GPS units and watches: Sensitivity issues on tight courses

ChipNRun · July 23, 2021

I have a Garmin Approach S2 watch from 2009. I bought it new in 2016 - on sale 🙂 - and have used it since then.

I have a problem on certain courses with the watch advancing to the wrong hole, or suddenly jumping to hole 6 when I'm in middle of 5 fairway.

It was especially bad at St. Peters GC in St. Louis area. This was a former 9-hole country cub that was turned into an 18-hole course with not much extra land added. In one place on the back nine, three holes run fairways side-by-side through maybe a 100-yard wide strip. The hole selected by the S2 jumped around like crazy.

And, another course I play has a block of adjacent up-and-back fairways that seem to trick the watch.

Problem comes when play is moving quickly and I see 150 yards to the green, pull out a 7i, and hit the ball 20 yards over. I look down at watch, realize watch had jumped back to previous hole.

Is this jump around something I have to live with, or would a more powerful GPS unit or watch solve this problem? Or, is the S2 just used up and wearing out electronically?

Ripper212 · July 23, 2021

Adjacent holes can fool any watch. Rarely a problem on my S60 though. Easy to quickly change to correct hole. And that watch has another cool feature - downloading replica watchfaces. Currently have Omega, Breitling and Rolex on mine!

MountainKing · July 23, 2021

I have a GPS unit - I finally turned off automatic hole detection. It seems like anytime I leave the fairway (which is happening too often lately) the gps unit jumps to the next hole. Doesn't seem to matter if it's a tree lined course or wide open. I think there's only so much they can do with the programming of these devices at the price point.

Egs57 · August 22, 2021

I've played that course many times and have trouble with my Garmin g10 also. my opinion would be a range finder for that course as the holes are stacked on top of each other.

Had issues on other courses non bad as St. Peters.

GG194 · September 17, 2021

Mine works fine and only occasionally gets ahead. Since my Garmin vivosmart quit I also use it for counting steps because it can use the same app on my phone.