Apple Watch Series 9 for Golf? Or is the battery not up to it?

[GolfingPastorUK]

I am hoping to get some sort of fitness/golf watch. Leaning toward the Apple Watch Series 9 if there is enough reassurance that the battery will hold up?

If not, I will probably look at the Garmin Epix but that looks a bit chunky. 

 

Any experiences and advice would be well appreciated. Thanks in advance. 

[rukahs]

Of course it is, you could play 5 rounds in a day and it'd still be charged. Buying a used one is where you'll have issues. Garmin are a different beast, you could play for a month and it'd still have 20% left 😄 

[AzRoger]

I have the series 8 and no problem getting a round in, probably two if back to back the same day but not if the next day. I have a hard time believing the series 9 or any apple watch will give you 5 rounds. With the apple watch you really need to charge it every night but it does charge quickly.

[GolfingPastorUK]

1 hour ago, rukahs said:

Of course it is, you could play 5 rounds in a day and it'd still be charged. Buying a used one is where you'll have issues. Garmin are a different beast, you could play for a month and it'd still have 20% left 😄 

Have you actually got an Apple Series 9 watch then? 5 rounds sounds unrealistic to me but hope your right!!!

[GolfingPastorUK]

1 hour ago, AzRoger said:

I have the series 8 and no problem getting a round in, probably two if back to back the same day but not if the next day. I have a hard time believing the series 9 or any apple watch will give you 5 rounds. With the apple watch you really need to charge it every night but it does charge quickly.

On average, what percentage of battery life does 1 x round consume with the series 8? Which app do you use for your Golf GPS? Do you have to interact with your iphone or just the watch? Sorry for all the questions

[Cellis]

I used to wear a Series 3 running the app Golf Shot and would get through 18 holes more than fine.

[TheFatArmadillo]

Are you looking at a cellular one?  Also, are you going to be running Arccos, or just a GPS app on it?

[PNW]

I used to use a 2nd gen Apple Watch SE with Arccos GPS and one round would drain about 60% of the battery. Using the GPS is what kills the battery. I think the series 9 and SE have the same battery. 

[AzRoger]

8 hours ago, GolfingPastorUK said:

On average, what percentage of battery life does 1 x round consume with the series 8? Which app do you use for your Golf GPS? Do you have to interact with your iphone or just the watch? Sorry for all the questions

I would say about 40% on the series 8, I played a round this morning and the watch is now at 58%. I've used two GPS apps., MyTaylorMade+ and Golf4Watch, and both were about the same as far as battery life.

Edited January 19 by AzRoger

[NCDuffer]

Yes.  I have a series 5 and cam still get one round.  I have found battery use greatly depends on the app.  Also, if you are using the watch or phone gps for positioning.

[GolfingPastorUK]

14 hours ago, TheFatArmadillo said:

Are you looking at a cellular one?  Also, are you going to be running Arccos, or just a GPS app on it?

Cellular model. I would consider both

[GolfingPastorUK]

2 hours ago, NCDuffer said:

Yes.  I have a series 5 and cam still get one round.  I have found battery use greatly depends on the app.  Also, if you are using the watch or phone gps for positioning.

I would want to use the watch for positioning as I leave my phone in the bag and often stand away from it when taking a shot 

[SBH9458]

Epix Pro Gen 2 is fantastic. 

[TheFatArmadillo]

1 hour ago, GolfingPastorUK said:

Cellular model. I would consider both

My experience is only with Arccos.  It appears from other responses that for GPS only apps, people are able to get through a round with no problem.  I have two friends with Apple Watch 7s and 8s.  They can get through a round on some days, but not always.  I have an Ultra and I can make it through a round, but had 2 rounds last year that I was down to 10 percent by the end and it was warning I needed to hand off to my phone.  If Arccos is on your potential wish list (and using cellular) which consumes more battery, I would look at the Ultra 2 or the Garmin unit.

[awtryau89]

I have the original ultra and I could get 2 rounds out of it using the Golfshot app. My overall issue with it is the interference with my glove. I’m constantly activating the buttons during swings. I just put up with it to stay in the Apple ecosystem but I’d probably trade it for a Garmin if the right deal came along. 

[darkman8]

I have the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and can get multiple rounds using the grint. Big clear display and very accurate distances, along with all the other health metrics it provides. I can go 2-3 full days without needing to recharge it. I dont have the same issues with activating the buttons during a swing as I wear it on my non glove hand. Totally worth the extra money for the ultra, imo. 

[GolfingPastorUK]

On 1/20/2024 at 12:47 PM, SBH9458 said:

Epix Pro Gen 2 is fantastic. 

From what I have read, it is every bit as good as the S70 but with a ton more extra features - torch/maps/fitness/etc

[SBH9458]

 @GolfingPastorUK    Absolutely is.