Man, that was a helpful article. Really fulsome.

Agreed, keep it simple, play the course, watch for the markers, estimate the distances from time to time. I recently purchased a Shot Scope V3 watch, major distraction, I spent the entire round worrying if the watch was going to capture all the data. Did I hit the ball left, right, fairways in regulation, number of putts. how long did I hit each club. Not sure what I was going to do with all the information. Clutter, that's all it is. I put the watch away and did not use it my last two rounds. My game did not improve much, but I certainly enjoyed it more.
Thanks for the forum

I believe golf for the amatuar has become WAY TOO TECHNICAL and that natural feel and instinct have been lost in the wake of this obsessive adherence to technical statistics. I have been playing for about 3 years and generally shot in the low 80's to high 70's by just trusting my judgement and feeling my way around the courses, I am 56 years old and have had two back surgeries from car accidents but just back to the range when recovered and just tried to work on getting my feel and rhythm back. Technology will not teach you how to scramble or putt. Work on those 2 factors and you won't need a bloody watch to tell you how to play. Robots don't win golf tournaments nor put you with in 3 feet on a 60 foot putt. Please remember that the next time you are in the trees on the pine straw and have to hook your rescue club around a clump of trees to get on the green. I suggest using your imagination instead.
Thank you

Very good, helpful and insightful article. I'm considering an Apple Watch but the fact you can't disable all other apps when using it on a golfing app, is a real negative.

Anyone any suggestions?

Just read your review of Apple Watch as golf gps wearable. I’ve been using Golf Shot GPS on my phone but also have an Apple Watch Version 1 and wanted to use it as well. My problem is I can’t read it in the sun or with sunglasses on—screen is dark and text isn’t bright enough. Any suggestions or Fixes in later watches? Thanks!

This was an excellent read. I appreciate how you incorporated digital minimalism into the discussion. Especially in a sport like golf, technology may need to take a backseat for those of us looking to relax and reflect during our round.

GolfPad is a great app. I would like to see how you would compare to the ones in your review.

I have been using Golf Pad for some years with their Link for registering clubs and each GPS point of stroke. Works very well for knowing the distance of each club amongst all the other usual benefits and statistics. The major benefit leading to a 20% improvement in handicap was to find I am usually better taking one club more than I thought I needed. Previously thinking/hoping I hit further than my real average distances. Two rounds into using an Apple watch series 5 with Golf Pad. Works I find it works well but I still want confirmation on GPS accuracy. So far it seems to be 5m out on 100m shots which is verging on one club difference. I am doubling up with a laser to continue testing.

Thanks for the review. I was thinking of replacing my Garmin S20 Approach because the crystal broke (dropped a 4x4x8 on it while building a deck) but I want a GPS that is dedicated to golf while playing golf. I'll be getting another Garmin.

I've used SwingU for a number of years, and I find it invaluable. My game has improved so much, just by knowing distances to greens, water, bunkers, etc. I would never voluntarily go back to trying to guess the distance, especially on a course I don't know. Having said that, I don't use my Apple Watch, but rather my phone. I gave it a go with the watch, and there was too much happening on that tiny screen for me to use it effectively. Add in the occasional beep in the middle of a backswing, and I knew it was not for me. I have no issue handling my phone as I walk the course, and it goes in and out of the bag without much thought. The user interface for the phone is well done, and the course maps are great. I like my Apple Watch very much, but not for golf.