GAME GOLF - Digital Tracking System

[Club Rat]

Thanks Erik, these units are impressive.......

[Lilfrier]

I've been looking at picking up one of the various pieces of golf tech for my brother-in-law for Christmas. I had started looking at the Zepp swing analyzer, but the fact it attached to the glove and was only for swing analysis kind of turned me off.

I saw Amazon has the Game Golf Classic for $130. However, looking at their site, I am trying to figure out why I wouldn't just go for the $100. The only things that GG's site says the Classic has over the tags is that the Classic is legally approved for play (he's not playing in a league or anything, so that doesn't matter), and it's hands-free. However, the tag set says it's got a GPS-enabled RangeFinder, real-time stats, and in-round editing. I'm left with three questions:

1. What about the tags isn't hands-free?

2. Can the Classic be used with the app (he's got an Android phone) the tags use and gain the GPS, real-time, and editing features GG's site says the tags have over the Classic?

3. Is there a place I can view which courses are part of the GG database?

[iacas]

7 minutes ago, Lilfrier said:

I've been looking at picking up one of the various pieces of golf tech for my brother-in-law for Christmas. I had started looking at the Zepp swing analyzer, but the fact it attached to the glove and was only for swing analysis kind of turned me off.

I saw Amazon has the Game Golf Classic for $130. However, looking at their site, I am trying to figure out why I wouldn't just go for the $100. The only things that GG's site says the Classic has over the tags is that the Classic is legally approved for play (he's not playing in a league or anything, so that doesn't matter), and it's hands-free. However, the tag set says it's got a GPS-enabled RangeFinder, real-time stats, and in-round editing. I'm left with three questions:

1. What about the tags isn't hands-free?

2. Can the Classic be used with the app (he's got an Android phone) the tags use and gain the GPS, real-time, and editing features GG's site says the tags have over the Classic?

3. Is there a place I can view which courses are part of the GG database?

3. Virtually every course is mapped on GAME Golf. It shouldn't be an issue. Where does he live?

2. The "tags" are just good for Android phones that have NFC capability. You still tap the tag to the phone to "tag" the shot.

You can find the "Classic" unit for about $100 these days anyway… scroll up or look in other threads for deals.

The GG Classic, of course, comes with a full set of tags.

[Lilfrier]

6 minutes ago, iacas said:

3. Virtually every course is mapped on GAME Golf. It shouldn't be an issue. Where does he live?

2. The "tags" are just good for Android phones that have NFC capability. You still tap the tag to the phone to "tag" the shot.

You can find the "Classic" unit for about $100 these days anyway… scroll up or look in other threads for deals.

The GG Classic, of course, comes with a full set of tags.

The course we play at is in Springfield, IL. It's a privately-owned, but public course. It's called The Oaks.

And his phone's NFC-capable (Galaxy S4). Is the Classic just the full set of tags and and an NFC belt clip then? If so, I'm a little confused as to why people would take it over the set of tags alone, given that every modern smartphone has NFC in it (I know, I know, curmudgeons have flip phones, haha).

Is there an increased level of accuracy with the Classic over the app solution or something? I just don't get why you'd choose not carrying your phone over real-time functionality and a rangefinder. I assume if you use the app, you HAVE to touch the tags to the phone for those features--meaning you couldn't just get the Classic and supplement it with the app.

[iacas]

1 minute ago, Lilfrier said:

The course we play at is in Springfield, IL. It's a privately-owned, but public course. It's called The Oaks.

And his phone's NFC-capable (Galaxy S4). Is the Classic just the full set of tags and and an NFC belt clip then? If so, I'm a little confused as to why people would take it over the set of tags alone, given that every modern smartphone has NFC in it (I know, I know, curmudgeons have flip phones, haha).

Is there an increased level of accuracy with the Classic over the app solution or something? I just don't get why you'd choose not carrying your phone over real-time functionality and a rangefinder. I assume if you use the app, you HAVE to touch the tags to the phone for those features--meaning you couldn't just get the Classic and supplement it with the app.

Millions of smart phones don't have NFC. Not in a way that works with GAME GOLF.

And even those who do appreciate not using their phone battery for GPS.

[Lilfrier]

9 minutes ago, iacas said:

Millions of smart phones don't have NFC. Not in a way that works with GAME GOLF.

And even those who do appreciate not using their phone battery for GPS.

I suppose this is one way to find a solution: Can I get him the Classic and let him decide which way he prefers? Are the tags in the Classic the same as the ones used with just the app? I'm thinking if I did that, he could choose if he prefers going with the attachment or the app. I keep forgetting that the tag-only offering is Android-specific, which is weird as it is. How an app didn't make its way to iOS, I don't understand, haha. Then again, I've got a Windows 10 Mobile device, so I'm used to living without apps.

I'll have to check the thread like you said about pricing. Amazon's the cheapest I saw between it, Dick's, Golfsmith, Golf Discount, and Golf Galaxy earlier. It was $130, while the rest were $150. If someone DOES still have it at $100, I'll have to grab it at that price.

Thanks for the quick responses.

[Missouri Swede]

1 hour ago, Lilfrier said:

3. Is there a place I can view which courses are part of the GG database?

As Erik said, most courses are in their database.  You can check on any course by city and state at http://www.gamegolf.com/find-a-course

If you happen to find a course that's not in there, their customer support staff is very responsive and will work to get it added.  The Oaks in Springfield is in their system.

1 hour ago, Lilfrier said:

And his phone's NFC-capable (Galaxy S4). Is the Classic just the full set of tags and and an NFC belt clip then? If so, I'm a little confused as to why people would take it over the set of tags alone, given that every modern smartphone has NFC in it (I know, I know, curmudgeons have flip phones, haha).

Is there an increased level of accuracy with the Classic over the app solution or something? I just don't get why you'd choose not carrying your phone over real-time functionality and a rangefinder. I assume if you use the app, you HAVE to touch the tags to the phone for those features--meaning you couldn't just get the Classic and supplement it with the app.

I use the Classic unit, and I like it. A couple weeks ago, I left the belt unit on my desk at home, so I used the android phone app for the round that day (manually, not with the NFC).  I really missed using the clip--for me, I find it less distracting to tag the belt clip at each shot, rather than making sure I had my phone with me at each shot location.  (Others might have different opinions about ease of use.)

Regarding all of the phone app functionality--if I understand your question about supplementing the Classic with the app--I'll defer to the folks at Game Golf; you could contact them by email.  (I don't want to give wrong information about what functions operate [1] with the Live system vs [2] tagging the phone app by NFC with the club tags or [3] tagging the Classic unit and running the phone app independently as a rangefinder.)

2 hours ago, Lilfrier said:

Are the tags in the Classic the same as the ones used with just the app?

That's my understanding.  They sell the set of tags for $99, so if you can get the whole classic unit with the tags for $100 ...

[Lilfrier]

10 minutes ago, Missouri Swede said:

As Erik said, most courses are in their database.  You can check on any course by city and state at http://www.gamegolf.com/find-a-course

If you happen to find a course that's not in there, their customer support staff is very responsive and will work to get it added.  The Oaks in Springfield is in their system.

I use the Classic unit, and I like it. A couple weeks ago, I left the belt unit on my desk at home, so I used the android phone app for the round that day (manually, not with the NFC).  I really missed using the clip--for me, I find it less distracting to tag the belt clip at each shot, rather than making sure I had my phone with me at each shot location.  (Others might have different opinions about ease of use.)

Regarding all of the phone app functionality--if I understand your question about supplementing the Classic with the app--I'll defer to the folks at Game Golf; you could contact them by email.  (I don't want to give wrong information about what functions operate [1] with the Live system vs [2] tagging the phone app by NFC with the club tags or [3] tagging the Classic unit and running the phone app independently as a rangefinder.)

That's my understanding.  They sell the set of tags for $99, so if you can get the whole classic unit with the tags for $100 ...

Yeah, if I could find the Classic for $100, that'd be awesome. I seem to have missed that boat though. Nothing I saw on eBay was worth a look, and Amazon's $130 offering is the only I found under $150. I don't mind that too much, $30 isn't going to ruin my life, I can deal with it.

[Pretzel]

I was gifted a GAME Golf for Christmas in the form of being told I can work with the giver to purchase one. Is it worth it to buy the Live version, or should I just sick with the classic? Do I miss out on any specific statistics or anything important by going with the old version versus the live?

[Club Rat]

16 minutes ago, Pretzel said:

old version versus the live

The dashboard is the same for both models.

Live gives you phone features to use while playing and editing.

The Classic is less distracting while playing, simple tag and play.

[Lihu]

On 12/17/2015 at 5:44 PM, Lilfrier said:

Yeah, if I could find the Classic for $100, that'd be awesome. I seem to have missed that boat though. Nothing I saw on eBay was worth a look, and Amazon's $130 offering is the only I found under $150. I don't mind that too much, $30 isn't going to ruin my life, I can deal with it.

Find a Dick's with them in stock, and apply a bunch of coupons. That's about $105 plus sales tax on the $149.99.

[iacas]

36 minutes ago, Club Rat said:

The Classic is less distracting while playing, simple tag and play.

The Classic isn't less distracting, because you can always just "tag and play" with it, too.

The Live edition adds the ability to use it LIVE on your phone while you're playing but you don't have to use that feature. You can use it as "tag and go" too.

[RFKFREAK]

38 minutes ago, Lihu said:

Find a Dick's with them in stock, and apply a bunch of coupons. That's about $105 plus sales tax on the $149.99.

Where do you find golf coupons? 

Edited December 26, 2015 by RFKFREAK
Realized my original response might have come across as real snarky.

[Lihu]

3 hours ago, RFKFREAK said:

Where do you find golf coupons? 

Wait for the "good customer" $10-$20 gift cards, and the $25 off any purchase over $100.

I have $20 of gift cards and $30 of another one, I'm just waiting for tomorrow to get one at a store that has one. My local store sent theirs back a week before I went to buy one. They cited lack of sales or something? Not clear. . .

[RFKFREAK]

7 hours ago, Lihu said:

Wait for the "good customer" $10-$20 gift cards, and the $25 off any purchase over $100.

I have $20 of gift cards and $30 of another one, I'm just waiting for tomorrow to get one at a store that has one. My local store sent theirs back a week before I went to buy one. They cited lack of sales or something? Not clear. . .

I rarely buy golf stuff at Dick's so I'm unfamiliar with all this but maybe it might help someone. 

[Lihu]

Bad news, the places that have GG in my area only have GG Live now. I have a bunch of gift cards at Roger Dunn, but they only have Live and are charging the full $299 for it. I would have to use all the gift cards and still pay an extra $110 for it (with $28 tax, yuck). Still deciding because my son needs a fitted driver this coming season and was going to put the $220 gift cards towards his driver. Traveled 15 miles away to a Dick's that supposedly had a few, but they couldn't find them when I got there. So, I ended up with 4 hours to kill as my wife called me and told me to play some golf. I played a round at a local golf course around the Dick's for $14.99 booking with GolfZing (really convenient). Fun round with some really nice golfers (intelligent people IMHO).

Well, this quest is becoming a ridiculous. Amazon*** might be my only choice for the old style unit. . .still digging. I'm starting to think that the money I would spend on this device can just go towards the tournament pot at my new club? Maybe, I can win enough club tournaments to purchase the Live unit at the end of the year?

 

***EDIT: $125.95 and free shipping. . .maybe. . .still deciding. . .

http://www.amazon.com/Game-Golf-Digital-Tracking-System/dp/B00JDZWQZK

[Lilfrier]

I went with Amazon myself. I wasn't playing games around Christmas to find it in-store. I got the Classic for $127 or so, I think. Free shipping, lowest price, shouldn't take long to arrive.

The downside to my purchase is that IL is a meteorological butthole. It rained almost non-stop yesterday and is raining again today, and for the next few days. By the time it stops, temperatures are supposed to peak at 40 or below for a week or more. My brother-in-law might have to wait until March before he can use his. That he's a doctor might have him waiting even longer than that, shoot.

Still. he liked the gift and think it's really cool, just need to find a time for him to try it out.

[Lihu]

33 minutes ago, Lilfrier said:

I went with Amazon myself. I wasn't playing games around Christmas to find it in-store. I got the Classic for $127 or so, I think. Free shipping, lowest price, shouldn't take long to arrive.

The downside to my purchase is that IL is a meteorological butthole. It rained almost non-stop yesterday and is raining again today, and for the next few days. By the time it stops, temperatures are supposed to peak at 40 or below for a week or more. My brother-in-law might have to wait until March before he can use his. That he's a doctor might have him waiting even longer than that, shoot.

Still. he liked the gift and think it's really cool, just need to find a time for him to try it out.

Nice.

Yeah, I'm reading the reviews including the ones here the Arcos system is about $250 while the GG Live is about $248. The advantage is I don't need to lug around my rangefinder (that I never use anyway) as well.

Arcos does not conform to USGA regulations while GG does. Not sure that that means?

Playing in 40F is not so bad as long as there is no wind. . .I played in 48F which dropped rapidly into 40F conditions with 45mph gusts and 30mph winds yesterday. It took a 5i for me to get pin high on a 135 yard par 3 directly against the wind. My older playing partners used 4i, hybrid and 3W. On the "plus" side, I hit a 250 yard approach shot with a hybrid in the opposite direction. Planned to layup 50 yards away in a safe landing area and ended up on another holes cart path pin high right 20 yards. Apparently, this weather is very common in that area. However, even my home course has strong winds and gusts throughout the winter months, because they are in a valley.