Are you trying to improve your handicap and could do with a little help? May be you should be looking at Golf GPS Systems for that much needed boost.
A good system can show and direct you on the obstacles you have to clear and the distance your ball will have to travel. Knowing what stands in your way, can help you with the choice of an appropriate club and reduce the time and strokes you need to reach the hole. For all you know, you may end up with a hole-in-one if you play your stroke in tandem with your GPS system!
There are several models out there with tons of features that it can get a bit confusing to choose the one that is most suited to your requirements. Here’s all you need to know about Golf GPS Systems for you to make a considered choice when you set out to buy one for yourself.
1. How Does a Golf GPS System Help Improve your Golf?
This is probably the most important question you need an answer for before you sink your money into this gadget.
The Golf Global Positioning System (GPS) uses about 32 satellites to give you a near accurate description of your exact position and the position of your ball. This device has the facility to download several different golf courses from all over the world and as soon as you reach the course, the GPS System will automatically identify your location and without preamble, load the course you are on and you are ready to tee off.
With a Golf GPS System you will be able to find out:
1. Approximate distance to where you want to hit the ball and your last shot distance
2. Layout of the entire course
3. Obstacles (bunkers, trees, water bodies, etc.) that lie in your path
4. The trajectory your ball needs to take to avoid the obstacles.
This information, and much more, is available to you within a few seconds. Having this crucial data at your fingertips can help you choose the right club, plan your strokes, and overall play a much better game.
2. What Are the Features to Look for in a Good Golf GPS System?
Primarily, your Golf GPS System should be easy to use, comfortable to carry and with a good display so you have no trouble viewing the screen and reading the data. Keeping these in mind, you should look be looking at:
1. Size, Color, and Type of Display
2. Type of Battery
3. Extent of Course Layout
4. Last Shot Distance Calculation
5. Course Capacity
6. Annual Subscription Charges
7. Warranty
Display:
LCD Color large display with backlight is always preferable to B/W. Touchscreen is the easiest to navigate. Compare different displays and choose the one that doesn’t strain your eyes.
Battery:
Rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries provide longer battery life so you won’t be stranded somewhere with no charge. It can hold charge for up to 16 hours at a stretch making sure your game is never affected.
Layout:
If the system can provide a complete layout of the course with all the obstacles and the holes, nothing like it. But many GPS systems do not provide hole layout.
Last Shot Distance:
Getting an idea of how far your last shot traversed, will help in calculating your future strokes better. So look for a Golf GPS that provides this information.
Course Capacity:
The more number of courses your Golf GPS can accommodate the better especially if you are a globe trotter and like getting a game in wherever you are in the world. Some systems have thousands of courses and you can download up to 50 courses at a time.
Warranty:
All Golf GPS Systems come with a minimum limited one year warranty but see if you can find one that gives you more and also throws in a few accessories like a storage pouch and a belt clip.
In addition to these features, having a system that is fully waterproof ensures that if you are caught in the rain or if you fall into a pond or lake in the frenzy of the moment, your GPS will remain unharmed and fully functional.
If it can also automatically shut off when there is no activity, it will help save battery. Some systems come with a timing device that helps you keep track of your pace.
Make sure it is also a lightweight model as you don’t want your GPS to weigh you down.
3. What is the Price of a Good Golf GPS System?
You can determine your budget based on the features you would like your GPS to have. Of course, needless to say, the more you are willing to shell out, the better the quality and features of your Golf GPS.
Subscription Charges:
The subscription charges are calculated based on the features so the more you get, the more you have to shell out. But, having a fully loaded Golf GPS is like having a caddie with superhuman powers with you! The membership charges range from $9 to $200 a year and some of the top-end models come without a subscription charge.
Price of the Unit:
Anywhere ranging upwards from $50 to $250 and more depending on the model.
Before you decide on the model, make sure that it provides you with all the basic information you need for your game. If you do not travel much and just have a few regular golf courses you go to, you don’t have to buy a model that gives you thousands of courses to choose from.
In a nutshell:
1. The battery should be powerful and hold charge for a minimum of 10 to 12 hours
2. The casing should be durable and preferably waterproof
3. Color display on a large screen
4. Easy Navigation preferably touchscreen
5. With features that are suited to your requirements .. nothing too fancy and not too bare.
Essentially, your Golf GPS System should give you distance information on all directions – measuring the center, back and front of the green with ease, should be able to track your progress and suggest clubs, and help you with your game strategy. And all this should come to you in a sleek gadget with a simple interface that helps you get the information you want in a matter of seconds.
