AGutierrez7

Intro: Thank you to the guys at MGS and SkyGolf for the opportunity to test the LX5. Very excited to get my hands on this piece of technology. So I guess this is when I talk a little bit about myself so here we go. I initially started playing golf when I was around the age of 6 (played a couple junior tournaments) but then got away from the game until about a year ago (age 22, very long hiatus). Started playing on the weekends with my father and quickly got addicted to the game again. I became intrigued by golf equipment and the new technology that came with it. I currently play off around 17 and play pretty much all over Central Florida. I mostly play conservatively but also sometimes aggressively if the pin suits my eye. But can never go wrong with the center of the green (solid putter of the ball so most of the time leads to 2 putts). That's pretty much all I got about myself and my game. Distance Finding Methods: I currently use my Garmin vivoactive for front, middle, and back yardages and also the 18Birdies app occasionally to find specific distances to various hazards or lay up spots. I also have a Precision Pro rangefinder on its way so I will be utilizing that as well. Criteria for Watch Review: In the LX5 I will be looking for its accuracy, ease of access, and reliability. I feel as if these three factors will serve as a solid baseline for my review. Additionally, I will assess the aesthetic of the watch as "bonus points" in my review.

I currently play with an old Garmin vivoactive on whenever I am playing and it does not bother me at all. I don't suspect to have any issues with wearing the watch while I play. Although, I do remember hearing (via the No Putts Giving podcast on MGS) that wearing a watch actually decreases club head speed by 1 MPH (equals around 2 yards of carry). I'll probably barely be able to tell that amount of difference but time will tell.

I remember reading on the SkyCaddie website that it is partially waterproof up to some value, but I personally will not be using it while swimming. Simply because I don't prefer having things on my wrist while I swim or anywhere near water. But we'll see, won't know till I get it on my wrist.

No shot tracking tech for me at the moment, so I will be using the LX5 to its maximum ability. I will be definitely using it as an everyday watch because of the heart rate monitoring and step count/distance function. Also that watch looks smooth, so that's a bonus.

SkyCaddie LX5 GPS Smartwatch – Official MGS Forum Review by AGutierrez7 Introduction: Currently I am sitting around a 16 handicap and play almost every weekend, sometimes during the week. I like to know the numbers maybe more than others so that I can clear my mind of any club choice thoughts. Currently utilize quite a bit of technology (rangefinder, gps watch, and sometimes a phone app to record statistics). Personal Questions: Region: Orlando/Merritt Island FL Area How long I have been playing golf: Almost a year (used to play when I was young, so slowly getting back into it) What kind of golfer I am: I do not hit the ball very far, better short game than my handicap portrays. I am making improvements on my ball striking and driving of the ball, both these areas are my weak points of my game. Golf Questions: Handicap: ~15.7 Strengths/Weaknesses of my game: Strengths: short game, hybrids; weaknesses: tee ball, inconsistent iron play WITB and why I chose them: Majority of my set is compiled of hand me downs; M3 Driver, Condor Golf 3W, 3H 4H Mizuno CLK, 5-PW M4 Irons, Sub70 48* SM5 56* SM6 60*, and Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball Do I consider myself to be tech savvy: I would consider myself to be tech savvy (I'm 23 so I must be right?), but I can see the LX5 as being easy to use for the not so tech savvy How I currently get my yardages: Use my Garmin vivoactive to get front, center, back (FCB) yardages and my NX7 Rangefinder to shoot pins occasionally First Impressions: Tech Advances: Patented Intelligreen technology provides exact shape of the green for distances to front, back and any point in between from your angle of approach SkyCaddie Pinpoint Technology provides ability to get distances to the pin on intelligreen interface Dynamic Holevue reveals critical distances to hazards, carries, and layups, can also zoom in on fairway for better view to identify safe zones and avoid hazards Dynamic Rangevue gives multiple yardage arcs that overlay fairway landing areas and greens Preconceived Notions of SkyCaddie: The only thing I know about SkyCaddie is the fact that they make a great launch monitor at a more affordable price, which my father currently owns and works incredibly well for him. I was not even aware that SkyCaddie made a watch until the opportunity to test one arrived at MGS. Grading: Looks & Feel (7 out of 10 points) ● General Shape / Size / Fit o Shape: 3.5cm display size is perfect o Size: watch face is thick which took time to get used to especially because I am used to smaller face watches o Fit: fits great, extra watch strap that came with box helped greatly since I have smaller wrists ● Customization o Couple of different watch faces that are available to choose from ● Durability o Appears very durable, worked in pouring rain (although it did freeze on me for a hole, but seemed fine afterwards) o Prediction for long term: I do not foresee any issues with durability in the future, seems to be built very well and should last me awhile ● Storage Cases o Watch box is well put together so that can be used as storage, which is what I will continue to use to store it when I am not using it Setup (13 out of 15 points) ● Watch Instructions o Instructions were clear and did not have any issues navigating through the watch, although initial setup did take a little bit of time to figure out (syncing process can be a bit sensitive) ● Charging and Battery Performance o Charged quick (maybe ~30 min), battery lasted an entire round and was only at ~50% when I finished. I can actually get two rounds out of mine which I was impressed considering how frequent I was using it throughout both rounds. o The cable is proprietary, essentially charges by attaching to the bottom of the watch face which seemed odd but I got used to it ● Ask for Help or Search Online for Answers during Setup? o Only consulted the user manual it came with if I got stuck, and I also looked up how to switch the watch face because I had forgotten how to ● Most Useful and Least Useful Metrics: ○ Most useful: heart rate monitor (nice to monitor when on the course) ○ Least useful: watch face provides date, nice but not necessary because I only plan to use the watch when I am out on the course Accuracy (14 out of 15 points) ● Accurate Yardage o I really only used the FCB yardages so they appeared accurate when I checked pin yardage with my rangefinder ● Distance Measurements Match Up with What I came up with? o Does not factor wind or elevation so yardage matches pretty well with my rangefinder (does not factor elevation too) ● Are there any intermediate targets you have trouble getting distances for? o Did not struggle to get intermediate target distances, was able to get yardages to bunkers, water hazards, and lay up spots easily o Rarely had issues where I could not get extremely specific yardages On-Course (26? out of 30 points) ● Anything to Remember or Think About to use the Watch: o I did not, the watch was pretty autonomous o Only had to switch holes but even the watch buzzed to prompt me ● Did the Watch Interfere with my Golf Routine: o Zero interference; watch was light enough where I could not feel it during any of my swings ● How Intuitive was It? o Very intuitive, plenty of information to look at o I could easily swipe through the different screens to retrieve the information that I needed ● Did I enjoy using it? o I enjoyed using it even if it was just to glance at FCB yardages o The yardages I could gather for bunkers, etc. was helpful to have and further helped to increase my confidence in my club choice ● Compare and contrast to what I used to use: o The watch I was using only gave me FCB yardages and recorded my score (strokes only), so comparatively I could do way more with the LX5 than my previous watch (Garmin vivoactive) o I was able to record score along with FIR/GIR and putts where I was not able to do with my other watch ● Do I Play Better or Worse Now: o Not sure yet, play was not altered either way during my first couple of rounds with it (only really used it to gather FCB yardages, hazard/lay up spot yardages, and to record score (w/ FIR/GIR and putts). o Once I get enough rounds under my belt with this watch I will be able to better tell, especially after I fix up certain aspects of my game Other (9 out of 10 points) I will point out that it did take a decent amount of time to receive the watch, but I believe the wait was well worth it. The watch was packaged very well and the box you can keep it in is sturdy and designed nicely. I really enjoy the option of changing the watch face especially because the alternate faces are very well put together. Play it or Trade it? 18 out of 20 points) Moving forward I am going to be playing this watch. I believe that the watches capabilities are incredibly useful and will help me to make smarter course management decisions. I think that the information I can gather with this watch has helped me to play smarter golf so far. The only negative I can come up with to discourage me from using it would be the overall size, but I feel that I can get over that aspect of the watch over time. The type of golfer I believe this watch is meant for is the golfer who needs plenty of numbers to plan their shots from tee to green. The golfer who goes to their rangefinder frequently will benefit from the LX5 and its many features. I think I am that golfer which is why this watch fits me well and I have found it so useful in the rounds I have used it in. TL;DR In short, this $350 watch performs like you would expect a watch of that price to perform. Gives very accurate FCB yardages, plus an invaluable hole overview with hazard and lay up yardages. Additionally, the LX5 allows the user to alter the watch face to another snazzy watch face that may suit their eye (and style) better. The size may be a deterrent for those who dislike large and thick watch faces but may be able to get over that fact due to the lightweight feel the watch delivers. Final Score: 87 out of 100 Thank you to MGS for the opportunity to test this watch! I am looking forward to coming back to this post to update everyone on how I am getting along with it.

If you happen to have the original shaft, let me know flex/weight and price you are after. Thanks!

Currently searching for a Mizuno CLK 2017 3H RH, preferably in a Fujikura Speeder HB 75 R flex. Can't find it anywhere else so thought I'd post it here. Thanks guys.

Very nice setup you got there, I really enjoy my Mizuno CLK hybrid so it's cool to see another gaming one. Those irons look great! Overall, awesome looking mixed bag!

Great looking set of clubs, best of luck during the remainder of the season! Keep us posted!

Thanks for sharing pal, currently trying to consistently shoot in the 90s (personal best is 87) so I'll be on a similar journey as you. Will be really interesting to see how you progress. Best of luck!

Great looking set of clubs, those sub70s look fantastic. Very interested in that brand (looking for wedges and a 3 wood at the moment), looks great though!

Those sub70s lookin real good. I have been interested in their wedges and woods as well. How are you getting along with them? Sweet looking set though!

I've always wondered about the Arccos system, thought about making the purchase. What about it turns you off from it tech-wise?

After having a horrendous practice session yesterday (hit maybe three good shots before beginning to lose my cool) I thought I would come on here to see if you guys have any advice as far as improving consistency, and tips for maintaining a positive outlook even when nothing goes your way. Currently I am struggling with an in to out club path and excessive grip roll (due to an ever changing grip for whatever reason) which can begin to be aggravating at times. So I suppose this would be the second part of my question as far as swing thoughts and feels I could utilize to help me form a neutral club path that is repeatable. Thank you all for any and all advice you might have and I hope everyone is staying safe during these times.

Can't go wrong with the SM8's, nice setup!

I've got some new toys to add to the bag (also a new bag!) after my birthday passed earlier this month, so here are the spoils.. I have added a new iron set to my bag along with a new hybrid I'm currently testing. Here are the details of my updated WITB: Driver: Wilson Staff Cortex 10.5* ATMOS Red 65g 3W: Condor Golf 16* (Trusty Rusty ) Hybrid: Currently testing the GAPR Mid 19* but still gaming the Mizuno CLK 22* 4H (still considering lowering the loft to 20*, but not sure) Irons: 4-PW M4 (KBS Max 85g Stiff Steel Shafts) Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM6 52* , SM5 56*, SM6 60* Putter: Odyssey White Hot 2 Ball (considering a change but have not decided to pull the trigger quite yet) Bag: 2019 Select Stand Bag (usually use my cart bag mentioned in my prior WITB for rounds, but have been using the stand bag for range sessions or when I decide to walk 18) Now that I've got new irons (new to me at least ) I feel like I need to make some wedge changes (irons are strong lofted - 43.5* PW). Considering the loft of the PW, I feel like my GW at 52* is not going to be strong enough to maintain a proper gap between the two. Maybe when this pandemic subsides and some of the guidelines have been eased, I might consider getting a gap test. Let me know what you guys think I should do with my wedge gapping (was considering a GW around 48-50* and a SW at around 54*). I will also leave some pictures of the newly updated set of clubs I am gaming. Hope everyone is doing well and is staying safe! Take care everybody.

Contemplated putting this post together with regards to the current COVID-19 pandemic, but thought I would post this on here to provide some sort of encouragement. About 2 weeks ago I shot the best round I have shot ever (an 87!). Considering my HCP, I really don't think I could have played any better (maybe could have putted better but who knows ). I will mention that the course I played was cautious in there procedures for safe play. They did a great job of placing cut pool noodles into pins (to pull cups about halfway up) and told everyone not to pull pins. I also noticed that they were going to great lengths to clean the carts and even had golfers take individual carts to abide by the social distancing guidelines. I know it's hard for some of you guys to not be able to play at your local courses, but hopefully my round I had two weeks ago can be some form of inspiration to keep moving forward. Hopefully everyone will be able to return to this game very soon, but until then I hope everyone is staying safe! Now on to the round, I shot an 87 with some help from my lowest front nine score of 40. I was playing my best golf but with some mistakes obviously. I drove the ball well, and my approaches were solid. I struggled the most with my short game which is ironic because on most rounds that is what saves my score. All in all it was a solid round which led to my best score yet. I'll post the scorecard and some stats as well for you guys to see. Just thought I would humbly brag about my round .

Nice sounding set of clubs, would love to see some pictures though! For your hybrid dilemma, I would suggest working on the GAPR off the deck simply off of looks though . Also, which of the two do you hit further? You may want to look at this from a gapping standpoint and figure out which of the two would best fit the gap between your 3 wood and 5 iron. You're also only carrying 13 clubs (USGA limit is 14 I believe) so you have one more slot for that gap wedge. Nice sounding set though!

Good looking set of clubs you got there, those rogue x irons are an incredible set of clubs!

Most definitely gotta see some pictures, especially of those irons!

Gotta see some pictures!!

Really like the set up, those apex irons are awesome!

First off, that's is some fantastic data and I really appreciate you taking the time to put this together. From your stats it looks like you have a really solid putting game (66% from 10' to 20' WOW). It was interesting to see how well the Windy City was able to keep up with your TA3, considering you played the majority of last season with the TA3. I'm also curious what kind of putting stroke you have as that may explain part of the results. Also with the putter length differences, could you feel any sort of variance (feel, etc) between the two? Again, I really appreciate you taking your time to do this. Great little experiment that was extremely helpful for me.

That is one dream worthy setup.. that putter... phew.

Awesome idea! Count me in!