Getting back to the game - ideas for Apps?

[mgoofy24]

So, I'm just starting to get back into golf. I played pretty regularly from grade school through college, and managed to get consistently into the 70s. Since graduating from college in '06, though, a combination of grad school, graduating into a horrid economy, car accident back injury, marriage and family, I've pretty much played 1 or 2 rounds in the past 6 years.

 

I finally landed a job where I have enough income to start enjoying golf again without feeling bad about spending a little money (I'm still pretty damn frugal though). I was honest with myself and decided to build a new bag and replace my old, but trusty, player's clubs with those that are a little more forgiving. I went from MacGregor V-Foil 1025CMs to Adams XTD Tours (not the forged) from e-bay. I also upgraded my woods from Taylormade R7 460 TP and an old Titleist 3W to Cobra BioCell+ driver and 3/4W. Noticing a lack of a 3 iron in the Adams set, I also picked up my first ever hybrid.

 

After a range session with the new clubs (those Adams irons have a hot face!), and trying to figure out a new adjustable driver, I'm going to go out this weekend for a round.

 

Question becomes - the last time I was seriously playing golf, GPS in phones was, maybe, just being thought about. Now, I see tons of apps on the App store. I've gone a bit crazy downloading many of them (all free versions) - what recommendations do you all have? Golf pad GPS? Foursum?.....

 

Excited to be back to the game!

[3puttsalot]

I used swing by swing for the first time Sunday and it worked great

[Crashhays]

The grint! Absolutely love it. And free USGA handicap to go with it.

[rFREESEr]

I like Golfcard GPS (iOS only - free with pretty unobtrusive ads) for GPS and stay tracking and I use the Grint for keeping a free handicap.

[Vettengineer]

I'll second the Grint. Just got it a few weeks ago - its a pretty slick app.

[Galiant50]

I have the Adams XTD Driver and Irons (bought driver first, then purchased the irons because they were cheaper than a lot of others and matching).. Do you love them as much as I do?

[mgoofy24]

[quote name='Galiant50' timestamp='1437096592' post='11963650']
I have the Adams XTD Driver and Irons (bought driver first, then purchased the irons because they were cheaper than a lot of others and matching).. Do you love them as much as I do?
[/quote]
I'll let you know after this weekend. I'm a bit wary - these are the furthest things from blades I've played in a long time, but they look nice at address and they feel pretty solid on contact so far. At the range, they were flying pretty high, but damn long. I can see why a lot of people dismiss them (the cross cavity is pretty shocking in appearance), but I think they'll perform pretty well.

Thanks for all the suggestions on apps!

[relentless76]

Trying different apps is a good way to get a feel of what you prefer in a golf app. I really like using Golfshot and Hole 19 apps on Android. Both are free, don't have to worry about constant log ins or making sure I have good LTE signal on my phone to use it. Also like how both apps keeps track of stats as far as putts, fairway hits, GIRs, and others that you can use to improve your game. I don't use the GPS on them unless I'm playing for the first time somewhere or testing out my driver distance.

[mgoofy24]

Well - the weekend went pretty well. A handful of pars, a few bogeys and a few doubles - I wasn't really expecting more. Bombed at least 1 drive, thankfully (about 15 yards short of a 320 yard par 4).

I tried GolfPad GPS and found it pretty intuitive.

The problem I ran into using the app was remembering/finding time to use it. I played early in AM and walked the course. I got paired with another gentleman who was riding, so I really didn't have much time to pull out my phone on each shot. At least we managed to finish the round in 3:15.

Where it did shine was when I pushed a drive over the trees into an adjoining fairway. I was able to quickly get the distance to the green and bang a 5 iron onto the fringe.

[weedsnager]

Never used golfpad, the Gps version is free ?

[weedsnager]

delete......

[mgoofy24]

Yeah - GPS version is free. You tee off, walk to your ball, pull out your phone and tap a tag button to tag where your shot landed. Gives yardage to center of green. Same tap to tag your shot on the approach - then just add putts onto score and tap to move to the next hole. Pretty good overall - it was just hard to use when trying to keep up with someone in a cart. I feel like I need to get a phone mount for my bag....

[weedsnager]

Good info, thanks

[a_gorilla]

I use swing by swing as well as a GPS device as well as a watch. I opted for the Looper membership which is $15 and includes better stat tracking and detailed green views and distances, slope/wind calculation and a 'plays like' distance to the center of the green.

On top of that I also like to keep a stat sheet in Google Sheets.

I just downloaded the Grint and have my official USGA handicap too, so there's that if you feel the urge to get back into some tournaments.

EDIT: OP, our backstories are eerily similar! graduated college in '08 and through combination of family, knee/back injuries, played only about 5 rounds over the past 6-7 years. I've finally got decent disposable income, so I got back into the game last November and upgraded my equipment over the course of the last few months.

[mgoofy24]

[quote name='a_gorilla' timestamp='1437493308' post='11992366']
I use swing by swing as well as a GPS device as well as a watch. I opted for the Looper membership which is $15 and includes better stat tracking and detailed green views and distances, slope/wind calculation and a 'plays like' distance to the center of the green.

On top of that I also like to keep a stat sheet in Google Sheets.

I just downloaded the Grint and have my official USGA handicap too, so there's that if you feel the urge to get back into some tournaments.

EDIT: OP, our backstories are eerily similar! graduated college in '08 and through combination of family, knee/back injuries, played only about 5 rounds over the past 6-7 years. I've finally got decent disposable income, so I got back into the game last November and upgraded my equipment over the course of the last few months.
[/quote]

Ha - nice! I just went for a complete overhaul of my bag (granted, this probably had something to do with the rust-pocked shafts on all my irons), but I managed to do it for sub $400, so I'm not complaining too much.

I have the Grint too, but I really just stopped keeping score during this last outing. I'm still learning the new driver, so it was very much a mixed bag day. (Looks like we even grabbed the same driver, Cobra Bio Cell+, I got the blue head. I wish I was able to find the callaway Apex irons in my price range).

[rddayton]

Here's one that hasn't been added to the list. It doesn't have anything to do with GPS/scorekeeping/stats.

It is called GolfNow. It is the best way I have found to find great deals on the golf courses in your area that you want to play. I really like it because every day it offers Hot Deals that many times are greens fees and cart for less than $20. It has been a great way to try courses without feeling the pinch of full price. They often have great deals during the week, but there are deals on the weekend too. Makes it simple and fast to book tee times without having to call the clubs to see what they have available.

Oh -- and don't forget to add the Golfwrx app too. It is a must have.

[mgoofy24]

[quote name='rddayton' timestamp='1437555388' post='11997852']
Here's one that hasn't been added to the list. It doesn't have anything to do with GPS/scorekeeping/stats.

It is called GolfNow. It is the best way I have found to find great deals on the golf courses in your area that you want to play. I really like it because every day it offers Hot Deals that many times are greens fees and cart for less than $20. It has been a great way to try courses without feeling the pinch of full price. They often have great deals during the week, but there are deals on the weekend too. Makes it simple and fast to book tee times without having to call the clubs to see what they have available.

Oh -- and don't forget to add the Golfwrx app too. It is a must have.
[/quote]
Check out Supreme Golf - its akin to the Kayak of greens fees discount searches (i.e., it searches multiple discount greens fees sites, including Golf Now). I live in San Francisco, so my best deals are always with the resident card I get here. Takes between $20 and $100 off greens fees at the munis around here.

[CougarRed]

Supreme Golf offers more courses in my area than GolfNow. And it's pretty easy to use. Thumbs up.