Life After Golf Guru

[Saluki91]

I have owned a Golf Guru MKI for many years now, and have been extremly happy with it. However, with the recent demise of Golf Guru, I am left to ponder what will replace my trusty GPS...

 

The big Guru selling points for me were the chip set/WAAS compatibility, ease of use, customer service (especially as it related to mapping and editing), and the lack of any fees.

 

At the time I purchased it, the Guru was one of only four golf GPS units with the most advanced chip set available to the civilian market. The other three were what eventually became the Callaway machine, the Sky Caddie 2.5, and the top of the Sky Caddie line (the designation escapes me). I loved letting my Guru "argue" with my buddies' lasers. It was accurate to within 3 yards on the vast majority of occasions, which is more than accurate enough for the talent pool I swim in.

 

Now it seems that Golf Guru has moved on to smaller and better things... which leaves me in need of a new GPS.

 

I would like to say that my criteria are the same: the best chip set I can buy, easy to use, good service, and no fees. Of course, I would also like to say that I have seven winning numbers...

 

I readily acknowledge that I never knew much about GPS units, and have forgotten most of that. I would appreciate any friendly guidance you could provide.

 

Thanks!

[BlackDiamondPar5]

I share your sentiment about golf guru. No one did it better than they did. I still use my G002 and it's excellent. Fortunately there website is still up and you can still download maps, however there is no support that I've seen (no response to emails or map update requests).

So what will I do when it's time to replace my golf guru? I will probably buy a Garmin g6. And while the garmin does more and looks really cool, I will miss the well executed simplicity of the golf guru g2.

Edit: also important to mention that Garmin does quarterly map and software updates for all their Golf GPS devices and there is no annual fee. They also come preloaded with all courses --so no need to identify and download courses ahead of time. Garmin is also known for excellent customer service, and as nearly a $3B company is likely to stay around. Also if you want to go really simple, go with the Garmin S1 watch. Check out the user reviews on Amazon--- very, very strong.

[Harry Longshanks]

Personally, if my GPS died, I would buy a battery-case and a golf GPS app for my iPhone before I would buy another stand-alone unit. Cheaper and if the map company goes belly-up, you're only out the cost of the app and you can buy a different app.

[rymail00]

[s]I[/s] have a SkyCaddie SG5 GPS and it is awesome. Yes you have to pay $50 a year but its totally worth it. Especially when you need to know how far the "lay up" area is or a sand trap or anyother obstacle out on the course.

[don golferinpa]

I own the original black & white guru, since oct '08, and have replaced the battery this past fall. I play over 60 rounds a year, and feel it was an invaluable purchase. I made several requests to fix a green mapping discrepancy with a course, and haven't heard back, so I suppose they discontinued the golf mapping business. I could map the green myself and save it. That's what makes the guru a survivor, I hope the website is retained, because I only have 40 courses stored.

[Rickochet]

My GPS watch went belly up so I dragged out my Guru G4 out and it worked flawlessly. I just hate having to push the buttons so many times on each hole and I really prefer a watch GPS.

Does anyone know if Guru supplies any kind of support for the Guru's? I see that their website is still up.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

I've tried contacting them several times over the last 6 - 8 months for map updates/corrections and got no response.

I think their website is still operational because their former president is paying for it out of his own pocket (as he told me). Other than that I have no info. I hope the site stays up at least through this season in case I play a course I haven't put on my G002.

It would seem they have assets(maps and technology) that could be sold to and used by another company. Maybe some day that will happen.

Until my G002 goes belly up, or I can't get maps, I plan to stick with it. The darn thing is just awesome and has been accurate on every course I've played in NY, FL and Ontario Canada.

I have been shopping around for something else, and at this point I'd probably get a Garmin g6 if the Guru dies.

[Sledge Hammer]

I started with the G001 when the Guru first came out. Upgraded to the G002 when they first offered the colour screen. The joystick button broke near the start of the season last year, so I was without a GPS for the summer and in some ways really didn't miss it. My lovely wife got me a Garmin S1 for Christmas, so I'm looking forward to getting it in play this summer.

I really liked my Gurus, though I think they could have done some better updates to software over the years. I mean it's a GPS unit that can tell me where I am on a hole +/- 1 yard, but I have to scroll through 50+ golf course names to find the course I'm about to play? There was also way too much use of the little (fragile) joystick button. Still I found a few sprinkler heads that were incorrectly marked on courses over the years. The course updates were usually done very quickly as well, though for many of the courses in Canada the hazard info was limited. I did like the score and stat tracking. Overall I thought they were good value and I enjoyed my time with them.

Too early for me to say go with the S1 as I haven't put it in play yet, but I hope you find a GPS that works well for you.

[Adamsguy]

I tried adding a course to my GG4 today with no luck. I think they are done.

[hooyeah8]

Yep the website seems to be finished.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

Interesting. The site was up earlier in the week when I checked. Maybe it's down temporarily?

Well, I think I've made my choice to try another GPS. The Bushnell Neo X watch is looking very attractive for the price. While I love the look and capabilities of the Garmin G6, the simplicity and price of the Neo X make it too attractive not to try.

I know RIckochet is getting the Neo X, so I'll be waiting to see what he says before I pull the trigger.

[Adamsguy]

It would of been nice if they had put a note up on their site thanking everyone who supported them through the years. I still use my GG4 all the time. I have the golf logix app on my phone but it seems so slow. I do like that they send you an email of your scores.

[ski_co]

No response from the web site for three days, sorry to see it go.

[hooyeah8]

[quote name='Adamsguy' timestamp='1370743484' post='7197680']
It would of been nice if they had put a note up on their site thanking everyone who supported them through the years. I still use my GG4 all the time. I have the golf logix app on my phone but it seems so slow. I do like that they send you an email of your scores.
[/quote]

Wonder if they just didn't pay webhosting fees?

[bbleous]

I wished they had given a little warning so I could get the courses I wanted to have on the unit for the rest of it's life. I've moved on and got the upro mx+.

[quincyScott]

I also wish they gave a little warning.....great product and now you cannot add courses anymore. Think about it, if they are paying whatever for website maintenance they could have posted an announcement on their website saying we cannot continue to pay to have the website up and will need $1 from all of the 1,000+ members out there to keep it up. or $5/year...whatever...it is only a few hundred dollars a year to keep a website domain...this was truely uncalled for in my view...to leave everyone stranded. Including all those who still buy it on Amazon!!

[drkla]

Perhaps those of us who have purchased Gurus and would like to still use them contact the web sight?
The WHOIS info says the webpage is registered thru 2018, though from appearances they were paid up thru 5/24/2013.
I'm going to send an email, and many of the gpsgolfguru users contact them, we may get an answer-or even the web site renewed. It's worth a try.

[size=3] [color=#434343][size=4]Registrant[/size][/color]



[color=#434343][size=4]Domains By Proxy, LLC[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4](480) 624-2599 Phone[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4](480) 624-2598 Fax[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4]DomainsByProxy.com[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4]14747 N Northsight Blvd Suite 111, PMB 309[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4]Scottsdale, Arizona 85260[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4]United States[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4]
[email protected] [/size][/color][/size]

[size=3][color=#434343][size=4]note: I emailed [email protected][/size][/color][/size]
[size=3][color=#434343][size=4]I will post when/if I receive a reply. [/size][/color] [/size]

[quincyScott]

Great idea, did you try to email the gpsgolfguru.com A domainsbyproxy.com?

[Arafel]

[quote name='quincyScott' timestamp='1372649298' post='7359662']
Great idea, did you try to email the gpsgolfguru.com A domainsbyproxy.com?
[/quote]

+1

[BlackDiamondPar5]

[quote name='drkla' timestamp='1372590939' post='7354698']
Perhaps those of us who have purchased Gurus and would like to still use them contact the web sight?
The WHOIS info says the webpage is registered thru 2018, though from appearances they were paid up thru 5/24/2013.
I'm going to send an email, and many of the gpsgolfguru users contact them, we may get an answer-or even the web site renewed. It's worth a try.

[size=3] [color=#434343][size=4]Registrant[/size][/color]



[color=#434343][size=4]Domains By Proxy, LLC[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4](480) 624-2599 Phone[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4](480) 624-2598 Fax[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4]DomainsByProxy.com[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4]14747 N Northsight Blvd Suite 111, PMB 309[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4]Scottsdale, Arizona 85260[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4]United States[/size][/color]
[color=#434343][size=4]
[email protected] [/size][/color][/size]

[size=3][color=#434343][size=4]note: I emailed [email protected][/size][/color][/size]
[size=3][color=#434343][size=4]I will post when/if I receive a reply. [/size][/color] [/size]
[/quote]

I had corresponded with the president of Golf Guru a little over a year ago. They had run into quality issues with a supplier and that ultimately led to financial and legal issues. These issues made it very difficult for the company to get lines of credit.

He had been keeping the site open on his own dime for the last year. As of now he's moved on to a new company so perhaps he just forgot to pay up on the website and your emails will help, or he's done and completely moved on and Golf Guru is gone for good.

It's unfortunate because at one point they were the leader in customer service and they had a great product. But now, years later it's got to be even tougher in this sector because it's really become a commodity product and with the likes of Bushnell and Garmin in the space, there can't be that much room.

I've moved on even though my G2 still works great, but unfortunately it's locked into the forty courses I had already loaded. I'm currently giving the Bushnell Neo X watch a try and I'm very pleased so far. Can't beat 30K plus courses on your wrist that also includes some hazard yardage.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

Interesting. Just happened to check Golf Guru and the website is back on line on 7/3.

[quincyScott]

Holy Cow....you are right...wonder what happened? I still hold out my option to pay these guys a nominal fee to keep the website up.

[ronbo]

[quote name='quincyScott' timestamp='1372872962' post='7381710']
Holy Cow....you are right...wonder what happened? I still hold out my option to pay these guys a nominal fee to keep the website up.
[/quote]

Why are you guys wasting your time with this has been company!! Get over it, much better products in the market! Get over it!!!

[Arafel]

[quote name='ronbo' timestamp='1372885745' post='7383210']
[quote name='quincyScott' timestamp='1372872962' post='7381710']
Holy Cow....you are right...wonder what happened? I still hold out my option to pay these guys a nominal fee to keep the website up.
[/quote]

Why are you guys wasting your time with this has been company!! Get over it, much better products in the market! Get over it!!!
[/quote]

Why are you wasting your time (and ours) with this has been thread? Get over it, there are much better threads to read. Seriously just get over it.

[quincyScott]

To ronbo....duh, perhaps it is because we spent anwhere from $200-$500 on a product that works better than most others out there and the only thing keeping us from using it on courses we did not download is the website was down. Good luck with whatever product you choose to use, don't really care.

[Adamsguy]

Yep it is back up. Maybe they saw our thread.

[quincyScott]

Ruh Roh....could be down again?

[Arafel]

I just checked again it is still down. Bummer.

[mgags]

I'm also feeling the pain.........man, I loved my GG2 (black and white).

Anyone have any recommendations for a new one? Garmin? I'm also thinking about going to a range finder although I will miss my front middle back readings.

[Arafel]

Still down. This kind of sucks.