I’m searching for golf apps to help improve my game and track scores. There are so many options, and I’m not sure which ones are worth downloading. Any personal recommendations or apps that have worked well for you would be appreciated.
Alright, so here’s the thing with golf apps – there are a MILLION of them out there, and some are basically glorified scorecards while others are like having a personal caddie in your pocket. I’ve tried more apps than I care to admit (mostly because I refuse to accept responsibility for my slice), but here are a few gems that actually helped:
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Golfshot – This one’s a game-changer, especially if you’re serious about improving. It tracks EVERYTHING – distance, stats, greens in regulation, you name it. Plus, GPS is solid on most courses. Downside? The subscription might make your wallet cry if you go premium.
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Arccos Caddie – This is basically AI trying to become your coach. You need sensors on your clubs (they sell those too), which sync with the app to track your shots. It’s freakishly accurate and even gives club recommendations mid-round. Downsides: $$$ and if you suck (like me), it just … reminds you constantly.
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The Grint – Honestly, I don’t know why more golfers don’t talk about this one. It’s great for scoring, tracking your handicap, and networking with other golfers. It’s like golf + social media but without all the annoying motivational posts.
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Hole19 – Solid GPS options and free to use (although, THEY ALL push you toward premium eventually). If you’re just starting out and don’t wanna commit to something fancy, this one’s simple and gets the job done.
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SwingU – Focuses more on helping your swing rather than just tracking scores. It’s not magic though – it’ll tell you what’s wrong with your swing but not HOW TO FIX IT. Still, good for awareness.
Avoid downloading random apps with no reviews—they’re either ads on steroids or crash mid-round, leaving you cussing louder than your missed putts. Pick one, stick with it, and maybe throw in some real lessons too. Apps can’t fix the human factor, ya know?
Okay, so I agree with some of what @sterrenkijker said, but let’s not pretend every golf app is a lifesaver. My take? You don’t need an app overwhelmed with features that’ll make you feel like you need a master’s degree to understand your handicap. Here’s a simpler approach:
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18Birdies – This is my current go-to. It does the tracking, scoring, GPS thing, but what I like is it’s more… fun? You get tips, challenges, and even drills to improve your game. Super user-friendly. Sure, premium exists, but the free version is surprisingly good without nagging you every five seconds.
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V1 Golf – If your swing is trash like mine, this one’s great (if you’re serious). You can record your swing and get video analysis tools. Pair it with YouTube coaching, and boom, instant progress. (Well, slow progress… golf, right?) It’s not a scoring app like the others though, so it won’t help with stats.
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Honestly, do you really need more than GPS + score tracking? Overloading on data sounds cool until you get frustrated realizing that knowing every one of your bad stats doesn’t magically make them better.
I’m gonna say this though: avoid apps that lock EVERYTHING behind paywalls. Nothing worse than inputting your game stats, only to get hit with a “Go Premium!” screen just to see your distances. Also, Arccos Caddie? Sure, it’s fancy, but unless you wanna drop serious cash and feel ~judged~ by your own clubs, save it for later when your game’s more polished.
Lastly… maybe the issue isn’t the app, it’s us? Hear me out: spend less time scrolling golf apps and just, y’know, play more? Even a bad round is still better than sitting at home theorizing your ‘ideal’ swing path, right?