How accurate is a golf GPS?
As questions from non-golfers go, this is actually a really good one. It certainly got us thinking, so we did some research and found some amazing answers…
Accessories
Still playing by feel?
The course looks lovely at this time of year, and with the summer light staying with us late into the evening, we get to see it in all it’s glory, all day long.
We don’t blame you if you’re finding it hard to keep away from the golf course now that summer is here, but are you getting the most out of your time spent playing golf?
Golf is a game that’s all about carefully calculating how you approach each shot, and if you’re still playing by feel when lining up your shots, you could be routinely setting up with the wrong club in hand.
Just think how frustrating it feels when you hit your shot perfectly but you were a club too strong, and your ball trundles past the green. On the opposite side, it feels amazing when we hit a shot just right and it nestles close to the hole.
The good news is that the modern golf market is alive with fascinating tech that can help us hit better shots, lower our scores and enjoy our time on the golf course even more!
The latest Garmin Golf tech
There are plenty of fascinating gadgets out there that can help you get a better idea of how far away the hole is, such as Garmin’s selection of laser rangefinders.
Rather than squinting into the middle-distance trying to size up which club would be best to use, you can hold these devices to your eye and look through the lens and zoom in to see your desired target in total clarity. This is a real game-changer when it comes to spotting hazards and traps you might not have seen with the ‘naked eye’.
The optics on these rangefinders are clear, crisp, and let you telescopically zoom in on your chosen target. You can see objects hundreds of yards away in vivid detail while standing still, and check out any hidden dangers ahead of you that you otherwise wouldn’t be aware of.
Garmin is a brand that’s been about since the 80s, and their state-of-the-art GPS devices are used across multiple sports, from running to cycling and hiking. Garmin’s devices are trusted by the best sportspeople in their fields, so what are the products in question?
Garmin Approach Z30 Laser Rangefinder
As we’ve just mentioned, Garmin’s stellar range of super-accurate golf laser rangefinders will help you see the green in absolute clarity. When you take it out on the course with you, you’ll really appreciate all that the Garmin Z30 laser rangefinder will do for your game.
This device has 6x magnification capabilities, so you’ll be able to zoom in on your chosen target without any difficulty. With bright, clear optics, and a range of over 400+ yards, this gadget will be perfect for use on even the longest of par 5 holes.
Garmin’s PlaysLike feature actually adjusts the perceived yardage based on whether your shot is going up or downhill, accounting for the change in elevation from where you’re standing.
You can even magnetically mount it on buggies, and the device also has a slight degree of weather-resistance to keep you going in the light rain.
You’ll love the Range relay functionality if you already have a compatible Garmin watch. This essentially sends the ranged distance you’ve picked out with your Z30 to your watch's face, including the distance from the pin to the front and back of the green. You'll never be doubting yourself again!
browse Approach Z30 Laser Rangefinder >
Garmin Approach Z82 Laser Rangefinder
While the Z30 is an excellent rangefinder that will suit the majority of golfers, the Z82 is Garmin’s powerhouse rangefinder. This device works from up to 450 yards to the hole and is packed with convenient features to give you extremely reliable distance readings.
With both Green view and Hazard view you’ll be able to take into account all the dangers ahead of you as you plan your path to the green. This device also has Garmin’s revered PlaysLike mode, and even offers vibrational feedback when you’ve locked onto the flagstick. With pinpoint accurate readings to within 10 inches of the flag, this is the ideal tool for the skilled pin-seeking golfer.
Garmin Approach S70 GPS Watch
Rangefinders will give you a much better view of the green, but Garmin’s latest watch is just as impressive. The S70 GPS watch can give you an excellent visual representation of the green ahead of you thanks to the vivid golf course maps that show up clearly on the stunning AMOLED display.
With more than 43,000 pre-loaded courses, you’ll have no issue when you hop between clubs in your local area. The S70 gives you a whopping 16 days’ worth of battery life on a single charge, and up to 20 hours in GPS mode, so you’ll be all set for a weekend of busy golf. With additional fitness features including wrist-based heart rate, stress tracking, and advanced sleep monitoring, this is an excellent GPS watch if you both love golf and live an active lifestyle.
The S70 also has an Enhanced PlaysLike Distance feature that accounts for uphill shots, downhill shots, and their relative trajectory. The Watch even has a virtual caddie mode that can show you your shot dispersion data and suggest which club to use.
Garmin has also gone out if their way to create the S70s, a GPS watch that has all the same great functionalities found in the S70 but on a slightly smaller screen, and fitted with a slightly smaller wrist strap. This is an excellent device and ideal for ladies, junior golfers, and players with slender wrists.
Garmin Approach G12 GPS Device
If you’re unfamiliar with these kinds of devices and you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, you’ll get on well with the Approach G12 GPS device. This is a straightforward tablet with a screen that displays distance readings in large digits and has buttons on the side for navigation.
It will give you distance readings to the front, middle, and back of the green, and has automatic hole advancement, so it’s incredible easy to use each time you take it out your pocket. You even get a basic green reader mode with GreenView, and the gadget has both a handy clip on the back and a lanyard loop for your convenience.
The device has a decent degree of weather resistance and has an IPX7 water rating. The device can even give you distances to hazards and upcoming doglegs, and with a battery that lasts for over 18 hours, you’ll be able to use the Approach G12 for multiple rounds of golf before you need to charge it again.
If one of these amazing GPS devices has struck your fancy, or you’d like to learn more about them, we’d be happy to discuss them with you further in the pro shop.
