Roda Golf Resort Unveils New Golf Cart Fleet for August 2026

Roda Golf's buggy shed has had a proper shake-up. From the first week of August 2026, the resort is swapping out its ageing cart fleet for a new line-up of electric buggies, and after three summers of watching the old models wheeze up the hill towards the 14th, I can tell you this change has been a long time coming.

Old Fleet vs New Fleet: What's Actually Different

The outgoing carts have served Roda well since the course opened, but anyone who's played here in August knows their limits. Battery life dipped hard by the back nine on hot afternoons, the canopies barely covered your shoulders by 2pm, and the suspension made the cart paths near the Mar Menor-facing holes feel like a rally stage. The new fleet addresses all three problems directly, and the difference shows the moment you sit down.

Comfort in the Heat

The new carts come with wider sun canopies that actually shade the driver and passenger through the middle of the round, not just at address. There's a small but welcome addition too: a chilled drinks holder built into the dash, which matters more than it sounds once the temperature climbs past 34 degrees, which it will most days this August. The old carts had none of this. You brought your own bottle and hoped the ice hadn't melted by the turn.

Noise and Handling

Quieter motors are the other big win. The previous fleet had a whine on the steeper stretches near the clubhouse that carried across the fairways, which never bothered me much until I noticed how much more peaceful a round feels without it. Handling on the cart paths is tighter too, particularly useful on the holes that wind close to the water, where the old carts had a tendency to clip the verge on tighter turns.

Standard Cart vs the New GPS Premium Model

Roda is offering two tiers with the new fleet, and it's worth knowing the difference before you book. The standard cart is the same upgraded chassis and canopy as above, available at the usual hire rate. The premium model adds a GPS screen showing yardages to the pin, hazard positions, and a live scorecard you can share with your group afterwards.

I've tried both over a couple of rounds this month. My honest take: the standard cart is plenty for most visiting golfers, especially if you already know the layout of the golf courses around Roda from previous trips. The GPS model earns its keep for first-timers or anyone playing in a four-ball where nobody wants to be the one squinting at a paper yardage guide in the glare. If you're only here for a week and want to play well from round one, pay the small premium.

Booking Ahead for August

Demand for tee times traditionally spikes in the second half of July and holds through August, and I'd expect the novelty of the new fleet to push bookings up further this year. If you're staying at one of the holiday rentals near Roda Golf, it's worth reserving your cart alongside your tee time rather than turning up and hoping. Early morning slots, before the heat properly sets in around 11am, are already going fast for the first two weeks of August.

Anyone unsure which tier to book, or wanting advice on tee times that avoid the worst of the midday sun, should get in touch through the enquiry page before travelling. The pro shop team have been fielding a steady stream of questions since the fleet announcement went out, and they'd rather sort your booking properly than have you stuck without a cart on a 38 degree afternoon.

Our Verdict

This is a straightforward upgrade, no caveats needed. The new fleet is cooler, quieter, and better suited to a Murcian August than anything Roda has run before. If you're choosing between the two tiers, go standard if you know the course, go premium if you don't or if pace of play matters to your group.

Either way, it's a small but real improvement to a round of golf that, in this heat, needs every advantage it can get. Worth pairing with a siesta and a cold drink at a chiringuito afterwards, ideally somewhere with a proper view over the Mar Menor. For more updates like this one, our resort news coverage tracks every change at Roda as it happens.