Golf Buddy vs GPS Watch

[gregsandiego]

I've been thinking about buying myself a golfer Christmas present and had my eye on those Garmin watches. But then I saw the "Golf Buddy" which look like it's cheaper and maybe longer battery life. Any thoughts by someone who has used both products?

I'm considering this Golf Buddy Voice model....

[3Mulligans]

Have you considered just using an app on your smart phone? Mine has much greater functionality than the watches and most are free or under a couple bucks. I use Swing by Swing.

[gregsandiego]

Just now, 3Mulligans said:

Have you considered just using an app on your smart phone? Mine has much greater functionality than the watches and most are free or under a couple bucks. I use Swing by Swing.

I've tried a couple. In my opinion using a smart phone for distances and keeping score is a distraction. (and I'm a techy guy). Too much time handling and viewing menus and that screen. 

I like the idea of a dumb appliance that has a simple job - tell me how far to the next hole.

That being said -which one do you like?

[David in FL]

I can't help with the comparison, but fwiw, my dad has a golf buddy and it works great.  Simple front, middle, back distances, but accurate and easy.

[SavvySwede]

Get the watch model, it's only 105 on amazon right now The voice model is simply annoying, better to have a screen handy to look at instead of potentially bothering your playing partners.

[David in FL]

57 minutes ago, SavvySwede said:

Get the watch model, it's only 105 on amazon right now The voice model is simply annoying, better to have a screen handy to look at instead of potentially bothering your playing partners.

For the life of me I don't know how you could annoy anyone.  It can't be heard more than 10 feet away and takes 5 seconds to get your yardage. 

A bigger question might be whether you want to play with a watch on your wrist or not.  Some hate it, others don't care.