Golf is a wonderful yet perplexing game. It is relaxing, frustrating, expensive, humbling, and occasionally responsible for words that cannot be printed on a family website. But one thing that can make a round even more enjoyable is walking the course without pushing, pulling, or carrying a heavy bag.
Enter the NAVEE Birdie 3X, a high-tech electric golf push cart that might just be one of the more interesting gadgets to hit the fairway. And yes, this thing can actually follow you around.
The headline feature is the Birdie 3X’s auto-follow mode. Clip the remote to your belt or pocket, turn on the follow function, and the cart is designed to trail behind you as you walk toward your ball. The idea is fantastic: no pushing, no pulling, no constantly grabbing the cart and repositioning it. It’s almost like having your own robotic caddie—although it will not read your greens, find your ball in the woods, or stop you from trying to hit a 230-yard carry over water.
The cart can also be controlled with a remote, which gives you the ability to send it forward, steer it, stop it, and control its speed. NAVEE gives you nine speed settings, so whether you walk at a casual Sunday pace or move like you’re trying to beat a thunderstorm, the Birdie 3X can keep up. The dual-motor setup is designed for serious traction, and NAVEE rates it for inclines up to 25 percent. It also has an anti-tipping wheel to help keep your expensive clubs from becoming a yard sale on the side of a hill.
Battery life is another big selling point. The 220Wh battery is rated for up to 36 holes, meaning you should be able to get through two rounds without constantly worrying about charging. Of course, hills, terrain, bag weight, and how aggressively you use the motors can affect that number—but the overall range should satisfy most weekend warriors.
I also like the tech built into the handle area. There is a large LED display, a USB-C charging port, and connectivity through the NAVEE app. The app can monitor battery life, adjust settings, track scores, and even control the cart from your smartphone.
And here’s another important thing: it folds down quickly into a surprisingly compact package. It isn’t a featherweight—this is a serious electric cart—but the folded dimensions make it manageable for the trunk of a car.
The Birdie 3X also includes useful extras like a cup holder, umbrella holder, and storage pocket. Because let’s be honest: technology is great, but where am I supposed to put my drink?
The biggest question is whether the auto-follow technology works perfectly in every situation. Independent testing has generally found the remote-control and powered-cart functions to be strong, while the follow mode can occasionally require some patience or fine-tuning. So I wouldn’t necessarily trust it blindly around water, sand traps, or your buddy’s $5,000 set of clubs.
Overall, the NAVEE Birdie 3X is a seriously cool piece of golf technology. At around $1,300 MSRP, it isn’t cheap, but it packs remote control, auto-follow technology, all-terrain capability, a 36-hole battery, smartphone connectivity, and plenty of convenience into one futuristic-looking package.
Bottom line: If you love walking the course but hate dragging a heavy golf bag for four hours, the NAVEE Birdie 3X is worth a look. It’s fun, futuristic, capable, and about as close as most of us are going to get to having a personal caddie who works for free.
Just don’t blame the cart for your slice. That’s still on you.
As seen on FOX 7 Austin.