GPS on golf carts

[goblue107501]

I was just curious if any courses you play put permanent GPS on the carts. There are five courses in my area (out of 10-12) that have GPS units on the cart with the course info. Most are simple touch screen units that you can use to get distances from point to point, see the hole layout, front-middle-back distances, and you can even have it give you a distance on your drive. One course has sensors in the flag and it will give you the distance front-middle-back and to the pin. I didn't know if this was a local thing or if a lot of courses do this now.

[Fourputt]

I've only played at one course here that has cart GPS. I mostly just see it as another excuse to raise the cost of green fees. They aren't cheap, and even the walkers have to pay the freight, even though they don't use them.

[flopdarock]

a few courses here have them but ive only used it once... its a pain in the butt if the course is cart path only... id much rather have a handheld gps unit

[kfowler]

I've played several that used them. I liked em. Especially when they gave you exact distance to the pin. I also like how you can keep score and order food on some .

[PiKapp23]

There used to be several in this area that had them on the cart, but 2 or 3 of those courses have gotten rid of them. I personally have always liked GPS on the cart, especially if it's a course I've never played. It usually has a good picture of hole and the units that allow you to move 'cross-hairs' to a layup spot are great. I wish my GPS unit had that feature.

Almost all of the courses that have them charge extra to use them (except one course in this area). Some will allow you to say 'no' on screen after a couple holes when it asks if you want to continue to use it and they will refund the charge for GPS after the round. Of course, once they've got it most people just keep it for the rest of the round anyway.

[sosinsurr]

There is about 10 courses I know of in the area who use GPS carts. I don't ride so I never get to use em.

[Mr3Putt]

The GPS systems really makes me appreciate my laser rangefinder. I've used the GPS's at resort courses many, many times. I don't think I ever had one give me the correct number to the pin. Close sometimes, but never the cigar I always double check their math.

I do like the little hole playing tips they offer, as well as the ability to preorder your waffle fries at the turn.

[denver_nuggs_15]

  Mr3Putt said:

The GPS systems really makes me appreciate my laser rangefinder. I've used the GPS's at resort courses many, many times. I don't think I ever had one give me the correct number to the pin. Close sometimes, but never the cigar I always double check their math. I do like the little hole playing tips they offer, as well as the ability to preorder your waffle fries at the turn.

I've never used a GPS from a cart. Most of the public courses around here don't have them. At the private courses, most guys buy their own or have range finders.

At a golf show last weekend, a guy told me that a GPS was more accurate than rangefinders. I almost laughed in his face. They're close and getting better, but the only way to really measure distance is by using something that goes at the speed of light (laser). I've gone back and forth on the issue of which is better or more useful. I would think that courses are getting it to get more money though. It seems ridiculous to me. I would bet with the economy and all that the price will go down. I'm more of a fan of walking off the distance. It's just preference. Plus, I trust my math and my knowledge of a course over that of a GPS.

[sosinsurr]

  Mr3Putt said:

as well as the ability to preorder your waffle fries at the turn.

hahahaha good point!

[chipper2]

I have played a number of courses with GPS on the carts. Almost all these courses were cart only. I prefer to walk, but with some of myfriends I have to ride with them. GPS is interesting, but a handheld GPS unit would make more sense. The main thing is it is still an individual choice.

[wedge player]

  Mr3Putt said:

The GPS systems really makes me appreciate my laser rangefinder. I've used the GPS's at resort courses many, many times. I don't think I ever had one give me the correct number to the pin. Close sometimes, but never the cigar I always double check their math. I do like the little hole playing tips they offer, as well as the ability to preorder your waffle fries at the turn.

does 3 yrds really matter?? i can live with bein 3 yds off

[RocketSauce]

yes, i play 2 courses regularly that have the gps units

[bogeymike]

I think the courses (and I) like how they speed up play. They might cost a little more but golf's never been cheap

[David in FL]

Lots of them down here in FL.

The value really lies in whether the staff update the pin positions each day or if they just give yardages to the center of the green. With a good system and a course that's well mapped, it's easy to see green contours and pin position relative to them. Very worthwhile IMHO.

In FL there just aren't too many walking options at most of the better courses, so I enjoy having the info right at hand.

[bogeymike]

  David in FL said:

Lots of them down here in FL.

I agree, the pin location can be very valuable

[clubhousehero]

Yep. mine has front, back, middle and pin yardages and bunker yardages. Makes selecting a club real easy. Keeps track of pace of play too.

Oh yea, the best option might be on the top of the screen where they have live updates on any and all live sporting events!!!

[mirv]

the course near my house used to have them, but got rid of them after only about a year. i only know of one course out of a dozen locally that still has them.

[bcp]

I have played a bunch of courses that have them built into the carts. My former home course had them and I loved it.

I now have a gps unit and believe that I may be addicted to it. It is really a convenience to know your yardage in the palm of your hand without having to hunt for sprinkler heads, etc. I also think it speeds up play. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but it is definitely close enough for me. I was thinking about switching to a laser, but in doing some quick research in addition to using/ seeing my friends use laser, I far prefer gps for the convenience. It is always on, meaning you don't have to point and shoot- just glance at the display and you have your front, center, and back yardage. I use a sky caddie and it also has points of reference through the green, but I rarely use that unless I am on an unfamiliar course. That is a little more work, IMO.

Back to the built in units in the carts, I once played in a tournament that had the units configured for each team to enter their score on each hole. You had the entire fields scores and leaderboard viewable to all. I though that was pretty neat!