New GPS Device - Golf Buddy Voice - Advice please

by Fader Wed Jul 25, 2012 7:33 pm

Seeing as nearly everyone I know has a gps or range finder, I've thought about getting one.

Made the decision to invest in one as a birthday present to myself, I've come across something new out called The Golf Buddy Voice. Seems easy to use doesn't have to many yardages other than what's really needed. Also doesn't need updating and subscription fees. Didn't know if anyone had used one, has one or has any advice on what's good.

In all honesty I'm not looking for something with the ability to measure to within a gnats pube length. I want something simple that can measure front, centre and back of greens. Is easy to use and ideally doesn't require updating.

Any advice gladly taken, looking to buy in around 3 weeks time. So plenty of time to listen, look and find what's right.

by **navyblueshorts** Wed Jul 25, 2012 7:55 pm

Not seen or used that one Fader. I have the Garmin G3 and it's great. No subs, water and shock proof. Easy to use.

Haven't Callaway just brought out a new version of their uPro (uPro+ or something)? I know the original uPro had some issues but there were meant to be a lot of +ves to it as well.

by golfermartin Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:40 pm

Just got one myself and it's pretty good if all you want is distances to green (front, middle or back). It speaks the distance you require when you press a button and is quite discrete. It has 30,000 courses preloaded and automatically picks up which course you are playing and which hole you are on. Sometimes it gets that wrong, for example if you have fairways that cross close to other tees or greens, but it's fairly easy to change the hole it thinks you are on. It doesn't give a plan of the hole or distances to hazards etc. And unfortunately the woman (I call her Myrtle) has an American accent which can sometimes be misunderstood, (like 114 sounds like 140 sometimes) but take a pace forward or back and press the button again and you can get that right. (To be fair you ought to be able to eyeball the difference between 114 and 140 anyway). Personally, I give it a big thumbsup

Oh I forgot it does need updating but doesn't have a subscription. When you plug it into a computer and register make sure it's switched on - that stumped me for a while! Doh

by **navyblueshorts** Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:45 pm

golfermartin wrote:...When you plug it into a computer and register make sure it's switched on - that stumped me for a while!

by Fader Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:49 pm

Thanks GM, I'm not overly concerned how far out certain hazards are etc as I literally want it for approach play.

The review I read states it does have the ability to change pin positions on it and can use it to measure how far last shot has gone (by pacing it out for you) one of selling points that has made me consider the Voice is that I can clip it to my hat or belt, meaning no prolonged standing by my bag cycling through distances a quick flick of buttong and I know where I'm at. If I get one though I'll be sure to heed your advice and switch it on lol

I considered the Garmin watch one, but I take my own watch off to play as I don't deel comfy wearing so that idea quckly closed off.

Nbs thanks for the heads up I'll check that out as I say I'm not interested in downloading courses.

by hend085 Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:58 pm

ive got the gamin approach watch. no need for dowloads etc literally just a search button when standing on the first tee. im pretty happy with it.. it gives yardages to front/middle/back of greens and is accurate to within a yard or two which is good enough for me.
ive used it on about 15 courses ni UK and Ire and have had one where the course wasnt available.
some people seem to prefer the lasers but it obviously doesnt work for blind shots.....and this is often when it would be most handy. For me, the 20-30 seconds or whatever it takes to use is too long compared to a glance at the wrist.

only downsides i find to using the watch is...
-the battery only last abouts 2.5-3 rounds
- can take a bit of getting used to playing with a watch on the wrist if you dont currently.

by McLaren Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:06 pm

If i were playing with someone who had a device which provided the yardages in audio, I would be tempted to ask them to switch it off.

Dont buy it fader, get the garmin and you will not pee off your playing partners.

by Bob_the_Job Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:13 pm

I imagine you don't have to use the voice feature - it shows on the screen too.

by Roller_Coaster Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:30 pm

Played an away day last week where one of my partners had a GPS system (no idea which one) and used it occasionally. Was impressed. When I used it, trusted the numbers and hit the corresponding club "properly" it all tied together and I was close. (I know that sounds obvious but I'm often guilty of trying to "feed a 7" instead of "hitting" a 9 for example.)

Result is I've just ordered the GolfBuddy GPS Tour, which I guess is the "old" model hence price (£150) compared to the new "World" (£280) and "World Platinum" (£330) ones I'm seeing on websites.

Reviews of it seem very good, I'm keen on the apparent simplicity of it and the reported pace at which it updates (and not having to update/download courses or subscribe). I only really need front middle or back too so seems perfect.

Have occasionally used one of the Bushnell laser range finders and found it hard to aquire the pin (may be my shaking hands!!!) and so GPS seems to work better for me.

Now all I have to do is hit it straight...

by golfermartin Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:03 pm

McLaren wrote:If i were playing with someone who had a device which provided the yardages in audio, I would be tempted to ask them to switch it off.

Dont buy it fader, get the garmin and you will not pee off your playing partners.

It is very unobtrusive. Since it is on a hat right next to your ear, you can hear it, and someone about 5 yards away might be able to hear it but not understand what it is saying, anyone futher afield cannot hear it at all! I have asked my playing partners and they have no objections.

by golfermartin Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:10 pm

Fader wrote:The review I read states it does have the ability to change pin positions on it and can use it to measure how far last shot has gone (by pacing it out for you) one of selling points that has made me consider the Voice is that I can clip it to my hat or belt, meaning no prolonged standing by my bag cycling through distances a quick flick of buttong and I know where I'm at.

You can measure how far a shot has gone but changing pin positions is a bit over stated. As I said it will give a distance to middle, front and back of green. You press and hold the main button to toggle through the options.

by golfermartin Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:11 pm

PS You also get a free hat with a slot to clip it to!! Yehaa!

by barragan Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:40 pm

Does it have a shout function for hearing over a 4-club wind.?!

Had facejacker on in the background last night when working late. The guy was giving 'automatic' instructions to sightseeing go-carts in san-fran . A vocal golf gps would be a seamless sequel.

by incontinentia Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:00 pm

I wonder what Wiffy Cox would make of these new technological aids, bet he's turning in his grave.

by Conehead Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:19 pm

I have the Garmin approach watch and it's invaluable.

Same as the voice gps it just gives you front,middle and back which is all i need and it lets you measure shot distance so you can really dial down your distances and work out how far you hit each club.

It's especially good when you say really hit a shot well and can figure out your best possible distance with a club.

I agree with McLaren that the voice thing may annoy some. Wouldn't bother me but I know some players that look for any excuse to blame their game on playing partners.

by barragan Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:23 pm

i was given the sky caddie 2.5 a couple of years ago as a b'day prezzie. paid out £60 so far in subs, for the 2 years, but not sure i'd renew once the machine dies. probably just go for the golf shot app which appears to be reasonably accurate and a bargain at £18.

by 1GrumpyGolfer Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:44 am

Ban, before you buy golf shot check that your phone doesn't have a built in compass app. If it does you can be DQ'd for using the GPS on the phone.

by golfermartin Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:59 am

The Golf Buddy Voice is much less intrusive than a player speaking to his caddy - how many people complain about that? You only push the button when it is your turn to play and you are standing next to the ball. Nobody more than ten yards away can even hear it.

And you can put it on silent and just use the display if you so wish.

by Conehead Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:02 am

I think the golf buddy and the garmin watch are both very good purchases. They're both around £140 - £160 so not much in price either.

I've had my watch over a year now and the only criticism i could give is that I am over reliant on it. Played last week and forgot to charge it and my distance control was awful. I've become so accustomed to having exact yeardages and complete confidence that the club i have is the right one i went to pieces when it died on me on the back 9.

by McLaren Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:12 am

conehead

"I've become so accustomed to having exact yeardages and complete confidence that the club i have is the right one i went to pieces when it died on me on the back 9."

Do you feel you have lost an import skill for golfing, which, without the use of it to some degree you might question if you are actually playing golf?

by busted Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:35 am

Ive got a golf-plus Caddy Lite - which is about £70.
basic, but gives you the yardages you need.
No anual fee, course are £10 each or you can downlaod as many as you like for a year for £25.

by Conehead Thu Jul 26, 2012 1:46 am

Well I don't think I had a great skill in being aware of how far I had to carry into greens on par 4's and 5's in the first place so i wouldn't say i've lost an important skill there but i see your point.

The gps watch has helped my game massively but it's not improved my ball striking or putting just increased my confidence levels when I know i'm not second guessing myself on clubs. I would guess it maybe saves me a least 5 shots a round as the round i mentioned i fired over the back a few times as i had too much club.

The flip side is most courses have 150 markers and yardages for all the holes anyway so some may say everyone "could" work out there own yardages to a certain extent and the pro's have a caddy working it out to the nearest yard so I can't see the difference to what they do and the watch just acting as my caddy for me.

by hend085 Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:31 am

McLaren wrote:conehead

"I've become so accustomed to having exact yeardages and complete confidence that the club i have is the right one i went to pieces when it died on me on the back 9."

Do you feel you have lost an import skill for golfing, which, without the use of it to some degree you might question if you are actually playing golf?

Pretty sure this is still golf

by McLaren Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:44 am

hend

Do you not think combating nature is part of the game?

One part of this is judging distances no matter what the features between you and the intended target.

by 1GrumpyGolfer Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:50 am

Are we back to this again? I guess we should be playing featheries and hickory shafted clubs and be wearing 3 piece suits eh Mac?

by BlueCoverman Thu Jul 26, 2012 3:14 am

Roller_Coaster wrote:Played an away day last week where one of my partners had a GPS system (no idea which one) and used it occasionally. Was impressed. When I used it, trusted the numbers and hit the corresponding club "properly" it all tied together and I was close. (I know that sounds obvious but I'm often guilty of trying to "feed a 7" instead of "hitting" a 9 for example.)

Result is I've just ordered the GolfBuddy GPS Tour, which I guess is the "old" model hence price (£150) compared to the new "World" (£280) and "World Platinum" (£330) ones I'm seeing on websites.

Reviews of it seem very good, I'm keen on the apparent simplicity of it and the reported pace at which it updates (and not having to update/download courses or subscribe). I only really need front middle or back too so seems perfect.

Have occasionally used one of the Bushnell laser range finders and found it hard to aquire the pin (may be my shaking hands!!!) and so GPS seems to work better for me.

Now all I have to do is hit it straight...

That's the one that I have always used Roller and I don't think that you will be disappointed. Gives just the right amount of information without being gimmicky, and I love that when you go to play somewhere new, either here or abroad, most of the courses are already on there. And dead easy to download from your PC the few that are not, without getting any charges.

Can't help you with the hitting it straight, but I think you have got a bargain. Seem to recall I paid £349 for mine a couple of years ago or so...

by Fader Thu Jul 26, 2012 3:22 am

Doesn't matter if a gps aids in giving yardages mac its the player still having to execute the shot and working out how much the wind is going to affect the shot.

by Skydriver Thu Jul 26, 2012 3:45 am

The Garmin watch (at least the S1 product anyway - which is probably now going for cheap given next generation now launched) is extremely lightweight and you hardly feel it's there when wearing it. I don't think it impedes the swing, if that was your concern.

There are various apps (some are free) which also do the job if you have an iPhone or Android smartphone. I've only recently acquired a smartphone but have only got as far as installing one of these apps - haven't tried for myself on course as yet, but was very impressed when I saw what they could do when someone demonstrated during a golf day a year or two ago. Having the GPS on kills the battery though of course.

by 1GrumpyGolfer Thu Jul 26, 2012 3:47 am

Anyway Fader we shouldn't be trying to hit the ball in the air either as we should be implementing the ground game.

Would love to get an app for my phone as it would be relatively cheap but I have a damn compass built in. Thought about getting one on my iPad and then realised it would be useless as that's just wifi Doh

Some of the handhelds seem a bit fancy with flyovers and overhead views of the holes but when checking into them a lot of it is based on google earth or equivalent. I know my course has changed since the pictures were taken plus we're set in amongst trees and what have you so you can't see some of the features due to shadows or the angle it was taken from.

by Bob_the_Job Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:38 pm

1GrumpyGolfer wrote: ...a lot of it is based on google earth or equivalent.

This is the issue with any of the cheaper apps for the iPhone I've looked at. Even if you were allowed to use it, they loads the views and maps on the fly, so if you've no 3G signal (as is the case at my home course) you're scuppered.

by 1GrumpyGolfer Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:13 pm

Google earth was on the new UPro Bob. I looked into that when they launched the all swinging and all putting fancy dan model a couple of months ago. So it's not just cheap apps that have gone that route.

by hend085 Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:46 pm

McLaren wrote:hend

Do you not think combating nature is part of the game?

One part of this is judging distances no matter what the features between you and the intended target.

do you think playing with a caddy is not really the game of golf?
its effectively the same thing

by super_realist Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:51 pm

Hendo, Mac is a golfing philistine. He doesn't like progress and technological advance, ironically he's an F1 fan, which depends on it.

by George1507 Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:15 am

hend085 wrote:
McLaren wrote:hend

Do you not think combating nature is part of the game?

One part of this is judging distances no matter what the features between you and the intended target.

do you think playing with a caddy is not really the game of golf?
its effectively the same thing

There's a big difference. Caddies are allowed in the Rules of Golf, whereas distance measuring devices are not.

by oldparwin Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:50 am

Mac
I have heard some bull in my time but you just took the biscuit.

What you are saying is the Pro's have lost their skill to play golf properly, because the caddies give them the distance to the green and how far the flag is on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well seeing you don't think much about your posts, before you send them!!!!!!!!

by Roller_Coaster Fri Jul 27, 2012 7:02 pm

I would like to see the top pros just play somewhere "cold" without having the yardages, pins, caddies and whilst on the clock to ensure a decent lap time.

Grab the top 4 in the world, stick 'em in a helicopter with a half set in a carry bag each, drop them at a track for a skins game, prize money paid only if they get round in 3 and a half hours.

by Bob_the_Job Fri Jul 27, 2012 7:14 pm

Roller_Coaster wrote:I would like to see the top pros just play somewhere "cold" without having the yardages, pins, caddies and whilst on the clock to ensure a decent lap time.

Grab the top 4 in the world, stick 'em in a helicopter with a half set in a carry bag each, drop them at a track for a skins game, prize money paid only if they get round in 3 and a half hours.

I'd watch that - I'd even pay to watch that. But if you think it would greatly reduce their standard of play, I'd think again.

by George1507 Fri Jul 27, 2012 7:19 pm

Roller_Coaster wrote:I would like to see the top pros just play somewhere "cold" without having the yardages, pins, caddies and whilst on the clock to ensure a decent lap time.

Grab the top 4 in the world, stick 'em in a helicopter with a half set in a carry bag each, drop them at a track for a skins game, prize money paid only if they get round in 3 and a half hours.

I like that idea. Let's go the whole hog, and play it on Sunday morning at 07.50. All players have to have been out on a bender the night before, involving curry, and at least 10 pints. They mustn't have been to bed before 01.30, and mustn't leave for the course more than 10 minutes before 07.50. Also their wives should give them a hard time about playing golf AGAIN when the shelves still haven't been put up. On arriving at the course they need to have the secretary confront them about unpaid subs. They can't find their glove, discover their wedge is missing, and their partners are unreasonably cheerful for that hour of the day, and wander round all morning being unpleasantly flatulent.

by Roller_Coaster Fri Jul 27, 2012 7:27 pm

I agree, it wasn't intended to be angle I was getting at (sorry - it does look a bit like that looking back).

I think it would show exactly how good they are as their instinctive game would have to come out more.

by Bob_the_Job Fri Jul 27, 2012 7:28 pm

George1507 wrote:Also their wives should give them a hard time about playing golf AGAIN ....

That gives Tiger and McIlroy an unfair advantage!

by shclaff Fri Jul 27, 2012 7:47 pm

I was thinking of buying one of the Garmin watches until the pro at my club said their accuracy can be out by 5 or more yards in bad weather. He said I'd be much better off with a laser. Anyone heard that before?

I appreciate that may sound as though he's trying to get me to buy the more expensive option but he's someone I know very well who's helped me out in the past (e.g. he's adjusted lie angles of my wedges and re-gripped some of my clubs for free)

by SetupDeterminesTheMotion Fri Jul 27, 2012 8:00 pm

I have a Sky Caddie SGX, though you may pay for a yearly subscription for this to get more details. There are over 30,000 courses downloaded with just the basics.

It comes into its own on an away days, not knowing the course allows you to course manage a bit better.

Maybe Adam Scott needed one, on the 18th on Sunday. 3 wood bringing in the left hand bunker. Good course management would be iron, or driver...Simples... Rolling Eyes

by **navyblueshorts** Fri Jul 27, 2012 8:22 pm

shclaff wrote:...He said I'd be much better off with a laser...

Assuming you can see the flag. Anyway, 5 yards off hardly matters for most shots especially as we aren't that consistent with our ball striking.

by **navyblueshorts** Fri Jul 27, 2012 8:24 pm

George1507 wrote:I like that idea. Let's go the whole hog, and play it on Sunday morning at 07.50. All players have to have been out on a bender the night before, involving curry, and at least 10 pints. They mustn't have been to bed before 01.30, and mustn't leave for the course more than 10 minutes before 07.50. Also their wives should give them a hard time about playing golf AGAIN when the shelves still haven't been put up. On arriving at the course they need to have the secretary confront them about unpaid subs. They can't find their glove, discover their wedge is missing, and their partners are unreasonably cheerful for that hour of the day, and wander round all morning being unpleasantly flatulent.

Now that could be a winner. Let's face it, it's something most amateurs might be able to relate to rather than the current preparation the Pros go through.

by Conehead Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:13 pm

I have the Garmin watch and I wouldn't claim that it is 100% accurate but it is pretty damn close.

I haven't noticed the weather to affect it butI have been stood by what I know to be accurate 150 markers and it may give a 148 or as high as 154 reading to the middle sometimes.

Never really enough to make you go a club lower or higher but it could put some people off I guess.

by super_realist Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:15 pm

I doubt most golfers are accurate to within 5 yards anyway, actually I imagine most haven't a clue how far they hit a ball with each club, kind of makes a GPS redundant for most.

by hend085 Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:21 pm

George1507 wrote:
hend085 wrote:
McLaren wrote:hend

Do you not think combating nature is part of the game?

One part of this is judging distances no matter what the features between you and the intended target.

do you think playing with a caddy is not really the game of golf?
its effectively the same thing

There's a big difference. Caddies are allowed in the Rules of Golf, whereas distance measuring devices are not.

distance measures are allowed in the rules of golf. its the rule of the european and pga tours that prohibit them

by Conehead Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:31 pm

super_realist wrote:I doubt most golfers are accurate to within 5 yards anyway, actually I imagine most haven't a clue how far they hit a ball with each club, kind of makes a GPS redundant for most.

That was one of the main selling points for me of the Garmin watch - the ability to measure shots. Me and my mate spent quite a lot of time on the course when it was quiet measuring iron shots for distances so I can confidently say I have most of my iron distances down pretty well. My woods are a bit hit and miss and I don't have them down as accurate on my irons but I still normally know that anything between 215 and 230 is 5 wood range, above that is 3 wood and below 215 is rescue.

by super_realist Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:35 pm

Cone, I've got my yardages in a scorecard holder in my backpocet for reference to the GPS readout. Saves a lot of time and indecision.

by Conehead Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:44 pm

To know your distances is an absolute must if your to get your scores down.

I was guilty in the past of just thinking 100 yards PW, 150 7 iron etc... without really knowing what I was hitting where now I'm pretty much certain of every club.

I have found a huge gap between my PW and SW so I need to look into getting maybe a 52 degree wedge.

Does anyone know if I go to American Golf they will let me go on a shot tracker first to test the club and make sure it is covering the distance I need?

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