Shadow Caddy - the better way to play golf

March 1, 2010 - PRLog -- Shadow Caddy is the world’s first, commercially available, self-propelled, robotic golf cart. The brainchild of Hubert Novak of Melbourne, Australia, the Shadow Caddy autonomously follows a transmitter carried on the golfer’s belt, carrying their clubs automatically around the course for them. But the most amazing thing is, the golfer doesn’t need to steer the Shadow Caddy in any way, they just play, totally free to concentrate all their attention on their game.

To operate, the golfer just switches the caddy on and walks off, leaving the Shadow Caddy to diligently follow behind them. When they need a club, they simply stop, turn around and pause the unit by pressing a button on its nose. What happens, you might ask, if another golfer walks in front of the Shadow Caddy? Not to worry, it’s programmed with advanced collision-avoidance-detection software and will stop if it senses an obstruction. The chassis of the Shadow Caddy is even specially designed not to fall into those pesky bunkers.

Production of the Shadow Caddy has been three years in the making, with development partners including two of Australia’s leading industrial design and software development firms, both with extensive experience in automotive design and electronic motion management. 

Thousands of hours (on the course and at custom designed test centers) have been spent testing and improving the product for both golfers and golf clubs. The net result is that Shadow Caddy arrived on the market in late 2009 as a tried and tested product. 

At just 75kg, a Shadow Caddy itself weighs less than what most golfers do, and this weight is distributed across three turf tires, making its impact on the course less than a third of an individual carrying their bag. Hence, Shadow Caddies can go where buggies and carts may be banned, as they have been designed specifically to respect course management challenges. 

The reasons behind using the Shadow Caddy every time you play are compelling. The Shadow Caddy gives golfers the freedom to concentrate on their game, allowing them to focus all their energy on their next shot. Walking in a free and natural way lets the golfer relax, keeping their back muscles loose and warm – which is important for maintaining the rhythm of a slow smooth swing. Reduced fatigue from just walking rather than dragging clubs not only helps to maintain concentration over all 18 holes, but it can lead to better long term health in the golfer.

The health advantages of walking are now well documented and this is one of the factors driving an increasing numbers of golfers back to walking the course. Many golfers using the Shadow Caddy complete their rounds without the strain or pain that would normally be exposed to. Furthermore, in many cases golfers using the Shadow Caddy find they are able to walk faster, achieving a higher heart rate, which can lead to even more health benefits. 

In the end though, it’s the enhanced enjoyment of the walk and the scenery you get when using a Shadow Caddy that will lead to an enhanced golfing experience. Many golfers who have used a Shadow Caddy have commented on how much they enjoyed the freedom 
of the walk, how relaxed they felt, and how much it enhanced their overall enjoyment of the game. 

Shadow Caddy is currently available to rent at courses throughout Europe, the UK and Europe with a new, personal unit also in development. In the meantime though, if you arrive at your local golf course’s pro shop to find that they aren’t yet offering the Shadow Caddy, you’ve really only got one question to ask. Why not?

To learn more about this revolutionary product, visit www.shadowcaddy.com

Alternatively, videos of the Shadow Caddy on the job at golf courses around the world at www.youtube.com/user/shadowcaddy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0mBtbKl33o