Smartphone Golf GPS Apps: What are the Pros and Cons?

There are a growing number of golf GPS apps for smartphones. So much so that is very difficult trying to keep track of all the new apps as developers struggle to carve out a niche in the market. If you are looking for a device to help you out on the course you can be overwhelmed by the number of choices available to you. Should you go with a laser rangefinder or golf GPS? If you do decide on a golf GPS, should you stick with the more familiar and more established standalone units like SkyCaddie and Callaway uPro, or should you take a chance on a cheaper smartphone app? Well, if you are looking for a laser rangefinder, then you have come to the wrong website (not that you should leave before checking it out, but you won’t find any laser rangefinders here). If golf GPS is your preferred modus operandi, then you might be wondering about the pros and cons of using the smartphone apps that have become so plentiful lately.

Pros

• The price. No comparison here. If you already have a smartphone, then the cost of a good app can be one tenth of the cost of a standalone unit.
• Free trials. You can download many of these apps for free and give them a try with no obligation to buy. This is a relatively hassle-free way of testing the waters to see what the various apps have to offer.
• Touchscreen. This might just be a gimmick that adds no real value to the effectiveness of a golf GPS, but many smartphones like the iPhone or the HTC Touch Pro have touchscreens that offer a more interactive approach than some of the more expensive standalone units do. With a touchscreen and an aerial view of the course, many golf GPS apps let you pinpoint any spot on the fairway and get the distance to that spot and from the spot to the green: this is a great way to choose layup positions.
• No subscription or annual fees. Usually you can download all the courses you need or map your own courses for free. The subscription fees alone for some golf GPS devices are greater than the cost of a golf GPS app.

Cons

• Accuracy of GPS. There is debate about whether or not the GPS chip in smartphones is accurate enough for golf. The iPhone claims its GPS is accurate to within 1-7 yards. But even at a maximum error of 7 yards, the accuracy of the iPhone is a long way off the 1-3 yards accuracy of SkyCaddie or the sub-meter accuracy of Sureshot.
• Accuracy (and number) of maps. This may be the biggest drawback for smartphone golf GPS apps. Generally you will not get professionally mapped courses: there are no armies of mappers walking courses pinpointing all the key spots. More than likely you will have to settle for self-mapped courses or courses mapped by your fellow software users (mostly from Google Earth). The accuracy of these maps is debatable.
• Battery life. Golf GPS apps can be a huge drain on cellphone batteries. Cellphone batteries have nowhere near the longevity of those on the standalone units; consequently, you may find yourself just barely able to finish a round even with a fully charged battery.

Overall, I think the standalone units are still far superior to the smartphone/mobile phone applications; however, the apps are improving. It may be time for the manufacturers of standalone golf GPS devices to take notice and act soon — GolfLogix already has.