GPS Waste of money?

[SwingSlow]

I have the cheap solution meeting both the desire for a high handicapper to be able to afford lessons and also benefit from GPS - Freecaddie on my Smartphone. Doesn't mean I have lessons though...

 

[EZprophet]

Lessons are great, but many people's swings are so far ingrained that they are never going to be able to change it for a beautiful swing, no matter how much they'd like to. So rather than waste money investing in short term changes which will collapse under pressure, it might well be better to spend money maximising your confidence, and they using what talent you have to the best of your ability. That will improve consistancy as far as is possible, THEN we can start thinking in terms of improving our short game from 100 yards in.

Could not disagree with you more about lessons...

ANY player can improve with lessons, no matter how ingrained your swing is. Making your golf swing better a lot down to ingraining new moves but its more about learning what you are actually trying to achieve in the golf swing.

I can't remember the exact Ben Hogan quote from his "five fundamentals" but it was something like "high handicappers arent high handicappers because of a lack of talent, it because they dont actually understand what they are trying to do."

I would say that your handicap is exactly correlated to your understanding of the golf swing, putting stroke, chipping technique etc etc... By understanding I dont mean being able to spot what a good, on piece on plane takeaway looks like or knowing where your clubface should be facing at the top of your backswing... I mean knowing what a square clubface at the top FEELS like and what an on plane takeaway feels like and looks like while standing over the ball...

Because of the fact that what you feel like you are doing and what you are actually doing are SOOO different most of the time, having someone who know what theyre looking at telling you what you are doing wrong/right is by far and away the best way to improve, as while you wont gain a new swing by the end of the lesson (unfortunately the only way to do this is practice...) it is the best way of improving you knowledge of the golf swing, and what you are trying to achieve.

As to the OP I dont think it matters what you handicap is as to whether a GPS will help. While a good player may well hit the ball more consistently, having the right club for each shot is hugely important no matter how consistent you are. You dont want to hit your 1 out of 5 good shot and then be 10 yards long of the green!

As to whether a GPS or lessons is a better investment to improve your golf, I would say for almost all golfers lessons would be better, simply because even if I didnt think lessons were hugely valueable, the fact is that a GPS is essentially just a quicker, easier way of getting hold of information that is already available to you for free!!

 

[Snelly]

I am with Macster I reckon.

I haven't got one and don't feel the need for one either. I don't think they add that much. I have hit enough balls at enough pins to have a good feel for how far something is away and you can usually get a rough idea of yardage from the 150 marker.

For me, that is all I need. A rough idea. There are other variables like quality of strike, wind strength/direction, uphill/downhill etc etc.

I don't feel like I need to know how far it is in yards to the level of precision that a GPS device provides.

And I certainly have better things to spend that kind of money on too.

Each to their own though. I am not knocking them.

As a footnote, it seems that whenever I play with someone who has one, they are so chuffed with their toy that they can't wait to tell you at the first opportunity with chest bursting pride that you have exactly 158 yards to the pin! With this in mind and as their popularity increases, I am probably never going to need one!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think it is irrelevant what the handicap GPS make a huge difference. Granted the higher guys may not always put the right swing on it but they do hit good shots too. What about playing a course with large greens? In some cases they can be be at least one if not two clubs. Surely better to have a realistic number than trying to guess.

Can't understand this argument about it taking time. Much quicker to pull it out, scroll through if you are looking to lay up short of a bunker and playing rather than get the scoresaver out, pace back to the nearest reference point and then do the maths.

The one area I think it benefits ALL players is from 120 yards and in where providing you have an idea how far you hit each club on average, you can be certain it is a wedge, 9 iron or gap wedge and swing happy in the knowledge you don't have to try and swing easy (decelerate and hit it fat) or give it some welly to get there (usually a thin or inaccurate). As this really is the scoring zone even a high handicapper has the opportunity from this distance to get some shots back

 

[sweatysock41]

To get to single figures you would need to be a decent judge of distance I would assume, and also less likely to be miles off course into the mire playing military golf.

So,if I am correct in my understanding of the responses from the lower handicap golfers on the forum, it is more likely that the GPS would be of benefit to a higher handicapper as they are more likely to be innaccurate with their perception of distance.

I don't disagree with the OP on lessons however stating that higher handicappers don't need GPS but lower handicappers may was totally wrong in my opinion.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

So,if I am correct in my understanding of the responses from the lower handicap golfers on the forum, it is more likely that the GPS would be of benefit to a higher handicapper as they are more likely to be innaccurate with their perception of distance.

Not sure you are correct. What I think is that whilst most lower figure guys may be able to judge distances better without using a GPS and be able to control the flight and spin to hit a variety of clubs to these yardages, I think they also benefit from knowing exactly how far they have left. Being able to hit more accurately gives them a distinct advantage and using the right club to control the spin via the GPS yardages increases their advantage.

On a slight tangent, the GPS surely comes into its own for ANY golfer when playing a course for the first time. I know when we played Lydd it was so featureless we'd have been ridiculously lost in terms of club selection without GPS. We even had their Strokesaver such as it was any it didn't help in the slightest

 

[evahakool]

Interesting replys

First of all let me say this post was never about personal attacks on anyone useing a gps,more of a general point, we are all entitled to our views on this and you may not agree with me (and clearly most dont)no problem with that. But dont come on here and say Im talking Bxllxxxs. There is to many posts recently that are getting to personal imo.

Is this not a forum where opinions can be expreseed - I happen to think your opinion about high handicappers not needing a gps is what I said. You have no right to dictate what i can or can't say in a forum of free speech.

That was not a personal attack - only a response to your opinion.

You don't have to agree with me as I don't with you. All I expressed was an opinion if you can't accept that tough!

Not trying to dictate to anyone with what they say,as you say everone is entitled to a opinion,and Ive no problem with anyone disagreeing with what I say.

What I object to is you saying this is bxllxxxx.

 

[sweatysock41]

Totally agree with your last point. As I play a number of courses each year that I have never seen before mine is used quite a lot. And it is not just me who benefits, my playing partners ofter ask for accurate distances.

I think what I was trying to say is that if there was no GPS a lower handicapper is probably a better judge of the distance than a higher one. The information they provide is of value to both as you correctly pointed out.

 

[sweatysock41]

No you stated it was personal - it wasn't I don't know you from adam and would not make a personal attack on you. It was just my opinion on the statement you posted.

 

[evahakool]

I think it is irrelevant what the handicap GPS make a huge difference. Granted the higher guys may not always put the right swing on it but they do hit good shots too. What about playing a course with large greens? In some cases they can be be at least one if not two clubs. Surely better to have a realistic number than trying to guess.

Can't understand this argument about it taking time. Much quicker to pull it out, scroll through if you are looking to lay up short of a bunker and playing rather than get the scoresaver out, pace back to the nearest reference point and then do the maths.

The one area I think it benefits ALL players is from 120 yards and in where providing you have an idea how far you hit each club on average, you can be certain it is a wedge, 9 iron or gap wedge and swing happy in the knowledge you don't have to try and swing easy (decelerate and hit it fat) or give it some welly to get there (usually a thin or inaccurate). As this really is the scoring zone even a high handicapper has the opportunity from this distance to get some shots back

How can you say a 28 h/c is going to benifit from a gps from 120 yards

Look at the distances between the 3 clubs you mentioned,there is no way even if they know the exact distance a 28 h/c can consistantly hit these shots.
Thats really the whole point of my post, and thats what leads me to belive the money would be better spent on lessons.

But each to there own

 

[sweatysock41]

What if they can afford both?

I agree with you with regards to lessons.

Now if you had asked the question 'Which is the better value for a high handicapper?' then we wouldn't have had any difference of opinion, personally I would say lessons.

However to state that a high handicapper has no need of a GPS!!!!!

 

[Tiger]

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!

 

[evahakool]

What if they can afford both?

I agree with you with regards to lessons.

Now if you had asked the question 'Which is the better value for a high handicapper?' then we wouldn't have had any difference of opinion, personally I would say lessons.

However to state that a high handicapper has no need of a GPS!!!!!

I still think that the majority of high h/cs dont need a gps

 

[sweatysock41]

We'll agree to disagree then
I just think that there is no difference between a GPS and a strokesaver and all golfers irrespective of handicap need to know as accurately as possible where they are in relation to the hole.
Till the next Mrs Merton's heated debate!!!!

 

[evahakool]

We'll agree to disagree then
I just think that there is no difference between a GPS and a strokesaver and all golfers irrespective of handicap need to know as accurately as possible where they are in relation to the hole.
Till the next Mrs Merton's heated debate!!!!

 

[Macster]

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 ?

I've played with guys off 4 & +1, and I dont even think they could make a claim quite as precise !!!!

 

[Snelly]

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.

 

[viscount17]

I'm late in joining this thread so here goes,

Tiger - your first post on this - well said that man.

I'm a high handicapper and I've got a GPS and I've got custom fitted clubs - so what!

I know the weakest part of my ga - the two weakest parts of my game and I'm working on them; lessons are included.As those who accompanied me on the tour of Hanbury Manor will recall - putting is not my forte of late. The other biggie is my penchant for the Hollywood shot - unfortunately one that is less likely to change (witness the interesting trouserage).

GPS/lessons are not an 'and/or' - both are beneficial, and one can aid the other.
The GPS can also be a teaching aid - it's got a measurement tool - it's how I find out how far I hit my clubs as I can't be bothered to count the paces in a meandering line to my ball.

If like me, you have crap eyesight the GPS is a godsend - knowing how far the green is even if I can't see the pin . . (oh for the days of my youth when at a thousand paces I could spot an unfettered nip . er chest)
We don't get caddies who have trampled fairway and green, laser and GPS in hand, as they plot their charges errant way. No we simply use the same tools, less to plot the way, than to find out where we've been.

the words 'high handicappers' and 'can't' have, without qualification, about as much validity as those other saws beloved of politicos 'everybody says' - use the word 'some' and we might believe it (not even 'the majority' has any truth to it unless it has been measured - and not by extrapolation from a survey of an unrepresentative handful).

 

[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.

 

[Tiger]

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 ?

I've played with guys off 4 & +1, and I dont even think they could make a claim quite as precise !!!!

Hi Macster. Maybe I was a bit too forthright but since I've started playing my ability to get to the range or club has been limited as a result I've spent a LOT of time over the Heath hitting my wedges. A half swing with my PW will often travel 120 yards +/- 2. My GW 105 but if I choke down I take off approx 5 yards, SW 95 and again if I choke down off comes another 5.

Like most I duff a few, as mentioned before I do sometimes pull left of target turning a gimme/short putt into a two putt. My distance control is good my accuracy not so. My point was that Evahakool was again making a broadbrush statement about a high h/cap not knowing his @r$e from his elbow when inside 120 yards but I do. I know exactly what shot to play.

As for why I'm off 27 simple. Inconsistency. In the past I've been poor off the tee, but I am getting better, I hit my fair share of errant approach shots but most importantly I don't get close enough to one putt even on chips around the green. Something I'm working on. I rarely scramble a par more often than not I've hit GIR. And I most frequently hit GIR with a wedge in my hand.

As an example on Saturday I belted a great tee shot on our short par 5 7th leaving me a 6 iron. Pulled my approach into the gorse and had to reload. Hit my second approach fat to 90yards. Hit my wedge pin high and two putted for a 7. If I were more consistent I'd have hit the green in two or just missed with my approach. Even with a poor chip or three putt I'd have walked off with a 5. Do that a few more times around and you're in the big numbers. If I had some common sense I wouldn't have gone eagle hunting and hit two wedges