Tough Decision

[Big Kahuna]

So My wife and I will be getting our taxes back soon, and I talked her into letting me have a little bit of that money for golf. I get bonus every year at work and I save the money and use it to play golf all summer long. I have yet to run out of money but came close to it last season. So here is where my tough decision comes into play. Last year i used golfshot on my iphone as my GPS. It worked nicely however I feel like it took a toll on phone, so this year I decided to go back to sky caddie. Now with the money from taxes I could afford to get myself a membership or I could go buy myself the new Sky Caddie SGX. I was leaning towards the membership but my concern is that I wont be able to get my money's worth. Things happen could be horrible weather all summer, I could hurt my back again like I did 2 seasons go, plus I like spending time with my wife and daughter. However having the membership could force me to play more. Ive been telling myself I want to break into the single digits with my handicap and with the amount of golf I could play that may be a reality. So iguess I'm asking what would you guys do get the membership or spend the extra cash on other golf equipment and fun toys?

[MichiganMike]

Please explain how a GPS app "takes a toll" on your phone? Sure it might drain the battery during a round, put they now make these cords which connect your phone to a power source. I've found they do wonders for the low battery problem after a round.

[Big Kahuna]

[quote name='MichiganMike' timestamp='1330018004' post='4358917']
Please explain how a GPS app "takes a toll" on your phone? Sure it might drain the battery during a round, put they now make these cords which connect your phone to a power source. I've found they do wonders for the low battery problem after a round.
[/quote]

Crazy I had no idea you could charge a phone, no wonder my phone hasnt worked since two days after I got it, the dang battery is dead, your a life saver thanks bud. Phones can take a beating in other ways, It got dropped a few times, got caught in a few rainstorms, things happen, but thanks for your input it was helpful.

[jaskanski]

Hmmm...you're right, it is a tough call.
My opinion - go for the membership. Equipment is easily obtainable at any time really, either secondhand, borrowed or relatively cheap new. Membership isn't as accessible at times and therefore would get the nod in favour of the golf gear. It would also give you the stimulus to play more golf - maybe even win a few games along the way? And maybe even meet a few new friends too? Does Sky Caddy buy you drinks after the round? Does Sky Caddy talk to you about the game on TV last night? Does Sky Caddy really offer more than a yardage chart?
Equipment is certainly fleeting sometimes, but life experiences such as membership only come along once so often. Lots of different things [i]could [/i] happen, but if you took that thought every time, you'd hardly get to play any golf. My 2 cents.

[Barto78]

[quote name='MichiganMike' timestamp='1330018004' post='4358917']
Please explain how a GPS app "takes a toll" on your phone? Sure it might drain the battery during a round, put they now make these cords which connect your phone to a power source. I've found they do wonders for the low battery problem after a round.
[/quote]

Not the OP, but apparently you aren't aware of the fact that a lithium battery will only hold x # of charges before it loses it's ability to hold and maintain a proper charge. He can recharge the phone all he wants, but sooner or later, the charge won't last for more than an hour or so while using the GPS application.

If i were the OP, i would invest into a laser rangefinder if that's a viable option for him. I too used to have a GPS unit back when they were relatively new on the scene (i had a sky caddie SG2). However, i made the change to a Bushnell V2 and now the Leupold GX-3 and haven't looked back since.

[MichiganMike]

[quote name='Big Kahuna' timestamp='1330018333' post='4358957']
[quote name='MichiganMike' timestamp='1330018004' post='4358917']
Please explain how a GPS app "takes a toll" on your phone? Sure it might drain the battery during a round, put they now make these cords which connect your phone to a power source. I've found they do wonders for the low battery problem after a round.
[/quote]

Crazy I had no idea you could charge a phone, no wonder my phone hasnt worked since two days after I got it, the dang battery is dead, your a life saver thanks bud. Phones can take a beating in other ways, It got dropped a few times, got caught in a few rainstorms, things happen, but thanks for your input it was helpful.
[/quote]


It was a joke...

[Beatupfender]

Membership. It's ALL about the playing, isn't it? Besides, you can buy a GPS for a few hundred bucks at any time in the season.
Also, a healthier, happier you will make for a better husband/dad.

PS: don't be so hard on Michiganmike, I could have been the one posting that

[Big Kahuna]

[quote name='MichiganMike' timestamp='1330018614' post='4359015']
[quote name='Big Kahuna' timestamp='1330018333' post='4358957']
[quote name='MichiganMike' timestamp='1330018004' post='4358917']
Please explain how a GPS app "takes a toll" on your phone? Sure it might drain the battery during a round, put they now make these cords which connect your phone to a power source. I've found they do wonders for the low battery problem after a round.
[/quote]

Crazy I had no idea you could charge a phone, no wonder my phone hasnt worked since two days after I got it, the dang battery is dead, your a life saver thanks bud. Phones can take a beating in other ways, It got dropped a few times, got caught in a few rainstorms, things happen, but thanks for your input it was helpful.
[/quote]


It was a joke...
[/quote]

I knew it was a joke, as was mine. sarcasm isnt it great. I think you guys haev helped me though I am leaning more and more towards the membership. I wuold say I'm 85-15 right now. Who am I kidding its all in my wifes hands, Looks like Il;l be giving a few extra back rubs in the coming weeks

[MichiganMike]

[quote name='Barto78' timestamp='1330018594' post='4359011']
[quote name='MichiganMike' timestamp='1330018004' post='4358917']
Please explain how a GPS app "takes a toll" on your phone? Sure it might drain the battery during a round, put they now make these cords which connect your phone to a power source. I've found they do wonders for the low battery problem after a round.
[/quote]

Not the OP, but apparently you aren't aware of the fact that a lithium battery will only hold x # of charges before it loses it's ability to hold and maintain a proper charge. He can recharge the phone all he wants, but sooner or later, the charge won't last for more than an hour or so while using the GPS application.

If i were the OP, i would invest into a laser rangefinder if that's a viable option for him. I too used to have a GPS unit back when they were relatively new on the scene (i had a sky caddie SG2). However, i made the change to a Bushnell V2 and now the Leupold GX-3 and haven't looked back since.
[/quote]

Joking aside (although I generally was curious about how using a GPS app can beat up a phone - the latter part of my post was pure jest), this reply does raise a few questions for me. If we accept that repeated use can wear down a battery (something I think is debatable over the general life of a battery, but that's a discussion for another thread), wouldn't it still be more cost effective to replace a battery once every couple years when compared to buying a stand alone GPS?

Furthermore, and as the OP added, if damage from the elements, drops, etc is a concern for a phone, then why wouldn't the same concerns exist for a stand alone GPS - something that is even more expensive than a phone?

So, to sum up, I just don't see how these expensive stand alone devices give you that much more than a free cell phone app. My iGolf app gives me everything I need. Sure I can't tell exactly where the pin is, but I have front, middle and back yardages. I think if people feel they need exact to the yard distances, they are fooling themselves.

[ben w]

you can always charge it off the cart battery like some of the guys at my local course...

[ssp]

Not even close ... membership.

[Isaac_Newton]

Membership all the way.

It's not fair that you live someplace that a golf membership is the equivalent cost of a range finder. I play about 10 times per month and spend 400 - 500 on green fees.

[bobfoster]

I pay about $35 annually for GolfLogix on my Android ... don't see it as doing any more damage than any other app (i.e., pretty much none). A great app ... and I've never needed to plug my phone in during a round ... still have somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 a battery left after the average round. Only trick is to simply make sure the screen is off when you don't need the app ... (on most of today's smart phones with high resolution screens, it is actually the screen that uses vastly more juice than almost any app).

[teejaywhy]

SkyCaddy - meh

[H.A. Kerr]

[quote name='Barto78' timestamp='1330018594' post='4359011']
However, i made the change to a Bushnell V2 and now the Leupold GX-3 and haven't looked back since.
[/quote]


Good thing, since they don't work very well when pointed that way.

Hey-O!

[Big Kahuna]

[quote name='Isaac_Newton' timestamp='1330032485' post='4361079']
Membership all the way.

It's not fair that you live someplace that a golf membership is the equivalent cost of a range finder. I play about 10 times per month and spend 400 - 500 on green fees.
[/quote]


The prices are not equal, a membership at my course is $1700. The money my wife could possibly be giving me is about $300 enought to either buy the sky caddie (or other golf equipment) or add it to my bonus which is enough so I can afford the membership. Although it looks like I spoke to soon and some unexpected bills have come up, looks like the membership will have to wait another year.