Fire hazard from electric trolleys and lithium-ion batteries on golf courses

Electric trolleys can be found on almost every golf course today. They make the game more comfortable, protect your back, and offer modern features. But this convenience comes with a downside: The lithium-ion batteries that power these trolleys pose a significant fire risk – especially if they are improperly stored or charged.

Lithium-ion batteries: benefits and risks at the same time

The advantages for golfers are obvious:

  • Weight : Lightweight and portable, ideal for trolleys.

  • Performance : Long runtime, often a complete 18-hole round without reloading.

  • Convenience : Fast charging, easy handling.

But the same technology is sensitive:

  • Thermal runaway – if a battery gets out of control, cells ignite one after the other.

  • Heat generation during charging, especially in confined spaces.

  • Storing large quantities in a confined space leads to a domino effect: if one ignites, many often follow.

Fires caused by batteries are increasing significantly

The numbers speak a clear language:

  • According to the IFS (Institute for Loss Prevention and Loss Research), the number of fires caused by batteries has doubled in the last five years.

  • In Germany, there are over 6,000 registered battery fires per year – the number of unreported cases is higher.

  • Fire departments report a significant increase in the number of operations , particularly due to e-bike and e-trolley batteries .

Example: In 2023, the entire caddy house at a southern German golf club burned down after a defective lithium battery caught fire during charging. Within 15 minutes, the building was completely engulfed in flames. The damage: over 1.5 million euros .

Danger on golf courses: Why trolleys are particularly critical

Electric trolleys are practical – but problematic from a fire safety perspective:

  1. Central charging stations

    • Many clubs set up central charging stations in the caddy house.

    • Here, up to 50–100 batteries are powered simultaneously .

    • A defective battery can trigger a chain reaction within seconds.

  2. Tight storage

    • Trolleys and batteries are often parked next to each other.

    • No safety distance, hardly any ventilation – the risk increases massively.

    • Members often charge their trolley batteries themselves – without knowing the risks.

    • Cheap replacement chargers from the Internet increase the risk even further

  3. Fire progression

    • Lithium fires are extremely difficult to extinguish.

    • Water is not enough – the fire brigade often needs special extinguishing agents .

    • The temperatures in the battery can reach over 600–1,000 °C .

Practical examples

  • Golf club in the Ruhr region (2022): A trolley's battery exploded in the caddy room overnight. Thirty other trolleys burned, and the clubhouse had to remain closed for weeks due to smoke damage.

  • Golf course in Bavaria (2023): A defective battery caught fire while charging. Only the quick intervention of a greenkeeper with a container of fire-protection sand prevented a worse outcome.

  • Insurance claims: Several insurers report that golf clubs are increasingly being subjected to restrictions – for example, only charging in fireproof cabinets .

Prevention: How clubs make their electric trolley storage safe

1) Create fire-safe infrastructure

  • Special battery safety or charging cabinets with fireproof insulation. (Please contact us if you are interested.)

  • Installation of fire alarm systems with direct alerting of the fire department.

  • Strict separation of loading area and remaining storage space.

2) Rules for members

  • Only allow chargers from the original manufacturer .

  • Set clear charging times (e.g. during the day, not unattended at night).

  • Defective or swollen batteries must be removed from service immediately and disposed of separately.

3) Insurance & Compliance

  • Many insurance companies now require fire protection concepts .

  • Without proof, benefits may be reduced in an emergency.

  • Clubs should regularly check whether their measures still meet current standards.

Conclusion: Safety as a mandatory task for golf clubs

Electric trolleys have become an indispensable part of modern golf – but the fire risk from lithium-ion batteries is real and constantly growing . For clubs, this means investing in safe charging and storage facilities , clear rules for members , and professional fire protection solutions are now mandatory.

This is the only way to prevent damage costing millions, long operational downtimes and dangerous situations.