Golf GPS

sandyhills

I have read most of the threads on golf GPS and the different options. I am looking to get a simple to use golf GPS that gives front, middle & back distances.

Is there any difference in the Garmin, Golf Buddy or Bushnell in terms of accuracy or easy to use? I see Gavin Lunny advertising the new Golf Buddy VT3

Any advice to make decision easier would be welcome

DuckSlice

have you got a smartphone? i use the golfshot app, find it very good, and its a hell of a lot cheaper than what u mentioned above, 27 euro one off fee

quinda

I use the basic Caddy Lite. Just 3 simple measurements on screen such as carry for a bunker from the tee, or front/middle/back when approaching green. Its cheap and cheerful but does the job. Its £84 online.

You have to pay for each course after a certain amount free at the start, or pay an annual subscription for unlimited courses, which I think is £25.

http://www.golf-plus.co.uk/product_caddylite.php

quinda

Most smartphones are not allowed for official competition so be careful there. The iPhone is definitely banned.

mister gullible

With gps you will mostly look at distances to front middle and back of green as you have said. Often you won't check distance to clear hazards such as bunkers as it's not worth the bother of selecting and scrolling. So if getting gps, I'd say get the cheapest you can. The gps works great for giving confidence to hit an extra club when you realise how far it is to the back of the green..
If you can spend some more then the range finder might be preferable, you get exact distance to flag and is also handy for quickly getting range to trees, bunkers etc. Range finder is less discreet in use so you can look a bit like a golf poser when using one .

DuckSlice

quinda wrote: »

Most smartphones are not allowed for official competition so be careful there. The iPhone is definitely banned.

Distance measuring isnt allowed unless there is a local rule stating that it is! regardless if its a smartphone or not! i have played quite a lot of courses recently and have never seen any local rule saying distance measuring is allowed so therefore it is not allowed to be used!

but you are right smartphones of any nature are not allowed in competition for distance measuring if they can give you weather information or have a compass and stuff like that, but there is no rule against carrying your phone with you.

I use Skydroid, find it great value for money.

saintastic

etxp wrote: »

Distance measuring isnt allowed unless there is a local rule stating that it is!

Are you sure about this? Distance Measuring Devices are allowed in every GUI interclub event and every GUI pro event regardless of the golf course.

The iPhone isn't allowed to be used as a DMD as it has the capability to measure more than just distance.

Gmpd

I just downloaded the PGA tour caddie app for free.. Gives you front middle and back of green bunkers left and right and what's needed to carry them.. And you can log in your exact clubs you have and what distance you hit them and it will recommend what club to hit.. Plus there is a track your shot option on it too.. So you can find out how far your drive "really" goes rather than what you think it goes! Well worth downloading and having a look seems its free.. But as stated above it wouldn't be allowed in GUI comps.. Hope to try it out tomorrow evening see how accurate it is...

DuckSlice

saintastic wrote: »

Are you sure about this? Distance Measuring Devices are allowed in every GUI interclub event and every GUI pro event regardless of the golf course.

The iPhone isn't allowed to be used as a DMD as it has the capability to measure more than just distance.

I'm just going on the R&A rules if the GUI have said they are fine then you can use them, but most local competitions aren't run by GUI! It says in the following Link that it only covers GUI run competitions, golf clubs have to enforce a local rule themselves if you can use them in club competitions!

http://www.gui.ie/home/news/distance-devices.aspx



The tour caddie app has a subscription after 30 days iirc!

spacecoyote

Yeah, pretty sure GPS are fine to use in a standard club competition, as long as they only measure distance (I certainly use mine), not 100% on interclub.

Don't think you can use mobile in any competitions though, as previously stated, because you could have other apps for windspeed, elevation, etc...

sandyhills

Thanks for all the posts. Was told you cant use the iphone so thats why im considering a GPS. Just want something that can hang off the bag & give me distances with no fuss as I need to try concentrate on hitting a decent shot! How accurate are the GPS given that its UK and American companies that produce them do they measure the courses to get distances?

DuckSlice

spacecoyote wrote: »

Yeah, pretty sure GPS are fine to use in a standard club competition, as long as they only measure distance (I certainly use mine), not 100% on interclub.

"If a golf club wishes to permit Distance Measuring Devices in their own competitions, it must adopt a local rule that permits their use."

Unless there is a local rule in place you can't use it!

GreeBo

etxp wrote: »

"If a golf club wishes to permit Distance Measuring Devices in their own competitions, it must adopt a local rule that permits their use."

Unless there is a local rule in place you can't use it!

Correct.
Its usually in the pro shop or members noticeboard.
For GUI events its written into the rules sheet.

saintastic

etxp wrote: »

"If a golf club wishes to permit Distance Measuring Devices in their own competitions, it must adopt a local rule that permits their use."

Unless there is a local rule in place you can't use it!

Ah ok. You mentioned that you played a few courses recently that didn't have the local rule in place, where were they?

I would imagine it is more common to have the rule in place rather than not.

Webbs

sandyhills wrote: »

Thanks for all the posts. Was told you cant use the iphone so thats why im considering a GPS. Just want something that can hang off the bag & give me distances with no fuss as I need to try concentrate on hitting a decent shot! How accurate are the GPS given that its UK and American companies that produce them do they measure the courses to get distances?

You could think about something like the Garmin G3 as does just what you want, in fact will have a few extras like distances t hazard etc. Is a really simple bit of kit and I have had no issues on any course I have played with accuracy from Garmin products. I reckon you could pick one up for around the 100e mark

DuckSlice

saintastic wrote: »

Ah ok. You mentioned that you played a few courses recently that didn't have the local rule in place, where were they?

I would imagine it is more common to have the rule in place rather than not.

Various courses in mayo! I never noticed the rule on notice boards, or on the score card, but I wasn't in competition so I didn't ask, I would agree that most probably do have it in place!

Tweaky

Webbs wrote: »

You could think about something like the Garmin G3 as does just what you want, in fact will have a few extras like distances t hazard etc. Is a really simple bit of kit and I have had no issues on any course I have played with accuracy from Garmin products. I reckon you could pick one up for around the 100e mark

£ 88 Delivered on Amazon currently. Great piece of kit.

webels

Tweaky wrote: »

£ 88 Delivered on Amazon currently. Great piece of kit.

£89 delivered on amazon at the moment. I find it very handy. Newer model available but price of this is good.


http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B003VS2NSA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1398889111&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165

Seve OB

etxp wrote: »

Distance measuring isnt allowed unless there is a local rule stating that it is! regardless if its a smartphone or not! i have played quite a lot of courses recently and have never seen any local rule saying distance measuring is allowed so therefore it is not allowed to be used!

but you are right smartphones of any nature are not allowed in competition for distance measuring if they can give you weather information or have a compass and stuff like that, but there is no rule against carrying your phone with you.

GreeBo wrote: »

Correct.
Its usually in the pro shop or members noticeboard.
For GUI events its written into the rules sheet.

Are you guys sure. I was led to believe that the R&A have now approved the use of distance measuring devices. I don't mean phones, but actual devices such as Garmins, Buddys etc.

Phones have the ability to give you further information such as wind etc and that is why they are not allowed.

I was further told that a club can introduce a local rule to ban the use of these deivces in competitions, but in essence that could be overturned as they are legal according to R&A

Now just to find out where to get a list of approved devices, but I'm sure the likes of all the big names are ok.

John Divney

They are allowed, but phone apps must just have gps and not slope wind help.

This is an old thread, the rules were amended

John Divney

There still must be a Local rule permitting distance devices, of course.

Seve OB

John Divney wrote: »

There still must be a Local rule permitting distance devices, of course.

that's what i meant, i didn't think there had to be a local rule, once the R&A had approved the device (rule 14.3 I think), then you should be good to go.

i was probably led up the garden path :rolleyes:

Finlay Harp

Anyone have any experience of Skycaddie or Golfbuddy products? I like the look of the new Wt4 Golfbuddy watch. Also not sure if Skycaddie still need a subscription.

spacecoyote

My dad has the golf buddy watch. He likes it but the reality is that it & all watches appear to be fairly bulky.

Took him a while to get used to wearing it & sometimes he just gangs it on the bag.