GPS for Golfers - 5 Things to Know Before You Make a Purchase
Posted on September 25, 2008
Filed Under Gadgets |
First, you should be aware that a golf GPS device is a satellite-dependent mapping implement. By transmitting data to overhead satellites, it can determine your exact position on planet Earth.
It then uses previously recorded, or mapped, locations on the golf course to tell you the distance to any important locations near you like the front of the green for the hole you are playing for example.
Now here are the five facts that will be a help to you in choosing the right golf GPS unit:
1. The golf course has to be mapped the first time that you use your golf GPS unit. You will not get any useful info if you have not mapped the course beforehand or it has not been mapped by another user or the GPS company and the information has been stored on your GPS device.
This shouldn’t be a problem if you live in a popular area, but if you live outside a major city, you may need to manually map your home course the first time you play it. Also, some golf GPS company will “map a course by request” if they haven’t done it yet.
2. Your golf GPS cannot function without satellite reception. This isn’t a problem as much as it used to be, but a weak or non-existent satellite connection will still render your GPS useless.
3. A golf GPS won’t work under a canopy of trees, since it will lose satellite connectivity.
4. Many GPS companies require a fee to their mapping service. To be able to continue to download new courses (units will often only store 10 to 20 courses) you may have to pay a one-time or annual fee to a “course mapping information” provide like iGolf.
5. A golf GPS has the benefit of not needing to be directed at a specific target in order to produce a yardage reading. This may be particularly handy when your goal isn’t within your sight line; for instance, on a raised green or obstructed by a bush, or even on the completely wrong fairway (speaking from past experience).
What’s Better: Using a Golf GPS unit or using a Rangefinder?
Consider the following: “If I had to use only one device, I would go with a golf GPS unit. Smart golf is about playing to the right parts of the greens and fairways. GPS is better at telling me the yardage to that “smart” location, since it provides front, center and back of the green distance and not just the flag stick, like a rangefinder would.”
GPS is the best system to show me the yardage for that “smart” location, because it gives me the whole distance, including the front, center and back as well as the green distance, unlike a rangefinder would do. The final thing to learn is that most GPS devices and rangefinders are available for use in golf games and even for handicaps, but you have to take notice that the laws of the game can be rewritten by the person in charge of the golf game.
By using the information you’ll find in this article you will be able to make a more educated choice when you go out to purchase a golf GPS unit.
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