Technology can be such a wonderful thing. Why not take advantage of that phone in your hand and make it prove just how “smart” it really is? Try these free golf GPS apps to get more out of your game. Better yet, try using one along with a rangefinder for even better results.
1. SwingU
I personally use this one to keep track of my scores. It’s completely free to use for its basic features, which include a GPS rangefinder for every course, a basic digital scorecard, handicap tracking, and basic on-the-course gaming. For an extra $4.99 per month or $59.99 annually you can enable bonus features like shot tracking, club recommendations, live wind speed and elevation, and enhanced statistics. But frankly, if you just want a no-frills golf GPS app that will show you distances to holes and keep track of your scores, this is the one to get. Available for iOS and Android.
2. GolfLogix
This one is OK. I used it for a little bit before discovering SwingU. It’s also free, but the paid upgrade to the PLUS membership includes things like Approach View, which tells you how the ball will roll when landing on the green, and Putt Break Maps. The upgrade costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 for the year. Go ahead and check out the free features for yourself, but I think after using it you’ll end up switching to SwingU as I’ve done. Available for iOS and Android.
3. Golfshot
This is another fine option that includes features like showing the distance to the center of the green, tracking clubs used on each shot, 3D hole and course flyover previews, and Stroke Play and Stableford scoring. You can also search and book GolfNow tee times, another handy money-saving app as explained in this post. The paid upgrade for $39.99 per year is really neat and includes more advanced scoring like Skins, Nassau, and Match Play, and augmented reality, which gives you a 360-degree view of the entire course you’re playing by using your devices camera. You can scroll, pinpoint, and identify all hazards, layups, and targets, in real-time.Available for iOS and Android.
Honorable mention: Golf Pad GPS
This one is a basic GPS app that pretty much just gives you the distance to the hole, but it lacks an overhead view and doesn’t show you where you are on a particular hole. Premium features are $19.99 per year. Honestly, I would just skip this one, but it was worth mentioning.
Honorable mention: Hole19
I also tried this one out. It’s a fine app that will get the job done, but I thought it lacked some features that were free with SwingU. The good news: it’s built by a responsive developer, so if you ever have any issues, you’ll get a prompt response.
Honorable mention: TheGrint
Try this one if you feel like it. The app had major bugs and many problems when I did, but they might be fixed by now.
