Golf Apps for iPhone

[KhalJimbo]

So wondering what Golf Apps people are using, if any?

I use Swing x Swing but must admit I am bad in using it when I play, I don't really like pulling my phone out at each shot to see how far away I am from the green, which kind of defeats the point of using an App. One area I really suffer with in Golf is judging distances, I do struggle to see whether I should use my 4 Hybrid\5 Iron or 6 Iron to make a shot for example, using an App consistently would help with this quite a bit.

I've just downloaded another one called Hole19 which also looks really nice, certainly more aesthetic than Swing x Swing, and with the formal release of the Apple Watch last night (will be getting the Sport one) I'm sure it won't be long be long before Apps are joined with the Watch.

So I wanted to see, who here uses Phone Apps while playing? Or is it more the GPS watches by Garmin etc the go to choice for this type of thing?

 

[Dan2501]

You tried Golfshot? Probably the best iPhone GPS app out there, and it's free.

 

[Hacker Khan]

As far as I understood the problem with using your phone was that the battery struggles to last if you are constantly using the GPS, where as watches and GPS devices have been specifically engineered to do just that. May be the apple watch as you say will sort that out, but for the time being I'd stick to the specific devices to do that where you know you will be getting accurate data regarding yardages.

 

[Mastercracker]

I use golfshot, the paid for version with more features. Its great, but the battery does take a beating. Usually go from 100% ish down to 30/40% in a round.

 

[KhalJimbo]

I use golfshot, the paid for version with more features. Its great, but the battery does take a beating. Usually go from 100% ish down to 30/40% in a round.

Just had a look at GolfShot, looks pretty decent, although to access GPS you need the paid version. Might be worth a look though especially when the Watch come out.
I'm very interested in seeing what these Golf Apps do with it, I'm very much into my fitness tracking (may not look it though LOL) through mountain biking and walking\running so interested in one device for everything.

 

[sidneyb]

use 'GameBook' every round I play now.

Great for scoring (automatically calculates Stableford scores), your friends can follow you 'live' as you play and comment (bit like Twitter)

If you have the notifications set up and one of your friends is on the course you'll get a chirping noise when they make a birdie. Which can be highly annoying when you are stuck in the office on a beautiful day like today!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Golfshot is good but a killer on the batter. I use the V Golf app, Tour Tempo

 

[la_lucha]

I use golfgps it's dead simple and you drag it around to reference distance to any point. It's quick and easy and you don't need to download the course or any of that nonsense.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I tried to use my phone during a round but when carrying and preferring to use my range finder (part of my pre shot routine) I felt a bit silly and VERY slow. Really has to be one or the other and I prefer a scorecard and rangefinder.

Funny thing is, I am a huge data lover, I adore playing with numbers but I don't track any golf stats (like in an app or on a spreadsheet, or even in a notepad) apart from my handicap (which is currently inactive anyway) and the odd round total score by the way of keeping my best card or two. It feels just too much like work!

 

[Evesdad]

I've got nearly all of the above but rarely use them. Freecaddie is another always about the same as my pp's s1's

 

[Pin-seeker]

Hole19 is decent

 

[KhalJimbo]

I tried to use my phone during a round but when carrying and preferring to use my range finder (part of my pre shot routine) I felt a bit silly and VERY slow. Really has to be one or the other and I prefer a scorecard and rangefinder.

Funny thing is, I am a huge data lover, I adore playing with numbers but I don't track any golf stats (like in an app or on a spreadsheet, or even in a notepad) apart from my handicap (which is currently inactive anyway) and the odd round total score by the way of keeping my best card or two. It feels just too much like work!

Thats the key right there. I feel very slow like I'm holding up play. I've only used my phone so far on a local Par 3 course, I'm a bit afraid of using it on an 18 Hole and holding up other players while I reference my phone for how far away from the green I am.

 

[KhalJimbo]

Hole19 is decent

I've downloaded this one a quite like the look of it (I'm a big fan of aesthetics when it comes to apps). One thing I can't find out about this one though, it does it track a handicap from scores entered like most others? I don't have an official handicap but find these kind of things useful on apps.

 

[Dando]

I use swingxswing and think its great. as for battery usage just change the power usage settings.

 

[KhalJimbo]

I use swingxswing and think its great. as for battery usage just change the power usage settings.

I'm currently using Swing x Swing too, I don't quite like the fact that 9 Hole courses mess up the handicap tracking though. It currently thinks my handicap is 9.5, there is no chance I'm that good LOL (yet!)

 

[Dando]

Thats the key right there. I feel very slow like I'm holding up play. I've only used my phone so far on a local Par 3 course, I'm a bit afraid of using it on an 18 Hole and holding up other players while I reference my phone for how far away from the green I am.

when I use my phone for yardages I take it out as I am walking to the ball so it doesn't take as long to register where I am. I don't think it adds any time whatsoever

 

[Deleted member 15717]

I tried to use my phone during a round but when carrying and preferring to use my range finder (part of my pre shot routine) I felt a bit silly and VERY slow. Really has to be one or the other and I prefer a scorecard and rangefinder.

Nail. Hit. Head.

Played the Brabazon with a guy recently who used his phone to find distances to certain spots, and also distances to greens blah blah. Took forever at times, so I just played out of turn at times when I was ready to go. Really frustrating

 

[Jay1]

when I use my phone for yardages I take it out as I am walking to the ball so it doesn't take as long to register where I am. I don't think it adds any time whatsoever

This. I use Golfshot on my phone for yardages and for scoring/stats. I get the phone out when I'm about 10-20 metres from the ball and by the time I get to the ball it is showing me my yardage to front/middle/back and to hazards. A quick glance and I'm good to go. I would say it's actually quicker than working out approximate yardages from markers/strokesaver book. I then input my score and stats as I'm walking to the next tee (takes about 15 seconds at a guess). I wouldn't say that using my phone adds any time at all to my pace of play.

I do agree though that if used poorly any distance finding device (laser/GPS/strokesaver book/yardage markers) can slow play down. It's all about common sense and planning your shot as your walking to your ball, rather than waiting until you get there and it's your turn to play before switching yourself on.

 

[Stegsie]

Hole 19 for me.

Very accurate, nice interface and quick too. Has the ability to track scores and I like to be able to go back into the app and review the stats (fairways hit etc) For example, I suffered from a slice, and was concerned it was to blame for my rubbish scores. Using the app I've found that actually it's not so much of a problem and the amount of putts missed was the real problem.

 

[KhalJimbo]

Hole 19 for me.

Very accurate, nice interface and quick too. Has the ability to track scores and I like to be able to go back into the app and review the stats (fairways hit etc) For example, I suffered from a slice, and was concerned it was to blame for my rubbish scores. Using the app I've found that actually it's not so much of a problem and the amount of putts missed was the real problem.

Does Hole19 track an unofficial handicap too?