GPS Waste of money?

[Macster]

Imurg: (and anyone else for that matter) The point is, there is NO point in knowing your yardage exactly if you dont have a clue what club you might be able to hit that distance, ie get close to the Pin !

I mean, come on, if you are 15yds from the 150yd Markers, you know you have 'approx' 165yds to the flag, so a High handicapper should have enough info to go on, given that his 6iron might go anything between 135yds if he fats it, or 185 if he thins it, or similar theory.
Similarly, he might be way left or way right, anywhere around the green.

I just dont see how a 28 Handicap player could benefit anywhere near as much as someone who knows pretty much what distance each iron will go, give or take 5yds, and is far more likely to hit the green.

Sure, a GPS might help them more with Course strategy, but for firing at Flags, I think its overkill.

That said, its their money, so if they want to use one, their choice. Thats the wonder of Golf.

 

[timgolfy]

That said, its their money, so if they want to use one, their choice. Thats the wonder of Golf.

^^^ A mid-handicap snob.

 

[USER1999]

I'm off 9, am I allowed a gps yet, or do I have to wait til I'm cat 1?

 

[sweatysock41]

In the OP it was stated Handicaps of 15 and above.

Now I know how far I can hit my clubs with a good strike and have to believe that I am going to achieve that good strike, otherwise I may as well pick any one of 14 and just hope based on some of the logic being applied here.

Nowhere did the OP state GPS was for firing at pins and you have just said it may help a 28hcp with course management - isn't that the whole point of a GPS to help with course management.

 

[welshjim22]

Well i have to disagree with everyone in the high handicappers don't need GPS camp. Firstly unless your a pro then nobody NEEDS exact yardages as nothing is riding on it really. However, it is a tool which makes things easier for most. It removes one other variable. I would say that playing off a poorly marked tee box on a par 3 it is more useful or just off a different course your not used to. We all whatever our ability believe a certain club should when hit right go a certain distance. Would we expect a high handicapper to just pull a random club out? I play off 28 although i am awaiting my new handicap which i belive will be around the 22-24 mark. I expect my 7 iron when hit well to go between 125 and 130yds. Twice in the last week i have used this club only to find the ball 2 foot from the hole. My local course isn't on skycaddie so i can't use my SG5 but when elsehwere it helps to knwo the yardage pull the normal club for that yardage and then think purely about my swing. By not wasting time checking my yardages looking for markers, which aren't always easily visible, i can play at a quicker pace without actually rushing.

If a 28hcp player benefits less than fine but does he actually benefit at all my guess would be yes.

With all of that in mind my wife is pregnant so my golf membership will not be renewed and with my course not being available on my skycaddie i will soon be selling my GPS.

 

[EZprophet]

Let me be a bit more controversial, without wishing to cause offence.....

GPS Gizmos are toys. Pure and simple. They don't affect your score to any great effect (maybe 2-3 points/shots a round) and are nice to have items if golf stuff floats your boat.

However, they do not affect in any way, the way that you hit the ball. In other words, they don't enhance skill or increase talent. That is a fact.

All they do is show you the yardage. This is just one of a few factors that affects your shot. The most influential is how good you are at the game we love and how well you hit the ball.

And even then there are further complications. What if you can, thanks to your satellite technology, get within 20 feet and pin high every time but can't putt for toffee? What good is a GPS then? Sod all really...

Seems to me like there are too many posts on this thread that are over-emphasising their value. They are fine for those that want them but a glofing panacea, they are not.

I can't see what is controversial in your post, but I can see a lot of stuff that doesn't make sense...

Firstly, surely saving 2/3 shots per round is a pretty big effect on your scoring? And if a GPS COULD put me within 20 feet and pin high every time as you say, then assuming owning a GPS wouldnt have a negative effect on my putting stroke, I WOULD IMPROVE AT GOLF!!

Just to be clear, I'm not saying that GPS devices will lower your handicap, its just that your argument for why they are useless makes no sense whatsoever...

GPS deviced are good in that they save time working out the distances manually (pacing out yardage markers etc) and can also give you yardages off the tee that you can sometimes only get in a course guide.

Buying the GPS device itself is not going to save you strokes, but if you learn how to properly use the information it gives you, you will undoubtably save strokes all over the place.

First, I have never said they are useless. Far from it. They provide information that people find useful. That is fine but at the level that 99% of golfers play, I would question it's genuine value. Again, I am not saying they are not of some value, just pondering as to what real difference they make to your round.

For example, if you are next to the 150 yard marker then you are going to hit probably one of two clubs, say a 7 or 8 iron. You then factor in the lie, wind, elevation and temperature and make a choice. You then have to hit a good shot. If your handicap range is for arguments sake between 5 and 36, there is some crossover between those club yardages dependent on quality of strike. All important factors that render the precise distance to a secondary consideration. I would further argue that if you left your GPS at home and when in doubt, took one more club every time to ensure that you got past the pin, then this would have the same positive effect on your score, if not better.

Secondly I said that they maybe save you 2-3 shots but that is a big maybe and unquantifiable. Again, take one more club every time you aren't sure and you could see similar benefits.

Thirdly, pacing out yardages? You must be joking. I have never done that in my life and nor would I because I think it is a waste of time. I can tell how far I am away from a 150 marker with a quick glance. Pacing out is not worth it unless you are a caddie for a pro, marking out precise distances for your man who knows exactly how far he hits the ball every time.

And finally, if GPS devices, make such a difference, can we have some examples from people who say things like, I was off 15 then I got a sky caddie. 3 months on and I have cut 1.5 off my handicap? Then I would be more open to persuasion.

Well you must have a much better eye for working out yardages than me then. I've played golf and caddyed since I was a kid and I ALWAYS pace out yardages from the nearest marker to get a distance. I know that no player I was caddying for would ever accept an answer of "Its about 220-230.. ish..."

Can I also just clarify for the second time that I wasnt arguing that GPS devices will save you shots, I was arguing that KNOWING THE YARDAGE TO YOUR TARGET will save you shots.

Taking one more club than you need is a great idea though. Who wants to hit it the right distance when you hit a decent shot?? When you can hit it 10 yards long!!

That theory may well work for players who dont actually know their yardages they hit each club, but for anyone who does, I dont see the benefit...

Can I just ask you, what do you aim at when you hit a shot?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Where's the pin?

You wouldn't know. All your yardages are to hand courtesy of being on the range.

 

[RGDave]

Wot he said!

All GPS does is give you the information that you get from pacing/guessing the yardage. Nothing more...
If you count 20 paces beyond the 150 marker then you are getting the same information, just in a different way.
Can't see the issue. If you can afford it, go for it.
And I'm with CH on lessons too...

I agree. My personal favourite "information" available using GPS is distances that are not easy to establish. For example, I've taken a driver on a short-ish hole, messed it up so forced into going sideways, I want to leave a full shot of xx yards. I'd rather hit a full wedge into a green (again using the GPS) than go say 30 yards towards the green leaving "about" say 70 yards and rely on sight/feel. Also, as I don't hit it far, on par 5s I use "big" distances to help me plan. Let's say I've hit a decent drive, skycaddie says I've got 310 to go, I'll hit a wood or hybrid to get into my comfort zone of 90/100/110. OR, if I've got 270, I won't try and bash a 3 wood as far as possible, I'll go for 170 knowing if I get 180 (good) or 160 (bad) I'm still quids in.

These sort of distances are not usually available using marker posts or even stroke savers.

All my best rounds have come using a GPS....nothing worse than wasting time trying to identify certain trees/bunkers etc. I've played countless links courses pretty well hitting set distances where I can't really get any feel for anything other than the line of the fairway.

 

[Smigger79]

Sorry but your last post is nonsense. I play off 27 so long as i dont duff one I consistently hit to 120, 105, 100, 95 and 90 yards. Not always straight (I do pull a few) but distance is spot on. Come to Suffolk and I'll show you!

No offence Tiger, but if you're THAT consistent with your distances, (which I couldnt claim), why the feck are u off 27 ?

You did claim that on the first page of this thread.

You said

"I'm off 10, - not that low, but I know my yardages, and when I miss a green, its because its left or right, or bunkered etc, and not because I'm short or long."

 

[chris661]

That said, its their money, so if they want to use one, their choice. Thats the wonder of Golf.

^^^ A mid-handicap snob.

^^^ at least he has a handicap

 

[CrapHacker]

Imurg: (and anyone else for that matter) The point is, there is NO point in knowing your yardage exactly if you dont have a clue what club you might be able to hit that distance, ie get close to the Pin !

I just dont see how a 28 Handicap player could benefit anywhere near as much as someone who knows pretty much what distance each iron will go, give or take 5yds, and is far more likely to hit the green.

Sure, a GPS might help them more with Course strategy, but for firing at Flags, I think its overkill.

That said, its their money, so if they want to use one, their choice. Thats the wonder of Golf.

Some points :

A) Don't get all bold and shouty - it just makes you look arrogant and ignorant

B) Who the feck are you to tell anyone what is going to help them with their game

C) Just because you don't have the imagination how something can help someone else, then don't pass your lack of mental dexterity onto everyone else.

D) Wahoo you agree that a GPS can help everyone, even if it helps you and your ilk more. Well done - that goes down as reasoned thinking at last.

E) You think it's overkill. Well that's great, that's what I needed, the perfect justification.

F) A lovely patronising finish - congratulations.



I've tried being subtle and reasoned about this discussion, but obviously that doesn't work.

Forget all this agree to disagree stuff.

Look at it this way.

Your opinion is wrong and doesn't matter.

It is irrelevant what you think will or will not help me.

What matters is what actually does help me.

And I say a GPS does make a difference.

Therefore, by definition, I am right.

Extending that reasoning.

You are wrong.

 

[viscount17]

I will concede one point. for me knowing the <u>exact</u> distance is not essential, knowing the distance +/-5 or 10 is. and there is nothing that will do this for me <u>from almost any point on the course</u> other than a GPS or range finder - or am I not entitled to one of those either?

 

[Macster]

Smigger: I said I know my yardages with each club, that doesnt mean down to +/- 5 yds ffs !!!! If Tigger can, off 27, then I'll listen to his advice.

Phil: My comment re cost/choice wasnt meant to be patronising at all, we all play this game and spend our money where we see fit, I'm no different at all.
Sorry if you saw it that way.

I'm saying nowt more, everyone get GPS's

 

[Macster]

Actually, I will say summat else......

Timgolfy: Do you do Lessons ?

 

[Snelly]

Well you must have a much better eye for working out yardages than me then.

Agreed.

I've played golf and caddyed since I was a kid and I ALWAYS pace out yardages from the nearest marker to get a distance. I know that no player I was caddying for would ever accept an answer of "Its about 220-230.. ish..."

So have I. I have been a cat1 player for 23 years. I have never paced out a yardage because I don't think I am good enough to be that specific. I just need to know what club I am going to hit which is a relatively simple choice for me with clearly a lot less calculation than you make. We all play the game differently and it looks like it's very likely that I have a simpler approach than you. I am not knocking what you do. Far from it.

Can I also just clarify for the second time that I wasnt arguing that GPS devices will save you shots, I was arguing that KNOWING THE YARDAGE TO YOUR TARGET will save you shots.

I agree. Where we differ is that you feel the need for a precise yardage and I don't. I only want to know an approximate yardage so I know which club to pull. I am not a good enough golfer to hit an 8 iron 144 yards instead of 139 on demand based on the shot I am facing.. And this approach has not done me any harm. 4 birdies and 1 over gross at Hindhead GC today!

Taking one more club than you need is a great idea though. Who wants to hit it the right distance when you hit a decent shot?? When you can hit it 10 yards long!!
That theory may well work for players who dont actually know their yardages they hit each club, but for anyone who does, I dont see the benefit...

If you are off 4, the advice is not aimed at you. It is a fact that most people come up short of the pin with their approaches and usually, most of the trouble is at the front. It is a good tip for most people.

Can I just ask you, what do you aim at when you hit a shot?

I don't quite understand the question? I aim at the target I am trying to hit. A point on the fairway. A point either near or on the green or the pin, depending on the circumstances.


In summary, my view is that I am not like you in the way we play the game. I need an approximate yardage, just enough of an idea to know what club to hit when the yardage information is combined with all other factors. Even then this is not an exact science. Into wind, I might hit a punchy 7 iron rather than a 9 and this is more about feel than yardage for me. Aiming at a landing zone rather than a shot to a flag.

Anyway, enough rambling from me. Each to their own. That's what I say.

 

[EZprophet]

Can I just ask you, what do you aim at when you hit a shot?

I don't quite understand the question? I aim at the target I am trying to hit. A point on the fairway. A point either near or on the green or the pin, depending on the circumstances.

I guess what I mean is how do you know you are going to be able to reach your target?

If I'm 146 away from the flag and the flag is only 3 yards past the lip of a bunker, I know that I wont be able to carry the bunker with a 9 iron (with my normal swing), as my 9 iron range is 140-145 and its 143 to clear it. So Ill take an 8 and have to choke down or something and aim it well past the pin...

However if I was 5 yards further up then I could comfortably take my 9 iron knowing that, unless I completely fat it or something, Im going to carry it as its 138. So such a small amount of difference in distance will completely change what shot I choose to play...

I agree with you each to their own and our approaches are clearly very different. If it works for you then great, and you will obviously know more than me as to what works for you personally!

BUT , if I were to guess I would say that while our handicaps are the same, I bet that you are a much more consistent ball striker, better putter etc. than me, due to the fact that I reckon my approach would gain me 3 or 4 strokes per round on yours.

Just my opinion though, based on very little info, so may well be very wrong about that.

 

[Scouser]

Its a gadget so its a must have enough said on the subject...who cares about the golf!