Let’s talk Intelligreen (or you name-it feature)

[JayManMtl]

Help a newbie understand if it’s worth it or not

Hi Guys!

A bit of background information before we go… I consider myself a good player (single capper) that has great knowledge of distances he hits with his irons – albeit, not down to a 2 yards margin… but that can (more often than not it seems!) pull one or two…

Also, I have read a lot about the diverse GPS lately, but has never experienced playing a round with one… thus, this thread!

Let's please restrain ourselves from the 'my unit is better than yours' type comments… I'm looking for general information here.

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From what I have read, SkyCaddie, uPro, Guru and Buddy has this type of technology (let me know if I'm wrong)… while all other units (except from Logix) allows you to self map points.

First of, is this truly Intelligreen and does it really only help low-cappers?... Let's take an extreme example to illustrate… On a 40 yards circular green with the pin at the center point, you pull one pin high but 20 yards left of the green… Intelligreen would then tell you that the F/C/B are 20/40/60… but those not equipped with it would read F/C/B: 45/40/45 right?... since the front point of the green is now further than the center… Wouldn't this feature help more mid-high cappers since they are the ones going left and right on a course?

Second, those having experienced both – do you find this feature very helpful from further out if the green is not L or kindey or bizarred shaped?… Let's say you are on the right rough, does Intelligreen show yardages that you would not have guessed closely by having the generic F/B figures?

I would think the real benefit comes from bizarre shaped greens… where one wouldn't be able to guesstimate the F/B figures, right?

Also, for those that allow you to add points, I'm thinking that the benefit here is for courses you play often (about 30 rounds at my club and 1-2 at different other courses during the year). I don't think I would find myself mapping out greens I only play once or twice a year… but I would certainly do it at my club. From this, for those that map their greens – is it more cumbersome or helpful – is the naming convention a problem?… LftFrt, LftBck, etc.? Easily read when on course?

Finally, are there actual devices that look at green slope (or ridges)? I would find this very interesting when you play a course you're not familiar with – in order to aim at a particular spot.

Thanks in advance!

[Wayneo]

JayMan,

first off I own a Neo, the cheapest and most basic unit out there. Even if I were a lower handicapper, it would still suit my needs. I actually put it away once I'm within 80 yards (wedge distance) and rely more on feel. Here's my input regardless of whatever unit you purchase.

 

We/you are at the mercy of whomever mapped the course. Was it the start of the bunker mapped, the middle, or the carry distance.

The ability to 'map' a custom point or edit a point already on the unit is critical. You might want to map 100/150/200 yd layup distances, depending on the hole or what club/shot you feel most comfortable playing.

I can tell from the Neo mappings that the front and back are usually mapped from what would normally be a straight shot from the center of the fairway backwards.

I'm not aware of any manufacturer that looks at slope.

Naming convention is a great question. Easy to read, easy to understand. On the Neo it could be even easier if they used all 6 characters available for the abbreviations.

but those not equipped with it would read F/C/B: 45/40/45 right? - Correct. You made me draw a triangle picture to figure it out, you are correct.

 

Great questions all around. I hope I have helped.

 

Wayne.

[klaymon]

My opinion of Intelligreen and related features is I would find them of little use on courses I play (especially my home course). If I'm far enough off line that I need a GPS distance to the pin from the side of the green, I'm in the freaking trees. At that point, I'm probably trying to punch out and get back in play, but I'm certainly not firing at pins. I think it's a bit gimicky myself but that's just my opinion.

[milfordj]

You are right about the listed GPSs that accomodate green shapes (though I'm not familiar with Buddy, so can't speculate on that one), and hopefully you can add the OnPar which is supposed to come out mid-Jan and which I'm keeping a close eye on. And you're right about the 45/40/45; however, I feel this is still more important for Low Handicappers, as all High Handicappers should ONLY be interested in Center of Green for All of their approach shots (Please don't accuse me of belittling High Handicappers, as I am included). I'm not very good at guestimating distances for angled greens as you are, and I have no interest in doing so, since I have no problem carrying a GPS with me to do this for me. But you are definately correct in assuming that a primary benefit of "intelligreen or similar" is for odd-shaped greens approached from outer edge of fairway / rough. None of the GPS units reflect, or measure, Slope or Ridges on Greens. I think ONLY the Guru permits Mapping of Greens to reflect their shape, and you do NOT label the green you have mapped. Or, Maybe I misunderstand your question about nomenclature for self-mapping greens. I would definately recommend that you, being a single-digit handicapper, get a RANGEFINDER for determing exact distance (+ or- 1 yd) to Pin on approach shots, and possibly a GPS to determine distance for blind approach shots (hopefully seldom needed for single-digit handicapper) and for tee shot distances to lay-up points, and to (or to clear) hazards. I played with a single-digit handicapper last week and he really appreciated the distances I gave him using both my rangefinder and my GPS units (yeah, I'm saddled with beaucoup measuring units), so they will probably be very beneficial for you, as well. Good Luck in your selection, if you so decide.

[phil75070]

The value of Intelligreen-like functionality will vary from one golfer and one course to the next. The course I play has 18 very uniquely shaped greens, none even close to circular. They are also typically anywhere from 35-40 yards deep, but that is from a point closest to the fairway to a point farthest away, which is typically on an angle. The actual depth of the green on a particular line could be no more than 10-12 yards, if that, so the ability to approximate the pin location, for me, is invaluable, but also to quickly see how much room in front or in back of the pin I have to play with. I think that would be valuable information for even mid to high handicappers who typically may not be able to "spin" the ball on approach shots.

 

I am not familiar with how uPro and the Buddy have implemented their feature; SkyGolf's is the best implementation I have seen because the green actually rotates in relation to your position. I believe they have the rotating green feature actually patented.