Setting up the VC4 takes about 5 minutes, which is pretty standard for golf GPS devices. You charge it up using the included USB cable, turn it on, and it automatically finds your course. The GPS picks up satellites quickly - usually within 30 seconds of powering on. Once you're on the first tee, just press the button and you're ready to go.
If you're tired of squinting at tiny screens or fumbling with your phone while trying to play, this little device might just change your game.
No more pulling out reading glasses or shading your screen from the sun! The voice is surprisingly clear too, even on windy days when you'd expect it to get drowned out.
Experience precision golf with the Voice Caddie VC4 GPS, offering voice distance output, elevation changes, and over 40,000 course maps worldwide.
The VC4's defining feature is right there in the name: it talks to you. Press the button once, and a computerized voice announces your distances to the front, center, and back of the green. Now, I've tested plenty of GPS devices over the years (including the Garmin Approach series and several Bushnell models), and most require you to look at a screen. That means pulling out your phone, checking your watch, or walking back to the cart. With the VC4, you keep your eyes on your target while getting the information you need.
The voice is clear but admittedly robotic, think early GPS guidance systems rather than Siri. There's also a slight delay between pressing the button and hearing the distances, maybe a second or two. At the outset, this drove me crazy. I'd press the button and immediately start my pre-shot routine, missing the announcement entirely. But after a few holes, I learned to pause, listen, then proceed. It's actually become part of my rhythm now.
What really impressed me was the multi-language support. During a round with my Korean playing partners last month, I switched the device to Korean mode, and they were blown away. One of them ordered his own VC4 before we finished the back nine. The fact that Voice Caddie thought to include this feature shows they understand golf is a global game. The company's earlier models, like the VC300SE, featured seven volume levels that made the device accessible to golfers with varying hearing abilities, and the VC4 continues this tradition of thoughtful design.
Here's where the VC4 surprised me most. The Active Green Technology doesn't just give you a static distance to the center of the green; it actively recalculates based on where you're standing relative to the pin position. Walk to the right side of the fairway, and it adjusts. Move up after a layup, and it recalculates instantly. I tested this against my buddy's $400 laser rangefinder on every approach shot for three rounds, and the VC4 was consistently within a yard.
The system provides distances to the front, center, and back of the green, but it goes further than that. It also announces carry distance and where your ball should land based on the slope. On our 12th hole, a downhill par 3 that plays anywhere from 140 to 165 depending on conditions, the VC4 told me the actual distance was 158, but playing 147 with the slope. I hit my 150-yard club with a smooth swing and landed it pin-high. Without that adjustment, I would've been in the bunker behind the green (again).
This technology really shines on dogleg holes or when you're playing from the rough after an errant tee shot. While my playing partners are pacing off from sprinkler heads or squinting at the 150-yard marker, I'm getting exact distances from wherever I happen to be. The automatic course and hole recognition means I never have to fumble with settings; it just knows where I am and what I need to know.
Voice Caddie's V-Algorithm uses elevation data and shot statistics from PGA and LPGA players to calculate not just how far you need to hit the ball, but how it's actually going to play. I was skeptical about this claim until I played my home course's notorious 6th hole, a 385-yard par 4 with a 40-foot elevation drop from tee to green. My standard GPS watch says it's 145 yards from the 150 marker. The VC4 announced "145 yards, plays like 132."
I pulled my pitching wedge instead of my 9-iron, and for the first time in recent memory, I didn't fly the green. The algorithm factors in how the ball will react based on flight path and landing angle, not just simple elevation math. It's using the same data that tour caddies consider when clubbing their players, just streamlined and instant.
The Auto Slope feature can't be turned off (which means it's not legal for tournament play in most competitions), but for regular rounds, it's priceless. On uphill shots, it adds the appropriate yardage. On downhill shots, it subtracts. Side-slopes are factored in too. After a month of using the VC4, I've stopped second-guessing my club selection. When it says the 175-yard shot plays like 182, I trust it and pull the appropriate club.
The VC4 uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that Voice Caddie claims lasts up to 54 holes. I'm here to tell you that's not marketing fluff, it's accurate. I played 36 holes in one day during a member-guest tournament, used it for a practice round the next morning, and still had juice left. The USB-C charging (finally, not micro-USB!) takes about two hours from dead to full, and the cable is included. Their Smart Battery Management system includes both quick charging capability and an intelligent power-saving mode that extends usage when the battery runs low.
At 24-28 grams, this thing weighs less than two golf balls. I clip it to my belt and forget it's there until I need it. Compare that to wearing a GPS watch all day or carrying a rangefinder in your pocket, and the VC4 wins on comfort every time. The dimensions (roughly 1.77" square and half an inch thick) mean it fits anywhere, pocket, belt, bag, even clipped to your hat if you're into that sort of thing.
When the battery does run low, the power-saving mode kicks in automatically. The voice announcements become less frequent, but it'll still give you the critical distances when you press the button. I've never had it die mid-round, even when I forgot to charge it for a week.
I'm a data guy, so I spent three weeks comparing the VC4's distances against course markers, my laser rangefinder, and my playing partners' devices. The results? Consistently within one yard of laser measurements, often exact. The only discrepancies came when comparing to flat-distance markers on the course, but that's because the VC4 is giving slope-adjusted numbers by default.
On approach shots from 150 yards and in, the accuracy is astonishing. I tested it on our practice range, where we have surveyed markers every 25 yards. At 100 yards, it said 100. At 125, it said 124-126 depending on where I stood (the range isn't perfectly flat). At 150, dead on. This level of precision from a device that costs less than a dozen Pro V1s is honestly shocking.
The automatic course recognition worked flawlessly at every course I played, from my local muni to Pebble Beach (yes, I splurged on a bucket list trip). It even recognized the executive course where I practice my short game, which surprised me given it's only nine holes and opened in 2019.
Experience precision golf with the Voice Caddie VC4 GPS, offering voice distance output, elevation changes, and over 40,000 course maps worldwide.
Yes, you can use the Voice Caddie VC4 in tournament play when you activate Tournament Mode. This setting disables slope calculations and other non-conforming features to comply with USGA and R&A rules. You'll still get distances to the front, center, and back of greens, but elevation-adjusted data won't display. Before your official round, make sure you've switched to "Slope Off" mode to avoid penalties or disqualification.
You'll get approximately 15 hours of battery life on a single charge, which covers about 54 holes of golf. That's enough for three full rounds before you'll need to recharge. The device uses a mix of ordinary and power-saving modes to achieve this duration. When the battery runs low, it'll automatically switch to power-saving mode to help you complete your round. Full recharging takes about 90 minutes via USB-C.
The VC4 is water-resistant, not waterproof. You can wear it in light rain or handle occasional splashes on the golf course, but you shouldn't submerge it or expose it to heavy downpours. The device's sensitive barometric sensor needs protection from moisture to work properly. It'll handle typical golfing conditions with mild moisture just fine, but don't wear it swimming, showering, or in extreme wet environments to avoid damaging the internal components.
No, you won't pay any subscription fees for course updates with the VC4. You'll get free lifetime access to over 40,000 preloaded courses worldwide through the VC Manager software. Just connect your device via USB to download the latest course data and firmware updates whenever you need them. This no-subscription model saves you money compared to competitors that charge monthly or annual fees, making the VC4 an excellent budget-friendly choice.
No, it doesn't measure shot distances automatically. You'll need to press and hold the main button to initiate shot measurement. After hitting your ball and walking to its new location, the VC4 calculates and announces the carry distance. While this semi-automatic feature works well, it requires your manual input for each measurement. Higher-end Voice Caddie models like the T9 and T11 PRO offer fully automatic shot tracking without any button pressing.
The Voice Caddie VC4 has earned a permanent place in my bag. At around $130, it costs less than a single golf lesson but has probably saved me more strokes through better club selection. If you're stuck on whether this device is right for you, Indoor Golf Outlet offers free consultations from their U.S.-based experts who can help you determine if the VC4 fits your playing style and needs. If you're a competitive player who needs tournament-legal devices, this isn't for you; the slope feature can't be turned off. But for the other 99% of us who just want to play better golf and enjoy our rounds more, the VC4 delivers everything you need and nothing you don't.
This device is perfect for the player who wants accurate distances without the hassle of pulling out a rangefinder or constantly checking a watch. It's ideal for seniors who might struggle with small watch screens, faster players who don't want to slow down the pace of play, and anyone who appreciates simple, effective technology. After a month of testing, I can honestly say the VC4 has made me a more confident player from 150 yards and in, and that's where scoring happens.
