GPS is here to stay

The idea was that as you walk towards your next shot you have decided what club to use before reaching it. Then again, don't knock a passing pitch until you have tried it.

What not even the Seniors?

Oh I so agree with Norbington. I believe that I have mentioned "The Tortoise" before. We play on a very open and normally windy course yet before he even starts his long, slow and infuriating PSR he has a pre-PSR-R that involves throwing multiple handfuls of grass around - this often on days when you can barely stand in the gale.

Having posted my "make it compulsory" plea earlier I must confess that I've tried GPS and found it all too much faff.

As I pass a marker on the way to my ball I count the number of steps to get there; make a plus or minus a club adjustment for the gradient and wind and fire away. Incidentally another mate tells me that the speed I play at winds up "The Tortoise" just as much as his me but for the opposite reason onviously.

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I firmly believe that we should try to experience all that life affords, except, perhaps, bestiality and of course Morris Dancing.

BrianW I'm only joking m8, but there is no way I would decide what club to use until I study the lie of the land, even if I am in the centre of the fairway, sorry but that’s the way I play, and still under 31/4 hours a round for a 3 ball.

My set up goes like this, 1, get to ball as quick as possible, 2, check distance, 3,check lie of ball up/downhill/level and condition of back of ball if not in winter rules (can’t clean ball) 4,check wind direction (plus one club etc) & make adjustment for temperature on the day. Do the maths in your head (one last look at the GPS confirm distance) take the club out of the bag and hit the shot takes 35 seconds on average. Clean the club while walking up to a birdie putt!

Good stuff Cliff.

In most cases I have determined what club I need for the next shot walking up to it, I normally know if its up hill, down hill etc and have a reasonable handle of distance. With most shots the lie of the ball will not affect a club change. OK, there will be the odd ones where something affects your decision at the last moment but that's not a common event.

That's me, that's how I do it! I just hate people faffing. You know, they get to the ball, go back to the bag which is 10 yards away, take off the iron head cover and put it into a pocket on the bag , get a club, come back, take six practice swings, change their mind and get another club, six more practices, twiddle with the range finder and so on and so forth.

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

As with most good players they have a routine, that routine does not change even when under pressure. The GPS confirms/gives me confidence in a club making decision that will allow me to focus on the target of that moment. This intern frees up the mind and helps free up the swing.

We have a few good players at our club one is plus 3, and I have noticed when I compete with them, they have grown in confidence since they have purchased GPS. As you can tell I’m all for it.

Go for it my friend

My club is old and a very traditional members club, only just allowed ankle length socks with shorts, cant see GPS getting in.

not read all the thread guys but i say till courses have accurate markers on course then GPS and rangefinders should be permitted.
i measured the 150yd markers on holes 1,2 and 3 at my home course they came out at 141, 143 and 144yds!
im in the process of making my own accurate yardage book for my home course so when it comes to comps i will have spot on information

LOL That explains these 160yd 8 irons you've been hitting of late

It also explains why women are so bad at parking.

wrong again robin
i was hitting 9 irons into the green and overshooting!

I don't see range finders and gps as cheating or ruining the game. Tour pros have the same thing except they pay their caddy millions of dollars to give him the correct number, this is just our way of getting that same info for 200 to 500 dollars depending on how high tech you want to go. To say an opponent is playing unfairly because of using a range finder, to me, would be like saying they are playing unfairly for using a square driver. It's the same thing tour pros get to use, why cant we get the same thing that will get us the information quick and easily.

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Gator's Bag:
Driver: TaylorMade Burner 10.5 UST Proforce V2
Wood: Nike Sasquatch 3 Wood
Hybrid: Adams Idea Pro 3 I-Wood 20*
Irons: Nike CCI Forged 4-PW
Wedges: 52* Nike SV Tour, 56* Titleist Vokey Spin Milled, 60* Callaway X Forged
Putter: Ping Karsten Series Anser

Like most "technology" related discussions in most sports, IMHO this is clearly just another case of counting those for and against "change"...

Personally, I am a traditionalist. Though, that said, I don't have hickory shafted clubs...

I like the thought of a level playing field amongst competitors, but, I'm the only member of my club that has Ping ISI's. Actually, I don't think there are 3 guys with the exact same sets. So, already (if you get what I'm trying to say here) we aren't playing the same game.

We all (well some of us at least) have our clubs fitted by fellows like LP and we have preferences for balls and putters and shoes and glasses and sports drinks and and and and.......

There are far too many variables in our game and this is just one more.

I'd be happy to play and beat a guy who had one and I didn't. Just as I'd be happy to play a guy and beat him if he didn't have one.

All it means is I'd played well and scored better than he did.

Something like that.

For the moment, I think "down here" in Aus, they are still considered "illegal" for use in competition, but, knock yourself out in private play or practice.

All that said, time will probably see them fitted as standard equipment on trolleys in 5 years or so when the technology has had a chance to bed itself down.

Cheers

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Look at the Target, Look at the Ball, Swing... Dr Bob Rotella...

i have never used a gps , but i assume you get to your ball, then press a few buttons or whatever and wait for the answer. then work out where the pin is and add or subtract to get the absolute accurate distance you need to hit. then i suppose you will have the dilema of club selection, ie is it a full 7 or a soft 6 . this all takes time , more time than pacing from a marker , and unless you are a very good player (like a pro ) your 7 iron will probably go + or - 5yards anyway , so all that faffing about will be wasted anyway.
all that said, our course buggies have gps fitted , so it's coming in gradually. still think all electronic devices , and that inc bloody mobile phones should be banned , full stop.

ROLF Bruin

If you have not used one then you have no idea about the way they work (Instant continuous read out, 2-5 second from stationary will settle to read distance within 2 metres)

No pacing about looking for markers, no pressing buttons all GPS now are automatic and move around the course with you, Auto hole etc. GPS is ready from the time you stop at your ball.

Regards Cliff

There are quite a few tour pro caddies that take range finders on the course before the tournament starts and use them to determine correct distances from sprinkers, traps, trees, and other areas they believe their player(s) may end up near. They then mark them in their yardage book(s) and the book(s) of their player(s) for the tournament.

The way I see it, a range finder or GPS doesn't help you hit the golf ball straight and it doesn't help you sink any putts. It gives you an accurate distance to hit your ball, but you still have to go through the process of hitting the ball on your own, the GPS isn't helping you hit it there.