golf GPSs

[Jonathan007]

Hi there

Im looking to purchase either a Sky Caddie SGX or a Golf Buddy world platinum.

What are your experiences with either? Or in fact you may have a better suggestion on the matter?

Kind regards

Jon

[GolfPunk]

I have bought a Garmin S1 approach watch - it's simple and as it's a watch it's dead convenient to simply look at my wrist for instant yardage to front middle and back of the green. No subscriptions, it simply finds the ten nearest courses to you. Cost me £160 but far better for me as I've had a bushnell laser and a sky caddie before but the convenience of this far outweighs the pros of other devices.

Have a look at http://m.direct-golf.co.uk/#/golfproduct/?id=11984

[Jonathan007]

Cheers golfpunk I shall take a look.

Jon

[gwalker]

I have the older skycaddie and LOVE it. Only one I have experience with. I don't use it that much on my home course but when on vacations I use it a lot.

[fusionstorm]

How about you play golf like real men and women? Use course markers and your own eyeballs.

Until the pros use GPS devices during competition, I'm not going to be a slave to technology. Yes, I know they use GPS devices during their practice rounds and take meticulous notes, but their very livelihoods depend on it. When I'm out at my club, the last thing I want to do is grind THAT hard over trying to go low. GPS isn't going to make you a scratch golfer if you've got poor technique or equipment that is not fitted for your swing/game.

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by fusionstorm

How about you play golf like real men and women? Use course markers and your own eyeballs.

Until the pros use GPS devices during competition, I'm not going to be a slave to technology. Yes, I know they use GPS devices during their practice rounds and take meticulous notes, but their very livelihoods depend on it. When I'm out at my club, the last thing I want to do is grind THAT hard over trying to go low. GPS isn't going to make you a scratch golfer if you've got poor technique or equipment that is not fitted for your swing/game.

Your arguement makes no sense to me. #1 why do I want to waste my time walking off yardage when I can just look at a GPS which is more accurate than me trying to walk it off anyway? #2 The USGA and R&A both have sanctioned the use of distance measuring devices, including GPS based systems so there is nothing wrong with them. I don't think anyone said its going to make you a scratch golfer but I know I used to hit 2 or 3 shots a round that I totally had the wrong yardage on. I'm not real sure how looking at at GPS is "grinding" as you call it. And as for going low you must play with some nicer guys than I do. Shoot a bad round and you will hear about it for a week.

[paddy_crow]

I don't see an issue with using GPS. I don't have the time to develop a book on every course I play.

[RedwinGV]

I hope this isn't hijacking the thread, but have your thought about a rangefinder instead?
I mention this since I've had one for 11 yrs. It started to die, so wife buys me a GPS (callaway uproMax). I used it for about a month.
A few points:
It had multiple views- one was like a flyover.
It showed how far each hazard was and had a function to show how far it was to a lay up and then to the hole.

The more basic views just showed distance to hazards and front, center and back of green.

- It had a great screen that was easy to read in the sun
- It was smaller than a small cell phone so I kept it in my pocket
- The battery would last about 1.5 rounds

But I returned it. Primarily because they were having some issues with them and would stop selling them. It scared me away since I was worried that support for it would go away before I would quit golfing with it. It did lock up for me a bit and some of the touch options would fail. Also, it was a bit too sensitive with moving and zooming. Also, it always took a few seconds to restart when it went to sleep between shots. Not a huge deal, but yeah, slower than a rangefinder.
They are giving me a bit more than I paid for it or would give me a lot more if I took a gift card from the company. I took the check. I would have kept it if they didn't make this offer though- so Yeah I liked it for the most part. It would keep track of how long you hit a club (if you wanted to) and they were supposed to add in a bunch more features.

But I'm going back to the Rangefinder, why?

-Legal to use ( I don't think GPS's are truly allowed????)
-power lasts for over a season if not many
-Gives distance to the pin- not just the green ( though I do like knowing distance to front and rear of green)
- I'm getting a smart phone and there are many apps that give you the same thing for free or a small fee (BTW some of our courses are putting FREE wireless on them.)
- I can quickly shoot distance to a tree or other locations with the rangefinder. The GPS would do it, but I wasn't always sure what tree it was going to.
-downside is they can cost a bit more, but hunting on the net can turn up some values. (I got mine for about what the GPS cost- $200-250)
-you can't see a hole layout if you're not familiar with the course.


So, something to think about anyway. But the GPS is a bit of a toy and I did enjoy having it. Good luck and enjoy your toy though.

[EE33]

Free golf GPS app on my iPhone, works a treat.

[fusionstorm]

Originally Posted by gwalker

Your arguement makes no sense to me. #1 why do I want to waste my time walking off yardage when I can just look at a GPS which is more accurate than me trying to walk it off anyway? #2 The USGA and R&A both have sanctioned the use of distance measuring devices, including GPS based systems so there is nothing wrong with them. I don't think anyone said its going to make you a scratch golfer but I know I used to hit 2 or 3 shots a round that I totally had the wrong yardage on. I'm not real sure how looking at at GPS is "grinding" as you call it. And as for going low you must play with some nicer guys than I do. Shoot a bad round and you will hear about it for a week.

Walking off yardage is one of the pleasures of golf IMO. It adds to the rhythmical experience of playing a round.

You're dead wrong about the USGA and R&A sanctioning usage of distance measuring devices IN COMPETITION. The R&A website itself is clear in spelling out that usage of such devices is contrary to the Rules of Golf, but that a Committee can permit the usage of such a device as a Local rule. The USGA follows a similar line of thought, with distance measuring devices allowed by Local Rule. However, you will not see a distance measuring device used in competition during the US Open or The Open Championship or any PGA Tour event. As I said above, they can be utilized during the course of practice rounds prior to the competition, but once medal play has begun they are forbidden from usage. Feel free to post any images or video of players or caddies using distance finders during official rounds at either Royal St. Georges or Congressional CC. I'll save you the time and let you know that no one uses a distance finder once they've officially teed off.

If you're trying to shave a couple of strokes by using an artificial aid, that's your prerogative. There's way too much technology already in use to make a difficult game a bit easier.

At my country club, if you shoot a bad round, that invariably means you're breaking out the money clip when it comes time to true up at the 19th hole.

[swatty]

I use Golfshot GPS iphone app. It was only $35 and works at 22,000 courses around the world for no extra download costs. You would need to have an Iphone 4 with the better battery life .
All my golfing partners have expensive GPS units and my iphone is always within 2m reading of the best units + your get satellite view of the course as well

[Jonathan007]

Originally Posted by fusionstorm

Walking off yardage is one of the pleasures of golf IMO. It adds to the rhythmical experience of playing a round.

You're dead wrong about the USGA and R&A sanctioning usage of distance measuring devices IN COMPETITION. The R&A website itself is clear in spelling out that usage of such devices is contrary to the Rules of Golf, but that a Committee can permit the usage of such a device as a Local rule. The USGA follows a similar line of thought, with distance measuring devices allowed by Local Rule. However, you will not see a distance measuring device used in competition during the US Open or The Open Championship or any PGA Tour event. As I said above, they can be utilized during the course of practice rounds prior to the competition, but once medal play has begun they are forbidden from usage. Feel free to post any images or video of players or caddies using distance finders during official rounds at either Royal St. Georges or Congressional CC. I'll save you the time and let you know that no one uses a distance finder once they've officially teed off.

If you're trying to shave a couple of strokes by using an artificial aid, that's your prerogative. There's way too much technology already in use to make a difficult game a bit easier.

At my country club, if you shoot a bad round, that invariably means you're breaking out the money clip when it comes time to true up at the 19th hole.

Originally Posted by RedwinGV

I hope this isn't hijacking the thread, but have your thought about a rangefinder instead?
I mention this since I've had one for 11 yrs. It started to die, so wife buys me a GPS (callaway uproMax). I used it for about a month.
A few points:
It had multiple views- one was like a flyover.
It showed how far each hazard was and had a function to show how far it was to a lay up and then to the hole.

The more basic views just showed distance to hazards and front, center and back of green.

- It had a great screen that was easy to read in the sun
- It was smaller than a small cell phone so I kept it in my pocket
- The battery would last about 1.5 rounds

But I returned it. Primarily because they were having some issues with them and would stop selling them. It scared me away since I was worried that support for it would go away before I would quit golfing with it. It did lock up for me a bit and some of the touch options would fail. Also, it was a bit too sensitive with moving and zooming. Also, it always took a few seconds to restart when it went to sleep between shots. Not a huge deal, but yeah, slower than a rangefinder.
They are giving me a bit more than I paid for it or would give me a lot more if I took a gift card from the company. I took the check. I would have kept it if they didn't make this offer though- so Yeah I liked it for the most part. It would keep track of how long you hit a club (if you wanted to) and they were supposed to add in a bunch more features.

But I'm going back to the Rangefinder, why?

-Legal to use ( I don't think GPS's are truly allowed????)
-power lasts for over a season if not many
-Gives distance to the pin- not just the green ( though I do like knowing distance to front and rear of green)
- I'm getting a smart phone and there are many apps that give you the same thing for free or a small fee (BTW some of our courses are putting FREE wireless on them.)
- I can quickly shoot distance to a tree or other locations with the rangefinder. The GPS would do it, but I wasn't always sure what tree it was going to.
-downside is they can cost a bit more, but hunting on the net can turn up some values. (I got mine for about what the GPS cost- $200-250)
-you can't see a hole layout if you're not familiar with the course.


So, something to think about anyway. But the GPS is a bit of a toy and I did enjoy having it. Good luck and enjoy your toy though.

Originally Posted by EE33

Free golf GPS app on my iPhone, works a treat.

Originally Posted by swatty

I use Golfshot GPS iphone app. It was only $35 and works at 22,000 courses around the world for no extra download costs. You would need to have an Iphone 4 with the better battery life .
All my golfing partners have expensive GPS units and my iphone is always within 2m reading of the best units + your get satellite view of the course as well

Thanks for your input guys really helpfull.

When I make my decision I will let you know.

Kind regards

Jon

[Pix]

If I could just find one that helps me get the ball thru the clowns mouth I would buy that.

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by fusionstorm

Walking off yardage is one of the pleasures of golf IMO. It adds to the rhythmical experience of playing a round.

You're dead wrong about the USGA and R&A sanctioning usage of distance measuring devices IN COMPETITION. The R&A website itself is clear in spelling out that usage of such devices is contrary to the Rules of Golf, but that a Committee can permit the usage of such a device as a Local rule. The USGA follows a similar line of thought, with distance measuring devices allowed by Local Rule. However, you will not see a distance measuring device used in competition during the US Open or The Open Championship or any PGA Tour event. As I said above, they can be utilized during the course of practice rounds prior to the competition, but once medal play has begun they are forbidden from usage. Feel free to post any images or video of players or caddies using distance finders during official rounds at either Royal St. Georges or Congressional CC. I'll save you the time and let you know that no one uses a distance finder once they've officially teed off.

If you're trying to shave a couple of strokes by using an artificial aid, that's your prerogative. There's way too much technology already in use to make a difficult game a bit easier.

At my country club, if you shoot a bad round, that invariably means you're breaking out the money clip when it comes time to true up at the 19th hole.

I didn't mean to come off like an a$$. As for where the R&A and USGA stand they are for the use of those for amateurs. Both bodies believe that the pace of golf has a major impact on the average golfer and that the game would appeal to more people if the average round didn't take 5 hours (and I'm sure it would make the Mrs. happier too.) I'm not saying that one way or the other is the correct way but the pro's have caddie's and I feel my GPS helps me out like a caddy would. I have played at courses that used caddies and its wonderful. Nothing is more important than the integrity of the game but I don't feel the GPS hurts that integrity. I'm not giving up my old grooved wedges either. Things change in golf and change isn't a bad thing. I'm personally thankful we aren't still playing with crap balls, wooden shafted clubs, or persimmon woods. As for cracking out the wallet at the end of the round I've done that plenty. Don't worry I'm not a salesman for GPS's (maybe I should be though)

[fusionstorm]

Originally Posted by gwalker

I didn't mean to come off like an a$$. As for where the R&A and USGA stand they are for the use of those for amateurs. Both bodies believe that the pace of golf has a major impact on the average golfer and that the game would appeal to more people if the average round didn't take 5 hours (and I'm sure it would make the Mrs. happier too.) I'm not saying that one way or the other is the correct way but the pro's have caddie's and I feel my GPS helps me out like a caddy would. I have played at courses that used caddies and its wonderful. Nothing is more important than the integrity of the game but I don't feel the GPS hurts that integrity. I'm not giving up my old grooved wedges either. Things change in golf and change isn't a bad thing. I'm personally thankful we aren't still playing with crap balls, wooden shafted clubs, or persimmon woods. As for cracking out the wallet at the end of the round I've done that plenty. Don't worry I'm not a salesman for GPS's (maybe I should be though)

Nothing wrong with a lively debate! I do see some benefits of having a GPS and have a couple different such apps on my iPhone. But I rarely use any of them - - it's just more trouble than it's worth IMO unless I'm playing a sight-unseen course. As for speeding up play, I find that oftentimes it slows down play with less-skilled golfers wasting time trying to get a yardage they have no chance in hell of hitting properly/consistently. When I play solo at my club, I'm pretty much dialed in with distance by the time I put my bag down (I walk exclusively) and am ready to grip & rip. My round would actually take longer to play if I were fiddling with a distance device for every approach shot.

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by fusionstorm

Nothing wrong with a lively debate! I do see some benefits of having a GPS and have a couple different such apps on my iPhone. But I rarely use any of them - - it's just more trouble than it's worth IMO unless I'm playing a sight-unseen course. As for speeding up play, I find that oftentimes it slows down play with less-skilled golfers wasting time trying to get a yardage they have no chance in hell of hitting properly/consistently. When I play solo at my club, I'm pretty much dialed in with distance by the time I put my bag down (I walk exclusively) and am ready to grip & rip. My round would actually take longer to play if I were fiddling with a distance device for every approach shot.

I can see all your points and they are great ones. I have tried the $40 iphone app and I should've just set 2 20's on fire. NO SERVICE on 2 of the 4 courses I play most. The times I have used it the load times are SLOW. The phone beeps and seems "lost" half the time. I think the most valid point you made is that you walk exclusively. That my friend is something to be very proud of. You are a purist at heart. I'm a good golfer (9 hcp.) but I feel once I know a yardage and know its right I feel great about the shot. Basically what I think I've been trying to get across is this item worked for ME. I have shot in the 70's several times in July and Aug and played 5 times 3 in 70s. There is a great feeling about standing over a shot and know its all up to you now. No variables. It could be 100% mental but when I know all I have to do is hit a ball a certain distance my play has improved. I'm a quick golfer as is (solo rounds take usually 2 hours 30 min if no traffic. I don't think much. If I know yardage and wind Ill hit. If playing in something more importatant like the club champ. I tend to "chock" after analyzing everything. I'm much better at getting the info then hitting the shot. They way you talk about how you play I think we could be hell-of-a golf partners. I do play with people every now and then that walk and keep up with no issues. I don't know if I've said this yes but a major factor is trust. I trust my GPS. It doesn't give me wrong info (as of yet) I have trust in it as a pro has in his caddy. When I get the number I know what to hit.

[SPARTAN2161]

love my skycaddie

[Jonathan007]

Update, I have ordered the Golf Buddy World Platinum.

When I manage to get my hands on it and my head around it I will post a review.

Kind regards

Jon

[paddy_crow]

Originally Posted by fusionstorm

Nothing wrong with a lively debate! I do see some benefits of having a GPS and have a couple different such apps on my iPhone. But I rarely use any of them - - it's just more trouble than it's worth IMO unless I'm playing a sight-unseen course. As for speeding up play, I find that oftentimes it slows down play with less-skilled golfers wasting time trying to get a yardage they have no chance in hell of hitting properly/consistently. When I play solo at my club, I'm pretty much dialed in with distance by the time I put my bag down (I walk exclusively) and am ready to grip & rip. My round would actually take longer to play if I were fiddling with a distance device for every approach shot.

If yardage is unimportant to most golfers, why do they put it on permanent markers all around the course? Fact is, it's one of the most important inputs for selecting which club to hit.

When you play the same course often, you have a good idea what the yardage is and you're able to decide which club to hit just from experience. When you don't know the course, GPS is the quickest and most accurate method of getting the yardage. It takes about as much time as it takes to pull a club out of the bag.

[fusionstorm]

Originally Posted by paddy_crow

If yardage is unimportant to most golfers, why do they put it on permanent markers all around the course? Fact is, it's one of the most important inputs for selecting which club to hit.

When you play the same course often, you have a good idea what the yardage is and you're able to decide which club to hit just from experience. When you don't know the course, GPS is the quickest and most accurate method of getting the yardage. It takes about as much time as it takes to pull a club out of the bag.

I never said yardage was unimportant. What I have been saying is that very few people can hit each of their clubs to exactly XXX yards. If GPS says your ball lies 160 yards from the pin, and course markers indicate it's 163 yards or 157 yards, are you honestly going to say that 3 yard difference is going to vastly change your score? If you've got your irons dialed in to that level of accuracy, you should be a professional.

And the fact is that GPS is not accurate to the inch. I find they're off by a couple of yards at a minimum. Further, you typically have to wait for the satellite signal to propagate to your device once you've set your bag down. The distance finders that use a laser to measure to a point at the top of the flag are more accurate IMO, but we all have seen that it takes some time to aim it properly. And I've seen plenty of instances where the yardage number returned was obviously wrong b/c the laser was measuring to something in the background rather than the flag.

I know that there's value beyond the golf course in teaching my sons to eyeball a distance, as well as to triangulate based upon course markers/yard sticks. They will not use electronic aids until they're competition ready.

[paddy_crow]

Originally Posted by fusionstorm

I never said yardage was unimportant. What I have been saying is that very few people can hit each of their clubs to exactly XXX yards. If GPS says your ball lies 160 yards from the pin, and course markers indicate it's 163 yards or 157 yards, are you honestly going to say that 3 yard difference is going to vastly change your score? If you've got your irons dialed in to that level of accuracy, you should be a professional.

And the fact is that GPS is not accurate to the inch. I find they're off by a couple of yards at a minimum. Further, you typically have to wait for the satellite signal to propagate to your device once you've set your bag down. The distance finders that use a laser to measure to a point at the top of the flag are more accurate IMO, but we all have seen that it takes some time to aim it properly. And I've seen plenty of instances where the yardage number returned was obviously wrong b/c the laser was measuring to something in the background rather than the flag.

I know that there's value beyond the golf course in teaching my sons to eyeball a distance, as well as to triangulate based upon course markers/yard sticks. They will not use electronic aids until they're competition ready.

Regardless of whether someone is able to consistently hit distances with their clubs, yardage is still an important part of the process. I've said nothing about how well I have my irons dialed in, so I don't know why you'd try to make an issue of it.

I'm not looking to get the yardage down to the inch, nor have I suggested that GPS is that precise. A couple of yards is good enough for me. The times I've used them, I've found them to provide a pretty good estimate (I don't own one). They especially shine when you've hit a shot off line and there are no course markers nearby.

Lasers are great when you have line of sight access to a target large enough to get a good reflection. My experience is that's not always the case on the golf course. I've also found them to be less convenient than GPS.

On the courses I play, I tend to have quite a bit of time before the group ahead is clear. Even when playing quickly, I've found the better GPS units have a very short lag time. They're certainly quicker than someone pacing 20 yards off from a marker. I've seen iPhone aps that were really slow, but I've also heard other guys say their's updates quickly.

[fusionstorm]

Originally Posted by paddy_crow

Regardless of whether someone is able to consistently hit distances with their clubs, yardage is still an important part of the process. I've said nothing about how well I have my irons dialed in, so I don't know why you'd try to make an issue of it.

I'm not looking to get the yardage down to the inch, nor have I suggested that GPS is that precise. A couple of yards is good enough for me. The times I've used them, I've found them to provide a pretty good estimate (I don't own one). They especially shine when you've hit a shot off line and there are no course markers nearby.

Lasers are great when you have line of sight access to a target large enough to get a good reflection. My experience is that's not always the case on the golf course. I've also found them to be less convenient than GPS.

On the courses I play, I tend to have quite a bit of time before the group ahead is clear. Even when playing quickly, I've found the better GPS units have a very short lag time. They're certainly quicker than someone pacing 20 yards off from a marker. I've seen iPhone aps that were really slow, but I've also heard other guys say their's updates quickly.

If you're waiting around and have spare time on your hand to fiddle with a GPS, then that's fine. And if you spend a lot of time in the next fairway or rough, it could be handy for people who don't trust their ability to triangulate.

If you're inside the cart path and the yardage sticks, there should be enough markers available to get a reasonably accurate yardage faster than a GPS could provide.

[paddy_crow]

If someone uses a GPS unit four or five times in a round to get the yardage, I'd hardly call that standing around fiddling with it. Some of the ones I've seen in use didn't require fiddling, the owner just looked at it and read off the yardage.

I have yet to meet a golfer who never hits a wayward shot or two (and I have met a few touring pros).

If there are adequate markers, I use them. When I have to hunt around for the nearest marker only to find there's nothing close, it would be nice to have a device hanging from my bag that provides the yardage at a glance.

Not all courses use sticks. And those that use sprinkler heads don't have them all marked (and the markings don't all age well).