What Are You Tracking With?

[NoRebound]

I've been tracking my game for years with a GolfLogix app on my Android phone.  It works reasonably well showing a map of each hole, distances to various features on the hole, and suggesting clubs for each shot based on my stored history.  Once a free app it now costs upwards of $50 a year to use but that does come with a database that covers every course in North America.  

The downside besides the cost is that in a five-hour round, it can fairly well run down the battery in a barely two-year-old phone.  I hate that I find myself on the back 9 having to plug my phone into the cart just to make sure I have enough battery to get back to the car.  

Is anyone else using an app that has become their go-to that doesn't have all of the downsides of GolfLogix?

[mpatrickriley]

I started tracking stats 5+ years ago with Game Golf. Unlike others, I actually liked the manual shot-tagging; it became part of my pre-shot routine, and when I felt the vibration from the hip device, I knew it had recorded my shot.

A few years ago, I switched to Arccos, which I still use. The automatic tagging generally works well. I do tend to babysit the data during my round, which likely doesn't help me. But if I'm going to use something like Arccos, I tend to be obsessive that the data is correct (making sure bunker shots are marked as sand, marking putts from off the green as chips, manually placing every pin and putt distance, etc.).

If I had a caddie, his whole job would just be managing Arccos data during the round, so I don't have to fiddle with it

But for me, the data is worth the slight hassle. I know, going into this year, that my short wedge game is good enough to reach my handicap goal. I know that I have to focus on getting better off the tee and putting. I even know, digging into the data, that my approach game dispersion is single-figure quality, but I'm still losing a lot of strokes in my approach game because I hit so few of the (very tiny) greens at the course I play almost all my golf.

I've considered getting an Arccos Link so that I can mess with my phone less, but haven't yet. In any case, Arccos is certainly worth considering here, although (understandably) some are really put off by the recurring subscription.

[OldSchoolFlusher]

I have the ShotScope X5 - tags end of clubs and some simple editing after the round which takes about 10mins to get the data right. 
Breaks down all areas you could want, and they are always enhancing the software (recently added full hole view). 

Only gripe is the sensors that screw into the grip extend the club a little, but liveable. 

Only gripe is that the watch (links to app post round) battery gets 2 rounds max but realistically 1 round uses about 65% of the charge so needs a boost between rounds if playing 36 but does charge quickly.. 

[Braehead]

I've started using Tangent Golf app this year - it's Apple only at the moment though.  Works great on the phone and even better if you have an Apple Watch too although it's been designed for use either way.  I posted a review of it here yesterday. 

[therjrussell]

I do everything in TheGrint app. I've looked into the Arccos system but haven't tried it yet as a buddy of mine that has it says he has more problems with it than it's worth. Specifically registering which club is in his hand at any time but I think he may be a little technology challenged so I do take his input with a grain of salt. Just need to decide if I want to spend the money on something that may or may not work.

[dalessit]

I've used the following, most of them I've paid for at least one month to test full features.

• Arccos
• 18 Birdies
• GolfShot
• TheGrint
• GolfPad
• GolfLogix

 

In the end I've stuck with GolfPad,, I don't use the tags, I find it easier to just track my shots manually.  This is the main reason I stuck with GolfPad, I have found their watch interface to be the easiest to work with on the course.  I step up to the tee and hit a dot on the middle of my watch, it scrolls up to driver, click that.  Get to my drive and hit the dot again, shows me my distance with the driver, and it scrolls down to the suggested club and I hit that or whatever club I'm hitting.  Rinse and repeat to the green, I can mark the flag so it knows how far my last putt was.  

During the round, I can look at distances as some days either I'm not hitting it as far or the air is dense or whatever, so it's good to confirm my distances.  Easy to remove shots if I need to from the distances so I get accurate estimates

After the round I can go to the portal and look at stats from this and previous rounds.

Most other systems can do all of this but I found that GolfPad's interface to be the smoothest to work with, it doesn't make me hold up the group by clicking too many buttons or having to scroll around to find things.

They are supposed to be adding green maps soon.

I've tried to go back to 18 birdies multiple times as I like the social interface, we use it for small tournaments and so we can all see when/where friends are playing and what they shot, but I always get frustrated with the watch interface.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[nick gauts]

I've been tracking with 18 birdies , but you can use the golf Canada app too and it will track your official handicap. 

 

[Christian in Brea]

I’m 11 months in with Arccos and I’m pretty happy. I previously used golf shot and 18 birdies. I have the link so I rarely have issues missing shots. I find that when I listen to what the data is telling me I tend to pick the right club. For example after using it a few months I looked at the data and saw that for my 7,8,9 irons I was literally never long and was short more than I was on the green. Started clubbing up and I started hitting more greens. Same with the left vs right off the green. It’s helpful to me.  I was an 18.7 indeed 12 months ago and now I’m a 16.8.  If my driver wasn’t so wild it would be better. 

[Philly Ray]

Do the tracking apps slow down play for those using the apps.  Sounds pretty labor intensive on the course.

[therjrussell]

While we're on this topic, has anyone found an app that works particularly well with Samsung watches? Since Samsung uses their own OS, I find that most of the apps don't work as well with their watches or at least make it more difficult to use via the watch.

[Hacker60521]

3 minutes ago, Philly Ray said:

Do the tracking apps slow down play for those using the apps.  Sounds pretty labor intensive on the course.

This is a really good question. Short answer is that it shouldn’t.

I’ve used Garmin/CT10 and ShotScope X5 each for a season before choosing the X5. I’d say that using either one doesn’t really slow you down as it tracks each club / stroke along the way. And during play I’m just focused on making sure that the watch is tracking the right club, and recording the putts correctly. After the round, however, I might kill 10-15 minutes making sure everything is properly recorded. 

[dalessit]

11 minutes ago, Philly Ray said:

Do the tracking apps slow down play for those using the apps.  Sounds pretty labor intensive on the course.

I found some to be easier than others, for me, it's 2 clicks on my watch face to track a shot.  If I have to edit anything I do it in the cart in-between holes.

[Hosel_Rockets]

I have a Garmin watch that I use in round, and use the Garmin Golf app to keep track of my stats, review progress, etc. It's pretty basic, but gives me a shot Overview, which gives me my Strokes Gained average based on golfers with a similar handicap, and helps me see where I need the most improvement.

[gavinski91]

13 minutes ago, Philly Ray said:

Do the tracking apps slow down play for those using the apps.  Sounds pretty labor intensive on the course.

I use Arccos and don't find that it slows me down. It usually gets stuff right, and if I need to update putts or correct shots I'll do it while I'm walking between holes or up towards my next shot, or while someone else is teeing off.

[vandyland]

So, I go back and forth on these. I have used GolfLogix, Taylormade+ (when it was free) and GolfShot. All are manual shot tracking apps that also provide strokes gained/stats. Here are some bullet points:

Pros

- Helps you get real about your actual distances
- Can assist you in seeing where you miss and where you are dropping shots (not always what you think)
- Gives you some historical reference for performance/individual rounds that you can revisit (especially for memorable rounds or courses)

Cons

- Usually an initial annoyance in the first few rounds, tagging putts tends to be the most annoying aspect. 
- Can also be annoying if you are playing in a cart and on cart path only so you have to take clubs + phone + sand for divot, etc
- Forces you to be "on your phone" for a short period before or after every shot. 
- After about a year of using it, I knew my distances well and I really only like having it for strokes gained and seeing how far my farthest drives went

So Taylormade+ updated and now doesn't provide shot tracking anymore. For the first time in 3 years, I don't shot track during rounds. And, I must say, it is a bit liberating. The shot tracking itself is not that intensive after you get really used to it but just not being on my phone at all is great. Having a pencil and keeping a few stats on my scorecard has been really fun lately. So I am sticking with that for now. 
 

[HBaum]

I use grint and arcoss. And yes sometimes the people that track with all these questions. After drive did u hit the fairway or press where drive went, it does slow down play. That is why I went for apps that did qustions after you played the hole. It should be sink ur putt, go to tee box, answer questions and score. I have been behind some people trying to track during tournaments and it is frustrating. Oh, I forgot my glasses, go back to the cart, oh what distance is it, oh I have to answer these before I get distance. It goes from 1-2 min and hit, to 3-4 min and hit. Ask the question, on the day ur tracking, how long is ur round. It is over 4.5 hour guarantee. 

[Northern Monkey]

I use shotscope with an X5. Have previously used Garmin but find the shotscope easier to use and like all the stats

[Shrek74]

I use the Shot Scope H4 with tags. I don't really use it at the moment for distances or anything other than shot tracking due to knowing my 5 courses here well enough and having GPS in the cart for distances.

The other Shot Scope option if you don't want a device (watch or belt attachment) is their Connex system. It's the tags that then work with your phone and the app. Might be a nice medium if you don't want to put too much into it, dollar-wise. Shot Scope has no monthly/yearly subscription and it's a one-time Connex tag purchase which pays back in a few months of the other options.

[Sam C]

I use The Grint app and a Garmin Approach S70. The Grint is mostly for score keeping and the Approach for yardage. I do have to take a second after each shot to log what club i used on the watch because I don't want to pay for the tags you can put on the clubs but that really is only a second or two after the shot.

I've only used the Garmin a few rounds now but really like it. I think its has pretty accurate yardages. I'm not good enough to where it needs to be exact. It has a great screen that is easy to read in the sun and is easy to navigate. In addition to the golf it has a ton of other great features for fitness tracking which I use everyday. 

[Golf2Much]

I've been using the Shot Scope H4 GPS and shot tracker for the last two years.  I got it as part of the LX+ range finder bundle.  I find the GPS function arcuate.  It comes with tags that screw on to each clubs' grip ends.   The actual tagging each shot easily was incorporated in my pre-shot routine.   Shot data can easily be edited post-round and I find the performance analysis very insightful.  Access to the Shot Scope data performance analysis is included in the price of the H4 and has no annual fees.  The H4 battery life can last two rounds.  I typically will charge it when I'm editing my round.  By the time I'm done editing and reviewing the round, it's fully charged and ready to go.

The downside is that I wear my H4 on my hip using the included magnetic belt clip.  Early on, I had a tendency to accidentally knock it off on occasion.   With time, I found that it happens less. 

I see on a few retail sites, the H4 is on sale for $129 ($20 off).  That's less than annual subscription fee for Arccos.  

[aguybadatgolf]

I had been using 18 birdies for the last 1-1.5 years. It was pretty basic and mostly just tracked fairways hit, GIR, putts per hole, and score. 
I'm now investing a lot more time into improving my game and got a ShotScope V3. So far I really like it and it has been eye opening. My approach game is way worse than I realized and my driving is better than I thought based on strokes gained. Only real negative is that you do need to take 15-30 minutes after a round to make sure it tracked all of your shots and got the correct pin location. I’ve only had it not register putts and that’s likely due to the armlock grip moving the tag too far from the watch for it to register. 

[Samuel09152]

So I have been doing manual, with data i collected form keeping a Journal 18 on course, but recently I bought a Shot Scope X5 and have let it track. It is pretty awesome! I also use a Garmin R10 on the range for other numbers if needed. but on the course I like keeping both a manual score card and using the Shot Scope X5. 

[Christian in Brea]

1 hour ago, Philly Ray said:

Do the tracking apps slow down play for those using the apps.  Sounds pretty labor intensive on the course.

I don’t think so at all. I interface with the app while others are putting out and between holes.  I have a guy I played with about 10 times before he even noticed I had it. 
 

[G-Ram]

Started using Arccos a few years back, the OG version that used the phone in your pocket to track.

Wasn't "bad" but certainly far from great. When the Link came out, I thought "this solves it". Ehhh still, not so much.

Would miss picking up shots etc about 20% of the time.

The past 2 years or so, since they introduced tracking on the iWatch though, that's improved immensely.

Basically the only shot it doesn't pick up fairly consistently, is the super short pitches.

Having the pin setting locator on the watch is great, just walk to the hole, pull the flag to putt, and tap the button, adds nothing to play time.

One spot that really is useful is the live distance tracking. 

So say you, or your playing partner, hits an errant shot, and you're searching for it. "what did you hit"?  7i..  "well why are we looking 200 yards from where you hit it, lets back it up"

The first few years of inconsistency were about enough to give up on it, but I guess chalk it up to basically being a beta tester.

It's come a long ways since. Granted, it's definitely an investment, one that not every player is willing to shell out for.

Having all the data at your fingertips is handy though.

[VernL4]

I've got a Garmin Fenix 7 Solar. It does beyond what I need for golf. It gives me distances, tracks shots/clubs, and gives me a whole load of stats. I also use it to track all of my activities- bike rides, walks, hikes, golf, kayaking, and sleep. Battery life is excellent as well. I played a round last week and the battery dropped from 92%/15 days to 84%/14 days. I can honestly say that the solar feature is awesome. I work outside and there are days that I get home with more battery life than when I left the house in the morning. No monthly subcriptions either!

[Kenty B]

3 hours ago, NoRebound said:

I've been tracking my game for years with a GolfLogix app on my Android phone.  It works reasonably well showing a map of each hole, distances to various features on the hole, and suggesting clubs for each shot based on my stored history.  Once a free app it now costs upwards of $50 a year to use but that does come with a database that covers every course in North America.  

The downside besides the cost is that in a five-hour round, it can fairly well run down the battery in a barely two-year-old phone.  I hate that I find myself on the back 9 having to plug my phone into the cart just to make sure I have enough battery to get back to the car.  

Is anyone else using an app that has become their go-to that doesn't have all of the downsides of GolfLogix?

 

[Kenty B]

I've been using Golf Pad for a while now and I like it. The other ones are too expensive and Golf Pad is just as good. I don't find it drains my battery, I have an iphone...

[Kenty B]

2 hours ago, therjrussell said:

While we're on this topic, has anyone found an app that works particularly well with Samsung watches? Since Samsung uses their own OS, I find that most of the apps don't work as well with their watches or at least make it more difficult to use via the watch.

15th Club is the best for samsung watches and its free. 

[BreakfastBall15]

18 birdies but recently got some shotscope connex so going to test them out

[TJ Hall]

I use a spreadsheet to track stats that I’m interested in through my rounds…focus on Fairway, Green, Putts, Club off tee (except par 3s), whether my tee shot was good or bad and lost balls.  Not the most complicated, but it works for what I need at this point.