Dean M

Started with the Garmin Approach G12 and CT10 Club Sensors. It was unreliable at picking up shots. It was difficult to use on-course due to the very small screen. It was a PITA to edit after the game. I would not recommend the Garmin G12 or the CT10 sensors. I then moved to the Arccos system which uses my phone and their sensor tags. It was easier to use on-course due to the phone app. rather than the little screen on the Garmin G12, but still unreliable at picking up shots, and then a PITA to edit after the game. I do like to have some shot data, but found the Arccos system had way more information than I will ever want or need. I would not recommend the Arccos system. I then moved to the SkyCaddie SX400 handheld, which has no club sensors but does allow you to easily measure shot distances and strokes/putts. I REALLY like the display on the SkyCaddie devices. It is so much brighter and colorful than any phone app. The SkyCaddie devices are easy to use and provide a lot of useful information on the course. If your eyes are getting older, you can easily see all of the information without having to put on glasses. And I really like how it displays the courses. I like to play different courses and the SkyCaddie is the best at letting you know how to play an unfamiliar course. Unfortunately, I was not very good at remembering to measure my shots so I really missed that capability. I expect to return to using the SkyCaddie after the imminent release of their new club sensors. I then moved to the Golf Pad phone app and their Golf Pad Tags. Regardless of the price, and certainly when considering the price, the Golf Pad app and tags are pretty great. The app is simple and useful. The tags/clubs were easy to register on my phone before each shot. Because the app can (optionally) give you verbal/vibrating feedback when you select a club, it was completely reliable, unlike the Garmin or Arccos systems. I have actually been pretty happy with the Golf Pad system, and would certainly recommend it. Notes: I prefer using handheld GPS devices so I have no interest in trying out the ShotScope V5. Maintaining and improving software is not cheap. I strongly support paying an annual fee to keep the software updated. Of all of the costs associated with Golf, it is very cheap. SkyCaddie has announced the imminent release of their own club sensors that will work with their SkyCaddie handheld devices. These sensors go well beyond the Garmin and Arccos sensors in providing swing data.

As best I can tell, SkyGolf, owners of SkyCaddy devices are no longer mapping courses. And since they don't use Satellite photography to map course like everyone else, they don't seem to be adding or updating courses. Their advertising says they have 35K courses mapped which is far less than other GPS device companies. I asked for a local course to be mapped about 2 years ago, and it is still not mapped. While I believe the SkyCaddy devices are far better than any others, I am wondering if I should invest in one of their upcoming devices if they are not adding/updating courses. Does anyone "know" (not speculate) if SkyGolf is still mapping courses?

Well. You don't have to use the NFC sensors, you can enter the data manually. If you use the NFC sensors then yes you tap the club against your phone. I am still waiting for my NFC sensors to arrive so I can't comment on how reliable the process is.

Similar to the Shot Scope H4, i just discovered the Golf Pad app and sensors. I very much like the user interface and layout of the app. More intuitive to me than the Shot Scope and Arccos apps. It has far less data analysis than those, but seems to provide plenty of information for my needs. I just ordered the club sensors.

Sure. Here is the link to the video that shows how to do "shot tracking" on a SkyCaddy SX400 or SX550. It actually works pretty well and is not that much trouble. Frankly, I found it easier to use than making constant corrections to Arccos or Garmin sensors. SkyCaddy Shot Tracking All in all I really like my SX400. I just wish it had a Slope correction feature.

Only saw one other reference to Garmin sensors. I have used both Garmin and Arccos sensors. The Garmin were a bit more reliable than the Arccos. And while i really liked the data they provided, they were just too much work making corrections. When someone makes a shot tracking system that is at least 99% reliable, I'll definitely buy it. For now, i am using a Skycaddy SX400 and can use it to manually track shots when i want.

I tried Arccos and really disliked it. It was just too inconsistent in picking up the shots. It was particularly useless for Puts. I just had to spend too much time on the course trying to correct the data. Have not tried the Shot Scope, yet. But it uses RFID club sensors that should be completely reliable... as long as you remember to register the club prior to your shot.

Anyone know if SkyGolf/SkyCaddy is still actually mapping or updating courses? I put in a request for a map a year ago, and it is still not mapped. The software on the SX400 (not the maps) hasn't been updated in over 2 years; no new features or updates. Looks like SkyGolf may no longer be maintaining their products.

Started playing golf a year ago, at age 66. Was playing or practicing 3 times a week. After 9 months I suddenly got Tennis Elbow (not Golfers Elbow). Took a few months off from golf to recover. When I resumed playing my score had INCREASED by 12 strokes. The problem (all mental) is that I am now afraid to hit the turf/mat for fear it will hurt my arm, again. So I am now topping most shots to keep from duffing the ball. Very frustrating. I did a ton of research. You really want to reduce the shock and stress you are putting on your elbow when the club makes contact. In particular, the muscles in the forearm and wrist need to properly protect the tendons in the elbow from this impact. This is what I can suggest: Graphite shafts rather than steel Use oversized and very shock-absorbing grips such as Winn Excel. Stretch and strengthen your forearm and wrist muscles to reduce stress on the tendons. Use a "Flexbar"! Wear an elbow strap. This reduces the pain in the arm muscles (not the tendons) but really is only treating the symptom. The items, above, will help prevent the problem. Note: The sore muscles will heal themselves within weeks. However, damaged tendons take 6-12 months to heal.