New Golf App called Pattern Golf -- Pretty Cool

[bsb70x7]

The teaching pro and a tech savvy caddie at my club just released a new app for your iPhone and Android devices. It is called Pattern Golf. I have been demoing it for a while on my iPhone 5 and it is pretty cool. First, you input the distances you hit your clubs and your handicap. Based on this information it will create a "pattern" which you hit your clubs using different colors for different clubs -- both lengthwise and a presumed dispersion based on handicap. It uses Google Earth to download courses you request or it can find a course based on your current location. It overlays your shot pattern onto the course to recommend/suggest a club for you to use. See an example screenshot below. It can also factor in wind strength. You can keep score and stats with the app too.

 

One of the best things about the app is that you can play a hypothetical round on any golf course. I find this useful if I am going to play a course that I have not played before or seldom play. I can basically plan out a strategy to play the course before I have even set foot on it -- useful for tournament prep.

 

You can get more info at www.patterngolf.com or at the different app stores for your smart phones. The website suggests that it is a replacement for GPS and rangefinders. It is worth a look and inexpensive. I am enjoying my experience with it a lot (although I still use my rangefinder).

 

If you use the app, I would be interested in your thoughts.

 

[Skeeter]

I'm enjoying the free version that lets you plan in advance. Not quite ready to pay $20 until I hear more reviews.

[mizunomaster]

Well, if it really is a replacement range finder, then I think $20 is quite cheap. I've downloaded the free version and can see how it might be able to do that. I might buy the app later today and see how it goes. I'll post back later if I do buy it.

[mizunomaster]

So after playing around with the free version for a while, I ponied up the money and bought the paid version last night. Played nine holes this morning and wow! It's awesome! I told myself to use only the app (so no range finder or checking sprinkler heads for distances) so I can give it an honest assessment on whether it actually can replace a GPS or range finder. I didn't look at yardage once the entire time nor did I need to! I was a little shaky the first few holes because I didn't know if I can trust it or not. Turns out, I can trust it. It was an extremely freeing experience. I got to concentrate on making a solid swing instead of questioning the distance and club choice. Barely sucked any juice from my battery, too! Planning on golfing again tomorrow if the weather holds. Off to go plan my round before I play it tomorrow!

[robrey85]

I'm intrigued to hear more about it as well as see more screenshots, possibly a in action video.

[mizunomaster]

I'm intrigued to hear more about it as well as see more screenshots, possibly a in action video.

 

On their website, under the "how pattern golf works" section, there are two buttons. One goes to a video over basic setup and the other goes to a video over practice round mode. I don't see one listed for live round mode though.

[stryper]

Does the practice round mode do anything? I downloaded the app, found my home course, and saw a nice shot pattern from the tips on the first tee. Then I couldn't get it to move. Looks intriguing, but I must be missing something. :dntknw:

[neild76]

Is this legal under USGA rules when playing a normal round to be posted to GHIN?

[YoungJedi]

Is this legal under USGA rules when playing a normal round to be posted to GHIN?

 

I wouldn't think so. Just like Arccos isn't legal for tournament play (standard version) becuase it's telling you club distances and recommending them for you.

 

For that reason, I would say no

[mizunomaster]

Does the practice round mode do anything? I downloaded the app, found my home course, and saw a nice shot pattern from the tips on the first tee. Then I couldn't get it to move. Looks intriguing, but I must be missing something. :dntknw:

 

Have you used google maps before? It functions very similarly to that. Use your finger to scroll. Use two fingers to zoom in and out and to also rotate. Tap and hold to drop a marker. Tap the marker to move the patterns to a marker or delete a marker. To change holes, use the arrows on the side. That should cover most things. Also, check out their video covering practice round mode. http://patterngolf.com/practice-round/

[Chilidog]

How does it account for wind?

[neild76]

Is this legal under USGA rules when playing a normal round to be posted to GHIN?

 

I wouldn't think so. Just like Arccos isn't legal for tournament play (standard version) becuase it's telling you club distances and recommending them for you.

 

For that reason, I would say no

 

When would anybody ever use something like this then? Every round I play is either in a tournament of some sort (albeit just at the club level), or posted for handicap purposes (can't use lasers that adjust for elevation, etc.). None of which I could use this app during. Maybe as a practice tool when playing by yourself? It's also possible I overestimate the amount of rounds that people play where they adhere to the rules and post their scores.

[YoungJedi]

Is this legal under USGA rules when playing a normal round to be posted to GHIN?

 

I wouldn't think so. Just like Arccos isn't legal for tournament play (standard version) becuase it's telling you club distances and recommending them for you.

 

For that reason, I would say no

 

When would anybody ever use something like this then? Every round I play is either in a tournament of some sort (albeit just at the club level), or posted for handicap purposes (can't use lasers that adjust for elevation, etc.). None of which I could use this app during. Maybe as a practice tool when playing by yourself? It's also possible I overestimate the amount of rounds that people play where they adhere to the rules and post their scores.

 

Yes just for practice to get to know your actual numbers

 

I think everyone overestimates people who follow all rules. I always see people "bump" shots, take 1 foot gummies, rake a ball out, improper drops, have a ball in their pocket/ breakfast ball.

 

List could go on and on

 

But I'm 99.99% certain you can't use this in tourneys

[neild76]

Is this legal under USGA rules when playing a normal round to be posted to GHIN?

 

I wouldn't think so. Just like Arccos isn't legal for tournament play (standard version) becuase it's telling you club distances and recommending them for you.

 

For that reason, I would say no

 

When would anybody ever use something like this then? Every round I play is either in a tournament of some sort (albeit just at the club level), or posted for handicap purposes (can't use lasers that adjust for elevation, etc.). None of which I could use this app during. Maybe as a practice tool when playing by yourself? It's also possible I overestimate the amount of rounds that people play where they adhere to the rules and post their scores.

 

Yes just for practice to get to know your actual numbers

 

I think everyone overestimates people who follow all rules. I always see people "bump" shots, take 1 foot gummies, rake a ball out, improper drops, have a ball in their pocket/ breakfast ball.

 

List could go on and on

 

But I'm 99.99% certain you can't use this in tourneys

 

And, for the sake of argument, if you do follow the rules when you play you wouldn't be allowed to post your score if you used this either.

[YoungJedi]

Is this legal under USGA rules when playing a normal round to be posted to GHIN?

 

I wouldn't think so. Just like Arccos isn't legal for tournament play (standard version) becuase it's telling you club distances and recommending them for you.

 

For that reason, I would say no

 

When would anybody ever use something like this then? Every round I play is either in a tournament of some sort (albeit just at the club level), or posted for handicap purposes (can't use lasers that adjust for elevation, etc.). None of which I could use this app during. Maybe as a practice tool when playing by yourself? It's also possible I overestimate the amount of rounds that people play where they adhere to the rules and post their scores.

 

Yes just for practice to get to know your actual numbers

 

I think everyone overestimates people who follow all rules. I always see people "bump" shots, take 1 foot gummies, rake a ball out, improper drops, have a ball in their pocket/ breakfast ball.

 

List could go on and on

 

But I'm 99.99% certain you can't use this in tourneys

 

And, for the sake of argument, if you do follow the rules when you play you wouldn't be allowed to post your score if you used this either.

 

Correct

[bsb70x7]

How does it account for wind?

 

I was told it is some approved mathematical formula used to compute the effect of wind on the distance.

[bsb70x7]

Is this legal under USGA rules when playing a normal round to be posted to GHIN?

 

I think they are going to ask the USGA for approval. If it only measured distance, which I think that is what the map feature does, I believe it would be fine. But because of the wind feature, I think it would not be legal. If I get more info, I will post more information.

 

I think it only measures distance based on the fact that you input the distances of the ovals and the ovals are displayed on the map. I could be wrong.