful as it sounds once you’ve played a few rounds with it. It isn’t for everyone. Golfers happy with a phone app or a separate watch are paying for a feature they may not need, and the GPS being tied to the trolley is a real limitation on restricted days. But for golfers who want one device doing everything, this remains close to the best in the category.
