vickers
Newbie
Just bought a Garmin Approach S1 GPS not used it yet any advice would be helpful.
GPS yes or No
- Thread starter vickers
- Start date
CheltenhamHacker
Journeyman Pro
I've always thought that the title of the thread should sum up what the thread is about?
Are you asking for advice on the Garmin, asking for GPS advice in general, or asking whether GPS usage is good or bad?!
Are you asking for advice on the Garmin, asking for GPS advice in general, or asking whether GPS usage is good or bad?!
DCB
Well-known member
Too late now, you've already bought it. It'll make a difference.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
In which case, Swingitlikehogan will me on shortly to say "No"
beat me to it. But I'll be contrary and say Yes - if you want to - but try and do without it in 'home club' matchplay competitions unless your opponent is also using a GPS/DMD devic. Of course when my 'one man' nearly futile campaign to have them banned in 'home club' comps succeeds...I'll probably not be around to see the day...vickers
Newbie
Sorry, title perhaps should read GPS investment or waste of money and hoping for replys from existing users of the Garmin Approach S1 and general feelings from other golfers as too the usage good or bad.
Keeno
Challenge Tour Pro
I bought an S1 a month ago and find it really useful. You won't be disapointed
sawtooth
Tour Winner
I played yesterday with somebody who was wearing one of these. He over shot the pin by about 30 yards and then asked me what I thought the distance was. I told him that he was about 110yds based on the distance he was from the nearest marker. His Garmin watch was telling him 150yds.
On closer inspection we found that his watch was set to the 18th not the 17th, he must have knocked one of the buttons!:lol:
He spoke very highly of the Garmin S1 and now I'm interested in buying one because its so small and easy to use. I've never owned a DMD to date.
By how much can it impact your score I wonder?
On closer inspection we found that his watch was set to the 18th not the 17th, he must have knocked one of the buttons!:lol:
He spoke very highly of the Garmin S1 and now I'm interested in buying one because its so small and easy to use. I've never owned a DMD to date.
By how much can it impact your score I wonder?
Khamelion
Tour Winner
I have a GPS facility on an app on my iPhone, but as they are not allowed in comps, I bought a Bushnell V3 DMD, it's very good, very accurate, but does not work in fog, even where the mark one eyeball can see the flag, the Bushnell doesn't get enough return signal to give a reading.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Using course markers I find I can guesstimate most distances to within 5-10yds of what a FCs DMD/GPS tells him. But for us that's not too difficult as we have 150 yd post plus yardages on our fairway watering from 220yds in.
Where I think a GPS/DMD gizmo would be really useful would be when I find myself way out of position (e.g. wrong fairway) or very short off tee, when distances to hazards that wouldn't normally worry me can come into play.
Where I think a GPS/DMD gizmo would be really useful would be when I find myself way out of position (e.g. wrong fairway) or very short off tee, when distances to hazards that wouldn't normally worry me can come into play.
Curls
Journeyman Pro
Have the S3 which is pretty similar really.
If you're looking for advice maybe something to do would be take it around your course with either someone elses GPS or a laser and check the accuracy. It should be good, but there might be one or two holes where you feel it's giving you something a little long/short. Certainly on my home course there's one or two holes I think the yardage to the middle is spot on, but the front is too close or back too far. I'm not sure if this has to do with what Garmin consider the front/back or what I would! But it might get you thinking about how deep the greens are.
Once you've done that its a great piece of kit. Its very tempting to get drawn to the middle number (centre of the green) as its the biggest, be careful of that, always check the front or back too whichever is closer to the pin. Also if you have two-tiered greens work out how far on the tier is and where that lies on the S1. If the pin is for example just tucked on the top tier you need to know if thats middle-front or closer to middle-back distance.
Also just because you've bought the watch doesn't mean the score saver is redundant. I still carry mine around with little notes written on it to remind me that, for instance, the green slopes a certain way or a prevailing wind feels deceptively different in certain parts of the course. Neither does it mean that you cant feel a shot, don't be a slave to the number, if you step up and have 110 yards which to you is an approach wedge you have to think about the wind, uphill/downhill lie, slope of the target area - all these things might change that up or down a few clubs, so dont just pick the number and hit it.
Finally you'll probably get two rounds out of one charge, but I always charge mine up fully when I get home. Its a good habit to get into, as sods law you'll forget and run out as you come down the stretch with a good card in your hand!
Is that the sort of practical stuff you were hoping for?
If you're looking for advice maybe something to do would be take it around your course with either someone elses GPS or a laser and check the accuracy. It should be good, but there might be one or two holes where you feel it's giving you something a little long/short. Certainly on my home course there's one or two holes I think the yardage to the middle is spot on, but the front is too close or back too far. I'm not sure if this has to do with what Garmin consider the front/back or what I would! But it might get you thinking about how deep the greens are.
Once you've done that its a great piece of kit. Its very tempting to get drawn to the middle number (centre of the green) as its the biggest, be careful of that, always check the front or back too whichever is closer to the pin. Also if you have two-tiered greens work out how far on the tier is and where that lies on the S1. If the pin is for example just tucked on the top tier you need to know if thats middle-front or closer to middle-back distance.
Also just because you've bought the watch doesn't mean the score saver is redundant. I still carry mine around with little notes written on it to remind me that, for instance, the green slopes a certain way or a prevailing wind feels deceptively different in certain parts of the course. Neither does it mean that you cant feel a shot, don't be a slave to the number, if you step up and have 110 yards which to you is an approach wedge you have to think about the wind, uphill/downhill lie, slope of the target area - all these things might change that up or down a few clubs, so dont just pick the number and hit it.
Finally you'll probably get two rounds out of one charge, but I always charge mine up fully when I get home. Its a good habit to get into, as sods law you'll forget and run out as you come down the stretch with a good card in your hand!
Is that the sort of practical stuff you were hoping for?
chrisg
Head Pro
Exactly right, but they speed things up rather than trying to work out distances too. I forgot mine yesterday and felt lost without it!!
Blue in Munich
Crocked Professional Yeti Impersonator
Biggest disappointment with the S1 is that the battery is only good for about 8 hours, which means that it normally dies about the 14th of the PM round on a 36 hole comp.
Other than that no complaints & I do like the shot measuring facility.
Other than that no complaints & I do like the shot measuring facility.
vickers
Newbie
Thanks Chrls,
That info is really very useful and worth remembering.
Once again thank you, you are a star.
That info is really very useful and worth remembering.
Once again thank you, you are a star.
Garush34
Journeyman Pro
I just got the S1 a few weeks ago. Great price of kit. It's improved my decision making in my round. It's especially good when your out of position and need to know what club to hit.
Since using it I feel more confident in the shots I'm hitting as I know the exact yardage. I've also found that the markers at my course are to the back of the greens but I've never seen this mentioned anywhere before at my course.
I've only used it at my home course but it would be very useful at an away course.
Since using it I feel more confident in the shots I'm hitting as I know the exact yardage. I've also found that the markers at my course are to the back of the greens but I've never seen this mentioned anywhere before at my course.
I've only used it at my home course but it would be very useful at an away course.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Old Skier
Tour Winner
Roll on Galileo then everyone will have to buy a new gizmo. Mind you I don't think it comes in much before 2019 so no rush.
Curls
Journeyman Pro
Glad to help, get involved there's plenty good stuff to be had on the forum, lots have helped me out and you just pass it on. Enjoy the watch, in a sport where you can easily blow bundles and not see much return it really is a good investment
Mav281
Club Champion
I've got a Garmin G3 Approach which I use religiously around the course. Distances to the green, distances to hazards, pretty much everywhere.
Totally rely on mine these days - lost without it.
Totally rely on mine these days - lost without it.
I use the Sky Caddy SGX and love it. Useful on my own course and invaluable on away course. I am a big fan of DMD's
