The Garmin Golf GPS, the Garmin Approach G5 is now shipping at select retailers; including GPSNow. The unit is garmin's long awaited entry into the Golf GPS area, and is based on the touchscreen Garmin Oregon touchscreen GPS series. Pre-loaded with 5100 courses from across the country, the Garmin Approach G5 will help you with accurate reads on distance to the green, to hazards all while helping to keep score of the game.
Yea, 5,000 courses pre-loaded, you read that right. Garmin, through their blog, has let us know that there are 5,000 courses pre-loaded, with no annual fee, and no subscriptions needed. There will be updates to the Approach going forward, and those updates are free for now. It's a departure from a lot of the other golf based GPS devices where the course data requires a subscription.
Garmin has a quick look at the Approach G5 golf GPS, with its touchscreen interface and a few teaser capabilities. The interface looks pretty sharp with the ability to figure out distances to the green and distances to carry the hazards on the hole.
UPDATED: Garmin has introduced "Caddy Confidential" posts to its blog to introduce people to their Approach G5 Golf GPS. The posts will get a lot better as the weather gets better - I am thinking that maybe the caddie needs a little trip to warmer weather to build out those how-to video's and enjoy a little sun.
Garmin is announcing the Approach G5 - a Golf handheld companion that should give you an edge on folks who are still guessing on the distance to the pin. The Approach is based on the Garmin Oregon line - the touchscreen handhelds, and packs a customized interface giving you access to pre-loaded configurations. The Approach will recommend clubs to carry hazards and hit the fairway or green. Not bad; can't tell you how many times I have been a club short and dropped the ball right in the drink or sand. Skip the scorecard too, unless you have to sign it, because the Approach G5 GPS will keep score for your foursome.
So, a reader wrote in the other day letting me know that the Pocket Caddy, a touch screen GPS is rumored to be coming to the US later this year. I didn't really think much of it, until I started looking into their website. It's got some features that are pretty advanced and doesn't just tell you that you are 175 yards from the green; way more than that. So I thought I would pass more about it along.
At the base, the unit gives you insight into where you are on the course, and distances to the green and hazards. Yea, that's basic, but like I said, it goes a lot further. As you play, you get an overhead picture of the hole, and as you play along you mark where your shots landed.
Not only does the Pocket Caddy keep score for you, but after your round, sync it with the computer and it will pump out an analysis of your round, giving you your average drives, and a visual graphic of their accuracy. Same thing with your approach shots, showing you a visual of where you land, and some cool stats on the approach shots. Finally, because the software is integrated with Google Earth, the analysis will also show you a visual of the hole and where your shots were.
Because you are entering the information on what club you use on each shot, the Pocket Caddy will also start to recommend clubs for you. Something you should have in the back of your head, but I find myself questioning my choice sometimes and could use the help.
The site has a lot of information on the unit. Currently it comes loaded with a golf course, and others can be bought for an additional charge, then added through the desktop software. This handy comparison chart pits it against a lot of the other units in the marketplace.
SkyCaddie Golf GPS based on Magellan eXplorist Series
Another day, another round of golf improved by the use of GPS. This time SkyCaddie has their units based on the Magellan eXplorist series. The units are designed for "Avid Golfers" and they offer several plans for you to subscribe to ranging from statewide coverage ($29.99/yr) to worldwide coverage for ($59.99/yr). The units have some advances features and look like a nice upgrade versus their previous models. Recall that Garmin's eTrex is the base model for another company; GolfLogix.
GolfLigix announced a new product, or rather application that will use the Garmin eTrex handheld GPS to get into the growing golf GPS category. The proprietary software will be installed on the eTrex and will allow users to download course data to the unit easily and quickly. The software will offer the golfer some features that will make using the handheld easier during play like automatic scrolling to the next hazard or green and no buttons to push during play. Because it’s an eTrex, you know it will be IPX7 waterproof for the next time you get caught in the rain.
No word on what eTrex model the product is based on yet. It will be shown at the upcoming PGA merchandise show, and list for $349. Unlimited golf course downloads are available for $29 per year.
The Sure Shot GPS Golf course device is getting an upgrade in the near future. At the upcoming PGA show in Orlando they will introduce an upgraded Sure Shot GPS system that will include several enhancements to make the product a lot better to use. The device can help golfers estimate distances while on golf courses thus making their game better….. their game, probably not mine. Anyway, the newer units have: a next generation GPS chipset, a brighter screen, better battery life (lasts 13 hours or 2 rounds of golf), and will be WAAS compliant. With the $399 list price, you get a year’s subscription to golf courses around the world, so that your unit is ready to go when you are.
In the emerging market for the blending of Golf and GPS, enters the iGolf Caddie. The little unit offers you your current location and with a subscription to the iGolf service (igolf.com) you can download maps of golf courses from around the world, allowing you to know the course layout and the distance to the green from where ever you are.
You can get a reading in yards of how far you are to the front, center, or back of the green as well as seeing all of the hazards in your way such as sand and water traps. If you choose to make your own maps you can designate up to 11 distance markers and 8 additional points for each hole. Another decent feature is that it can learn your shot distance with each club to make club selection even easier.
SureShot GPS - New Golf Specific GPS device hits the market
A new golf specific GPS device has hit the market and soon the links called the Sureshot GPS. It's an Australian unit, so it may not hit your pro shop any time soon, but it's an interesting first step in the field that is sure to expand. The unit can hold data for about 10 courses and is able to download course data over the internet.
Could something as simple as a GPS ruin golf in the UK? Golf's governing body, St Andrews-based Royal and Ancient Golf Club, has yet to rule on the legality of a new GPS device that would tell the golfer how far to the bunkers, green or the pin. "Every time a golfer moves along a hole, the device will receive instant information on course lay-out and exact yardages to hazards such as bunkers and the greens beyond from a satellite thousands of miles above in space.
Jeremy Cooke, the managing director of manufacturers' Golf-Plus.UK Ltd, said: "Using global positioning satellite technology provides a constant stream of accurate information that helps you to play the correct club every time you hit a shot."
Garmin Approach G5 Now Available
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Could something as simple as a GPS ruin golf in the UK? Golf's governing body, St Andrews-based Royal and Ancient Golf Club, has yet to rule on the legality of a new GPS device that would tell the golfer how far to the bunkers, green or the pin. "Every time a golfer moves along a hole, the device will receive instant information on course lay-out and exact yardages to hazards such as bunkers and the greens beyond from a satellite thousands of miles above in space.
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