Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
If we do not hit our goal we will be forced to close the site.

Current status: https://keepboardsalive.com/

Annual subs are best for most impact. If you are still undecided on going Ad Free - you can also donate using the Paypal Donate option. All contribution helps. Thank you.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.

Most accurate GPS

2»

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,505 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    First Up wrote: »
    I use a laser and frankly don't understand why anyone would use anything else. 100% accurate all the time. I assume with GPS that - as a general rule - you get what you pay for. I.e. the more expensive gadgets are likely to be better.

    Hills, trees, doglegs.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    GreeBo wrote: »
    Hills, trees, doglegs.

    All visible and measurable with a laser. If you are on an unfamiliar course with a lake over the hill, fair enough but how often does that happen?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,505 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    First Up wrote: »
    All visible and measurable with a laser. If you are on an unfamiliar course with a lake over the hill, fair enough but how often does that happen?

    Visible yes, with a GPS I can see and measure beyond them.
    You can't with a laser.

    "How far is that bunker past the dogleg?"

    - First Up "Dunno, the dogleg is 230 away though"
    - GreeBo "Front of the bunker is 250 from here, 265 to carry it, also its 275 to run out of fairway"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,646 ✭✭✭Webbs


    First Up wrote: »
    I use a laser and frankly don't understand why anyone would use anything else. 100% accurate all the time. I assume with GPS that - as a general rule - you get what you pay for. I.e. the more expensive gadgets are likely to be better.

    I know I shouldnt but I'll say it anyway, neither method is perfect, a laser is only 100% accurate from where you get a line of sight, trees, mounds etc could all prevent that.
    GPS shortcomings have been discussed in this thread and elsewhere and I think the more expensive the GPS just means more features not necessarily more accurate.

    edit: oops seen greebos post and agree with him


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,905 ✭✭✭Macker1


    Because people are using an electronic aid.

    Shouldn't be part of the game.

    Lads are now lazering from 40 feet.

    It is progressive too. Lads lose skills they should have.

    Anyway I'm a loner on this. But only a matter of time till it tells you club you hit on a certain shot.

    It is the first step that never should have happened.

    My eyesight is a little iffy so I find the watch to be a great help when making my mind up about distance and club selection. Can never see myself using a laser for a number of reasons.

    1. Cost
    2. Not at a standard were my game is that precise
    3. Hands are too shaky at times.

    The watch is very discrete, a quick glance and away you go

    Using a laser to me is a joke unless you are good enough to pull off the shots.
    The amount of high handicap players I see using them makes me wonder if they have their head screwed on. Surely it would be better to invest in lessons to improve their game.

    Que the following scenario.

    100 yards out approx, picks out the laser which measures 103 yards to pin. Steps up takes aim and skulls the ball 30 yards into the water.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    Macker1 wrote: »
    My eyesight is a little iffy so I find the watch to be a great help when making my mind up about distance and club selection. Can never see myself using a laser for a number of reasons.

    1. Cost
    2. Not at a standard were my game is that precise
    3. Hands are too shaky at times.

    The watch is very discrete, a quick glance and away you go

    Using a laser to me is a joke unless you are good enough to pull off the shots.
    The amount of high handicap players I see using them makes me wonder if they have their head screwed on. Surely it would be better to invest in lessons to improve their game.

    Que the following scenario.

    100 yards out approx, picks out the laser which measures 103 yards to pin. Steps up takes aim and skulls the ball 30 yards into the water.

    The situations I use the laser most (in fact I would say almost only) are checking how far to reach or to clear a hazard and the distance to pin - including how much green from front to flag. This information is all available from a laser and all require accuracy. From what I've read in this thread and elsewhere, that is the one thing for which GPS (some) are least reliable.

    The other situations for which GPS has been advocated are once in a blue moon stuff - if even that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,505 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    First Up wrote: »
    The situations I use the laser most (in fact I would say almost only) are checking how far to reach or to clear a hazard and the distance to pin - including how much green from front to flag. This information is all available from a laser and all require accuracy. From what I've read in this thread and elsewhere, that is the one thing for which GPS (some) are least reliable.

    The other situations for which GPS has been advocated are once in a blue moon stuff - if even that.

    GPS is perfect for getting the length of the green and thus how much room there is. I'd guess its at least as accurate as pointing a laser somewhere near the start/end of a green.

    Once in a blue moon that you cannot see a hazard from your current location?
    Once in a blue moon that you play on a dogleg?
    Once in a blue moon that you have a blind shot up/down a hill?

    Where do you play, the desert?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    GreeBo wrote: »
    GPS is perfect for getting the length of the green and thus how much room there is. I'd guess its at least as accurate as pointing a laser somewhere near the start/end of a green.

    Once in a blue moon that you cannot see a hazard from your current location?
    Once in a blue moon that you play on a dogleg?
    Once in a blue moon that you have a blind shot up/down a hill?

    Where do you play, the desert?

    Nothing worse than hitting it 280 over a dogleg to carry a bunker and running out of fairway. Hate that.

    I play mostly on courses with yardage markers to front of green. Most GPS give distances to front middle and back. If you are looking at an elevated green 130+ yards away, I defy anyone to say with confidence where the flag is. With my laser I can tell exactly and using the yardage markers can work out the rest.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,646 ✭✭✭Webbs


    GreeBo wrote: »
    GPS is perfect for getting the length of the green and thus how much room there is. I'd guess its at least as accurate as pointing a laser somewhere near the start/end of a green.

    Once in a blue moon that you cannot see a hazard from your current location?
    Once in a blue moon that you play on a dogleg?
    Once in a blue moon that you have a blind shot up/down a hill?

    Where do you play, the desert?

    Or if your like me and my wayward driving, I always seem to be behind some trees!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,505 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    First Up wrote: »
    Nothing worse than hitting it 280 over a dogleg to carry a bunker and running out of fairway. Hate that.

    I play mostly on courses with yardage markers to front of green. Most GPS give distances to front middle and back. If you are looking at an elevated green 130+ yards away, I defy anyone to say with confidence where the flag is. With my laser I can tell exactly and using the yardage markers can work out the rest.

    If you hit it 280 then it doesnst matter if its over trees, a bunker or the carpark, air is air.
    Some of our more esteemed posters can carry it easily 320 over a carpark, driving bay and into the Amazon beyond. This is a real problem for them.

    I get the exact length of the green and pin positions tell me if its front middle or back. Thats easily accurate enough for me at my level and at least as accurate as you trying to determine where the green stats and stops imo.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    GreeBo wrote: »
    If you hit it 280 then it doesnst matter if its over trees, a bunker or the carpark, air is air.
    Some of our more esteemed posters can carry it easily 320 over a carpark, driving bay and into the Amazon beyond. This is a real problem for them.

    I get the exact length of the green and pin positions tell me if its front middle or back. Thats easily accurate enough for me at my level and at least as accurate as you trying to determine where the green stats and stops imo.

    The most valuable information for me is the reading that tells me if I should use my 48, 52 or 58 wedge and that needs a fair bit of precision. The location of the car park is a bonus that I hope I don't need.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 346 ✭✭redhill


    GreeBo wrote: »
    Visible yes, with a GPS I can see and measure beyond them.
    You can't with a laser.

    "How far is that bunker past the dogleg?"

    - First Up "Dunno, the dogleg is 230 away though"
    - GreeBo "Front of the bunker is 250 from here, 265 to carry it, also its 275 to run out of fairway"


    that is available with a laser as well, i have an 5-6 yr old Bushnell 1600 and it has a scan mode which will scan bunkers etc en route to the green and give u these readings as well as the distance to the flag, it doesn't get used very often as the pinseeker mode is better for me


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,505 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    redhill wrote: »
    that is available with a laser as well, i have an 5-6 yr old Bushnell 1600 and it has a scan mode which will scan bunkers etc en route to the green and give u these readings as well as the distance to the flag, it doesn't get used very often as the pinseeker mode is better for me
    Not through trees or around a corner it wont!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,138 ✭✭✭SaveOurLyric


    I frankly dont understand why anyone bothers with a laser and, due how slow they are to use, glad that they are distinct rarity. GPS has well and truly won that war. If the number of people I see using GPS these days had lasers in their hands then the slow play problem would have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Its bad enough already.
    GPS is more than accurate enough for all but the most elite players. Has not time delay, and provides measurement in more situations that are possible with laser as discussed above. Its not even a serious contest anymore.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    I frankly dont understand why anyone bothers with a laser and, due how slow they are to use, glad that they are distinct rarity. GPS has well and truly won that war. If the number of people I see using GPS these days had lasers in their hands then the slow play problem would have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Its bad enough already.
    GPS is more than accurate enough for all but the most elite players. Has not time delay, and provides measurement in more situations that are possible with laser as discussed above. Its not even a serious contest anymore.

    Tell that to the pros.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,138 ✭✭✭SaveOurLyric


    First Up wrote: »
    Tell that to the pros.

    I dont think many of them read this forum so I was posting with amateurs in mind.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,505 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    First Up wrote: »
    Tell that to the pros.

    " all but the most elite"?
    honestly I'd want both as I think they both serve a need, but if I had to choose one I'd pick GPS


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    I dont think many of them read this forum so I was posting with amateurs in mind.

    GPS users have spoken (in this forum) of 10-15 vard variation. That would make it useless for my needs in selecting which wedge. Pro caddies use the laser because it is the most accurate. Why would you choose the less accurate device?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,138 ✭✭✭SaveOurLyric


    First Up wrote: »
    GPS users have spoken (in this forum) of 10-15 vard variation. That would make it useless for my needs in selecting which wedge. Pro caddies use the laser because it is the most accurate. Why would you choose the less accurate device?

    That seems to be down to poor devices not the fundamental technology.
    I have both a GolfBuddy World and Bushnell Pinseeker 1500. I play two courses. The difference between the two on either (when I used to take the laser. Its sitting at home for the last year+) when I checked them was 2-3 yards up or down.
    If that mattered to me, you would be watching me in Valhalla at the moment instead of reading my posts here....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,510 ✭✭✭neckedit


    GreeBo wrote: »
    " all but the most elite"?
    honestly I'd want both as I think they both serve a need, but if I had to choose one I'd pick GPS

    Here ya go.....

    http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Hybrid-Pinseeker-Laser-Rangefinder/dp/B004LY3UV2


  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,023 Mod ✭✭✭✭charlieIRL


    First Up wrote: »
    GPS users have spoken (in this forum) of 10-15 vard variation. That would make it useless for my needs in selecting which wedge. Pro caddies use the laser because it is the most accurate. Why would you choose the less accurate device?

    Because we're amateur golfers and can't nail each club on the button every single time. I have an s1 watch and mainly look at the back of the green number when selecting a club. That way if I catch it clean, I'm probably pin high but of not I won't be far away.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    charlieIRL wrote: »
    Because we're amateur golfers and can't nail each club on the button every single time. I have an s1 watch and mainly look at the back of the green number when selecting a club. That way if I catch it clean, I'm probably pin high but of not I won't be far away.

    I can tell you that I regularly compare the reading from my laser with those estimating flag positions based on x yards to the middle and they often get it wrong by enough to make a difference. That is more important to me than knowing about some hazard over a hill or around a corner. The former happens several times a round; the latter just about never.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    neckedit wrote: »

    Good gadget. The reviews are interesting - they confirm that if it is accuracy that matters, use a laser.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,749 ✭✭✭dan_ep82


    Macker1 wrote: »

    Que the following scenario.

    100 yards out approx, picks out the laser which measures 103 yards to pin. Steps up takes aim and skulls the ball 30 yards into the water.

    How many times have you had to guess if the flag is at the front,middle or back of the green though using the watch (mine only told me those figures) only to guess wrong?

    The normal scenario for me is I can see the flag but its slightly up hill,behind a bump so the flag position isn't fully visible.

    Standing at the 110yd mark and lase the flag, its 140y out and right at the back. It would be the difference between a 50° and 9i for me and usually the difference between a 3 or a 2 putt.

    No, I don't always hit it right, but I rarely skull it 30yds long, more often than not my miss is left pin high but I make the green regularly enough.

    I think some see the lasers as a kind of elite device where only the more wealthy can afford them but they can be picked up second hand for small enough money.

    The reason I didn't like the watch was,

    It was way off on some courses

    The charge would only last usually a round, never 36 holes and sometimes, me being an idiot would forget to charge it where as the laser battery will last months.

    Sometimes , especially when hot, it would get annoying on my wrist leaving my wrist all sweaty and with a lovely white patch where I then have to attach it to the bag etc

    Can't measure a hazard or to the corner of a dog leg

    It definitely has its benefits like giving you an decent distance over a hill etc instead of climbing all the way up to lase,then lase back to the bag but I'd only ever do that if I was going for green and it was completely hidden behind a hill. I think anyone with a watch would do the same to get a line at least.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,823 ✭✭✭✭First Up


    dan_ep82 wrote: »
    How many times have you had to guess if the flag is at the front,middle or back of the green though using the watch (mine only told me those figures) only to guess wrong?

    The normal scenario for me is I can see the flag but its slightly up hill,behind a bump so the flag position isn't fully visible.

    Standing at the 110yd mark and lase the flag, its 140y out and right at the back. It would be the difference between a 50° and 9i for me and usually the difference between a 3 or a 2 putt.

    No, I don't always hit it right, but I rarely skull it 30yds long, more often than not my miss is left pin high but I make the green regularly enough.

    I think some see the lasers as a kind of elite device where only the more wealthy can afford them but they can be picked up second hand for small enough money.

    The reason I didn't like the watch was,

    It was way off on some courses

    The charge would only last usually a round, never 36 holes and sometimes, me being an idiot would forget to charge it where as the laser battery will last months.

    Sometimes , especially when hot, it would get annoying on my wrist leaving my wrist all sweaty and with a lovely white patch where I then have to attach it to the bag etc

    Can't measure a hazard or to the corner of a dog leg

    It definitely has its benefits like giving you an decent distance over a hill etc instead of climbing all the way up to lase,then lase back to the bag but I'd only ever do that if I was going for green and it was completely hidden behind a hill. I think anyone with a watch would do the same to get a line at least.

    Worst of all is when you do hit it right but it turns out to have been the wrong club because you estimated wrong about the pin position, or the GPS was inaccurate.

    No argument that GPS is a help on courses you don't know but they give me nothing on courses I do know that the laser doesn't do better. So for me, the GPS has value on maybe 6-10 rounds a year, whereas the laser is useful every time I play.

    The people whose jobs depend on getting it right every time use laser. That ought to tell you something but boys like their toys.......


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,784 ✭✭✭redzerdrog


    So I am looking at getting a decent gps device, having seen the arguments for and against I think a gps is what I am looking for.

    So any idea which make is actually the most accurate garmin, golf buddy, sky caddie or other?

    Anyone know which map the course themselves and which use google maps?

    Any recommendation for a particular model?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭big_drive


    It seems skycaddie and golf buddy are the two who map course by foot so I'd probably go for one of them


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,549 ✭✭✭Luckycharm


    I got the Golf buddy WT3 watch and have found it made a big difference to my game especially inside 100ms as I have now learned how far I hit my various clubs and can now commit to hitting them. There are also loads of different pin positions you can move it to and found it pretty accurate when comparing it to a laser.
    It also has distances to hazards, trees, bunkers etc


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 7,023 Mod ✭✭✭✭charlieIRL


    big_drive wrote: »
    It seems skycaddie and golf buddy are the two who map course by foot so I'd probably go for one of them

    I've a sky caddie sg2.5 here your more than welcome to borrow to try out. Only prob is I think the subscription is up. I no longer use it.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,493 ✭✭✭Miley Byrne


    Luckycharm wrote: »
    I got the Golf buddy WT3 watch and have found it made a big difference to my game especially inside 100ms as I have now learned how far I hit my various clubs and can now commit to hitting them. There are also loads of different pin positions you can move it to and found it pretty accurate when comparing it to a laser.
    It also has distances to hazards, trees, bunkers etc

    Just on the bolded bit. I use GPS but have seen other lads using GPS saying that its 96 to the front and 104 to the pin. Surely that pin position function is pure guesswork or am I missing something? I mean surely he is guessing where the pin is and clicking on the screen and getting a reading to that spot. But sure I can get a reading to the front or middle or whatever and have a guess where the pin is in relation to that which would be equally as accurate. I guess what I'm saying is that if I wanted to know how far exactly to the pin I wouldn't be using a GPS for it, I would go down the laser route.


Advertisement