Sun Mountain Speed Cart

Reviewed by: pdesjardins ,  Shoots in the 70s

Model Reviewed:
sun mountain speed cart V1

Summary:
I've had my Speed Cart now for over two years and it's been great, except for one thing. Wobbly Wheels.

I have a long shuttle ride to the 1st tee, then again from the 9th green to the 10th tee, where I sit on the back bench of the shuttle cart and "drag" the Speed Cart like a trailer. It wobbles back & forth, is difficult to control, and seems to be wearing out the tires prematurely. I initially thought it was normal behavior, but I sat next to another player with a Speed Cart and his didn't wobble at all.

When I inquired on their website, Sun Mountain's response was this:

From what you have described to us you have mostly likely bent your out riggers and possibly have damaged the frame and maybe the wheels as well. These cart are not designed to be pulled backwards they are to be pushed. By doing so you have severed the warranty on this cart.
It does state in the guide book as to not pull this cart backwards.
At this time I would suggest that you try and determine what parts you are going to need and have your Pro-Shop order them so you can fix your cart. And we HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOT PULLING YOUR CART BACKWARDS for any reason. This will and probably has weaken the frame. Once the frame shows any type of cracking there is nothing we can do or even help with except suggesting that you put either metal piping or wooden dowels into the frame.
Thank you for choosing Sun Mountain!

>>> I checked the manual on a new model in a store. Indeed it does say not to pull the cart - way at the back in small print.

If this were such a serious issue that they would void the warranty for it, wouldn't you think they would make it up front in LARGE BOLD LETTERS?

More importantly, wouldn't you think they could design it to be pulled?

By the way, there is no visible damage to any part of the cart. It works fine when pushed.

Think of all the normal golf situations where a push cart could be pulled:

The shuttle ride (see above)
A long walk out to your starting hole for a "shot-gun" start. Someone drives by in a power cart and offers to pull your cart for you.
A golfer suffers an injury out on the course, even maybe a heart attack, and his bag needs to be dragged back to the clubhouse by someone in a power cart.
Bottom line: I'll never purchase another Sun Mountain Speed Cart.

Customer Service:
Terrible - See above.

Reviewed by: wildwoodduo ,  Shoots in the 90s

Model Reviewed:
Sun Mountain Push Speed Cart V1

Summary:
Three years ago many golfers in my club began to sell or store their power-assisted carts in favor of the new Sun Mountain Push Carts. I joined the movement and have never regretted it. This is a quality piece of equipment. The small issues with the original design have been resolved in the 2008 model. Since wintering in an Arizona retirement community where no one walks on the golf course, I have had to get lifts from green to tee on some of the holes, dragging my Sun Mountain cart behind from the passenger seat. Since the drivers are elderly and have little experience with pulling a wider load, this has resulted in an entire season of weekly mishaps, crashes against curbs, and violent spills and I am pleased to report that, aside from some surface scraches, my Sun Mountain cart is still as functional as when it was purchased. This is impressive! When I return to my Canadian summer home this spring, I am going to sell my power-assisted unit and purchase a second Sun Mountain cart so that I can have one in Canada and one in Arizona. To anyone considering this purchase, I say whole-heartedly, "Go for it!"

Customer Service:
This company offers fabulous customer service. Firstly, repacement parts are reasonably priced so, if you do have an issue, you won't be gouged. Last week, a driver actually backed over my Sun Mountain cart and snapped a wheel off. This required the replacement of the heavy-duty plastic bracket that attached the wheel to the frame. I went on the internet, found the phone number, and telephoned Sun Mountain Customer Service expecting the worst. Despite the fact that the cart was over three years old and the warranty well expired, I was mailed two replacement brackets within the week and have just finished replacing the broken one. Total charge - zero!

Reviewed by: WiscTJK ,  Shoots in the 90s

Model Reviewed:
Sun Mountain Speed Cart V1

Summary:
Well this is an excellent cart that rolls great. I have had all three of my tubes go flat (the seal at the valve is faulty), they obviously bought a bad batch, but since replacing they have been fine.

Customer Service:
Their customer service has been great. I don't know who some of the other reviewers talk to, but I have been treated great. I had a leg break on my carry bag well after warranty and they replaced at no cost.