As a society, we are becoming more and more attached to our electronic devices. From our smart phones to tablets, it seems most just can’t leave home without them. That has started to include the golf course as well with the development of GPS and stat tracking apps, which have become a viable alternative to the traditional standalone GPS devices. Add all of the varied uses on the course up and it becomes a recipe for massive amounts of battery drain.
There have been several different options that have come to the market that offer golfers an on course solution to charging electronic devices. Products have ranged from portable solar panels to handheld booster batteries, but a company named “Gimme Charge” had a much more creative idea – using the electric golf carts themselves as the charging power source.
What is “Gimme Charge”?
Easily charge your mobile device on the golf course. Just plug the Gimme Charge in to your electric golf cart, and then plug your existing power charging cable in to the device. Any device that charges from a USB port is compatible with the Gimme Charge.
Available for the following electric golf carts:
- E-Z-GO – 2008 to Present
- E-Z-GO – 1995 to 2008
- Yamaha – 2008 to Present
- ClubCar – 2004 to Present
- Universal Model (includes interchangeable adapters for all cart models above)
How to Use
The device is incredibly simple to use. It simply plugs into the charging port of the electric golf cart and from there you plug in your USB charging cable for the particular electronic device that you want to charge during your round. It should be noted that with the universal model THP tested, the user simply selects the adapter that fits the golf cart in use and after plugging it in the USB portion of the device then attaches and locks in. It honestly doesn’t get much simpler than that.
More on the setup and use of the Gimme Charge from the company:
On Course with the Gimme Charge
Sometimes the simple things are the ones that take you aback the most. The Gimme Charge device is astoundingly simple in both its idea and application on the course and it performs just as it is advertised. The Gimme Charge was used in an E-Z-GO over several rounds and charged everything from USB speakers to iPhones to a dedicated golf GPS unit. The adapter fit snugly into the cart charging port and at no point was in danger of coming loose. Clearly, the longer the USB cable that is in use, the easier it will be to maneuver around the cart, depending on where the user wants what is being charged to be. One other nice part is that each version of the device comes with its own drawstring pouch to maintain easy storage inside a golf bag when in it not in use. In all, the Gimme Charge really does what it says and does it well.
Specific cart models of the Gimme Charge have an MSRP of $39.95 and the universal model is priced at $69.95, but allows for use in all four different cart models. For more information on the device, be sure to visit the company’s website at www.gimmecharge.com.
Great idea. I know the battery on my phone can get worn down while using my GPS all day on the course, so this is a welcomed product.
Oh man that’s awesome! I’ve been on the course and had a phone die while taking pics or video for a review or something. Great idea for the golfer.
So simple, and such a great idea. There have been plenty of times I could have used this out on the course.
Excellent review JMAN! I will tell you after the week we spent on the golf course for the grandaddy, most of us could of used this very device. Taking Pictures, and posting, and keeping up with everything that was going on took it’s toll on the battery life for many of us. Not to mention if your playing music through a device it’s zaps them pretty good also.
Great stuff here James! If I was a cart only guy I would pick up the universal in a heartbeat.
Easy to use power on the fly is nice to have with the electronics we like to run these days. Between GPS apps, music, and fantasy football the phone is constantly being drained.
Man I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed something like this. Can hardly use my phone on the course because the battery dies so quickly; this would let me use GPS apps, stat tracking apps, or even potentially music apps depending on the course and playing partners.
Before you go out and buy this, a quick review from someone who has acutally used and owned this for the past 3 months.
First off, Universal is misleading. It is in no way the one stop charger for every style cart you will run into.
For one, eliminate any gas powered carts.
Second, this is only 3 of 4 possible charging ports I have run into. Gimmecharge sells the 4th style (which I also own), but it doesnt have the interchangable top piece and is just a one piece construction. This 4th one is compatible with EZ-Go from 95 to 08 and is rectangle in shape. THIS ONE IS NOT SHOWN IN ABOVE PHOTO.
Third, only 2 of the 3 plugs actually functionally work. These are the bigger, square and triangle ended ones pictured above. The smaller, circle ended one does not work that great. The reason is that its designed to be plugged into a small plug that is under the dash of the cart. That plug faces straight down, and so the only thing that holds the plug in is the tolerance of the fit into the socket. There is no snap, click or anything like that. I’ve tried to plug this in to 4 different carts, and the plugs were either not connected to anything electrical or too corroded/dirty to actually hold the charger. Once you hit one small bump, it falls onto the floor.
In conclusion, I really do actually like the device. No other way to easily charge on the course and I use my iphone for GPS and music, so it drains quickly. Solar seemed too bulky but may have been a better option. Its just not as “Universal” as i’d hoped and if you are counting on using that at the course if you didnt have full charge beforehand, well you may be dissapointed.
Just one of those things that you wish you had created. So many times we’ve been on the course and needed something like this. Nice job James.
Such a convenient product, would be super easy to just keep in your golf bag when you need power, it’s right there!
Thanks for another great review James. I ride a lot more in the winter than I do in the summer so I think I’ll look into this.
It’s about time someone cme up with a solid, easy solution, wish I had came up with it. Nice job James, I’ll have one of these next spring.
My course uses gas carts, but this could be a lifesaver for people with battery life issues. The Frankenbattery only works with a few phone types. Pretty clever device. Surprised it took so long to come to the market. If the reviews continue to be good, and not have the problems listed a few responses up, this will be a big seller.
What a great idea!
That’s pretty awesome, I use my phone for GPS and photos and I can get it to last through the round, but after that especially with early morning rounds my phones dead for the rest of the day.
Wonderful idea for a mobile charging solution on the go.
This has been one of the Top Gifts this holiday at Golf4Her – we are actually almost sold out!
http://www.golf4her.com/Gimme-Charge-Universal-Golf-Cart-Charger-p/gc-gcuniv.htm
It’s in my bag!
Does it drain the cart battery more quickly than usual? Some courses have older carts and batteries that barely make it through all 18 to begin with…
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Why is this not used on gas carts?
Hi glen, the gas carts don’t have a charging port which is what this is plugged into.