10 Shot Challenge - Remote Cart vs Carrying On The UK's Highest Golf Course!

Staff Writers Dan Parker and Joe Ferguson head to the highest golf course in the UK for a unique take on the 10 shot challenge...

10 Shot Challenge - Remote Cart vs Carrying On The UK's Highest Golf Course!
(Image credit: Future)

We've all likely seen the '10 shot challenge' format on YouTube. Take a single figure golfer, give them a 10 shot head start, and put them up against a professional to see if they can overturn the deficit. With our very own pro - Joe Ferguson - and our very own single figure handicapper - Dan Parker - on the Golf Monthly team, we thought it would be about time we gave this challenge a go. 

To add a fresh twist to the challenge, not only did we send Dan and Joe to the UK's highest altitude golf course, but we decided to make it even harder for the pro. By letting Dan use a trolley and forcing Joe to carry his clubs on his back, surely Dan would be able to keep his lead in tact after 18 holes? 

The Stewart Vertx Remote Trolley would be Dan's trusty companion on the incredibly hilly West Monmouthshire Golf Club in Wales, while Joe was left with his full bag of clubs on his back. You can watch the full 18 hole video below to see if Joe could overturn the 10 shot deficit and to see if the Stewart Vertx could handle the terrain on the highest golf course in the UK.

WATCH: Dan and his Stewart Vertx take on Joe The Pro on the UK's highest golf course

West Monmouthshire's highest tee box sits at 463m (1516ft) above sea level. With the Brecon Beacons located just north of the course and the towns of Merthyr Tydfil and Abergavenny located to the west and east respectively, this hidden gem of a golf course offers stunning views of the local countryside as well as a challenging test of golf. 

Dan's Stewart Vertx Remote was the ideal companion to help him try and keep Joe The Pro as far away as possible from his 10 shot lead. Using a remote trolley like the Vertx has ample benefits of its own on flatter golf courses, but there's no doubt it really came into its own on a course with as much elevation change as West Monmouthshire. 

Dan and Joe looking over the 16th green at West Monmouthshire Golf Club

Dan and Joe looking over the 16th green at West Monmouthshire Golf Club

(Image credit: Howard Boylan)

When the Vertx was launched back in 2023, it came with the brand's all-new Cortex microchip. This software assesses the environment around it 1000 time per second so it can react to gradient changes, meaning users are always in full control of the trolley via the remote functionality. Active Terrain Control also allows the trolley to maintain the exact set speed, regardless of the gradient it is going up or down. This was especially useful going up and down the Monmouthshire hills, and the Vertx did not slow down or speed up as it went up and down steep terrain. Even though it was using a lot of energy on this particular golf course the Vertx has the longest battery range on the trolley market - 27 or 45 holes - means range anxiety is a thing of the past. Connected to the free Stewart Golf app, you can also monitor battery charge and overall health. 

While Joe The Pro's golfing ability shone through on the day, Dan's time traversing West Monmouthshire with the Vertx Remote was proof if ever needed that having the right equipment by your side can allow you to enjoy your game even more and keep you playing your very best to the last shot of the day, no matter the environment. 

Dan Parker
Staff Writer

Dan has been with Golf Monthly team since 2021. He graduated with a Masters degree in International Journalism from the University of Sussex and looks after equipment reviews and buying guides, specializing in golf shoe, golf bag, golf cart and apparel reviews. Dan has now tested and reviewed over 30 pairs of golf shoes and is an expert in the field. A left-handed golfer, his handicap index is currently 6.5 and he plays at Fulford Heath Golf Club in the West Midlands. 

Dan's current clubs: 

Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 

Fairway: TaylorMade Stealth 2 15°

Hybrid: Ping G425 

Irons: Cobra King Tec Utility, Ping i230 (5-PW) 

Wedges: Ping Glide Forged Pro

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X

Ball: Titleist AVX