SKYCADDIE 2.5

[Imurg]

After reading this thread and doing a bit of research I'm sold, just a few questions.
Is the SG5 worth the extra over the SG2.5?
Where's the best place to buy from? Onlinegolf do the SG5 for £273 with a free travel case.

Homer is the one for this really - he's got the SG5. I've got the 2.5 and although I havn't used it on the course yet, it seems to me the only real difference is the colour screen - Homer may be able to elaborate more.

I got mine from AG in Milton Keynes - a bit more expensive than online but I got a case and car charger free and I also got it in my hand - useful when HID doesn't know about it yet!!!!!

 

[Barney]

Ademac, I was in your boat when I first started playing. Once you get to a half decent level (or like me so competetive) you start to get picky with yardages.

Smiffys storey was so true. This has happended to me a few times and cost me a good score, if not a few quid.

There is nothing better than hitting a ball pin high and holding the green, I used to always miss short because of guess work and then have to scramble for par.

I will be getting one after xmas, just not sure which one, but the 2.5 is the leader ATM.

I had a round of golf with two extremely low handicappers a while ago (handicaps of 1 and 4) and we was speaking about these things.
I know its each to their own but they said that unlike world class courses most local golf clubs do not have greens deep and wide enough to warrant worrying about the massive differences in pin positions. Usually pin changes are around 15-20 feet in one direction or another so if you are in two minds land the ball in the middle of the green every time and then take things from there. Yes they obviously look where the pin is on the green but they was of the opinion that if you are anywhere on the green in regulation then you give yourself a chance of par or better.
If your swing mechanics are all wrapped up and working fine every time you can then use one of these things but in my opinion using something like this can be one huge distraction.
If you can hit the middle of every green in regulation on your round but still arent happy with your game you need to buy a new putter not one of these.
Imagine how daft your going to look when your mate is stood three feet away from you listening to you yabble on about the pin being 15 on from the front 4 from the left only to seconds later watch you fat the ball 4 foot in front of you.
Be careful with these things do you and your game really need one of these or has you game got more primary problems that need addressing first.
You could soon be winning your clubs 'All the gear, no idea' award !!!

 

[Imurg]

These units don't give you the distance to the pin as they can move but hazards and greens can't. It gives a distance to the front, middle and back of the green. If you know where the flag is you can get a reading but knowing the depth of the green is the key.

How are you going to know the distance to the middle of the green unless you've played the course plenty of times? Are the 150 markers to the front or middle? Are they even accurate? All the GPS does is give you those yardages. YOu then make up your mind if you want to go for the front or middle.

An awful lot of really quite ordinary courses can still have huge greens, sometimes 40 yards back to front. Look at the 18th at the Belfry - even longer. And some of the greens on th Old Course yo've got enough room to play cricket on!

 

[Barney]

These units don't give you the distance to the pin as they can move but hazards and greens can't. It gives a distance to the front, middle and back of the green. If you know where the flag is you can get a reading but knowing the depth of the green is the key.

How are you going to know the distance to the middle of the green unless you've played the course plenty of times? Are the 150 markers to the front or middle? Are they even accurate? All the GPS does is give you those yardages. YOu then make up your mind if you want to go for the front or middle.

An awful lot of really quite ordinary courses can still have huge greens, sometimes 40 yards back to front. Look at the 18th at the Belfry - even longer. And some of the greens on th Old Course yo've got enough room to play cricket on!

Well I wouldnt call the Belfry or the old course ordinary and Im sure you dont mean that too. What I mean is that the courses I frequently play at I know the course hazards and know the markers are something like.
If I play a new course I buy a yardage book for around £4 and inside it tells me of all hazards and always tells what the 150 markers and measured too(pin or middle). Again most club courses will always measure to middle of green as they can be bothered to keep changing markers aswell as pin positions.
All im saying is aim for the middle of the green,get there in regulation,save yourself a couple of hundred quid and still enjoy the game.

each to their own though !
Enjoy !

 

[theeaglehunter]

To the person who asked about whether to get the SC5 or SC2.5 it depends entirely on how much you value at the moment the extra £120 or whatever. I have the 2.5 and a regular partner has the SC5 - there is no difference what so ever in performance the SC5 just has a slightly bigger, nicer to look at screen. I had this dilemma a while ago when I bought mine and I am 100% sure I made the right decision buying the SC2.5 and keeping the £120. If this extra ton is not a worry to you buy the SC5 as it is the 'better' of the two models but it is only because of the screen. I really wouldn't waste your money on the upgraded version.

 

[TonyN]

Barney I have to disagree.

If your 'not happy with your game' buying a new putter is not going to sort it, but thats a different thread.

The amount of times I have stood in the middle of the fairway after a good drive thinking, I only have to hit it close for a decent chance of a birdie, my 1 extra shot lets me attack the flag. I have been in two minds what to hit because I am not sure what the depth of the green is and if there is any trouble at the back. You can see whats at the front and usually its safe, so my mind says, go with the wedge instead of the 9, only to end up a good 10 yards short of the green. Knowing how far you can go to the back of the green might give the option of an easy 8 or possibly even 7, but that doesn't matter now cause its a scramble for par at best.

I know where your coming from though. No good having a sky caddy if you cant hit the green 9 times out of 10.

But if you can then these things could really get the scores down.

And another thing I like about the SC is that it gives you the shape of the green to so you know where you can aim to and be safe.

 

[ademac]

Looks like I started a healthy debate here chaps!
I still don't want one though! I'll probably end up using one soon and loving it!ha ha! If I do I'll let you all know and you can slate me accordingly!

 

[Barney]

Hi Tony, The thing I said about putters was slightly tongue in cheek. What I actually meant was if a player is hitting most greens in regulation no matter where on the green he was hitting but still couldnt post a decent score they should start looking at their putting game.
As I said earlier 'each to their own' and I would never be disrespectful to anyone who owned or used one but with regards the scenario you give I still say that if I play a new course, a £4 course guide from the pro shop will give me information with regards hazards,bunkers,yardages,green dimensions and that for me, playing off low teens is just as good but at a fraction of the price with no annual subscription.

 

[Barney]

Looks like I started a healthy debate here chaps!
I still don't want one though! I'll probably end up using one soon and loving it!ha ha! If I do I'll let you all know and you can slate me accordingly!

I would probably be the same !!!!

 

[Twire]

I know where your coming from though. No good having a sky caddy if you cant hit the green 9 times out of 10.

Even if you do struggle hitting greens. I think the sky caddy etc will at least give you the confidence that you have the right club in you hand to attack the green, which in itself will probably help your scoring.

The man in red's getting me one (CaddyAid) so i'll let you know in the new year.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The thing to bear in mind with the SC is that it also gives you yardages to potential hazards such as bunkers, streams, ponds etc. It gives you the distance to the start of the hazard and a number to ccarry it. This means you can plan your strategy from the tee to take on or lay up from any danger. Also, it gives you a reading from anywhere on the hole, again including remaining hazards to negotiate.

Not sure too many yardage books give you that information. I agree they are useful if you are playing from the centre of the fairway, but sadly I have a tendency to hook every so often and so could be playing from an adjacent fairway. No readings in the yardage book for that.

Also, most greens at clubs I play tend to average between 25-25 yards in depth. Now that could be the difference of two clubs to me dependant on weather conditions. With my SC I can move the cross-hair to approximately where the flag is situated and get a more detailed reading to help.

I also disagree about the inference of needing to be a good player to need one. I know several 24+ handicapper who have the SC and it has made them better golfers in that they are more realistic with their club selection now and use their shots more wisely.

The only real difference between SC2.5 and 5 is the colour screen and its size. At the time I got it at a really really good price via my pro (still hard to beat nearly 9 months later). I had the money and had read reports of the black and white screen being hard to read in certain situations (bright sunlight etc) and so made my choice on that.

If I was in the market now I would look at the Sonocaddie at a similar price to the SC5 as it does keep stats as you go round but other than that model I would choose SC in one form or another everytime

 

[DCB]

Fair bit of healthy debate over past couple of days. I was until last week firmly in the Traditional camp. I use a course guide where available and have managed fine with that for years. Even have some old black and white ones from long ago !

However, after looking at the last couple of threads on here regarding these devices I had to find out more. A wee play with one for real and I was completely smitten by the ease of use and the accuracy ( at least whilst testing it !)

So, those who say No to modern technology of this kind, just wait and see. To those who have taken to it, you've made your decision.

Lets just agree to disagree. Some like it, some don't see the need for it, yet! Each to their own.

 

[Smiffy]

Was talking to the Pro at Willingdon today, and have agreed to purchased a 2.5 from him in the New Year. He is going to be doing a deal at £159.00 including "an accessory" (don't know what that will be!) and a voucher for a free game of golf at any Marriot Hotel. If I shop around on the 'net I might find it a tenner cheaper somewhere but he has done me a couple of cracking deals already so I think it's only fair that I give him my business this time.
But it's a definite purchase in January for me.

 

[User 105]

I got mine last week and used it first time at the weekend.

Although I don't think it helped my round this time I think it will in the future.

As I've only been playing a few months I've only got a rough idea of how far I'm hitting each club, when I actually hit it properly that is.

So playing my first round with it I found out how far I actually am hitting most clubs. So next time out I think it's going to be much more useful when I combine that information with the course guide on the SG2.5.

Only slight complaint about the 2.5 was it was getting a little dark on the 17th and 18th which made the 2.5 a bit hard to read as it's not back-lit. But that's only a minor gripe.

 

[Dodger]

westy my 2.5 has a back light on it,got it 2 weeks ago.

 

[Imurg]

Same here.
if you press the middle button top row and then press it again the light should come on. At least it does on mine!!!

 

[viscount17]

I think I have edged from the Luddites to the 'agnostics'. Whether or not I get one, it is still some way up the road as other things are more urgent, after all it can't hold a wedge for you!

 

[TWM]

ademac
"I don't mean to be rude but surely these sat nav things are a total blag! Don't get me wrong, I'm new to the game and need all the help I can get but surely using your own eyes and brain are a massive skill and a huge part of the game!"

You are absolutely right for people like me (and possibly you) who cannot tell in advance how far the next shot will fly.
As we improve, we will have more consistent distance and, no doubt we will benefit from these devices.

 

[User 105]

thanks guys.

Ok I have no problems at all with it now