Absolutely! Having the front, middle and back distance will help you reduce your overall score and hit more accurate iron shots. This will leave you with shorter putts and increase your chances of one putting. It will also help eliminate shots that come up short or long because of the wrong distance.
The overall golf experience has come a long way.
The access to technology and numerous devices on the market make it easier than ever to know what club you should be hitting for every shot.
In the past, we had to find a sprinkler head and then pace off the distance. In the back of our mind, a bit of doubt could creep into whether or not we actually had the right distance.
As you stood there, you didn’t have any idea of the carry distance for the front bunker or what distance was going to send you over the back of the green.
Enter the Golf GPS Watch onto the scene.
Golfers can now have the front, middle and back distance on every approach shot they hit for 18 holes.
Regardless of where you find yourself on the course, your watch will adjust and tell you for that specific hole those three vital distance to help with your club selection.
Update: The bottom line is having the front, middle and back in addition to a rangefinder exact distance is a major key to consistency and taking your game to the next level. If you don’t have the information, you are simply guessing and leaving variables in play!
Are Golf GPS Watches Worth It?
The pros have these accurate numbers and amateurs should make sure they take advantage of this technology.
Professional golfers have always utilized their caddies for accurate distances to ensure they have the information needed to play a hole to their potential.
Now amateurs have access to this information to help them select the best club and be confidence over the shot.
Advantages of the Golf GPS Watches
- Front, MIddle and Back Distances
- Lay up distances
- Save Time During Your Round
- Have Confidence Over Every Shot
Golf GPS Watches Provide Front, Middle and Back Distances
This is a true game changer. As you approach your driver, you now have access to the most important information. The front, middle and back distances to the green you are hitting.
This is especially important if you are playing the course for the first time or a course you don’t play often.
These distances are essential and very helpful. I find it most helpful on holes where there is a front bunker.
Having enough club to at a minimum carry that front bunker is step number one. For example, if you have 145 yards left to the middle of the green, your watch might display that you have 132 yards to the front and 165 to the back.
In my situation I know that my 9 iron flies around 142 yards. I am almost guaranteed to carry the front bunker with a solid shot. Even if I hit it a bit thin or fat, I will still more than likely carry the bunker.
I can eliminate the big numbers by having the golf gps watch with me. I also know that I am not going to fly my 9 iron over the green at 165 yards to the back of the green.
This allows me to make a solid swing and give myself a quality look at birdie.
Golf GPS Watches Provide Layup Distances
Many of the golf gps watches will let you know where there is a hazard and the distance to stay short of that hazard or to carry the hazard.
While I think the greatest advantage is the front, middle, and back distances on every approach shot, the information to avoid hazards can save 1-3 shots a round and ensure that you are keeping the ball in play as long as you make a solid swing.
There is nothing worse in golf than striking a good shot, but hitting it too far or not far enough because you had bad information on the distances. There is demoralizing and destroys your round.
We can say we can overcome these circumstances, but it is difficult! If we hit a bad shot, we get it, but when you hit a good shot and still get punished it can be difficult to handle emotionally!
This can all be avoided with the golf gps watches that are on the market!
Golf GPS Watches Save Time During the Round
Gone are the days of trying to find the sprinkler head, the 150 marker or some other yardage point and stepping off your distance. You simply walk to your ball, let the watch settle in and check your distance.
THe easy access to the information right there on your wrist is amazing. You don’t have to fidget with the device and the watch works seamlessly.
Over the course of 18 holes, this will save your foursome time if everyone is wearing a watch. Plus, you get used to the watch and can start to dial in your distances!
Golf GPS Watches Provide Confidence Over Shots
I know one of the greatest barriers to a solid swing over a shot is when you start to doubt in your mind what the distance is and if you have the right club. You try to take some off or hit it extra hard and next think you know your solid contact has disappeared and you are to lose confidence in your swing.
With the golf gps watches, you can play with confidence that you have selected the right club and are prepared for the shot.
You aren’t walking around, trying to figure out distances, instead you stand there and prepare for the shot and then approach it with confidence that you have gone through your routine!
Tips To Maximize Your Golf GPS Watch
- Make sure you charge it before your round
- Log your scores in your watch for analyzation
- Utilize the different features
Make Sure You Charge Your Golf GPS Watch Before Your Round
You want to get to the course with a full battery or somewhat close to a full battery. Make sure you have downloaded the course you are going to play to avoid any delay in action with your watch.
The battery on my watch is of high quality and will last a while, but I always ensure I am ready and will keep a charging cord in my vehicle to enter the course with 100% battery life.
Log Your Scores with Your Golf GPS Watch
Many of the golf gps watches have a feature where you can keep score and some even have GIR entry and fairway hits entries.
Some even have putts hit on each green. Over time, this data can be analyzed to help you improve your game and see where your strengths and weaknesses are.
It is also fun to look back at your progress over time and look up a score from the past.
Utilize the Different Features
Some of the golf gps watches you give you a green overview and allow you to move the pin around to general areas on the green. Each watch will have different features that allow you to get the most accurate information possible!
BONUS TIP: MEASURE YOUR EXACT DISTANCES
In today’s golf world, there are now affordable golf launch monitors that every golfer can have as a part of their golf setup to ensure they are using the best equipment and keeping their swings on track. They can also most importantly help you map out your bag
Having these exact yardages will pair awesome with a golf gps watch.
I have a SkyTrak launch monitor setup in my garage and know that my 8 iron travels 153 yards. I know that my pitching wedge travels 118 yards.
Now I am able to take yardage off or give a bit more and the swing to sneak out a couple extra yards, but as I approach my shot from the fairway, I am able to laser my distance and then pick the right club. This helps me swing and play with confidence.
| Club | Carry Distance |
| 4 iron | 190 |
| 5 iron | 181 |
| 6 iron | 171 |
| 7 iron | 163 |
| 8 iron | 153 |
| 9 iron | 143 |
| P Club | 130 |
| PW Club | 118 |
There are three excellent options in today’s market that allow you to measure your swing at the driving range, in a net, or in a home golf simulator.
These versatile options below give you instant feedback and the information you need to experiment and see what works best for your game!
I would recommend one of the three launch monitors listed below:
Golf GPS Watches: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my golf gps watch in a tournament?
Most amateur tournaments allow golfers to use a golf gps watch or a rangefinder that does not have sloped turned on.
They understand the importance of pace of play and how having these yardages available through these devices help speed up the pace of play and give the golfers the same information the professional golfers have from their access to caddies.
Are golf gps watches accurate?
I own both a rangefinder and a golf gps watch and find them to be very close to each other. I use the golf rangefinder for exact yardages and my watch for the front, middle and back distance.
I find this combination to be amazing and extremely helpful! I am able to save at least 1-2 shots per 18 holes with this combination of technology.
What Golf GPS watch would you recommend?
Premium Option
Budget Option
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:
Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:
3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:
We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.
4 – Practice Frequently
Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions: