Apple Watch for Golf

[pitchnputt]

I know my wife is going to get me an apple watch. I will use it for other things, but for sure want to get one that will work well for golf. Obviously the Ultra is the best for most sport, is this true on the course as well? Any info/ opinions are appreciated

[TheFatArmadillo]

I wouldn’t go with anything but an Ultra for golf.  The battery never gets better over time on these things.  I can make it through 18 holes with Arccos running on my Ultra.  Could only get through 9 with my regular ones before.  I have friends with regular ones that have aged that don’t get through 9 anymore.

[zap311]

I have read great things about the Ultra if you like the larger profile. I have a Series 6 Apple Watch that I use with The Grint app and I have no problem making it through 18 holes. I could probably get 36 on a full charge, but I suspect that the Grint app doesn't eat up battery as much as Arccos. 

Edited October 19, 2023 by zap311

[millerj]

I have the series 7 and I can barely make it thru an 18 hole round with arccos using the watch for tracking shots. Anything over a 5 hour round and the watch gives up the ghost.

[Yanki01]

i have a series 4 and series 6 stainless steel AW. no issue with either on a full 18 holes using Golfshot app. 

[Cellis]

I had a 3 series for a long time and could run Golf Shot or 18 birdies through a round no problem if I had it charged beforehand. Just upgraded to the Ultra 2 and of course it has much better battery life, but no matter what, all the new series will work just fine for you.

[AzRoger]

I could get through 36 holes on my Series 8 but there wouldn't be much left afterwards. 

[Song Dog]

So far I am really pleased with Golf4Watch. Designated to watch and you can leave phone alone. 

[Minarets]

I had a series 7 up until last week. If I played around of golf during the day, my watch would die before 7 PM that evening. I use 18Birdies. Just got an ultra last weekend. The bigger face, on the course is better for a touch interface when keeping score, but that’s minimal. The battery life is definitely, a huge benefit though. Not worrying about not having a watch the rest of the evening is a great thing. 

[pitchnputt]

Thanks guys. I am not planning to go the arcos route it just something to keep better track of areas for improvement as I don’t do great at remembering every shot and my practice time is limited. The long battery life of the ultra makes a ton of sense for another one of my sports (sailboat racing)

[Minarets]

Don’t want to live in a world without my Apple Watch.  Can confirm, Apple Watch Ultra is fantastic for golf. 

[Papadibs]

I am a huge Apple Watch fan.  I have a series 7 but am upgrading to an Ultra just for golf.  Recently went on a boys trip to Mesquite and several rounds fell outside of 5 hours and the 7 just couldn't hang.  I think the battery life of the Ultra will give me one less thing to worry about.

[Pepperturbo]

My buddy bought a recent top of the line Apply Watch because it was trending.  It's great for many activities, but from what I've seen, golf isn't one of them.   Guess it depends on who you talk to.  He's been frustrated with the needed golf subscription, says it costs 8.99–69.99 and battery life.

 

Years back I went with Garmin 5X pro, now 6X pro.  It's THE best golf and athletic watch, at no additional costs.  Golf functionality is remarkable, and accurate.  And I use mine for more than golf.  The only thing his apple does that my Garmin doesn't do is cardiac monitoring.  Plus my Garmin battery charge lasts for 21 days.

 

Good luck with your choice.

Edited November 28, 2023 by Pepperturbo

[Minarets]

38 minutes ago, Papadibs said:

I am a huge Apple Watch fan.  I have a series 7 but am upgrading to an Ultra just for golf.  Recently went on a boys trip to Mesquite and several rounds fell outside of 5 hours and the 7 just couldn't hang.  I think the battery life of the Ultra will give me one less thing to worry about.

I love my Ultra.  Had a series 7 and couldn’t make it thru a round of golf and still get thru the day.  Now with the ultra I never worry about battery life.  Plus it’s easier to use with the bigger screen.  Love it. 

[Minarets]

24 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

My buddy bought a recent top of the line Apply Watch because it was trending.  It's great for many activities, but from what I've seen, golf isn't one of them.   Guess it depends on who you talk to.  He's been frustrated with the needed golf subscription and says it costs 8.99–69.99.  

 

Years back I went with Garmin 5X pro, now 6X pro.  It's THE best golf and athletic watch, at no additional costs.  Golf functionality is remarkable, and accurate.  And I use mine for more than golf.  The only thing his apple does that my Garmin doesn't do is cardiac monitoring.  

 

Good luck with your choice.

All depends on which apps you choose.  18Birdies gives me all I want for free.  Gives me front/middle/back distances to hole.  Scoring (GIR, putts, misses left right, penalties), scorecard and tallies.  Love it. 

[Pepperturbo]

4 minutes ago, Minarets said:

All depends on which apps you choose.  18Birdies gives me all I want for free.  Gives me front/middle/back distances to hole.  Scoring (GIR, putts, misses left right, penalties), scorecard and tallies.  Love it. 

That app appears better, good rating, only below suggests it's not free?  It doesn't say how it affects battery use either.

 

n-App Purchases

• Monthly Premium Membership$19.99
• 18Birdies Premium$9.99
• 18Birdies Premium$9.99
• 18Birdies Premium$2.99
• Weekly Premium Membership$7.99
• 18Birdies Premium$4.99
• Yearly Premium Membership$99.99
• 18Birdies Premium$4.99
• Yearly Premium Membership$99.99
• Winback Monthly Premium$19.99

[Minarets]

4 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

That app appears better, good rating, only below suggests it's not free?  It doesn't say how it affects battery use either.

 

n-App Purchases

• Monthly Premium Membership$19.99
• 18Birdies Premium$9.99
• 18Birdies Premium$9.99
• 18Birdies Premium$2.99
• Weekly Premium Membership$7.99
• 18Birdies Premium$4.99
• Yearly Premium Membership$99.99
• 18Birdies Premium$4.99
• Yearly Premium Membership$99.99
• Winback Monthly Premium$19.99

It has an option to buy for more features.  What’s free, is fine with me and gives me all I want.  
 

on my series 7 it affected battery life enough that I hated my watch.  But if I rode the peloton that day I couldn’t make it thru a day with the watch either. My watch battery health was at 81%.  With the ultra, I charge just when I’m in shower and never worry about battery life again. 

Edited November 28, 2023 by Minarets