There’s more to golf technology today than fancy club sets and high-quality golf balls. Another great innovation in the sport is improved access to golf knowledge and information in the form of mobile apps. The best golf apps not only help golfers stay up-to-date with the latest events, but can also help them enhance their game.
Choosing the best golf app that suits your game and needs can offer some great benefits. You’re probably wondering how a golf app can improve your game and what options you have to choose from.
Let’s find out!
Benefits of Golf Apps
Golf apps benefit both golfers and golf courses alike. Golfers can use a golf app for several purposes, including weather updates, tee booking, course analysis, and even order food, depending on the app. However, the main benefit golf apps provide golfers is practical and useful course guides, scorecards, flyovers, and pro-tips to improve their game.
The best golf apps provide an all-in-one solution to their fingertips from a single source, meaning they don’t have to look up different websites, programs, or apps for information. Moreover, some apps also beam live tournament data with round progress, live scores, and even live streaming. Finally, better apps offer push notifications to golfers notifying them of upcoming events and promoting:
- Special offers or events
- Golf equipment sales
- Booking and hotel accommodation
- Food and beverages
How to Choose the Best Golf App
While there are many apps you can test out, eventually, you’re going to stick to one. So, you will have to choose the best golf app for your needs. Here are three things you should consider:
1. Price
The best golf apps would require you to pay a monthly fee, and for in-app purchases. However, opting for a paid app means you’re saving money on buying a range finder or GPS device.
2. Added Features
Modern golf apps offer way more than pinpointing your location. So don’t just settle for basic features. The best apps allow you to track shot distance, keep track of scores, and evaluate performance. Any app you choose should offer these features and more.
3. Accuracy
The app you choose should work like any hand-held GPS device or range finder to help you accurately locate your position on the course and provide distance reports. The best golf apps will also help you detect any obstacles in the way.
The Best Golf Apps to Improve Your Game
The following are 5 great golf apps you can choose from to improve your game:
1. Hole19
No matter how skilled or experienced you are, you could use a range finder. While there are hundreds of options in the market, why not choose one that offers other great features with it as well. Hole19 is one of the best golf apps on the market and supports over 40,000 golf courses. You can use it to track your scores and measure performance in driving, putting, greens, and short game.
You can also use it to measure your shot distance. This app is available on trial, $7.49 per month, or $49.99 per year. It is compatible with Android and iOS.
2. 18Birdies
18Birdies is another great app that you can use as a GPS rangefinder and digital scorecard. The app also features side games, statistics, and the latest news in the golfing world. If you own an Apple Watch or Wear OS, you can connect the app with it. However, the app only offers basic features on the free version. You can opt for a premium membership at $5 per month, and you’ll get access to more information.
3. Golfshot
Golfshot is one of the most versatile golf apps out there. It is suitable for beginners, amateurs, and pros. It is available for iPhone and Apple Watch, as well as Android devices and wearable tech. Golfshot’s free version offers GPS-based shot tracking using which you can trach each shot on the course, including the club you used for the shot.
This is a great tool for personal improvement as it lets you see the distance to the center of the green, review stats, guides, and news. The pro version goes beyond these features and gives you real-time distances to the center of the green, the front, and on all hazards in over 40,000 courses. The pro version also allows you to adjust your view for a full 3D display of the hole.
4. Coach’s Eye
Coach’s Eye is a video analysis app that golfers can use for reviewing their technique. The app can record your swing on any mobile device, and replay it with slow-motion, along with an in-depth real-time analysis. This is great for amateurs and beginners looking to improve their game. Using the app, you can also zoom in on your swing, compare different videos, add notes, and draw directly on the video.
The app is compatible with Android and iOS. The pro version of Coach’s Eye costs $4.99 a month.
5. TheGrint
TheGrint is a great golf app for tracking your handicap. Using this app, you can easily find and improve your handicap. The app also offers other useful features, such as score tracking, comparative analysis, and complex stats like GIR percentage and iron accuracy. Like most golf apps, it offers GPS, which allows you to see your location with a bird’s eye view of the course.
The app is available on both Android and iOS. The cost of the app is $19.99 per year, ranking it among the most inexpensive golf apps in the market.
Our Final Thoughts
If we had to choose the best golf app from the list above, we’ll pick Golfshot. It is undoubtedly the best overall option in terms of price and features. However, we recommend that you try out different apps so you can decide which one best fits your needs.
