Strokes Gained Apps 2025

[mc2]

Alrighty, where are we at with strokes gained apps in 2025?

 

Shotscope: I'm on my 3rd Shotscope watch and I've had enough of the buggy app/system. The tags just don't work reliably enough, so I spend a LOT of time editing after the round. And yes I know I need to tap the tags on my wrist, sometimes I do, but the majority of the time I'm focussed on the shot and forget to do it. The app & website is so annoying to use with it crashing/freezing constantly. The data & visualisations are excellent though. I also like having the option of editing in my PC instead of just phone. But I'm ready to move on.

 

Shot Pattern: I'm trialling this right now and it seems like a winner. The pre-round strategy thing is better than Shot Scope as you can drag around spots on the course and see what the strokes gained will be if you land there. Add each round manually afterwards which is actually less work than editing a Shot Scope round. Data is good, but visualisation is text only and very basic. 
 

Tangent: Trialled this for 1 round, paired with a really old Apple Watch, and I found it really confusing and distracting. This could be due to the fact that my old Apple Watch couldn't display the Tangent UI properly as the watch screen was too small. I feel like there's more in there than Shot Pattern though, but perhaps I need a new Apple Watch with a bigger screen. Seemed like a lot of effort to edit after the round, it picks up what it thinks are shots, then you have to confirm/delete. Just doing it manually through Shot Pattern still seems easier. Thoughts? Anyone using it?

 

Arccos: Never used it, but was told from a friend that uses it with a new Apple Watch Ultra that it picks up each shot perfectly and is very good. I find that hard to believe. I've never demo'd the app/system at all though so I'm in the dark with this one, anyone using it? Does the Apple Watch type make a difference?

 

Anything else out there? What are the pros/cons of these systems? Discuss. 

 

I know none of these systems can pick up putt length accurately, so I already have my own spreadsheet on my phone where I input putt length after each hole. 

Edited February 16 by mc2

[mc2]

Bump - anyone?

[NCDuffer]

Sorry to hear about your experience with Shotscope.  I have a V3 that is automatic.  It might miss a putt or two, but that’s it.  I moved to the V5 and it can miss a shot or two and a putt or two though.  With the V3 I just played and forgot about it.  Arcos has a subscription so I’ve never tried it and I’m not familiar with Shot Pattern.  I did use Golf Pad for years prior to the V3.  It worked well for me with an Apple Watch and their tags. You can buy tags for it if you want that or you can enter manually.  Their App runs on your phone and Watch.  I found the battery use to be good.  Downside is if your using tags you have to touch the tag to your phone.

[mc2]

5 hours ago, NCDuffer said:

Sorry to hear about your experience with Shotscope.  I have a V3 that is automatic.  It might miss a putt or two, but that’s it.  I moved to the V5 and it can miss a shot or two and a putt or two though.  With the V3 I just played and forgot about it.  Arcos has a subscription so I’ve never tried it and I’m not familiar with Shot Pattern.  I did use Golf Pad for years prior to the V3.  It worked well for me with an Apple Watch and their tags. You can buy tags for it if you want that or you can enter manually.  Their App runs on your phone and Watch.  I found the battery use to be good.  Downside is if your using tags you have to touch the tag to your phone.

 

I also had a V3 that seemed to work well, but it fell apart after a year. I waited a while then upgraded to X5 which was horrendous. I returned it and had a year off stats and have now started up again with the V5. I read about it everywhere that people have no issues, but all I seem to get is issues. Even if the tags would read on every shot, I find the software infuriatingly buggy, like constantly crashing and losing work that I've already done on editing the round, trouble uploading rounds, logging in and out etc. 

 

I've been using Shot Pattern for a few rounds. No tags, just manual input after the round, takes me about 30mins. Which is less time than I was spending editing the Shot Scope rounds. I can create strategies pre round like Shot Scope, and also use it during the round to check dispersion on each shot from my current location. The data is good, it gives you a strokes gained score on each shot. What I'm realising is that there are shots on the course that were costing me more than I realised. The data is basic looking though, it's just text. I loved all the graphs in shot scope, made it easier to read the stats, and no web version for editing on a desktop.

Hadn't heard of Golf Pad, they don't seem to be available here in Australia (in shops). Will look into it

 

[NCDuffer]

Golf Pad - go to the Apple App Store

[gnorr74]

Trying Golf Pad with tags myself this year. Have been using Garmin S42 the last two years and wanted to try something new and add chipping and putting.

[smartgolfer]

Check out ShotSense Golf - should check all those boxes if you're on iOS plus it's free.

[onehopstopt]

The thing that drives me a little nuts with these apps is the on-course tracking ones seemingly all force you to enter the club that you are using, either automatically with tags or manually.

 

But like... I don't care what club I'm using. The only thing I've ever seen that do is tell you how far you hit each club. I already know how far I hit each club.

 

Is anyone aware of any apps that have one tap shot tracking. That's all I want. Walk up to your ball, tap once, hit the shot. I love shot pattern, but the business of entering everything post-round is a complete deal breaker. Am I going to have to build this myself 😁?

[subcrazy12]

I've used Arccos for awhile now and it is great for tracking and is pretty darn accurate. It may miss one here or there but it's pretty darn close every time. Putting is the only thing that can be a bit more that you need to double check on.

 

I use the Link pro and it's pretty unintrusive in terms of on course tracking and having to check with you phone. The analytics are great. 

 

I really like the product and at this point the only reason I would stop using it is because I am just trying to disengage from my phone more and more. this year.

[jb22625]

Arccos really would be my ideal app because it’s automatic and you can make the putting data accurate mid round… but they don’t do recovery shots well. I’ve seen too many instances of it giving me a good drive and crappy approach for a bad drive and punch out. I love my Garmin watch but the strokes gained is lacking. Golfmetrics is now just a dumpster fire of an app… but also doesn’t track miss tendencies.  I wish there was something that worked for all do this! 

[golfortennis]

On 2/25/2025 at 11:26 AM, onehopstopt said:

The thing that drives me a little nuts with these apps is the on-course tracking ones seemingly all force you to enter the club that you are using, either automatically with tags or manually.

 

But like... I don't care what club I'm using. The only thing I've ever seen that do is tell you how far you hit each club. I already know how far I hit each club.

 

Is anyone aware of any apps that have one tap shot tracking. That's all I want. Walk up to your ball, tap once, hit the shot. I love shot pattern, but the business of entering everything post-round is a complete deal breaker. Am I going to have to build this myself 😁?

 

I would argue that it's not about how far you hit the club, it's that as you gather enough data, you might be able to see that one club is getting you into trouble, or is less effective at getting to the target.  Could mean you need a slight lie/loft adjustment for a particular iron?  I wouldn't look at it as how far, I would say think of it more as being able to have data to show if a particular club has an issue.

[Jtgavigan]

On 3/24/2025 at 5:13 PM, jb22625 said:

Arccos really would be my ideal app because it’s automatic and you can make the putting data accurate mid round… but they don’t do recovery shots well. I’ve seen too many instances of it giving me a good drive and crappy approach for a bad drive and punch out. I love my Garmin watch but the strokes gained is lacking. Golfmetrics is now just a dumpster fire of an app… but also doesn’t track miss tendencies.  I wish there was something that worked for all do this! 

 

Agreed on arccos. If I hit a long drive into trouble and punch out, I get rewarded for the drive and penalized for SG Approach. It should know that if I hit a SW 25 yards instead of a 7i 170, that it is not an approach shot.

[onehopstopt]

14 hours ago, golfortennis said:

 

I would argue that it's not about how far you hit the club, it's that as you gather enough data, you might be able to see that one club is getting you into trouble, or is less effective at getting to the target.  Could mean you need a slight lie/loft adjustment for a particular iron?  I wouldn't look at it as how far, I would say think of it more as being able to have data to show if a particular club has an issue.

 

I suppose it could answer those sorts of questions, but I still don't see enough value there to justify the added complexity and hassle of trying to track which club hit which shot. I just want to track the shots and view my data based on distances and situations. I should be able to do that with a single tap of my watch per shot- without club tags or anything. I'm not aware of an app that provides that streamlined experience, which is all that's necessary to get the full benefit of strokes gained data.

[golfortennis]

3 minutes ago, onehopstopt said:

 

I suppose it could answer those sorts of questions, but I still don't see enough value there to justify the added complexity and hassle of trying to track which club hit which shot. I just want to track the shots and view my data based on distances and situations. I should be able to do that with a single tap of my watch per shot- without club tags or anything. I'm not aware of an app that provides that streamlined experience, which is all that's necessary to get the full benefit of strokes gained data.

 

I'm old school.  I quickly mark the info down on a sheet of paper and then input it after the round.  Takes about 5 minutes, but I'm using an excel spreadsheet.  Being old I find the watch is sometimes more a hassle than convenience.  I do use golflogix on it, but not to its fullest extent.  Plus they don't have any SG from what I recall.

[onehopstopt]

4 hours ago, golfortennis said:

 

I'm old school.  I quickly mark the info down on a sheet of paper and then input it after the round.  Takes about 5 minutes, but I'm using an excel spreadsheet.  Being old I find the watch is sometimes more a hassle than convenience.  I do use golflogix on it, but not to its fullest extent.  Plus they don't have any SG from what I recall.

 

I think this is what I'm going to start doing. I already wear an Apple Watch though, would be so nice to just tap once per shot 😕

[Dan Drake]

I have excel data back into 2016, so I'm a bit reluctant to give that process up, but......

 

I am loving Shot Pattern right now in the limited time that I have used it.  I keep waiting for Sky Caddie or someone to put the "measure" or "shot size" function on one of their GPS devices, but so far no luck.  If they really wanted their products to help us play better golf, there is no single thing that would help us as much.  

[enfuego]

I've been using Golfity. It's free and pretty bare bones/manual. I don't mind inputting everything after the round. The old free Taylormade version at least let you visually pick on the course where each shot went. Golfity just has you input yardages/type of lie. You get the same data but I do miss the course GPS. 

[golfortennis]

21 hours ago, Dan Drake said:

I have excel data back into 2016, so I'm a bit reluctant to give that process up, but......

 

I am loving Shot Pattern right now in the limited time that I have used it.  I keep waiting for Sky Caddie or someone to put the "measure" or "shot size" function on one of their GPS devices, but so far no luck.  If they really wanted their products to help us play better golf, there is no single thing that would help us as much.  

 

The other thing is, while it is nice to be able to tap a watch, whatever, ultimately, you are simply tracking your performance against a certain baseline.  We don't have consistent enough conditions to actually "see where you stand against other 5, 10, 15- handicappers."  How many shots were estimates?  Was it really 10 feet or more like 8 feet?  

 

My thought has always been using the same standard of SG shows how *you* are tracking, and you are at least consistent enough in your data collection that it can be meaningful.  I still use the sheet you sent me, although I added some tweaks and a few other things as I learned excel better, but sometimes there is nothing better than the good ol' fashioned paper and pencil.

[golfortennis]

22 hours ago, Dan Drake said:

I have excel data back into 2016, so I'm a bit reluctant to give that process up, but......

 

I am loving Shot Pattern right now in the limited time that I have used it.  I keep waiting for Sky Caddie or someone to put the "measure" or "shot size" function on one of their GPS devices, but so far no luck.  If they really wanted their products to help us play better golf, there is no single thing that would help us as much.  

 

Are you using the free or premium version of Shot Pattern?

[Dan Drake]

1 hour ago, golfortennis said:

 

Are you using the free or premium version of Shot Pattern?

I am using the premium, but only have one round with it so far.  If I get to use all the features, great, but in all reality, I'm using it for the "target measurement" feature almost exclusively right now.  That's how important I believe that knowledge is to golfers.  

[onthebogeytrain]

I've used Arccos, GolfMetrics, and Circles. Of the 3, Arccos was the most "fun" with the UI and automatic data (assuming it collects shots correctly). I like the ease of use of GolfMetrics. It was nice how they had the 6 month plan because I live in South Dakota and that is the extent of out golf season anyway. Looks like they got rid of that so I would be paying a lot more. So now I'm unsure what I will use. I also like that with Arccos I can compare to specific handicaps instead of just scratch or pro. I did not like playing with those big sensors though. 

[TonyRo]

I have used Arccos for a few seasons and generally agree with everyone else. It is very easy to use, works great with the Link, and will generally require some adjustment on putts. I don't even use the putting sensor, I just pace off my first putt and enter it manually. Only adds a few seconds of work and I'm good to go. Also agree that there needs to be some way to manually mark recovery shots - I too receive inflated strokes gained driving and deflated strokes gained approach stats (imo). I doubt their algorithm (or any apps for that matter) for determining that sort of thing is good enough to keep the stats there 100% accurate. 

[Loose_Ferrule]

Hey there,

 

Just giving this thread a nudge. I'm around the corner from golf season starting and want to use a fairly simple strokes gained app that I don't have to enter into my phone on course and I don't want any tags on my clubs. I'm ok with tracking my stats on paper as I play. ( circles has a nice shot tracker you can print out ) 

 

I've used Golfmetrics in the past but the updates etc. has made this app terrible and I'd prefer to find something else. I believe I have it narrowed down to Circles and Shot Pattern. Would love to hear everyone thoughts on both or any others you think I'm sleeping on. 
 

I should also mention I've used Decade and thought that was ok but as some others have mentioned the SG comparisons aren't the best for amateurs.

 

Unless Golfmetrics has significantly improved in the last 5 months ( which I highly doubt )

 

Thanks in advance

Edited April 6 by Loose_Ferrule

[golfortennis]

On 4/6/2025 at 9:32 AM, Loose_Ferrule said:

Hey there,

 

Just giving this thread a nudge. I'm around the corner from golf season starting and want to use a fairly simple strokes gained app that I don't have to enter into my phone on course and I don't want any tags on my clubs. I'm ok with tracking my stats on paper as I play. ( circles has a nice shot tracker you can print out ) 

 

I've used Golfmetrics in the past but the updates etc. has made this app terrible and I'd prefer to find something else. I believe I have it narrowed down to Circles and Shot Pattern. Would love to hear everyone thoughts on both or any others you think I'm sleeping on. 
 

I should also mention I've used Decade and thought that was ok but as some others have mentioned the SG comparisons aren't the best for amateurs.

 

Unless Golfmetrics has significantly improved in the last 5 months ( which I highly doubt )

 

Thanks in advance

 

What is it you are trying to accomplish?  Do you want to compare yourself to "other similar handicaps?"  Or are you just focusing on your game.  The spreadsheet that was discussed earlier accomplishes the latter.  As I posted elsewhere, IMO, the "compared to my peers" is a bit haphazard, because what do people consider a recovery shot, how good are the distances they are using?  My view through all of this has been get a standard set of data, you tend to be more consistent with your own classifications, etc., and just track your progress against that standard.  Who cares that "I've gained .45 strokes approach against 'peers'" when for all you know the whole data set has shifted anyway.  If you have improved .45 strokes from your previous season or whenever, against a stable standard, then you know you have solid info.  

 

My two cents, but PM me if you want some info.  Some guys like the watch and graphics etc., and that's fine.  Just not my cup of tea.

Edited April 30 by golfortennis

[Habitual Flipper]

I'm using golf metrics again. 

 

The new version has received a lot of criticism since they had removed the old data entry style in favor of dropping pins on a map for each shot. They have since added back the functionality to enter in shot by shot using distance from pin and specific lie. 

 

I can see why people might not like this but I actually enjoy the pin drop/placement style. I still do it after the round but it allows me not have to track anything during the round (i.e., distance from pin and lie) since I can recall all of my shots by memory and only play my home course 90% of the time. 

The price increase is hard to stomach though.