SwingU Golf GPS App

[GolfSpy_APH]

There are so many different apps out there. It can often be confusing, overwhelming and something just plain frustrating. 

@GolfSpy Barbajo has a must read on this topic and SwingU. If you use a GPS on your phone for golf check this article out right away!

https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/partner-content/swingu-golf-gps-app-the-app-you-didnt-know-you-needed/

What golf app do you use? Have you used SwingU? Are you old school and no phone? Range finder? How do you track your stats if you do?

Let us know!

[EasyPutter]

SwingU app is the one I chose in 2015 and I have looked at others but none have been as simple and logical to me.  It was called SwingXSwing back then and it was running on my iPhone 5.  The updates for things including name change to SwingU and new Logo have all been good   Also I have been a Premium member to unlock the advanced features since 2015 and the annual rate is a most reasonable rate.  I still use it to track my shots and I can look back to historical data for rounds played all the way back to 2015.  The app is amazing with how much improvement and number of features available to me and thanks to @GolfSpy Barbajo I know more about "my app" than I have been keeping up with.

 

[SpecialKPDX]

Read this article and downloaded the app. I currently use the Garmin Approach s10 watch and can track historical data and like the features but have been curious to see if similar features are available for my Apple watch. I’ve been happy using a fit for purpose gps watch for golf and will play with the app to see how it goes

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

I used the Apple watch function with SwingU yesterday for the first time - very cool.  The watch gave me front-back-middle distances, wind speed/direction and "plays like" distances so in theory, I didn't need me rangefinder for slope calcs. however, I did use the rangefinder anyway just to be sure.  

@EasyPutter - this was my first time using it with the watch - but for some reason using the watch disabled the functionality of the app on my phone. Not sure if it was something I did/didn't do. It kept up with scoring, etc - just never moved off the hole map and never changed locations or anything. Didn't matter much because I knew the course and the watch gave me most of what I needed.  It was pretty easy to input the needed information for strokes gained. Will give it another go next weekend. 

And not for nothing - If anyone wants an ARCOSS system with Link, I have two sets that will go to the first two DMs who message me.  All it'll cost you is shipping and the monthly fee (Yes, I like the app that much...)

[EasyPutter]

42 minutes ago, GolfSpy Barbajo said:

I used the Apple watch function with SwingU yesterday for the first time - very cool.  The watch gave me front-back-middle distances, wind speed/direction and "plays like" distances so in theory, I didn't need me rangefinder for slope calcs. however, I did use the rangefinder anyway just to be sure.  

@EasyPutter - this was my first time using it with the watch - but for some reason using the watch disabled the functionality of the app on my phone. Not sure if it was something I did/didn't do. It kept up with scoring, etc - just never moved off the hole map and never changed locations or anything. Didn't matter much because I knew the course and the watch gave me most of what I needed.  It was pretty easy to input the needed information for strokes gained. Will give it another go next weekend. 

And not for nothing - If anyone wants an ARCOSS system with Link, I have two sets that will go to the first two DMs who message me.  All it'll cost you is shipping and the monthly fee (Yes, I like the app that much...)

I have only ever had the app running on the phone mounted on the push cart handle and I have no experience with a GPS watch and haven't worn a watch in 20 years. 

As part of my routine after returning my club to the bag and arriving where the ball lies, I track each shot for every club.  It began as a way to have an idea where to look for the ball when it tries to hide on me.  It has become assessment for which club to choose for the distance noted on the GPS distances. 

Custom built phone mount on umbrella holder tube.

Also awesome is being able to touch the screen for hazards like streams crossing the fairway to determine which club to choose for a layup to keep the stream out of play.  The app is an ideal tool for course management to strategize how to negotiate the terrain.  And newest features of distance to green and green slope are things I have yet to spend much time looking at as my old ways of using my eyes is still my preference.

[Golfspy_CG2]

I downloaded this and took the leap with the Pro version and tried this during my round yesterday.

I gave up after about 4 holes. I just don’t find the UI very friendly.   I couldn’t zoom in on a green to position the flag which I would expect from a paid version.    The club tracking was cumbersome at best. 
 

Also so many drop boxes to complete after each shot.   I understand fhso is supposed to be a cheaper option than Arcoss or Shotscope.   But to me the savings wouldn’t be worth the work during a round.    At one pookg my partner got on me for “fiddling with your phone” when he wanted to talk about something. 
 

I finished the round with the GHIN upgraded app I have been using for 2 years and it is light years better than this iMO  

I cancelled my subscription as soon as I got home  

 

[Preeway]

Have you tried 18 Birdies? I upgraded to the Pro version and while I’m still undecided if it adds enough value for the cost, it does work great. 

[Alan Scalzi]

I use the golf pad app, very friendly and they use golf tags if you like to purchase them. I don't use them but it easy to track shot! Give you stats and club suggestions!

Edited April 23, 2023 by Alan Scalzi

[CbusGolf]

I got the new shot scope x5, after buying (and returning) the previous version a couple years ago. Too much editing was required post-round. The new version got a favorable write-up here, so I took the plunge. Through two rounds at my club, it’s missed a total of 18 shots! I played 9 this mornings a local muni in gps only mode. I had to manually change holes. Maybe that’s the deal if you don’t do gps plus scoring? I have enjoyed the wrist gps vs, rangefinder though, so I may keep it for that alone and just pass on the scoring function, and hope that a firmware update down the road helps. I’ve looked through trouble shooting etc to no avail.

[Placasse61]

4 hours ago, Preeway said:

Have you tried 18 Birdies? I upgraded to the Pro version and while I’m still undecided if it adds enough value for the cost, it does work great. 

I use the free 18 birdies and have been thinking about upgrading. What can you tell me about shot tracking, plays like, and club suggestions. 

thanks 

[Preeway]

1 hour ago, Placasse61 said:

I use the free 18 birdies and have been thinking about upgrading. What can you tell me about shot tracking, plays like, and club suggestions. 

thanks 

I really like it a lot. The shot tracking feature is great and I use it a lot off the tee. I need to get better about using it from the fairway. The plays like feature is very helpful as it takes into account altitude, temperature and elevation change from ball to target (slope). It’s definitely worth taking the 7 day trial for a test run before deciding on the purchase. 

[Manny]

I use my Garmin S62 watch, the app that goes with it Garmin Golf, also use the Bushnel App and a Leupold range finder.

Can have too much information can you??

[Eric K]

My SkyCaddie SGX needed to be upgraded so I tried SwingU. It was ok. Fairly accurate. I was introduced to the GHIN premium app which had the greens maps. For $39 a year I found it to be much better. Especially since it included greens maps- heat maps and breaks. I thought that was great. However I demo’d a SkyCaddie 550 device and ended up buying it after getting a substantial upgrade discount. My only wish is for the paid membership I wish SkyCaddie offered greens maps too. I find the distances to be the most accurate. My opinion is based solely on yardage accuracy, not on the bells and whistles like scoring, club selection, etc. 

[Placasse61]

9 hours ago, Preeway said:

I really like it a lot. The shot tracking feature is great and I use it a lot off the tee. I need to get better about using it from the fairway. The plays like feature is very helpful as it takes into account altitude, temperature and elevation change from ball to target (slope). It’s definitely worth taking the 7 day trial for a test run before deciding on the purchase. 

Thanks Preeway. 

[golfgame]

I have been using SwingU for a couple of years now.  It has completely replaced my rangefinder, I don't even take it out of the bag anymore.

[Golfspy_CG2]

9 hours ago, Eric K said:

My SkyCaddie SGX needed to be upgraded so I tried SwingU. It was ok. Fairly accurate. I was introduced to the GHIN premium app which had the greens maps. For $39 a year I found it to be much better. Especially since it included greens maps- heat maps and breaks. I thought that was great. However I demo’d a SkyCaddie 550 device and ended up buying it after getting a substantial upgrade discount. My only wish is for the paid membership I wish SkyCaddie offered greens maps too. I find the distances to be the most accurate. My opinion is based solely on yardage accuracy, not on the bells and whistles like scoring, club selection, etc. 

Damn, I had a SX500 and it was very good.  But I didn't renew when the GHIN app got updated.   I've always liked the SkyCaddie products, I'm afraid to look at the 550

Honestly the green map on the GHIN is very good, but I don't use it.  I play 90% of my rounds on my home course where I work, so if I don't know those greens by now, no map is going to help me...jha

[Cuzy51]

Garmin S40

[Dweed]

You know, I track my shots using an old instrument I call a stubby. Granted I don't keep those after I transcribe data into Excell.  I also use my Swami 6000 GPS on course for general distances. I guess I just don't feel the need for exact measurements. Same with green reading. I do it when I get there and just feel my way around.  I guess my fear is one of all this tech stuff and not knowing how to use it quickly enough. I just don't want to hold up anyone behind me. Getting stuck trying to manager my phone AND the course and manage to walk in the correct direction puts me into info overload.

[BKervin]

3 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Damn, I had a SX500 and it was very good.  But I didn't renew when the GHIN app got updated.   I've always liked the SkyCaddie products, I'm afraid to look at the 550

Honestly the green map on the GHIN is very good, but I don't use it.  I play 90% of my rounds on my home course where I work, so if I don't know those greens by now, no map is going to help me...jha

My husband had one of the original SkyCaddies back in the early 2000s.  Our daughter worked for Golf Galaxy in college and he was her plus one on the discounts.  He bought sooo much stuff during that time.  Now she is grown and works in marketing so no more discounts.  I purchased the SX400 a couple of years ago.  When it came time for him to update it last year, we found it was way out-dated and we couldn't get it to update no matter what we did.  We even called and they told us to do what we were already doing!!  Well, he now owns the SX550 which he just had to renew this week!!  They are fantastic for when you are playing any course but especially when you are on a course you don't know.  They show the water, bunkers, etc. You can adjust to get the distance to hazards. I use mine all the time even on my home course - on league night everyone wants to golf with me so I can tell them how far to the pin or hazard!!

[Caddie1966]

I’m going to try the SwingU basic app this week and keep my bushnell range finder in its case.  I will write up my experience with the app associated with my Apple Watch.  Should be interesting.

[Golfspy_CG2]

29 minutes ago, BKervin said:

My husband had one of the original SkyCaddies back in the early 2000s.  Our daughter worked for Golf Galaxy in college and he was her plus one on the discounts.  He bought sooo much stuff during that time.  Now she is grown and works in marketing so no more discounts.  I purchased the SX400 a couple of years ago.  When it came time for him to update it last year, we found it was way out-dated and we couldn't get it to update no matter what we did.  We even called and they told us to do what we were already doing!!  Well, he now owns the SX550 which he just had to renew this week!!  They are fantastic for when you are playing any course but especially when you are on a course you don't know.  They show the water, bunkers, etc. You can adjust to get the distance to hazards. I use mine all the time even on my home course - on league night everyone wants to golf with me so I can tell them how far to the pin or hazard!!

Lol. I can relate. I do broke on my industry discounts

I agree completely aboit the SX500.  I think it’s one of the best standalone GPS  out there.  Although the GHIN app does all the same things such a carry and to distances.  

[Mike B]

What ever happened to looking for the sprinkler head for yardage or just plain being able to come close. I do have a shot scope watch and us it occasionally but really use it more to track my club yardage. I guess maybe I should get to at least be in the 20th century.

[Preeway]

Just now, Mike B said:

What ever happened to looking for the sprinkler head for yardage or just plain being able to come close. I do have a shot scope watch and us it occasionally but really use it more to track my club yardage. I guess maybe I should get to at least be in the 20th century.

I’m amazed at how many courses don’t have yardages on sprinkler heads anymore. It can’t really be a cost factor to put the markers down. 

[jbern]

On 4/23/2023 at 10:14 PM, Preeway said:

I really like it a lot. The shot tracking feature is great and I use it a lot off the tee. I need to get better about using it from the fairway. The plays like feature is very helpful as it takes into account altitude, temperature and elevation change from ball to target (slope). It’s definitely worth taking the 7 day trial for a test run before deciding on the purchase. 

Thanks for the photos! And similar to @Placasse61, I currently use the free version of 18Birdies. I rarely use it for distance unless I don’t have my rangefinder. I really like that even the free version can be used to track all the major things like fairways hit, GIR, and putts. I like that I just have a couple taps when I’m imputing my score and then I’m done with the phone. Do you find that you’re on your phone a lot when you’re using all the pro features?

[Preeway]

8 minutes ago, jbern said:

Thanks for the photos! And similar to @Placasse61, I currently use the free version of 18Birdies. I rarely use it for distance unless I don’t have my rangefinder. I really like that even the free version can be used to track all the major things like fairways hit, GIR, and putts. I like that I just have a couple taps when I’m imputing my score and then I’m done with the phone. Do you find that you’re on your phone a lot when you’re using all the pro features?

Not really. I probably use it the same as before. Maybe a tad more taking into account the handful of times I look for more specific data on yardages and tracking shots. 

[Fyrmedic]

On 4/23/2023 at 12:55 PM, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I downloaded this and took the leap with the Pro version and tried this during my round yesterday.

I gave up after about 4 holes. I just don’t find the UI very friendly.   I couldn’t zoom in on a green to position the flag which I would expect from a paid version.    The club tracking was cumbersome at best. 
 

Also so many drop boxes to complete after each shot.   I understand fhso is supposed to be a cheaper option than Arcoss or Shotscope.   But to me the savings wouldn’t be worth the work during a round.    At one pookg my partner got on me for “fiddling with your phone” when he wanted to talk about something. 
 

I finished the round with the GHIN upgraded app I have been using for 2 years and it is light years better than this iMO  

I cancelled my subscription as soon as I got home  

 

I wouldn’t give up after four holes. There are several options to score holes. The basic scoring and the “versus”. The “versus” is every stat guys dream but it is a little cumbersome until you work it out. There is definitely a learning curve to some of the advanced features but once you’ve got them down, I personally think it’s one of the best apps out there.  As far as shot tracking, I’m a little confused on what you felt was cumbersome. You just push track pick the club that you’ve entered walk to where your ball is and hit end. In the premium version and yes, it’s a bummer you have to pay for it. You just tap the green for your approach shot and it gives you all the distances from front to back of the green…. and when you’re on the green if you’re at a Course that has them, SwingU has green maps as well.   I will say at first sometimes some of the green Mabs weren’t working and for some reason even though they claim they work with GPS if I have poor cell service, it takes a while for the course to load up. It’s definitely not perfect but of all the ones I’ve tried I think it’s personally the best, but everybody has their own taste.

[Golfspy_CG2]

1 hour ago, Fyrmedic said:

I wouldn’t give up after four holes. There are several options to score holes. The basic scoring and the “versus”. The “versus” is every stat guys dream but it is a little cumbersome until you work it out. There is definitely a learning curve to some of the advanced features but once you’ve got them down, I personally think it’s one of the best apps out there.  As far as shot tracking, I’m a little confused on what you felt was cumbersome. You just push track pick the club that you’ve entered walk to where your ball is and hit end. In the premium version and yes, it’s a bummer you have to pay for it. You just tap the green for your approach shot and it gives you all the distances from front to back of the green…. and when you’re on the green if you’re at a Course that has them, SwingU has green maps as well.   I will say at first sometimes some of the green Mabs weren’t working and for some reason even though they claim they work with GPS if I have poor cell service, it takes a while for the course to load up. It’s definitely not perfect but of all the ones I’ve tried I think it’s personally the best, but everybody has their own taste.

Nope, if it takes getting used to it's not worth my time.  These things need to be pretty much plug and play, Arccoss was when I used it the GHIN perfectly is.   Shouldn't need to be trained on a shot tracking system.  just the way I see it.

selecting the club was the cumbersome part if I recall, i'm fully aware of hitting start and stop. 

Lastly, for the price, it's just not worth it too many other systems out there that do more for less. 

[Mr Three Wiggle]

2 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Nope, if it takes getting used to it's not worth my time.  These things need to be pretty much plug and play, Arccoss was when I used it the GHIN perfectly is.   Shouldn't need to be trained on a shot tracking system.  just the way I see it.

selecting the club was the cumbersome part if I recall, i'm fully aware of hitting start and stop. 

Lastly, for the price, it's just not worth it too many other systems out there that do more for less. 

Totally agree, I have downloaded quite a few -- this is not rocket science and if it takes too long to figure out I am gone, being a mobile developer by trade I am picky on UI -- it should be simple. I have used 18birdies for a couple of years and it is "ok" -- I downloaded 6 or 7 others in the last year and I am back to 18birdies, SwingU I just did not like the UI and tracking fairways hit and GIR should be free so I gave up on it pretty quickly. I am not really looking for yardages as I use a rangefinder but just want something to track my scores and ideally give me stats to know where I have to work on things. For example, I would love to know my best yardage under my full PW of 125 -- should I be laying up to 120 or 80 or 50 on a par 5 or short par 4 or just get it close as possible as I am doing today? I may just have to resort to writing my own as I am doing now for something else. Maybe there is a paid version out their that would work for me but if I don't really like the free versions, I am not going to try the paid.

[ParFore74x]

I’ve tried quite a few of the free versions of the different golf apps but settled on 18birdies for the past three or so seasons. It gives me the information that I need and allows me to keep score quickly and easily. I’ve used the Apple Watch version strictly for distance and score keeping but I currently just use my phone so that I can get yardages as well as quickly input info. Mounts right to my push cart most of the time or keep it in my back pocket for quick access. One thing that I really find helpful is the shot tracking when my ball goes a bit offline into deep rough. Track the shot to the average distance for that club and more times than not, my ball is located close by. 

[Golfspy_CG2]

21 minutes ago, Mr Three Wiggle said:

Totally agree, I have downloaded quite a few -- this is not rocket science and if it takes too long to figure out I am gone, being a mobile developer by trade I am picky on UI -- it should be simple. I have used 18birdies for a couple of years and it is "ok" -- I downloaded 6 or 7 others in the last year and I am back to 18birdies, SwingU I just did not like the UI and tracking fairways hit and GIR should be free so I gave up on it pretty quickly. I am not really looking for yardages as I use a rangefinder but just want something to track my scores and ideally give me stats to know where I have to work on things. For example, I would love to know my best yardage under my full PW of 125 -- should I be laying up to 120 or 80 or 50 on a par 5 or short par 4 or just get it close as possible as I am doing today? I may just have to resort to writing my own as I am doing now for something else. Maybe there is a paid version out their that would work for me but if I don't really like the free versions, I am not going to try the paid.

Thanks, glad to get confirmation from someone that does this professionally.   

I have used 18 birdies in the past and it was fine, both the free and paid one.  I dropped the paid one as I was using the GHIN paid version for everything I need.   GPS, Shot tracking and score posting.  To me it really is one of the best out there for the small price.   I have some arcoss sensors and the link that I got from a friend here, I may install them and try it again.   It really does provide the complete analysis of everything about your game.  But the annual subscription is not fun.    But I guess I get it.