If PGA TOUR players have caddies to help them with yardage, why I don't I have help? I looked back at my rounds over the past couple of seasons and realized when I use a GPS (if it comes with the cart) my rounds have been lower. It makes perfect sense.
(Hole view on the SkyCaddie SGX)
The easy part was deciding I need one, the tough part was choosing which one I would use. I'm fortunate enough to spend part of my time at the New York Golf Center where could handle the all the GPS devices and talk with the reps for each company. After talking with the people who make the SkyCaddie SGX, it was a no brainer.
The SkyCaddie SGX
There are so many features I'm sure I have not had the chance to play with them all. The most important thing for me is ease of use and accuracy. In talking with the people at SkyGolf I found out they spend millions of dollars each year walking golf courses to make sure everything is accurate. As far as I could tell it works. On several occasions and on several courses I walked off distances from sprinkler heads or yardage markers, each time it was spot on. I've spoken with several people in the golf industry about this device (none affiliated with the SkyCaddie) and they have said it's the most accurate GPS device available.
It seems like the biggest request in a GPS is touch screen. The introduction of smartphones and iPads have made everyone accustomed to it. The SkyCaddie SGX is NOT a touch screen device. It has an easy to use "joystick" to help you navigate along with a few buttons to exit a screen, turn on, or get you back to the main menu. Despite using a iPhone everyday, I actually enjoyed the simplicity of it not being a touch screen. The joystick is responsive and easy to use. It has a "click" feature so after you highlight something, you can click the joystick down and it's selected, it's that easy. After handling many of the devices, I didn't find touch screen to be that great of a feature.
(A view of the green on the SkyCaddie SGX)
Additional Information About The SkyCaddie SGX
I'll get this part out of the way, there is an annual fee. The SkyCaddie offers three (four if you count the register only option) plans for you to chose from: Birdie, Eagle, and Double Eagle. There is an annual subscription with each of these and they range from $29.95 (Birdie) to $59.95 (Double Eagle). Depending where you're using your SkyCaddie SGX, you can decide on which plan is best for you.
The SkyCaddie SGX comes with 30,000 golf courses preloaded but it's best if you download a course to your device before you play. Downloading, or syncing, your device with a course before you play will give you more accuracy and let you know what features are available such as: IntelliGreen, Fairway Targets, HoleVue and more. The device also lets you track your score as well as stats after each hole is complete. The best part is, they keep it simple.
(Easy to use Scorecard on the SkyCaddie SGX)
Overall
The only negative thing I have heard from others about the SkyCaddie SGX is paying the annual fee. While no one wants to pay more money, when you break down the cost of your annual fee it comes out to as little as $1 per round of golf and in most cases, even less. I am happy to pay $1 per round to have accurate yardages and a device that works.
After using the SkyCaddie SGX, I'm happy to recommend it to anyone looking to purchase a GPS device. The ease of use, accuracy and additional features make it worth the cost and something you're playing partners will thank you for... if you decide to share it with them.
Who: SkyGolf
What: The SkyCaddie SGX
Why: Accurate yardages from tee to green
Where: Anywhere Golf GPS devices are sold but I recommend New York Golf Center
Cost: $299.99
Website: SkyGolf Website
Comments