Golf GPS for Christmas?

[Captain_Black]

So my lovely wife & kids want to know what I want for Christmas?
My home course is well marked with 150 yard posts, so judging distances to the greens is quite easy, but I have played some other courses lately (mainly in Wales) where there are either no markers or I just couldn't see them & I found it extremely difficult to judge any kind of distance.

I did download & use Free caddie on my phone, I found it pretty good but the limiting factors were battery life on the phone & inability to use it in the rain.

After looking at all the options, I like the look of the Garmin S1 GPS watch.
It has all the functions that I want & it seems pretty convenient to just look at it on your wrist.
Does anyone else use this watch? how do you find it compares to the screen type golf GPS units?

Thanks for any info.

 

[wull]

i haven't tried the phone gps sytems but i think any gps system will be a great prezzie.....

i bought mine earlier in the season and found it very helpful whilst playing courses away and even at my home course.my home course is like yours and has 150/100 yrd markers but the problem is when you get a bit wayward....which i tend to do at times.for this it was excellent....

i quite fancy the look of the watch gps systems aswell,very discreet!!!

 

[trevor]

I love my Garmin S1 watch. Distance to the green takes about 1 second, you can still see how far it is when you stray onto the wrong fairway and if you hit it into the rough you can look at the watch and think if I walk 140 yds or whatever club you have hit it should be there and it usually is.

 

[User20205]

I was going to go for the Garmin watch in white. I think smiffy has one, and at one stage reckoned it was good (there may even be a review if you do a search)

From what I've heard you can stroll up to the first tee on most courses, switch it to gps mode and crack on. It does the rest for you.

I'm not bothered about distances to hazards etc just distances into the green. If you can get by on a minimal amount of info the garmin watch may be favourite.

 

[richart]

Mate of mine has one, and he loves the watch. Online golf has them at the moment for £139.99

 

[User20205]

FYI

http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/sh...n-S1-Approach-wristwatch-GPS&highlight=garmin

 

[FaldosJumper]

For me it will always be Skycaddie but a lot of people don't like the annual fees.

Generally though I've noticed just a little difference in GPS devices when compared to mine in playing groups and that's phones as well. So whatever you buy you'll be happy with but like I say I'd advise Skycaddie others won't but they are the courses that are mapped out on foot, and as they say you get what you pay for which is dead accurate distances whether you can hit shots to that accurately or not.

 

[Essex_Stu]

My mums got me a Skycaddie 2.5 GPS for xmas. Obviously havn't used it yet but they are on offer for £129 at direct golf and a rival mag has a £10 off voucher this month. Bargain for £119.

 

[edgey]

I have got the S1 and a Bushnell 1600

Since i have had the watch i have not needed to use the laser once. Everyone who has seen the S1 has been extremely impressed with its accuracy, size and ease of use.

Yardages are basic (front, middle and back) but they are spot on and frankly are as much as i need.

Its a good watch as well

 

[Captain_Black]

Thanks all.
I am not too bothered about the extra detail of distance to hazards etc.
But the usability of the Garmin is what is attractive to me, no fishing around in bags or pockets before a shot, just a quick glance a my wrist is all that is needed.

The functions seem very good to, it auto advances to the next hole, you can use it to track the distance walked (on or of a golf course) it will measure the distance of shots (handy for setting club distances) & can be used as just a normal watch.

I haven't heard or read a bad review of it yet, so that's the one I think I am going to go for.

Thanks for confirming my initial thoughts.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm still a big fan of the SC and have the SC5. I wouldn't pay extra for the SGX. I've seen the Garmin watches and if you just want front, middle and back what could be simpler? I also like their handheld with touch screen technology. If I was in the market again I'd definitely look at those.

 

[Smiffy]

I still love my Garmin S1. Simple to use, all the courses pre-loaded (except Turkey Grrrr!) just switch it on when you get to the first tee, wait for it to get a satellite fix and you're away. It's very light, I don't even realise I've got it on most of the time, and it doubles up as a normal watch so you can check the time while you are playing. You can also "mark" your longer drives to give you a reality check (I haven't used that function very much ). I love the fact that all of the courses are pre-loaded. No faffing around having to download a new course, and no annual subs to pay.

The only two things that I don't like about it....

1) The charging connecter is a right pain in the jacksie to get lined up correctly. Sometimes takes quite a bit of "jiggling" to get it to start charging. You can't just plug it in and walk away...you must make sure the battery charge icon is showing before you do or else you are knackered for your next round.

1) Battery life is poor. If you are playing 18 holes, no problem.
36?..........forget the 2nd round, you will be stuffed after about 4 or 5 holes unless you can find any way to charge it in between.
I think you can buy an in car charger from somewhere so you could whack it on charge whilst you are having something to eat. Or plug it into a spare mains socket in the clubhouse while no-one is looking and make sure you sit next to it while you are having lunch! Doesn't bother me too much if I am honest because I very rarely play 36 holes nowadays, but if you regularly do it's worth taking note of.

Long and the short of it..........would I buy it again?
Yep.

 

[papyt]

Am i missing something,i have never had a GPS and play a lot of courses in WALES that don't have good distance markings but you can buy a course planner if you like,i tend to look at were i am going to hit the ball judge what club is needed and hit it and anywhere within 120 yds is wedge play simple,and they are only useful if you know down to feet how long you hit each club in the bag,i think they are ok for low single figure players but anyone over 5 what is the point.

 

[thecraw]

I have the basic Skycaddie 2.5 which is just champion, I think its ideal for what I want and need. That said I'm also squirreling away some pennies for a range finder. Think the range finder will really aid practice and club making decisions on dog legs etc.

 

[Smiffy]

Think the range finder will really aid practice and club making decisions on dog legs etc.

What, with the way you're hitting the ball?????

 

[thecraw]

Listen Cobra boy hod yer wheesht!