2020 Official Member Review: SkyCaddie LX5 Watch

[MDGolfHacker]

On 7/26/2020 at 7:54 PM, Golfspy_CG2 said:

You're playing partenerrs are going to appreicate it as well   

 

Ha ha ha...but the SX500 is so nice!

 

MDGolfHacker

 

[TCUfrog]

Ok testers - what is the one function on the LX5 that you are looking forward to the most ?  For me, it's actually not having to get a separate device to check for yardage!  As a previous Skycaddie SG-5 user, it will be nice to just look at my wrist to get the same info I was getting instead of walking over to the cart, pulling out the SG-5, getting the info, putting it back into the cart then swinging.
 
MDGolfHacker

I’m looking forward to the contextual yardage. Giving me extra data to make a better club decision and aiming point instead of just continuing to take yardage to the flag and mentally adding or subtracting distance to avoid the trouble.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[palvord]

Ok testers - what is the one function on the LX5 that you are looking forward to the most ?  For me, it's actually not having to get a separate device to check for yardage!  As a previous Skycaddie SG-5 user, it will be nice to just look at my wrist to get the same info I was getting instead of walking over to the cart, pulling out the SG-5, getting the info, putting it back into the cart then swinging.
 
MDGolfHacker

I’m most excited to not have to carry my phone to get yardages or a hole layout. I think it will allow me to focus fully on my preshot routine. The time that it took to unlock the phone, zoom in on my target, check yardages, etc. I’m hoping to cut in half.

I’m sure my playing partners will appreciate me not always looking like I’m distracted on my phone as well.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[JAGolfore]

I agree with @TCUFrog.  It will be nice to get the yardages to other objects that can't get with a laser.  The watch this weekend gave that information, but there was a lot of glare.  

[mikeanthony]

1 hour ago, JoshAndersonGolf said:

I agree with @TCUFrog.  It will be nice to get the yardages to other objects that can't get with a laser.  The watch this weekend gave that information, but there was a lot of glare.  

Wait, wait, wait ... You’ve already rcvd the watch???  

Haven’t rcvd mine or any type of notification as of yet. 

[mikeanthony]

12 hours ago, palvord said:

 

I’m most excited to not have to carry my phone to get yardages or a hole layout. I think it will allow me to focus fully on my preshot routine. The time that it took to unlock the phone, zoom in on my target, check yardages, etc. I’m hoping to cut in half.

I’m sure my playing partners will appreciate me not always looking like I’m distracted on my phone as well.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

+1 on that. I’ve noticed that I tend to play better when using TheGrint app on my phone and I’m paying attention to yardages to different hazards, front/back portion of the green, etc ... and then getting into a pre-shot routine knowing I’m eliminated most of the variables. 

But it can be cumbersome to constantly have to unlock my phone, drag the crosshairs to a point on the hole, read yardages, place it in the cart, and all the other stuff that comes with trying to use your phone in between every shot. 

[AGutierrez7]

20 hours ago, MDGolfHacker said:

Ok testers - what is the one function on the LX5 that you are looking forward to the most ?  For me, it's actually not having to get a separate device to check for yardage!  As a previous Skycaddie SG-5 user, it will be nice to just look at my wrist to get the same info I was getting instead of walking over to the cart, pulling out the SG-5, getting the info, putting it back into the cart then swinging.

 

MDGolfHacker

I would have to agree with @TCUFrog but also looking forward to the stat tracking with the watch. Big numbers guy so it'll be nice to have access to that kind of data. 

[TBT]

I’ll be interested to see how those that currently use lasers will use the GPS.

I used to carry a GPS then I started using Golf Shot GPS app on my phone for yardages and keeping score and tracking some stats.

I always had a Bushnell V2 laser that I carried as well.

Over time I switched to Arccos for shot tracking and quit using Golf Shot GPS...then I got frustrated with Arccos and have been using nothing but my laser.

But I often wonder if I’m giving up shots by not having exact yardages to hazards or layups.

I’m hoping a few of you can help me answer that question.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[MrBandit]

Am looking forward in comparing the LX5 to my current GPS watch. After playing today and making notes on what I wanted to see while I was playing to a round. 

 

 

[Nunfa0]

On 7/24/2020 at 12:25 AM, JoshAndersonGolf said:

I have played with a watch in the past.  If the buttons are in the right place it should be fine.  I did have one that every swing I would hit a button and it would beep.  

That was an issue with the Shot Scope V2 watch as well, if I didn't position it just right when I swung a button would be pressed and it would change holes.

[AGutierrez7]

I’ll be interested to see how those that currently use lasers will use the GPS.

I used to carry a GPS then I started using Golf Shot GPS app on my phone for yardages and keeping score and tracking some stats.

I always had a Bushnell V2 laser that I carried as well.

Over time I switched to Arccos for shot tracking and quit using Golf Shot GPS...then I got frustrated with Arccos and have been using nothing but my laser.

But I often wonder if I’m giving up shots by not having exact yardages to hazards or layups.

I’m hoping a few of you can help me answer that question.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

I would imagine having those yardages to hazards, etc would be helpful. I actually just received my Precision Pro rangefinder that I will be using in conjunction with the watch. So hopefully I’ll have an actual answer to your question once I get my hands on the LX5


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[TCUfrog]

To all the other testers, how are you planning to evaluate how you perform using the watch vs other shot tracking methods?

My plan is to play a couple rounds comparing the different devices on accuracy and get used to the watch interface. For my final test, I'll play 18 holes divided up into 3, 6 hole rounds. First 6 holes, I will use only the rangefinder. Second 6, I will use only Arccos Caddie. Last 6 holes, I will use only the LX5.  

[palvord]

10 hours ago, TBT said:

I’ll be interested to see how those that currently use lasers will use the GPS.

I used to carry a GPS then I started using Golf Shot GPS app on my phone for yardages and keeping score and tracking some stats.

I always had a Bushnell V2 laser that I carried as well.

Over time I switched to Arccos for shot tracking and quit using Golf Shot GPS...then I got frustrated with Arccos and have been using nothing but my laser.

But I often wonder if I’m giving up shots by not having exact yardages to hazards or layups.

I’m hoping a few of you can help me answer that question.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

It's interesting you mention this part. I've seen some people use lasers to shoot for carry distances over hazards, but not nearly as consistently as I see people using GPS devices for that information. I've never used a rangefinder before, but it will be interesting to hear from some of the other rangefinder users in the test.

[palvord]

28 minutes ago, TCUFrog said:

To all the other testers, how are you planning to evaluate how you perform using the watch vs other shot tracking methods?

My plan is to play a couple rounds comparing the different devices on accuracy and get used to the watch interface. For my final test, I'll play 18 holes divided up into 3, 6 hole rounds. First 6 holes, I will use only the rangefinder. Second 6, I will use only Arccos Caddie. Last 6 holes, I will use only the LX5.  

As of now, I haven't fully determined how I want to manage this part of the test.

I'm thinking of beginning by having both devices on me to compare accuracy, and then slowly wean myself off of Arccos. (it'll probably be a fast transition because Arccos has been more headache than benefit lately).

I can use my previous rounds of strictly using Arccos as a comparison to when I'm strictly using the LX5.

[palvord]

4 hours ago, Nunfa0 said:

That was an issue with the Shot Scope V2 watch as well, if I didn't position it just right when I swung a button would be pressed and it would change holes.

I never had this issue with the Garmin S2, but will keep my eye out.

When I wore the watch, I typically wore it slightly higher on my wrist than a normal watch position because I didn't want to try and tug my glove over the watch. Perhaps that is why I never ran into the button problem before.

[MDGolfHacker]

10 hours ago, TBT said:

I’ll be interested to see how those that currently use lasers will use the GPS.

I used to carry a GPS then I started using Golf Shot GPS app on my phone for yardages and keeping score and tracking some stats.

I always had a Bushnell V2 laser that I carried as well.

Over time I switched to Arccos for shot tracking and quit using Golf Shot GPS...then I got frustrated with Arccos and have been using nothing but my laser.

But I often wonder if I’m giving up shots by not having exact yardages to hazards or layups.

I’m hoping a few of you can help me answer that question.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

This is me.  I've made my rounds with pretty much all the devices out there both GPS and laser based.  I've been only using the NX7 Pro  laser last year and this year after using Arccos for the previous summer but still ask my buddy who has a skycaddie SX 400 for front, middle back positions and distances to clear hazards.  That's one of the strengths of GPS devices, that it can give you those numbers where a laser may be able to give you a distance to a lip of a hazard but not how much room you have past the hazard or to the back of the green.  I love lasers, but I can't land to exact yardages either so that little extra wiggle room on a range of distances helps a lot.

 

MDGolfHacker

 

[MDGolfHacker]

1 hour ago, AGutierrez7 said:

 

I would imagine having those yardages to hazards, etc would be helpful. I actually just received my Precision Pro rangefinder that I will be using in conjunction with the watch. So hopefully I’ll have an actual answer to your question once I get my hands on the LX5


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

We can compare notes since I'm also a current Precision Pro NX-7 Pro user.

 

MDGolfHacker

[Josh Ross]

On 7/26/2020 at 8:30 PM, TCUFrog said:

I’m looking forward to the contextual yardage. Giving me extra data to make a better club decision and aiming point instead of just continuing to take yardage to the flag and mentally adding or subtracting distance to avoid the trouble.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

This is spot on for me as well. 

 

2 hours ago, palvord said:

It's interesting you mention this part. I've seen some people use lasers to shoot for carry distances over hazards, but not nearly as consistently as I see people using GPS devices for that information. I've never used a rangefinder before, but it will be interesting to hear from some of the other rangefinder users in the test.

I currently attempt to use my rangefinder for hazards but it can be very difficult to do sometimes. I'm looking forward to just glancing at my wrist and knowing with full confidence what number I need to hit.

[knightsofnii]

Same as @TCUFrog.  There are a couple holes, one par 5 in particular, where it is crucial to lay up just shy of 2 fairway bunkers.  I may take on more risk knowing a more "exact" distance to the bunkers.  I never trust the laser when I zap bunkers so I usually subtract a club. 

 

As far as testing, first I'll go through aesthetics, ergonomics, ease of use, see if any buttons get hit when playing, etc.  Then I'll take all my gadgets onto the course on a slow day for a "shootout".  

 

On the holes where I can get yardages to hazards, like a ditch on hole 11 or the bunkers on 15, I'll gage whether my scores drop on those holes due to having a tactical advantage. I do already have that with Arccos, but it requires logging into the phone and fiddling with it, and nobody wants to sit around while someone does that.  

 

I'll try the whole Skygolf360 (already had an account)  app or whatever their data collection site is and see how I like that.  I have Arccos doing all the tracking for me.  I do have to edit my rounds as it never picks up all the shots, but if you carry a scorecard and you have a half decent memory, that's not so hard.   Arccos gives data on each shot and all kinds of historical stuff which is good.   

 

 

[Josh Ross]

Alright, I know I put a small intro earlier but I wanted to do it right and let you guys know more about me! Although a long time forum member, I just recently became active because I worked as a writer and reviewer at another golf forum that has since shut down. This is my first opportunity to contribute here and I couldn't be more excited!

I know it may come as a surprise based on my username, but my name is Josh Ross. I graduated from Georgia Southern University where I was recruited to be on the bowling team and majored in Education. I'm 30 years old and have been playing golf since I was 14. I always hit balls on the range with my dad when I was really young but I actually started playing at 14. Before my old job interfered, I was playing to a 5 handicap and was still improving. After a two year break, I am trying to get back there but find that the short game is still a little rusty. I'm not actually tracking handicap but I would imagine it's around a 7 or 8 now. I live in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains in Ellijay, GA. Courses around here have a lot of slope, elevated greens, and lots of trouble. Knowing your distances is very important and like I mentioned before, my home course and many others only have colored stripes on the cart path for yardage indicators. I know my game and my distances well enough that knowing exact yardages is a big advantage for me when trying to score well. My Bushnell rangefinder is quick and accurate at getting yardages to pins, but hazards have always been a struggle as well as knowing how much room is in front of or behind the pin.

In the past I have worked with GolfBuddy and reviewed a couple of their Voice units and I had the Shot Scope V3 for a couple of weeks. This will be my first experience with a full GPS that actually shows the hole layout. What will be important for me in this test will of course be accuracy (not only on the golf course, but also with the heart rate sensor), comfort (no buttons to dig in should help with that), and ease of use with such a small screen compared to a handheld unit. One reason I've never invested in a handheld is because I didn't want another device to keep up with or slow me down. Being able to glance at my wrist is exactly what I'm after in terms of efficiency.

Keep the questions coming, we should get these in hand shortly to start giving you guys some great info!

[AGutierrez7]

6 hours ago, MDGolfHacker said:

We can compare notes since I'm also a current Precision Pro NX-7 Pro user.

 

MDGolfHacker

You have the one with the slope function right? I ended up buying the one without since a majority of the courses I play do not change in elevation very much. We will definitely have to compare notes, very interested in seeing how these two technologies can work together. 

[MDGolfHacker]

1 hour ago, AGutierrez7 said:

You have the one with the slope function right? I ended up buying the one without since a majority of the courses I play do not change in elevation very much. We will definitely have to compare notes, very interested in seeing how these two technologies can work together. 

Yep sure do.  Also made me realize how bad I am at judging distances when there is elevation involved..lol

 

MDGolfHacker

[mikeanthony]

Random question, but I’m genuinely curious ... outside of Phil and Bubba, who are some of the other Tour players that wear a wrist watch (not including Whoop straps) during tournament play? 

[palvord]

Random question, but I’m genuinely curious ... outside of Phil and Bubba, who are some of the other Tour players that wear a wrist watch (not including Whoop straps) during tournament play? 

I’m unsure. It’s not something I’ve paid attention to before, but I couldn’t think of any.

Didn’t even realize Phil and Bubba did so. Must be a lefty thing.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[russtopherb]

4 hours ago, AGutierrez7 said:

You have the one with the slope function right? I ended up buying the one without since a majority of the courses I play do not change in elevation very much. We will definitely have to compare notes, very interested in seeing how these two technologies can work together. 

When I moved to a laser after using a watch & apps, I was shocked at how much the slope changed some distances on courses I was used to playing. I didn't think there was much of an elevation change either, then once I got the laser I started dropping balls a lot closer to the middle of the green. 

Don't ask me how well I putt. 

[MDGolfHacker]

19 hours ago, mikeanthony said:

Random question, but I’m genuinely curious ... outside of Phil and Bubba, who are some of the other Tour players that wear a wrist watch (not including Whoop straps) during tournament play? 

I'm curious as well. Most don't wear watches.  I'll have to take a look at the last few tourneys and see.

16 hours ago, russtopherb said:

When I moved to a laser after using a watch & apps, I was shocked at how much the slope changed some distances on courses I was used to playing. I didn't think there was much of an elevation change either, then once I got the laser I started dropping balls a lot closer to the middle of the green. 

Don't ask me how well I putt. 

Lol..yeah I was surprised seeing that even on a slight  barely noticeable incline, there could be a club difference getting the approach closer to the hole versus a long putt.

 

MDGolfHacker

[JAGolfore]

On 7/27/2020 at 8:25 AM, mikeanthony said:

Wait, wait, wait ... You’ve already rcvd the watch???  

Haven’t rcvd mine or any type of notification as of yet. 

No this is an old watch I brought back out just to see how it still worked. 

[mikeanthony]

Here’s to hoping the weather cooperates for all 10 of us once the watches are rcvd.

Nothing but 100% rain in the forecast for us here over the next 10 days.

[palvord]

3 minutes ago, mikeanthony said:

Here’s to hoping the weather cooperates for all 10 of us once the watches are rcvd.

Nothing but 100% rain in the forecast for us here over the next 10 days.

So far, I'm looking like I'll be lucky enough to not have complete washouts, but who knows:

[TCUfrog]

Unfortunately, it looks unlikely we will be getting the watch before I leave for my pebble beach trip on Wednesday. However, I will still provide plenty of jealousy inducing photos. I just won’t be able to show off the LX5 as well


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy