Buying into my first tracking ecosystem

Bhirdie · June 11

I have been doing a ton of research over the recent weeks into tracking systems, and am getting very much into my head. I'm a new golfer (only going about a month bar some lessons/play ~25 years ago as a child), but I am hooked, and I love data. I love being able to visualise a round or a hole, see improvement, work out where I'm losing so that I can feed that back to my coach etc. Whilst I get good chances to go to the range, I'd say I probably only play a round every 3 weeks.

I've jotted down my pros/cons of the main systems I'm looking at buying into, but I'd welcome thoughts from the community - which system would you buy into starting out?

ShotScope

This feels like the value play. £200-£280 upfront to buy into the ecosystem, then nothing. The data seems to be comprehensive, and reviews suggest the tracking is generally good. I don't have any qualms about tapping a tag to a device as part of the pre- or post-shot routine. Sensors are low profile and don't require replacement/new batteries. Lack of Apple Health and Apply Watch integration is a negative, as is a lack of full smart caddie and plays like distances. The smart caddie is partially present, but it only displays longest clubs, which isn't helpful on e.g. approach shots. I did ask whether they were planning to introduce it, or at least display the 3 clubs closest to the middle pin/a target, but nothing in the works. Watches also look quite bulky, which concerns me a little. The app is ok, but I hear it's not the most responsive/intuitive.

Garmin

By far the non-value play to buy into. S70 (£450) plus CT1 sensors (£80) plus a subscription (£90/year) means this is a big upfront investment and an ongoing cost. That said, the green data is very interesting, the watch interface looks comprehensive, and from what I can tell the devices do integrate to Apple Health to close my rings. It has plays like distances and the S70 has a virtual caddie, both big positives. CT1 sensors are low profile, and I'd probably use those over the CT10 for that reason. Beyond price, I've heard the data side of Garmin isn't as comprehensive as ShotScope/Arccos. The subscription to get the full package is also a significant negative given the upfront cost of buying into the Garmin ecosystem. I don't have a launch monitor, so wouldn't be getting the full value of the package. Watches do also look very bulky.

Arccos

Low-ish upfront cost, but an ongoing subscription. I already wear (and play with) an Apple Watch, albeit an older Watch Series 6 (40mm), so not having to use a separate device is a bit positive. I'd likely have to invest in the Link Pro as I don't think the battery would last a round, but that's not a disaster. It's also not a guarantee as I can get sensors, test with my phone as the GPS in my pocket, then make a decision. The data is very comprehensive, and the ease of access to plays like distances on my phone, apparently good shot tracking, pin locate is all a big plus. It also means not having to switch devices before a round - watch stays on, rounds starts on phone, and then phone goes in bag except to check it's properly recorded. App seems like the most user-friendly. The subscription price is a big detractor, however. It's possible to get a set of 14 Gen3+ sensors with a first year's subscription for ~£80, which is fine and I'd be happy to pay, but having to pay £160/year when in reality October/November to February is likely a low golf period, so that subscription is nearer to £20/month for the time I actually play. The sensors are also quite bulky.

Having written the above, and really putting the costs into perspective, ShotScope seems like the best play, and perhaps with a double device. ShotScope for tracking (maybe the H4 on a belt or in a pocket), then the free version of 18Birdies/Golfshot/TheGrint on my wrist for getting easily visible distances to pin etc. The H4 lacks course maps, and I've read that it's not exactly clear which hazards the distances relate to, but maybe that's not actually an issue.

I am very open to suggestions and views from the community.

MrCook · June 11

If you love data, then it's really Shotscope vs Arccos, Garmin isn't competitive in this regard. Which kinda makes sense: Arccos and SS are companies dedicated to shot tracking, they don't do anything else. For Garmin, it's an afterthought. They do it resonably well, but it's not comparable.

That being said, just try Arccos and see how you like it. I've done exactly what you suggested: Got free sensors, tried it for a month with phone in pocket, loved it, subbed and bought a link. Never looked back. It's done so many good things for my game. Going into my 3rd year now.

Bhirdie · June 11

2 hours ago, MrCook said:

If you love data, then it's really Shotscope vs Arccos, Garmin isn't competitive in this regard. Which kinda makes sense: Arccos and SS are companies dedicated to shot tracking, they don't do anything else. For Garmin, it's an afterthought. They do it resonably well, but it's not comparable.

That being said, just try Arccos and see how you like it. I've done exactly what you suggested: Got free sensors, tried it for a month with phone in pocket, loved it, subbed and bought a link. Never looked back. It's done so many good things for my game. Going into my 3rd year now.

Ah is the Garmin data really that lacklustre? That's a shame, as the on-course experience/data (green slops etc.) seems really quite good.

Someone else has suggested Golf Pad. Have you had any experience with it? It seems like passive tracking tags based on your phone, plus data being shown on an Apple Watch.

NCDuffer · June 12

I used Golf Pad with tags for years with Apple Watch.. I just got tired of/distracted with tapping the club to my phone and app updates that sometimes caused issues. Battery life for phone and watch was good (didn’t use watch GPS). I didn’t mind my phone in my pocket. Customer support was great. The rascal has slope and environmental corrections for distance and showed the distance change for slope, wind, etc. i thought it was accurate. I went to a Shotscope V3 and I never thought about the thing the entire round. When I’d reconcile the round after playing it might miss a putt or two. Simply automatic. I’m on a V5 now and it might miss a shot and a putt or two. There have been a few times it showed a shot originating on a deeper tee box than what I actually played. It started out rough for me with the V5 but a watch reset seems to have done the trick for club tracking. I love the dispersion chart. I stayed away from Arcos due to costs and batteries in the club tags.

Bhirdie · June 12

5 hours ago, NCDuffer said:

I used Golf Pad with tags for years with Apple Watch.. I just got tired of/distracted with tapping the club to my phone and app updates that sometimes caused issues. Battery life for phone and watch was good (didn’t use watch GPS). I didn’t mind my phone in my pocket. Customer support was great. The rascal has slope and environmental corrections for distance and showed the distance change for slope, wind, etc. i thought it was accurate. I went to a Shotscope V3 and I never thought about the thing the entire round. When I’d reconcile the round after playing it might miss a putt or two. Simply automatic. I’m on a V5 now and it might miss a shot and a putt or two. There have been a few times it showed a shot originating on a deeper tee box than what I actually played. It started out rough for me with the V5 but a watch reset seems to have done the trick for club tracking. I love the dispersion chart. I stayed away from Arcos due to costs and batteries in the club tags.

Thanks! That's an interesting spread of tech. I wonder whether the smart move is to go with something like a ShotScope H4 then pay the £30 or whatever it is (small fry money in essence) to have GolfPad pro to get the plays like distances etc. Don't need to track which club I hit where as ShotScope will do that and give me the strokes gained metrics etc., but I do get the club recommendations on my wrist, plays like info. Just need a cart clip for my phone so I can keep an eye on the ShotScope tracking and make sure it stays accurate through the round. After a 45 minute range session with GolfShot Pro yesterday just looking at swing path etc. which ate the best part of 20% battery, I don't think I should use my Apple Watch for shot tracking.

MrCook · June 12

20 hours ago, Bhirdie said:

Ah is the Garmin data really that lacklustre? That's a shame, as the on-course experience/data (green slops etc.) seems really quite good.

Someone else has suggested Golf Pad. Have you had any experience with it? It seems like passive tracking tags based on your phone, plus data being shown on an Apple Watch.

I don't know a whole lot about Golf Pad unfotunately. Yeah, Garmin Golf doesn't deliver nearly as much insight as Arccos. The app isn't as user friendly either. Also, Garmin seems to not have expanded on their features in a long time, at least not in a meaningful way, whereas in the two years of my Arccos usage alone they've been rolling out a lot of new features and continuously improved the user experience with the app. I have no hands on experience with Shotscope, but I've heard they're constantly improving as well.

Edited June 12 by MrCook

Veebee3 · June 17

Garmin - Best on course ecosystem of hardware by far. The watches, integrated rangefinder, sensors, etc. are flawless. As mentioned the drawback is that the app and actual data provided is literal garbage. It basically undermines all of their tech advantages and makes it not even worth it if you care about analyzing data from your rounds.

Shotscope is the opposite. Great value with an awesome app and data but the hardware is awful in my opinion. My X5 watch was so buggy I had to stop using it and switch to garmin.

Haven’t used arccos but the app/data is the best of the bunch but as you mentioned the subscription is pricey and they don’t have a watch associated. Also the putting will be much more accurate with shotscope and garmin since those allow you to mark putts manually.

Boogeyman · June 17

I'm currently using a combination of Garmin and Shotscope. I've had a multipurpose Garmin watch (previously a Fenix and now an Epix Pro) for multiple years that I also use for golf. This year I've also added a Z30 rangefinder to my Garmin ecosystem. I don't have Garmin sensors but I do pick the correct club after each of my shots on the watch to get the shot mapping and average club distances. But Garmin's app doesn't really provide any meaningful data and that's why I have Shotscope on the side. I use their H4 and sensors since I already have one watch on my wrist. And I actually like the combo since I can use Garmin as a back-up in case a shot or two is missed and can therefore go back and add them into their correct locations. And the data that Shotscope provides is on another level compared to Garmin. I haven't used Arccos since I hate paying subscription fees but from what I've read they are the gold standard with Shotscope trailing a bit behind. But the differebe between Arccos and Shotsope is marginal compared to the difference between them and Garmin.

So if you want the absolute best and are fine with annual subscription fees, go with Arccos. If you are willing to compromise a bit on the data to save on subscription fees, use Shotscope. If you are only interested in the on course experience and are not bothered about checking your stats aftwerwards, then Garmin is the way to go.