GPS

[Sprouty106]

Hi, new to the forum!!I am considering buying a gps - either watch or screen size. Have researched but must admit more than confused - garmin? skycaddie? golf buddy? Any suggestions or recommendations very welcome!! Cheers Sprouty106

 

[dotty001]

1st thing d o you want just front middle back yardage or the courses in more depth ?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My advice would be Sky Caddy based on the fact they go out and map the courses on the ground, so in my opinion offer the more accurate information. I've recently upgraded to the SGX and got it off Amazon and got the first years subscription free. Yes, you do have an annual fee after that but SC would be my preference all day long

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I just got a Garmin Approach G5, cracking bit of kit without the annual subs of a skycaddie

 

[Lanark_Golfer]

I would recommend the Garmin G3 as the best piece of kit you can get for your money, I have the G5 and can't fault it.

 

[TheJezster]

Garmin without a doubt. G3 or G5 or one of their watches. No annual subscription and not a great deal as up front cost. I really cant see the point in paying an annual subscription when you get the exact same information free with Garmin.

 

[rosecott]

I have been using Snooper golf GPS for several years - no annual fees and courses plotted on foot so just as accurate as Skycaddie.

 

[vkurup]

Have a Garmin G6.. nothing comes close.. no subs, small size, great battery, have all the courses you (possibly) need. laptop sync software is very basic. so does not do any funky stats for later use


BTW, looking at the Golflogix app for the iPhone. Friends in the US swear by it, and is highly recommended. Plus it is free and at the end of the round, it emails your score and posts it online. So you might want to try it to see how you like using GPS before jumping it.

Just a general question to the group. I know you cant use iPhones in competition play. But I cant figure out WHY?? there is nothing extra in an iPhone that can give you an advantage over a regular GPS or am I missing something?

 

[TheJezster]

All phones have a built in compass, and these are illegal.

 

[vkurup]

All phones have a built in compass, and these are illegal.

What can a compass do on the course? Am I missing something. I can easily hit a duff shot in all directions, so still not buying the argument..
PS: This is genuine question

 

[TheJezster]

Wind direction etc, and perhaps not so much for you, but the lower guys could use it to their advantage if they knew which direction the wind was coming from and the strength etc

 

[vkurup]

Wind direction etc, and perhaps not so much for you, but the lower guys could use it to their advantage if they knew which direction the wind was coming from and the strength etc

A few blades of grass tossed in the air would give that..

Just found this article.. http://gps.about.com/od/sportsandfitness/a/USGA-iPhone-GPS-Ban.htm
looks like wind, temperature, slope measuring, web browser, cant call ur coach for advice etc.

 

[Andy]

Golfbuddy World Platinum. No fees unlike Skycaddie and courses are walked just like SC.

Win win.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

What can a compass do on the course? Am I missing something. I can easily hit a duff shot in all directions, so still not buying the argument..
PS: This is genuine question

Doesn't really matter if someone has decided it's illegal Besides you could ask the same question about these devices in general - as you can get the distance info a GPS device or DMD gives you without using one. You may get a precise measurement of distance from your device - but as you say - you can still duff it in any direction and any distance. I wouldn't bother getting one - I'd train my brain to estimate distances on the course - much better, quicker and more satisfying when you get it spot on

 

[HawkeyeMS]

A few blades of grass tossed in the air would give that..

Exactly right, this discussion has been had many times on here and what you say is exactly why the compass thing is daft

 

[spawn_ukuk]

Hi, new to the forum!!I am considering buying a gps - either watch or screen size. Have researched but must admit more than confused - garmin? skycaddie? golf buddy? Any suggestions or recommendations very welcome!! Cheers Sprouty106

I recently bought a golf buddy voice its amazing

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I've recently bought a Garmin G5 Approach and can recommend it.

 

[Billysboots]

I've also got the Garmin Approach G5 - great bit of kit, and far cheaper than many others on the market. It eats batteries, as all GPS devices do, but rechargeable batteries aren't any hassle.

As for smartphones, as stated elsewhere, as most are equipped with weather apps and accelerometers which can assist in slope reading, they cannot be used as GPS devices in competitions even if the peripheral apps are switched off. You can only use them if the apps are permanently deleted, and as the compass and weather apps on phones such as the iPhone are pre-installed and cannot be deleted, the devices are outlawed in competition by the R & A.

Ridiculous, I agree, but them's the rules.

 

[vkurup]

I wonder if I can use my blackberry... compared to the iPhones, Samsung S4 & HTC 1, my BB should qualifies as a 'dumb phone'....

Though trying to put GPS on it would probably kill it

 

[Davey S2]

Just ordered a Garmin G3 which seems to do everything I want and pretty reasonable as well.