Phone as a GPS/distance measuring device

[Crazyface]

I use Freecaddie. Gives yardage front / back / middle, what else is needed? I only check it now and again when I'm close in really just to see if it's 54 deg wedge time or a flick with PW. Everything else I can get from looking at the the 150 markers. I can see the greens.

 

[Lazkir]

I use the SkyCaddie app on my android. It's very good and hasn't let me down yet, including when I played abroad. It picked up all the courses I played and is very quick and accurate.
It's also very good for zooming in on the course and finding distances to bunkers/lay ups etc. as well.
You can input all of your shots (if you want to) and it keeps track of all your stats, clubs, putts, rounds etc.

Battery drainage isn't too bad, but I have a motorcaddy S1 pro that comes with a USB charger and a phone holder, so it's not an issue for me

Costs £18 per year and well worth it imo.

 

[Matty6]

Can you configure any of these apps to show the information on the screen when the device is locked? Or do you need to unlock the phone each time you want to check distances etc.?

 

[Orikoru]

I use Freecaddie. Gives yardage front / back / middle, what else is needed? I only check it now and again when I'm close in really just to see if it's 54 deg wedge time or a flick with PW. Everything else I can get from looking at the the 150 markers. I can see the greens.

What more is needed? What about if you want to lay up before a water hazard, and you don't know the yardage to that? How does front/middle/back of green help you then?

 

[garyo]

I use Freecaddie. Gives yardage front / back / middle, what else is needed? I only check it now and again when I'm close in really just to see if it's 54 deg wedge time or a flick with PW. Everything else I can get from looking at the the 150 markers. I can see the greens.

Pretty much exactly this for me too. Freecaddie was spot on, especially with no mobile data usage which was a big issue for us before the roaming changes (playing both sides of NI/RoI border). Rarely use it around the home track now as I've a good feel for what to hit from where, but do find it great when way out of position (like playing from the wrong fairway ) or when playing different courses. Pretty sure I can't get the ball consistently within a few feet/yards, so a ball park number does for me.

What more is needed? What about if you want to lay up before a water hazard, and you don't know the yardage to that? How does front/middle/back of green help you then?

What's this 'lay up' thing you speak of?!

 

[xcore]

Iv been using 18 birdies app and swing by swing golf, I like that both keep stats and round information to look back on, 18b can be a little slow on the gps positioning but has more info, try both they are very good, I have just ordered a used Bushnell watch for distance and will use the app more for a score card from now on

ha you can carry it, it's just fround appon to use it

 

[patricks148]

it would be a waste of time at Nairn, phone coverage is shocking, no coverage for all but the 7th and 9th greens at the turn

 

[LincolnShep]

it would be a waste of time at Nairn, phone coverage is shocking, no coverage for all but the 7th and 9th greens at the turn

Might be wrong but I think poor cell coverage would only stop you getting the pictures of each hole; yardages would still work as they use GPS in the same way as a standalone unit.

 

[JohnnyDee]

Or do you need to unlock the phone each time you want to check distances etc.?

I had a Garmin S1 watch which I really did like but it never had lay-ups etc. So when the strap broke and couldn't be replaced (worst piece of design I've ever seen - but that's another story) I used Hole 19 for a while, and whereas already mentioned it's pretty good, I got fed up having to having to unlock my iPhone whenever I needed to consult it. Granted, not the hardest thing to do, but just too much of a faff after being used to having the distances available on my wrist at a glance.

Bought a TomTom Golfer 1 which does all I need but of course it cost me £119.00.

 

[Redtraveller]

Another shout for FreeCaddie. I upgraded which cost something like £2.99

It's basic but gives you what you want. I don't use it as much now as I have a Bushnell

 

[Jates12]

I use hole19, doesnt use any battery on my phone, I have a Motocaddy s1 pro that has a USB charger under the handle and the GPS cradle attachment. Also when in the app, it doesnt lock itself which is a pretty good feature and it tracks your stats. Really good considering its free and the only cost was to buy the cradle at 15 quid. A lot better than 120quid for a watch.

 

[JohnnyDee]

Also when in the app, it doesnt lock itself which is a pretty good feature

That might be an update on the App since I used to use it.

A couple of years ago (on my IPhone) it locked as per the phone's normal behaviour after about one minute. Is the "always on in the App" a feature or do you have to override your phone's settings?

 

[Jates12]

That might be an update on the App since I used to use it.

A couple of years ago (on my IPhone) it locked as per the phone's normal behaviour after about one minute. Is the "always on in the App" a feature or do you have to override your phone's settings?

So it doesnt do it when its got a decent level of charge but when using your iphone in low power mode it locks at the time youve specified. I havent changed any settings, it just doesnt lock itself. I have only been using it for about a month mind.

 

[JohnnyDee]

It's a good App for sure. Especially for the money 😀

 

[ParParTripleBogey]

Had recently looked at both Hole 19 and Game Golf, and opted for the latter. Havent been out on course to try it yet. Anyone tried both and have a recommendation?

 

[Orikoru]

I had a Garmin S1 watch which I really did like but it never had lay-ups etc. So when the strap broke and couldn't be replaced (worst piece of design I've ever seen - but that's another story) I used Hole 19 for a while, and whereas already mentioned it's pretty good, I got fed up having to having to unlock my iPhone whenever I needed to consult it. Granted, not the hardest thing to do, but just too much of a faff after being used to having the distances available on my wrist at a glance.

Bought a TomTom Golfer 1 which does all I need but of course it cost me £119.00.

My Huawei phone unlocks via fingerprint on the back so it's nice and easy. :lol:

 

[wrighty1874]

Motocaddy does a good job and it's free. My Garmin packed up after 5 years .Looking for a repair man.

 

[Smasher]

Another vote for 'Swing by Swing'.
Gives the distance to the green, easy to get any distance manually between 2 points or select the point you're driving to (aiming at!!!) and it gives the distance to that point and to the green.

 

[jim8flog]

it would be a waste of time at Nairn, phone coverage is shocking, no coverage for all but the 7th and 9th greens at the turn

Another one here making the same comment about phone signal. Golf apps use the satellites in the same way as a standalone GPS unit and not a phone signal. Just download the Nairn Golf Course before playing.