Paper or Electronic Scorekeeping

[Just_the_Chip]

I'm just curious what people prefer. I've started to use apps and GPS and find it just convenient to tap the score in. Recently played with some people who, even with GPS, Preferred the paper scorecard.  

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

I do both. Allows me to double check my shot scope and right down notes (putts, putt distances, penalties, recovery situations etc….). For me leads to better stat tracking and learning. 

[Stuka44]

13 minutes ago, Shakeyfly said:

I'm just curious what people prefer. I've started to use apps and GPS and find it just convenient to tap the score in. Recently played with some people who, even with GPS, Preferred the paper scorecard.  

I actually use both.  My Garmin S40 keeps score, putts, & consequently UD and Scramble.  The Garmin App is pretty good about dealing out stats.  The S40 keeping score I only started with 40-50 rounds ago.  I still keep a paper scorecard, and keep track of putts, UD/SS,  Drives in Fairway, but I also have found that keeping my first putt distance has been key lately for tracking putts made/missed especially under 10 feet, when it come to putting practice.  I then enter these stats into a website called      FreeGolfTracker  where I have 280 or so scores entered.  My brother recently stopped keeping a paper scorecard when he finally got a device that keeps score.  I just can't seem to let the paper scorecard go, don't think I ever will.

Edited September 20, 2023 by Stuka44

[cnosil]

Paper only for me.   The only tech I use on the course is a handheld gps distance device and occasionally a rangefinder.   

[DaveP043]

I prefer a paper scorecard, although I do use electronic scoring at times.  For me, paper is essential when keeping track of multiple bets with my buddies.  In competitions, even when electronic scoring through Golf Genius is encouraged, the paper scorecard has always been the official score.  Keeping stats is a different matter, but I'm too lazy to keep stats.

[hckymeyer]

We use Golf Genius in our league rounds and tournaments but I also always keep a paper scorecard.  Like Dave it's the easiest way to keep track of bets and to double check I didn't fat finger a number in the electronic entry.

[Brooky03]

I still prefer paper.  If not for any other reason, at least so I have a hardcopy to hold onto if the round ends up being particularly good or I - or playing partners - card an eagle or hole-in-one.

The caveat is when I'm walking a solo round, I'll use my Garmin watch to keep score because it's much more convenient than shoving the card in my pocket and finding a place for the pencil.  I don't care much for the extra time inputting putts or whether I missed the fairway, etc., so there's no value in that for me.  I don't need data to tell me I lose strokes on the tee and I don't putt well.

Edited September 21, 2023 by Brooky03

[TylorJudd]

Electronic only

Less paper equals more trees on the course....... Lol it's so much easier. Most courses here don't load carts or even pre emptively offer paper score cards. I work with several golf courses closely for work and they keep the paper score cards around for advertising dollars almost exclusively. One said its a wash for the customers to have the choice

[MattF]

Electronic. Shot Scope X5 and GHIN app because the SS misses shots.

[ParFore74x]

Electronic only for me. I find that being able to put score, putts, chips, and other little details in my phone or watch as I walk to the next tee convenient. I also enjoy being able to track shots so that I have a calculation of average distances for each club over time. 

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

Electronic for me. 

I was going to get rid of Arccos this year and did my first 2 rounds on paper only....but my game actually kind of struggled without course mapping. Went back to Arccos and thats all I need! Even ditched my range finder after it broke. I have been enjoying playing to a spot on the green instead of pinning the flag and going at it (as long as the course has colored flags for location)

[cksurfdude]

Was using ShotScope for a few years to track distances and shots - and recently set it aside. Honestly I tired of the post round editing and wasn't making full use of the stats...

The few things that I'm curious about my game .. at this point in time .. I can quickly jot on a scorecard and be done.

Also a little different but I note my hole scores as relative to par - eg. +1, etc. Maybe I'll give up even that and just go with little smiley or frownie faces

[rkj427]

I use both and prefer it that way. Garmin watch more or less to get basic yardages, and input scores, but use the scorecards to record total strokes, putts, GIR's and fairways hits. Sometimes I will also record club selection on the paper scorecard for each shot played on all of the holes.

 

 

 

 

[Josh Parker]

I like paper scorecards personally.  I try to keep the electronics to a minimum when I'm on the course.  I track my stats and then once I have a few rounds put together, transfer the date to a spreadsheet.  

[Mr. Mushball]

I'm mostly electronic.  Started off playing with 18Birdies for the GPS.  Tried TheGrint a few years back when MGS was running a virtual tournament on it, but found it not as user friendly.  Got a ShotScope V3 and tried relying on it for scores, but it didn't track accurately enough.  When my buddy and I decided to establish a Handicap, we went back to TheGrint as it was the cheapest way to do it, and would update GHIN for us at the end of each round.  I've gotten used to it, though I mostly let him do the scoring. 

Another buddy we often play with is still a stickler for pushing the pencil.

[BallsLeon]

Been using GHIN exclusively, easier for me to keep track and read (and I like the stats).

[Hacker60521]

I use both. On paper besides total strokes, I count fairways from tee (including L/R), GIR, and number of putts. On the electronic side I just started using ShotScope (after a frustrating/ disappointing season with Garmin CT10s). I’m still learning all that ShotScope has to offer, and I’m not 100% confident that it tracks everything correctly. So at least for now, I’ll do both. What I like about electronic is the historical data and analysis. So I can get a sense of where to focus my practice and which parts of my game are working well. Most likely I’ll always do both just in case the watch batteries die out etc. 

Edited September 21, 2023 by Hacker60521

[fixyurdivot]

Old school for me, though we do use Golf Genius in mens league.

[Dweed]

I'm 100% paper. I refer to the card map often during the round. I use gps for basic distances. It's part of my routine to add score after round figure gir and fairways hit, manually. Keep using brain so I don't loose it. No other reason. My routine to surprise myself at the end.

 

[russtopherb]

Electronic all the way for me. I get my distances via 18 Birdies and my Apple watch, and can then tap in my score and stats on my watch as I'm walking to the next hole. Easy peasy. 

[Hacker60521]

2 hours ago, Dweed said:

I'm 100% paper. I refer to the card map often during the round. I use gps for basic distances. It's part of my routine to add score after round figure gir and fairways hit, manually. Keep using brain so I don't loose it. No other reason. My routine to surprise myself at the end.

 

@Dweed even though I have a hybrid approach with paper and electronic I still carry a yardage book for my home course. Over time I’ve marked it for my landing zones for tee shots, 100 yard arc from the middle of the green, and it holds my list of current clubs with carry and distance. The electronics help, but the brain is what helps me with course management. 

[Dweed]

On 9/21/2023 at 10:53 AM, Hacker60521 said:

@Dweed even though I have a hybrid approach with paper and electronic I still carry a yardage book for my home course. Over time I’ve marked it for my landing zones for tee shots, 100 yard arc from the middle of the green, and it holds my list of current clubs with carry and distance. The electronics help, but the brain is what helps me with course management. 

@Hacker60521 glad that works for you. Lot of good info there.