It's time to move on from Arccos... Other options for tracking rounds?

Arlin964 · January 21

I’m another former Arccos user in same boat as OP. Just got too expensive, plus I never actually used the strokes gained data to change my practice. My favorite part was being able to recall some of my good shots and see them post-round. Especially from a course on a trip or something.

I used the Grint before Arccos, and got back into it. I like it well enough. Mostly because it doesn’t inadvertently change my score after a hole.

That’s what I hated about Arccos. As I’m leaving the green from one hole I make sure the score is right. At least three times per round it would automatically change a putt and it either took one off or added one. So in my mind I’m thinking everything is correct. I mean, I did check it as I’m walking off the hole. Then after 18 I’m reviewing the round and that’s when I notice it goofed something up. Normally I knew exact what to fix, but occasionally I couldn’t recall the memory.

Pepperturbo · January 21

On 11/29/2024 at 6:13 PM, NoCaution said:

I've been on Arccos for the last five years and used GameGolf for almost five years before that. GameGolf was great until it stopped working, and Arccos has been awesome, but they just reminded me that it's time to pay them for the privilege of using the product again, and the price is now $200 per year! I love the product, but this is just absurd. Even if I play 50 rounds per year (which is my average), it's gonna cost me effectively an extra $4 every single round to use it. I was already angry when it went up to $150 last year, so I'm done now.

I've got through the 15th to use it, so I need to start planning on what to replace it with. I recently bought a rangefinder that I'm happy with, so I'd love to find an app to track scores, stats, and some basic GPS for seeing blind areas and whatnot. I don't need really shot-by-shot tracking anymore, though it would be nice. It's a shame to lose Arccos, but charging more than most streaming services is outrageous.

Thoughts? What's your favorite app, and why?

I am aware of Arccos, one buddy used it, but quit; it's expensive, especially when initial equipment is factored into cost. Subscription software has value but in numerous instances is an accumulative money pit. When a person reads their website info, sounds attractive. But with the cost of golf today, adding that monthly cost to a round makes each round more costly.

Don't have a favorite comparable app. I've used a Garmin Approach Z82 laser/GPS and Fenix 6X watch since 2020; both feed data to the nifty Garmin Golf app on my iPhone, where all shot stats are collected and position shown on the hole image. Aside from the initial costs of laser & watch (both expensive) back in 2020, no cost since. Good luck with whatever you do.

vkeys · January 26

I've had Gen 1 Arccos since 2017, I play 60-70 times a year, mostly walk unless they wont let me (or it's too hot..), have my iPhone in my back pocket and confirm the last hole in my next walk - I love it - pretty cool to have every shot from the last 7 years in my phone. It rarely misses a shot from the tee or the fairway, although it wants to add a putt often - I fix that on the next walk. I buy batteries from Costco - what a buck or so, and they last 6-9 months. Range finder is decent accounting for wind and slope so, I like that. I've never paid a subscription, wow, that's a surprise, but here's the deal now. I got an email last week, 1/21/25 that said

Support for the original Gen 1 Smart Sensors will be ending on February 3, 2025 as we transition to more advanced technology to continue enhancing Arccos.

If you’d like to keep using your Gen 1 Smart Sensors, you’ll need to stop app updates. Without stopping updates, you’ll eventually lose access to Arccos. Here’s how to stop updates ... bla bla

and it further said ..... If you’d like to continue enjoying golf’s #1 game-tracking platform—and experience the many exciting new features coming in 2025—you can replace your Gen 1 Smart Sensors. We’re offering an exclusive limited time off of 50% off Gen 3+ Smart Sensors just for you until February 3, 2025.

what the hell?

Arlin964 · January 29

On 1/25/2025 at 6:27 PM, vkeys said:

I've had Gen 1 Arccos since 2017, I play 60-70 times a year, mostly walk unless they wont let me (or it's too hot..), have my iPhone in my back pocket and confirm the last hole in my next walk - I love it - pretty cool to have every shot from the last 7 years in my phone. It rarely misses a shot from the tee or the fairway, although it wants to add a putt often - I fix that on the next walk. I buy batteries from Costco - what a buck or so, and they last 6-9 months. Range finder is decent accounting for wind and slope so, I like that. I've never paid a subscription, wow, that's a surprise, but here's the deal now. I got an email last week, 1/21/25 that said

Support for the original Gen 1 Smart Sensors will be ending on February 3, 2025 as we transition to more advanced technology to continue enhancing Arccos.

If you’d like to keep using your Gen 1 Smart Sensors, you’ll need to stop app updates. Without stopping updates, you’ll eventually lose access to Arccos. Here’s how to stop updates ... bla bla

and it further said ..... If you’d like to continue enjoying golf’s #1 game-tracking platform—and experience the many exciting new features coming in 2025—you can replace your Gen 1 Smart Sensors. We’re offering an exclusive limited time off of 50% off Gen 3+ Smart Sensors just for you until February 3, 2025.

what the hell?

And don't forget that you'll likely be roped into the subscription fee too. Likely $150+ each year.

Not saying it's not worth it, but everybody values things in their own way.

x4me84 · January 29

On 1/1/2025 at 8:25 PM, 3PuttLefty said:

I have been using Arccos for about 3 years. I too let the subscription expire because of the renewal price. I then tried a few different options since August (about 5 months of misery) and decided I really miss the ease of Arccos. I just purchased the Smoke smart sensors for about $135 from Costco which includes one year of membership. So I saved a few bucks and got all new sensors.

I did the same. I stopped using Arccos after the initial increase. Tried a few other apps and ways to track, but Arccos is just seamless and easy to use. There are a few times when putts are changed, but it's an easy fix. I have to say having all the data is nice, they won me back with it's ease of use.

italianstallion · January 29

On 1/3/2025 at 1:01 PM, italianstallion said:

Question/Observation as the subscription fee seems to be the key issue with Arccos: If you purchase a set of grips one year and get the free subscription for the year, the following year when you go to replace the grips with new Arccos grips, won't you get another year of free Arccos with the new grips?

Reposting to see if anyone had any experience doing it this way or is able to answer this question.

cdewispelare · February 3

Great discussions going on here! I, too am a Gen 1 user and am currently scrambling to find a set of Gen 2 sensors to keep avoiding the sub fee...kind of want to see what "updates" Arccos has coming down the pipe that couldn't support the G1 sensors. I've seriously considered Shotscope when coming across used units or holiday sales, but no purchases yet. I gave up on Arccos picking up shots as a given and have been a phone fiddler for the past 5 or 6 years, which I'm fine with since I primarily use it for my GPS distances (LOVE the additional slope & weather adjustments--probably the #1 on-course feature) and sometimes club recommendations.

If anybody has a strong suggestion for a shot tracking app or system (Android) that includes most or all of the same metrics Arccos gave, I am all for trying it out! Bonus points if it doesn't drain my crappy battery by the end of 18 😅

Before Arccos, I used the Taylormade MyTaylormadeOnCourse app to track some distances and it looked like they've added a lot of features since then. Have dabbled in 18 Birds, Grint, and GolfLogix but nothing really intensively since getting my Arccos sensors in 2018.

Miker20890 · February 5

Are there any other devices or apps that do the rangefinder function with all the adjustments? That’s really my favorite part of arccos.

wfrogge1 · February 6

On 1/29/2025 at 3:58 PM, italianstallion said:

Reposting to see if anyone had any experience doing it this way or is able to answer this question.

From what I understand this trick is only for new customers. Not sure if you can just use a different email address and "start over" or not.

5.9k · February 6

Also consider if you are walking with a blue tooth enabled cart. The blue tooth can affect the follow feature of the cart. A friend of mine had to change how he used Arrcos as it affected the cart. We did a lot of testing to figure out why his cart was stopping behind him. It was the blue tooth interference from Arrcos.

eRod v1.0 · February 11

My Gen 2 sensors keep dying and I am no longer interested in doing the wake up dance I have to do before a round. I am afraid to replace the sensors for fear of being forced onto a subscription. I might have to try Golfpad or Shot Scope.

Sons_of_Pitches · February 13

On 1/1/2025 at 6:25 PM, 3PuttLefty said:

I have been using Arccos for about 3 years. I too let the subscription expire because of the renewal price. I then tried a few different options since August (about 5 months of misery) and decided I really miss the ease of Arccos. I just purchased the Smoke smart sensors for about $135 from Costco which includes one year of membership. So I saved a few bucks and got all new sensors.

I wonder how replacement sensors will work. The reason I ask is that the smoke version was typically a special edition version, which could mean they would be out of stock and would send you a green one instead.

3PuttLefty · February 14

15 hours ago, Sons_of_Pitches said:

I wonder how replacement sensors will work. The reason I ask is that the smoke version was typically a special edition version, which could mean they would be out of stock and would send you a green one instead.

Knock on wood i havent had an issue..yet. But worst came to worse i would buy a replacement. The green is barely noticeable and gonna be upside down in my bag anyway!

Sons_of_Pitches · February 26

On 2/13/2025 at 6:38 PM, 3PuttLefty said:

Knock on wood i havent had an issue..yet. But worst came to worse i would buy a replacement. The green is barely noticeable and gonna be upside down in my bag anyway!

Cool, I paint mine with the krylon matt black spay paint. I use an old grip that I screw them into so I don’t get paint all over my hands. The paint holds up pretty good, but it can chip. Even if it does chip you can repaint. Just be sure not to get any paint on the sensor part.

Arlin964 · March 6

I spent a few months using the pro version of the Grint after dropping Arccos. I liked it, but I'm going to go back to Arccos. Yes it's more expensive than other products, but I've found myself missing being able to review previous rounds. I really enjoy reliving rounds by looking at the trace of each shot on particular holes. I realize I can probably do that with other tracking apps, but I'm already familiar with Arccos.

Hillsdale · March 15

On 1/29/2025 at 4:58 PM, italianstallion said:

Reposting to see if anyone had any experience doing it this way or is able to answer this question.

That is exactly what I do. I purchase during the Black Friday deal and email Arccos to apply towards my subscription. Every year I get new grips and it seems to be the cheapest way to use Arccos.

Arlin964 · April 28

Like I said in March, I’ve come back to Arccos. I just enjoy replaying the round in my head as I look at the stats from the round. I did have questions about how it determines strokes gained if anyone knows.

I put in a brand new putter for its first round this weekend. For that round, it said I gained 2.2 strokes putting compared to 10hdcp.

But when I look at the stats for the putter itself it’s only showing +0.07. I changed the round stats to compare me to scratch and that didn’t match up. Anyone know how this squares up?

Edited April 28 by Arlin964

LeonBirkin02 · May 10

On 2/11/2025 at 1:21 PM, eRod v1.0 said:

My Gen 2 sensors keep dying and I am no longer interested in doing the wake up dance I have to do before a round. I am afraid to replace the sensors for fear of being forced onto a subscription. I might have to try Golfpad or Shot Scope.

On 2/13/2025 at 5:37 AM, Sons_of_Pitches said:

I wonder how replacement sensors will work. The reason I ask is that the smoke version was typically a special edition version, which could mean they would be out of stock and would send you a green one instead.

Every year on your anniversary with them, you can get 5 free replacement sensors if you have an active subscription. You should get a code in your email. That's $99 worth your subscription back to you ever year technically:

https://www.arccosgolf.com/blogs/community/arccos-member-free-sensors-program?srsltid=AfmBOootLIU20pWRQ9qbp3wXUPK7xiQEaeUWuz4DYvOdxdGXPqtBs_lI

Booker_T · May 27

Honestly I’ve tried to go away from Arccos once or twice even using the Garmin version. Nothing can really beat their tech right now. Is it flawed… yes. Does it miss some shots…. Yes. But those are easy to overcome and fix.
The ability to go to my golf coach and breakdown what we need to work on is second to none.

The new app update this week has changed a lot around for the better I believe.

phil75070 · May 27

7 hours ago, Booker_T said:

The ability to go to my golf coach and breakdown what we need to work on is second to none.

Shot Scope has a "coach" option such that the coach can get direct access to all your data.

Miker20890 · May 28

Really debating going back to shotscope when this subscription is up in the fall. i love the caddie distance numbers though and using my apple watch. but is that 200$ worth, not sure.

TonyRo · May 30

I have been using Arccos for a few seasons now and have mostly really enjoyed it. There are some issues here and there, but by and large it has worked great. It's easy to use, easy to review, the stats are clear, and with the Link I basically never miss shots. The sensors don't work well with broomsticks so I have to pace off my first putts and do that whole thing, but no biggie.

I stopped this season and am trying Tangent because the Arccos subscription became such a beating. It was a mess my first round - the UI has so much going on, adding shots was trickier than expected, there's this whole review process after each hole. I spent half the round on my phone trying to figure all this random stuff out. I think I mostly have it figured out and will give it a few more rounds. I may just suck it up and go back to Arccos, I dunno.

3riC · June 1

On 1/25/2025 at 6:27 PM, vkeys said:

I've had Gen 1 Arccos since 2017, I play 60-70 times a year, mostly walk unless they wont let me (or it's too hot..), have my iPhone in my back pocket and confirm the last hole in my next walk - I love it - pretty cool to have every shot from the last 7 years in my phone. It rarely misses a shot from the tee or the fairway, although it wants to add a putt often - I fix that on the next walk. I buy batteries from Costco - what a buck or so, and they last 6-9 months. Range finder is decent accounting for wind and slope so, I like that. I've never paid a subscription, wow, that's a surprise, but here's the deal now. I got an email last week, 1/21/25 that said

Support for the original Gen 1 Smart Sensors will be ending on February 3, 2025 as we transition to more advanced technology to continue enhancing Arccos.

If you’d like to keep using your Gen 1 Smart Sensors, you’ll need to stop app updates. Without stopping updates, you’ll eventually lose access to Arccos. Here’s how to stop updates ... bla bla

and it further said ..... If you’d like to continue enjoying golf’s #1 game-tracking platform—and experience the many exciting new features coming in 2025—you can replace your Gen 1 Smart Sensors. We’re offering an exclusive limited time off of 50% off Gen 3+ Smart Sensors just for you until February 3, 2025.

what the hell?

is it possible to use Gen 2 sensors?

I have a Gen 2 account and they continue to let me buy sensors replacement fairly cheap - and they explicitly tell me not to buy Gen 4 sensors pack because it'll change my account type

https://www.arccosgolf.com/products/arccos-caddie-single-smart-sensor-bundle?variant=39253780037707

it's 60% off $80 for 5 sensors. I'd just replace your set and continue using your account subscription free!

Edited June 1 by 3riC

Peter_b · June 21

I also use gen 2 sensors, I can replace the batteries with a welding tool and heatgun a foil on the sensors with the batteries. I have to use the Arccos grips for this as the screw-ons cant be opened without destroying them. Also the grips with Arccos are not heavier than regular grips. The screw-ons add some weight.

My problem is the new software, it very much sucks.

- shots can sometimes not be added, they can but wont appear after pressing done.

- putts are recorded sometimes up to 17 times no idea why.

- shots of others seem to be recorded, I see records where I never had a club out of the bag

- zooming out changes the hole making it impossible to deleted

- setting the pin on the green in an image is much worse now

- iphones with always on screens jump holes. Seems no lightness sensor is applied so in the pocket shots are recorded on the wrong hole. I get out the Iphone out of the pocket and constantly have to close some sending or change to the right hole. I even have to delete shots on hole 18 while playing hole 6.

The experience is a lot worse with the new software.

Edited June 21 by Peter_b

KGrinols · June 26

I started using ShotScope X5 this year and was impressed with the simplicity of tracking shots.
The green side stuff I'm still trying to get comfortable with, but for the price and no subscription fee, this system has been great for me. I don't have any comparisons as this has been my first GPS or tracking system, but the round analysis has impressed me.

The downfall of this, was how much of a pain in the butt it was to get it all updated and synced the first time, but since the full blown reset and reconnect, it's been working flawlessly.

Miker20890 · June 26

12 hours ago, KGrinols said:

I started using ShotScope X5 this year and was impressed with the simplicity of tracking shots.
The green side stuff I'm still trying to get comfortable with, but for the price and no subscription fee, this system has been great for me. I don't have any comparisons as this has been my first GPS or tracking system, but the round analysis has impressed me.

The downfall of this, was how much of a pain in the butt it was to get it all updated and synced the first time, but since the full blown reset and reconnect, it's been working flawlessly.

have the bugs been worked out for the x5?

KGrinols · June 26

3 minutes ago, Miker20890 said:

have the bugs been worked out for the x5?

I'm not familiar with the bugs, unless it's the syncing issue I previously mentioned. I played 18, tried to sync and it failed, repeatedly. I assumed I did something wrong so I ignored it.

Played another 18... Same thing. Couldn't get it to sync from the watch to the app, which is how you analyze everything.

So I did some googling and saw similar complaints. Ultimately I went to their website, followed the reset instructions exactly, and it started working.

It was a bit annoying, but for whatever reason you have to delete your Bluetooth connection, and re-pair the device after a full reset and... Whatever.

I followed the step by step and haven't had any problems since. It was just the initial pairing/syncing that was more of a pain than it needed to be. They should definitely streamline that process.

Miker20890 · June 26

2 hours ago, KGrinols said:

I'm not familiar with the bugs, unless it's the syncing issue I previously mentioned. I played 18, tried to sync and it failed, repeatedly. I assumed I did something wrong so I ignored it.

Played another 18... Same thing. Couldn't get it to sync from the watch to the app, which is how you analyze everything.

So I did some googling and saw similar complaints. Ultimately I went to their website, followed the reset instructions exactly, and it started working.

It was a bit annoying, but for whatever reason you have to delete your Bluetooth connection, and re-pair the device after a full reset and... Whatever.

I followed the step by step and haven't had any problems since. It was just the initial pairing/syncing that was more of a pain than it needed to be. They should definitely streamline that process.

oh that is frustrating. When it was first released I remember there being issues but I don’t remember off hand what they were.

avrag · June 26

2 hours ago, Miker20890 said:

oh that is frustrating. When it was first released I remember there being issues but I don’t remember off hand what they were.

The only thing you have to be aware of is to cut the connection between the phone and the watch and to log out of the app. If you do that, reconnecting and downloading the round data works like a charm.
Since I am an old guy, who has worked with computers since the late 1980s, this is how I operate anyway. The Bluetooth on my phone is always turned off, unless I need it (I don't use Bluetooth earphones ever) and I always log out of accounts and apps once I have finished my task. So it is no hassle for me. Might be different for younger people, who always have everything activated at all times and always stay logged in everywhere.

MauiMax · June 26

43 minutes ago, avrag said:

The only thing you have to be aware of is to cut the connection between the phone and the watch and to log out of the app. If you do that, reconnecting and downloading the round data works like a charm.
Since I am an old guy, who has worked with computers since the late 1980s, this is how I operate anyway. The Bluetooth on my phone is always turned off, unless I need it (I don't use Bluetooth earphones ever) and I always log out of accounts and apps once I have finished my task. So it is no hassle for me. Might be different for younger people, who always have everything activated at all times and always stay logged in everywhere.

I think this is the same problem i have with the H4. Every time i try to go to the app now it comes up with just a blank white screen and i end up having to uninstall and redownload it

It's time to move on from Arccos... Other options for tracking rounds?

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