Golf tracker on kickstarter

[kris0]

I just saw this article on Huff Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/58b0b765e4b0658fc20f951d. A tracking system, made by GolfPad, and apparently it's doing well on Kicsktarter. Looks like an improved version of Game Golf. Did anyone sign up? Looks tempting but I'm trying to decide if it's worth getting now with a discount or waiting till they start shipping. 

[FrankfurtDave]

If you own an Android phone then you can already use the GolfPad tags. You can even try the complete tagging manually using the application only (Android or Apple).

The new kickstarter campaign is really to copy the GameGolf idea and add a separate device for tagging that then enables Apple users to take part as currently NFC tagging is not supported.

I signed up early after having got fed up with the lack of progress on the GameGolf backend and having tried the manual tagging and statistics collection. 

[iacas]

6 hours ago, kris0 said:

Looks like an improved version of Game Golf.

How do you figure that one?

3 hours ago, FrankfurtDave said:

I signed up early after having got fed up with the lack of progress on the GameGolf backend and having tried the manual tagging and statistics collection. 

No secret that they've lagged behind where they could/should be regarding showing more stats.

I'm trying to push them in the right direction. Things are firming up.

[kris0]

8 hours ago, FrankfurtDave said:

I signed up early after having got fed up with the lack of progress on the GameGolf backend and having tried the manual tagging and statistics collection. 

Good idea! I downloaded the app. Looks polished and lots of stats. Unfortunately I can't pay now as we just received a fresh blanket of snow. 

5 hours ago, iacas said:

How do you figure that one?

They have a whole section on kickstarter campaign comparing to competition. Sounds like better accuracy is a huge point. The rest are minor IMHO - slimmer, removable clip etc. Also claim better software. 

[iacas]

2 hours ago, kris0 said:

They have a whole section on kickstarter campaign comparing to competition. Sounds like better accuracy is a huge point. The rest are minor IMHO - slimmer, removable clip etc. Also claim better software. 

Yeah, just gotta be honest… the advantages they list aren't real advantages. The width and size are about the same if you put the clip on. The increased accuracy of GPS is still… GPS accuracy. It's only going to get you to within +/- 3 yards. Less if you're in amongst trees.

The software, well I'll just call that a dubious claim at this point.

They have far fewer users, a far smaller investment, etc.

It may be good in the end. I'm skeptical.

[Single Length Irons Guy]

I tried these a couple years ago (or maybe another very similar brand) -- the concept is great since you can see all of your shots in the app afterwards with some great data and stats.

Unfortunately, there were 3 major issues I had that made me put them in the pile at the back of the golf closet after a couple rounds:

1) The tags screw in clockwise - as a right-hander who uses the top of the grip, my hand produces a counter-clockwise force on the tag, which completely unscrews it within a few swings. Luckily, I saw it fly off the first time it happened so I didn't lose a tag, but it was just luck that I saw it, otherwise I would have lost it for sure. The easy fix would be for them to manufacture the tags with a counter-clockwise thread.

2) I tried for two rounds to remember to tap the club on my phone in my pocket before each shot. Unfortunately, I could only remember to do so about 50% of the time. So I was spending a LOT of time manually entering the clubs used, which took so much time that I felt like I was at work inputting data rather than playing golf, which stripped the fun out of the rounds.

3) I typically don't have my phone in my pocket during a round, so having it there was distracting. Plus, the "pong" sound when you tap the club to the phone was annoying to both me and my playing partners.

I love the concept, just couldn't get past the mechanics of making it work.