Best Golf GPS Apps

We’re in the age of technology.  Today, it’s conceivable to run your life, or even an entire business from a phone in the palm of your hand.  Baby Boomers frown upon the ease with which we can obtain information but, even they’re starting to catch on.

Golf hasn’t exactly been left behind by technology.  Gone are the days where tournament leaderboards were updated by hand.  Players no longer have to track their own stats. And distances don’t require the use of sprinkler heads, and guestimates about how far away you are from the pin.  The latter is thanks to the invention of golf GPS and GPS rangefinder. Some GPS’s are handheld devices that give the layout of holes on a screen. Others come in the form of watches.  We’ve now reached the point where you can download GPS app for golf on your smartphone. That’s pretty cool. The use of innovations and technology only help players on the golf course for better results. They will provide golfers with more information about distances to hazards and about the courses worldwide. They have the ability to book tee time and golfshot offers. You can upgrade your gps with best free apps from app store. You can enter scores easily, other statistical measures, they can inform you with club recommendation. Give you information about front middle and back of the green, great for approach shot, bunker shots. They offer great data about water hazards and live tournaments.

Golfers should be taking advantage from the best value stylish design golf gps products to improve their overall game. For sure premium version with internet connection and free features will give them golf news and premium stat tracking function. In this article, we review the best GPS app for golf on the market today.  We also answer the most common questions about what you should look for in a GPS apps.

Reviews of the Best GPS Apps for Golf

Below we have described and reviewed 10 of the top golf GPS app on the market today.

1. GolfShot Plus

golfshotgps

There are two versions of the GolfShot Plus app.  One is free version, the other GolfShot pro requires roughly $30 with free trial option. The GolfShot app free version is one of the best free app you can find on app store. With this help you can truly lower scores. It give you real time distance from the green, front middle and back edge. You can share videos or get augmented reality of your favorite course. Even though the free golf GPS app is very good if you choose to go with this golf GPS app, get the paid version.  It comes with 3-D previews of each hole, allows you to zoom in on specific targets to get yardages, recommends clubs based on your yardage, tracks your stats, score and, is preloaded with over 15,000 courses. Most golfers love this app and its bird’s eye view. You can input the number of your sand shots and penalty strokes. Good information about back of the green and shot distances with handicap index. The premium membership of GolfShot app offer putt breaks feature and strokes gained info. The app is user friendly, gives you all the information you could ever need, and will save you money on yardage books every time you play somewhere new. Premium upgrades and pro version can even more help you with personal improvement. You can use it with your playing partners. This app is available for Android, Apple, Apple watch and android wear. Great help on the golf course for great game whether you use premium version or not.

2. GolfLogix

golflogix

Originally, GolfLogix was a handheld GPS unit.  They’ve now developed an app for smartphones. This is free golf GPS app to download but, you have to pay a nominal annual subscription in order to use it. It offer in depth map information and accurate map information. Good for avid golfer and other golfers who want improvement. Good information about center of the green, back of the green and manage live tournaments. Many apps helpful features to download. Information with real time distances scorekeeping and statistical measures. This app acts great with pro features and crisp satellite images. Accurate distance measurements great for short game. The pro version also have putt breaks feature. Great app for smartphone screen. You can book tee times with this app. More expensive GolfLogix takes your game information on upper level. More close up course maps from around the world. For sure these golf GPS apps will lower scores.

The course mapping with piq sensor and overhead preview give you an intimate look at each hole you play. Also they lets golfers to see in 3D vies. This app will be your virtual caddie. They are made with their laser scanners. Also they offer best club tip. As you approach the green, the green only view shows all the contours in vivid detail. These best golf gps apps also allows you to track your score and important stats.

3. SkyDroid

skydroid

If you’re looking for a golf GPS app that’s functional, and won’t break the bank, check out the SkyDroid. At only $3, this app comes with all the features you need to get around the course, and none you don’t. The GPS relies on Google Maps for its course data.  When the maps are correct, the app is spot on with accuracy.  However, if a golf course has changed, and the maps not updated, you could find yourself a little lost. Good for android wear. With that being said, the added features of score and stat tracking round out this app.  It more than serves its purpose and, is user friendly. One of the best apps which can act like your personal caddy and will save money by using it.

4. Shot Tracer

skytracer

Even though this app isn’t is a GPS, it’s too cool to leave off our list. The Shot Tracer app functions to give you real time feedback of your shots and golf balls.  All you have to do is have your playing partner stand behind you and take a video of your swing. When the shot’s over, the app will give you a trace line of your ball flight, just like you see on television.  You get in depth insight review stats with shot distance info. Paid version that will offer better golf. Not like certain apps, but good for serious golfers with previous shot information. It have unique feature for your swing info with club recommendations. At about $7, this app is a great tool for improving your swing and, having some at the same time. For a few dollars you get short game couch with digital scorecard.

5. Mobitee

mobitee

Mobitee is one of the hottest new GPS apps on the market.  Each of the over 37,000 courses is mapped to the smallest detail.  Mobitee also gives you club recommendations based on your yardage. With info about back, center of the green and front. Sold separately, the PIQ sensor allows you to have real time shot distance tracking, and even analyzes your swing. Great swing analysis. You can connect with other golfers with this app. Even with all the features, golfers say this is one of the easiest interfaces to use.  If you’re willing to pay a small fee for the app upfront, you won’t have to worry about having the wrong yardage ever again. Many players rate them as best golf gps apps.

6. Fun Golf

fun golf gps 3d

The Fun Golf GPS app comes with over 33,000 courses, so chances are, you won’t ever have to worry about the course or hole recognition. The 3-D hole maps are crystal clear and provide lots of detail. Yardages include the flag, bunkers, penalty areas, tee times and doglegs.  You can also keep track of your score and important stats throughout your round. If you have an Apple watch, you’re in luck because the Fun app is Apple compatible.  Instead of having to look at your phone, you can have all the information you need right on your wrist. Great golf apps. with premium features and

7. Game Golf

game golf app

The Game app for golf is more than just an app for your phone.  The app comes with a tracking device you attach to your belt and, lightweight sensors that attach to the end of your club.  Combined, these two devices track your movement and swing, give you real time shot tracking, and in-round analysis of your game while you are on the golf courses.

The app itself has detailed hole maps with yardages to all the important features. One of the coolest features is the live feed that shows you every move of some of the top players in the world.

8. Arccos Golf App

arccos golf app

Similar to Game Golf, Arccos golf app comes with censors that attach to the end of your clubs.  These censors give you shot by shot analysis of your swing, distance, shot dispersion, tee times and much more.  The information gets stored in a cloud and can be revisited whenever you want. Along with giving you all the pertinent yardages, the Acrros Golf app also allows access to see what other portal users are doing on the course. Their free version is better than other apps. The distance tracker and digital scorecard are great. Nice free features and great premium features. It have in app purchases and gps feature option. The basic features are great. You can use this app with apple watch also. This is a great way to see how you stack up against the competition, and what your strengths and weaknesses are in that way you can lower scores. If data is important for your game, the Arccos Golf app has everything you could ever want. One of the best golf gps apps.

9. Hole 19

hole 19 app

If you’re looking for a free version, easy-to-use GPS, Hole 19 is an excellent option. The Hole 19 app free version has all the pertinent yardages to the green, penalty areas, and bunkers. This app is completely free. It allows you to track your score and stats quickly and easily on the golf course. The best part is the 42,000 courses worldwide that come with it. This app have free golf gps app option. Even if you’re playing in some faraway corner of the world, chances are, the Hole 19 app will work. This is one of the best golf free app.

10. The Grint

the grint app

This Grint GPS app has everything you could ever need. Its excellent user interface gives you all the important yardages and, lets you zero in on a specific location with your finger. Nice gps distances, with shot tracker option and strokes gained analysis. The app tracks all the relevant stats and even lets you keep score using different formats digital scorecard for everyone in your group while you are on the golf course. You can get this best golf apps on google play stores. An added bonus is the free USGA handicap that comes with the purchase of the Grint app. One of the best golf GPS apps.

What to Consider in a Golf GPS App

fun golf ap

Golf GPS App vs. Handheld Device

Not all that long ago, handheld golf GPS units were all the rage.  Instead of having pace off yardages from sprinkler heads and guess where on the green the flag was cut, all the information was in the palm of your hand. Handheld GPS’s even had features that tracked your score, wind speed, strokes gained analysis, putts break feature, golf tips, how far you hit each club, and stats like fairways, greens in regulation and putts.  Most of them have pre-loaded courses and their satellite images.

There are GPS units that can measure wind speed. However, all these cool features came at a fairly hefty price but also there are free golf apps.  That was then, and this is now.  Today’s smartphones have the technological infrastructure and capabilities to give you all these features, at a fraction of the cost. Android devices can use golf gps apps and free golf gps apps. For free version you will need google play store. So, unless you’re married to your handheld GPS from yesteryear, our recommendation is finding a golf GPS app you can download on your phone, and use it like free version GPS unit on the golf courses.

Golf GPS App vs. Laser Range Finder

The first golf distance measuring devices to hit the shelves was laser range finders.  Imagine the scope on a rifle. Rangefinders functioned the exact same way. They open the door of the innovations and how they can improve the golf performance of the golfers.

Even though they were the hottest ticket in town when they first came out, their functions were limited, and technology has advanced a lot since those early days.  All they could do was measure distance to whatever they were being shot at. A complaint for a lot of golfers was bad yardages to the flag. All too often, golfers would be aiming the rangefinder at what they thought was the flag and it would pick up something else.  Maybe a tree behind the green, or the top of edge of a bunker short of the flag. You don’t have to worry about picking up wrong yardages with GPS apps for golf.  Their yardages are calculated by using satellite images and course maps that marks your exact location. There is even combination of these two technologies in one golf GPS rangefinder which combine the best abilities from the both and can be upgraded with golf GPS apps.

What Should You Look for in a Golf GPS App?

The first thing you should check for is distance accuracy.  If possible, find a spot on the course you know the yardage too.  Compare that yardage to the one the GPS app is giving you. To be absolutely certain, test from a few different locations. The next most important feature is the course maps database. Some GPS apps have tens of thousands of golf courses pre-loaded.  Others have considerably less. Before you make a purchase, make sure the app includes the courses play most often. The map display is important too. 

Some GPS apps will only give you yardages to the flag.  The best golf apps include yardages to penalty areas, tee times, bunkers, doglegs and other points of interest. The best ones also have features like shot tracking and lot of pre loaded golf courses. The more numbers you can get, the better your chances of staying out of trouble.

Conclusion

Technology has advanced so much in golf that there’s no excuse to not have the right yardage on every shot you hit.  And, there’s plenty of options to help you find the right number. Most of the apps have free version shows and you can get them from google play. Almost all apps show you distances and images from the back of the green , center and front. On many of them you can check golf news beside gps feature and digital scorecard. The pro features on more expensive premium version apps you get bird’s eye satellite image with golf tips for golf shot. Laser rangefinders serve a purpose, but they’re cumbersome, and you’re never quite sure if you’re hitting the right target. Some beside basic features will offer pro version features and free features. With apps you can create network of golfing buddies. Free version of other apps and other free golf app also can improve your golf game. Watches whether are apple watch r other are lightweight and convenient, but they can be a nuisance during your swing and tough to read. Handheld GPS’s give you all the information you need but can cost a fortune. Many gps devices offer more options beside gps distances. GPS’s apps for your phone, however, have all the features of a handheld GPS, but at a fraction of the cost.  If you’re looking for a new GPS for golf, but don’t want to spend a fortune, downloading an golf apps for your phone might be your best option. If you want more reviews and golf news check our page constantly.

 

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Paul Liberatore
Paul Liberatore

As the Founder of Golfers Authority Paul Liberatore Esq. has spent the last 7+ years writing about the best golf equipment or instruction from the top golf instructors in the world. He has been a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated Golf and GolfWRX. After graduating with honors from Purdue University, he realized that he had a passion for the golf business and the law. When he's not practicing law, or creating golf content on YouTube, he can be found on his syndicated Behind the Golf Brand podcast both on Apple and Spotify talking with the most prolific leaders in the golf industry. 

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