Golf GPS systems comparison chart
Details, Reviews and Ratings

With all the Golf items on the market to "improve" your game, the Golf GPS systems is probably going to prove to be one of the most useful. No matter how many times you play your home course, getting the right distance and selecting the correct club is always a challenge. Of course, you could always pace-off each shot or wander around looking for the range marker or sprinkler head, but I doubt if you will be welcomed back if you do. A golf GPS will really help you here.

Nothing is more frustrating than following a foursome (who have watched far too much TV) and waiting while they try to find a marker to figure out their next shot. Particularly when they don't really know how far they hit each club in their bag. Kiss the 4 hour round goodbye.

Enter the Golf GPS. You will no longer have to try to figure out the distance for a "lay-up" or how far it is to that fairway bunker. Even if you're not a great golfer, this little addition to your arsenal could easily cut strokes off your game. Many of the units on the market also allow you to track the distance of each shot. You'll know just how far you hit every club in your bag. Not just an approximation that you get on the driving range.

I'm from Naples, Florida and in the summer we have the opportunity to play some of the private courses. With over 80 golf courses in the area and not being able to play them with any regularity, it would be impossible to familiarize yourself with each one. Now, you just load the course you're about to play, tee it up and you're on your way. No guessing, no trying to figure out the green layout, no questions about the water hazard. It's all there, just a touch of the screen away. You'll probably know more about the course than the majority of the members.

Most of the Golf GPS systems available have an annual map fee or "membership" charge for additional maps. Kind of irritating, but when you consider the cost of club dues, green fees, cart rental, balls, clubs, just to name a few, the annual map fee doesn't seem so bad.

We have had some inquiries as to whether using a Golf GPS system is within the USGA rules. The following is the current ruling: the use of distance measuring devices, including golf GPS Systems and golf range finders. New Decision 14-3/0.5 allows a Committee to permit the use of golf GPS and golf range finders by Local Rule. This applies to devices that measure distance only, not any other conditions that might affect a player's play (e.g., wind or gradient). In the absence of such a Local Rule, the use of a golf GPS or golf range finder remains contrary to the Rules.

The following chart lists the features of the top selling Golf GPS systems. This allows you to compare one against the other. To find out more about any one of the golf GPS systems, just click on its model and you will be taken to the detail page. Once there, you will find all the features of that unit explained in detail along with the specifications, what's in the box, owner golf GPS reviews and owner ratings. If you would like to see other units reviewed just contact us. Have fun and hit'em straight.

CHART DEFINITIONS:

Chart constraints require we abbreviate headings, the following are the definitions of those abbreviations.

• $: Manufacturer's suggested retail price. Chances are very good you'll be able to purchase the unit for a better price than that listed.
• Crs=Number of Courses included with the purchase price of the unit. Not all Golf GPS systems have courses included and they must be purchased separately.
• Cap=Course Capacity: This is the number of courses that can be stored on the unit. This varies greatly.
• Cost=Map or Membership Fee: Many units require you to pay an annual or one-time fee to download course maps. This is the minimum fee required. The plans will be explained in detail on the model detail page for that unit.
• Bat=Battery: This is type of battery used by the system. Most use Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries while some use regular AA or AAA batteries.
• Bat/Life=Battery Life: This is the number of hours you can expect one set of batteries to last before they must be replaced or recharged.
• Self/Map=Self Mapping Capabilities: Some units will enable you to map a course yourself without having to download any pre-mapped courses.
• Shot/Dist=Shot Distance: This feature sometimes called "Mark your Ball" allows you to track the distance of each shot you make.
• Scor=Digital Scorecard: Some units have the ability to allow you to record your score and that of the foursome on the unit.
• Clr/Scrn=Color Screen: Many units come with a color screen while others come with gray-scale screens.
• Mac=Mac compatible: Almost all the systems will require you to download some software on your computer. Unfortunately not all golf GPS systems' software is compatible with Mac computers.

Golf GPS Systems Comparison Table

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