Apps Golfshot App Apple Watch try out

[Minarets]

When using golf shot does it take a second when raising your hand to look at the watch to calculate the new distance?

Say you hit your shot. Bruce to your ball and look at the watch. Does the previous distance show and then a second later the new distance load?

I say that because I can't find anything I don't like about free Hole 19 except that. And it's not a deal breaker but wondered if I should pony up for golf shot? Not sure what else it offers me other than trap distances.

 

[QuiteSure]

The new distance loads as you're approaching, ideally in real time.

 

[Minarets]

Played again today with the hole 19 app. Just did the update yesterday and it worked perfectly. The distances updated even quicker than last time.

Score card on the phone works beautifully just from updating the watch score and putts for each hole.

 

[N54TT]

New version released yesterday. Includes update to apple watch app which now runs natively. Can't wait to test it out...unfortunately it'll have to wait until all the snow melts and the season starts up again. Update also includes the option to remove club recommendations when starting a round.

 

[nathan.l.larsen]

New version released yesterday. Includes update to apple watch app which now runs natively. Can't wait to test it out...unfortunately it'll have to wait until all the snow melts and the season starts up again. Update also includes the option to remove club recommendations when starting a round.

I saw the same thing yesterday & was instantly happy & sad all at the same time; still plenty of winter left! I might just have to try it out when I go to Arizona in March

 

[N54TT]

I saw the same thing yesterday & was instantly happy & sad all at the same time; still plenty of winter left! I might just have to try it out when I go to Arizona in March

Just a word of caution. I tried to launch the app (to test out if it improves responsiveness) on my watch after upgrading and was having issues. It would keep saying something like start round or open app on phone...even though the app on my phone was open and round started. So I removed the app front the watch and reinstalled it...and all was fine. So if you're having issues you may have to delete and reinstall the app on your watch.

 

[nathan.l.larsen]

Just a word of caution. I tried to launch the app (to test out if it improves responsiveness) on my watch after upgrading and was having issues. It would keep saying something like start round or open app on phone...even though the app on my phone was open and round started. So I removed the app front the watch and reinstalled it...and all was fine. So if you're having issues you may have to delete and reinstall the app on your watch.

Thanks for the heads up! I tried it on my Watch, and it said the same thing about needing to start a round on my phone, but then it worked great after I went to my phone & started a round there.

 

[GeekGolfer]

Actually according to ShotZoom Support the recent update did not add Golfshot as a native run app on the Apple Watch. They did say that it is on their list for future improvements though.

 

[N54TT]

Actually according to ShotZoom Support the recent update did not add Golfshot as a native run app on the Apple Watch. They did say that it is on their list for future improvements though.

I'm not sure how much their support team actually knows because the latest update sure does launch how a native app should. When you launch a native app the name of the app shows on the top left corner. With non-native apps the name shows in the middle of the screen right under the spinning dots. Try it on yours and let us know how yours launches. Unless it's just an odd bug with mine.

 

[GeekGolfer]

I'm not sure how much their support team actually knows because the latest update sure does launch how a native app should. When you launch a native app the name of the app shows on the top left corner. With non-native apps the name shows in the middle of the screen right under the spinning dots. Try it on yours and let us know how yours launches. Unless it's just an odd bug with mine.

[doublepost=1454954820][/doublepost]

I did reload the app and it did load with the name in the upper left. Not sure what to think at this point. I have used the app on the course since the update for several rounds and to my eye it isn't any more responsive than in the past. Here is the response from Shotzoom support.

Hi Joe,

No, this OS does not incorporate the native app feature for Golfshot. We are looking into this for future development and updates.

Thank you.

Karina

Golfshot Supporters

 

[N54TT]

[doublepost=1454954820][/doublepost]


I did reload the app and it did load with the name in the upper left. Not sure what to think at this point. I have used the app on the course since the update for several rounds and to my eye it isn't any more responsive than in the past. Here is the response from Shotzoom support.

Hi Joe,

No, this OS does not incorporate the native app feature for Golfshot. We are looking into this for future development and updates.

Thank you.

Karina

Golfshot Supporters

From what I've read...when the name appears in the upper left...that app is running natively on the watch. Ultimately it doesn't matter to me....as long as the new version is just as responsive and didn't introduce any bugs. It could be that I haven't used it in a while...and its all in my head...it seems like it loads a touch faster and is quicker to input/save shots for each hole. As far as updating yardages on the course...with snow on the ground I won't be able to test that out for at least another 2 months.

 

[jrpmsms]

Played a few rounds now with GS... I have two problems. First... not sure what's up with the club recommendations. It recommended clubs that were not consistent with my manually set yardages OR with the shot at hand. I went back and rerecorded my distances manually, so we'll see if that continues. Second... if the course is playing the back nine first... when you record your score on 18 it jumps to the "save or cancel" round screen with no option to get to the first hole (assuming you've played all 18 holes). You end up having to start a new round and have two 9-hole rounds saved. Did I miss something?
[doublepost=1455133026][/doublepost]Let me also add that I am right handed but play lefty. I wear the watch on my left wrist which is obviously my follow wrist. I'm still in search of a band that will not loosen while playing. BUT I am pleased to report that the screen was responsive to my gloved right hand (with a smidge of extra pressure).

 

[N54TT]

Played a few rounds now with GS... I have two problems. First... not sure what's up with the club recommendations. It recommended clubs that were not consistent with my manually set yardages OR with the shot at hand. I went back and rerecorded my distances manually, so we'll see if that continues. Second... if the course is playing the back nine first... when you record your score on 18 it jumps to the "save or cancel" round screen with no option to get to the first hole (assuming you've played all 18 holes). You end up having to start a new round and have two 9-hole rounds saved. Did I miss something?
[doublepost=1455133026][/doublepost]Let me also add that I am right handed but play lefty. I wear the watch on my left wrist which is obviously my follow wrist. I'm still in search of a band that will not loosen while playing. BUT I am pleased to report that the screen was responsive to my gloved right hand (with a smidge of extra pressure).

1) I haven't use the updated version yet....but I never had an issue with club recommendations before. They did add the option to remove club rec on the newest version maybe it introduced a bug? It could also be an issue with the settings for your lay-up preferences.
2) When you finish the 18th hole...on your phone choose "cancel > return to holes > Click on the 18/black circle (on the bottom middle of the screen to bring up the menu) > go to hole (top left) > and then choose hole 1". Seems a lot but shouldn't take more than a couple seconds. BTW you can open the app at home to try it out....start a round..go to 18th hole and enter a score....you'll figure it out. There really isn't an easier way...as it doesn't recognize what hole you're on. After the 9th hole you may have to go into the menu to "end round" and "save round".
I've never had to start on the back nine of an 18hole course...while using the app.

 

[GeekGolfer]

From what I've read...when the name appears in the upper left...that app is running natively on the watch. Ultimately it doesn't matter to me....as long as the new version is just as responsive and didn't introduce any bugs. It could be that I haven't used it in a while...and its all in my head...it seems like it loads a touch faster and is quicker to input/save shots for each hole. As far as updating yardages on the course...with snow on the ground I won't be able to test that out for at least another 2 months.

 

[GeekGolfer]

Not to carry this on too long but since I had hoped that running natively would speed up the response times on the app I loaded Hole 19 to see if it loaded in the upper left and it did. So I contacted Hole 19 and they confirmed that they were running their app natively now. I played yesterday and used Golfshot for 9 holes and Hole 19 for 9 holes to see if there was any difference. There was. Golfshot remained sluggish in updating yardage and to still was difficult to score using the watch app. It takes 2 or 3 taps on the + or - to get the app to respond. It also took a good 5+ seconds to update yardage...same as I experience playing with it a week ago. Hole 19 on the other hand was updating almost instantaneously. Interesting maybe, but it does muddy the water on Golfshot.

 

[N54TT]

Not to carry this on too long but since I had hoped that running natively would speed up the response times on the app I loaded Hole 19 to see if it loaded in the upper left and it did. So I contacted Hole 19 and they confirmed that they were running their app natively now. I played yesterday and used Golfshot for 9 holes and Hole 19 for 9 holes to see if there was any difference. There was. Golfshot remained sluggish in updating yardage and to still was difficult to score using the watch app. It takes 2 or 3 taps on the + or - to get the app to respond. It also took a good 5+ seconds to update yardage...same as I experience playing with it a week ago. Hole 19 on the other hand was updating almost instantaneously. Interesting maybe, but it does muddy the water on Golfshot.

Maybe it's your GPS background setting? I have mine set to 10min...as pace of play can be slow in my area. When I turn my wrist to check yardages it updates almost instantaneously as the screen turns on....but again that's on the previous version. Hoping they didn't mess up the response on the new one.

 

[N54TT]

In case anyone hasn't seen. There's another update with several bug fixes.
Snow is melted and courses are opening tomorrow!!! I have a reservation Sunday and will finally get to try out the latest updates.

 

[N54TT]

Tried out the latest update. They ruined the Apple Watch app. Yardage updates are painfully slow now. If you're on v4.2 Don't update. That was working very good. I sent an email to Golfshot...hopefully it will be addressed soon.

Update: Golfshot support got back to me and asked me to try deleting the app and reinstalling it. They said a 1-2 sec delay should be expected...which is what I was getting with V4.2
I'm still getting 5+sec delays...so i sent an email back to support.

 

[Soultosoul]

Just wanted to say thanks for the reviews, and darn you all at the same time! When the Apple watch was introduced, I thought, cool, I don't really have much use for that right now so I don't need to buy one. With some of the rumored health/fitness updates, maybe then. Now I see this thread....

As an avid golfer, well, yep, now I need to re-examine things, lol.

Out of curiosity, can you run the golf apps and the fitness apps at the same time? I always walk when I play so that would be nice to keep track of the health stats at the same time.

*Checkbook is giving me the evil-eye*

 

[N54TT]

Just wanted to say thanks for the reviews, and darn you all at the same time! When the Apple watch was introduced, I thought, cool, I don't really have much use for that right now so I don't need to buy one. With some of the rumored health/fitness updates, maybe then. Now I see this thread....

As an avid golfer, well, yep, now I need to re-examine things, lol.

Out of curiosity, can you run the golf apps and the fitness apps at the same time? I always walk when I play so that would be nice to keep track of the health stats at the same time.

*Checkbook is giving me the evil-eye*

I know golfshot can read and write health data...You just have to allow it in the settings. It will show steps, calories, miles and time. You can view that under the fitness data for every scorecard you save.

 

[Jimdad55]

Hi guys. Been following this discussion for a few months as I've been thinking about taking the plunge for an Apple Watch. Well, I've finally bought one so I thought I'd join here to try to pick some brains / contribute to the Golfshot discussion as I've used the phone app for quite a while but only just got a watch.

Some great thoughts here about little tweaks to help it work. I've only got the basic Golfshot plus, as an original GS owner and don't really need the club recs or front and back of greens ( for goodness sake I've enough trouble hitting the green itself as a 15 h/capper. So the big issue for me is really a v quick update on distance to centre when I raise my wrist. I have a push trolley so phone in bag will always be within ten yards.

However, what I've struggled to find and what the GS website is v poor at is the set up to start with. Having only played one round with it initial impressions are that the GPS is slow to appear. I get the three blank lines for longer than I can afford before a number appears. It would be great if they, or if anyone was feeling generous, someone here could outline the steps which produce the best results. For example, I'd never have thought about altering the GPS time to ten seconds.

So far, before playing I'm thinking
Alter GPS to ten seconds on iPhone ( in my case just an iPhone 5 but still decent battery life)
Set watch to resume last app on wrist raise ( has anyone increased the amount of time on watch before it disappears ? At the moment, I'm still waiting for yardage when the screen goes blank. )
Begin by opening on watch then respond to request to start round on GS or other way round ?


Not sure about auto lock on phone or power saving mode on GPS app. Settings for these ?
Also, not sure what's happening on the watch with moving on to next hole. At the moment I'm swiping left and choosing next hole but it just seem to offer me a summary of the length of hole, stroke index and par rather than going straight to a distance to green or the option to browse which I don't understand.

So many questions which should have been sorted in GS's FAQs but aren't. Despite initial problems, however, I can see a day when I lift my wrist and the yardage appears within a couple of seconds and that would be great. The watch itself is much less obtrusive on my wrist than I thought it'd be as a non watch wearer.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Jimdad55]

Maybe just talking to myself in this thread but I thought I'd post my positive experience from yesterday using Golfshot with my watch.

Before starting the round I

Took auto lock off on the iPhone
Increased GPS time in settings to ten minutes as suggested ( although we weren't really held up at all )
Started the app on the watch first and as requested then started Golfshot on the phone, navigated to the first hole and put it into power save mode. I didn't touch or look at it again.

During the round I

Made sure the phone in my bag was always level with the ball
Lifted my wrist a couple of time on my way to the ball to reduce waiting time when I got there. This seemed to work as the longest wait was always the first one on any hole.


By the end of the round

The watch had provided ( on all bar one occasion ) accurate yardage as confirmed by my partner's Skycaddy.
It had provided yardages in such timely fashion that I now intend to use it in a medal. I checked with our Pro and he said he couldn't see an argument left against the watch as opposed to the phone for competition.
The battery on my quite old iPhone 5 had only gone down from 100% to 63% - much, much better than when I used the phone itself ! Don't ask me why.

All in all a great experience with the watch. Also didn't notice it on my wrist at all. After this I'd be tempted to purchase the upgrade except it costs too much on an annual basis ( extra one off fee would be fine) and the club recommendations might push it illegal again for medals.

Hope this helps anyone swithering about buying either Golfshot or the watch. ( having praised the app I'm gonna give the developers a slight black mark for not responding to my email suggesting they give a bit more info on their site about how to get the best out of app and watch.) We're all trying to make this better, guys.

 

[prycop]

Finally given up on Golfshot - year subscription ends April 22 anyway.
Works fine on my iphone but not on the watch - again. Watch shows three blank lines or spinning wheel, not conecting with phone. Tried turning phone and watch off to no avail.
Going to try Hole 19 now.

 

[heisman6183]

Finally given up on Golfshot - year subscription ends April 22 anyway.
Works fine on my iphone but not on the watch - again. Watch shows three blank lines or spinning wheel, not conecting with phone. Tried turning phone and watch off to no avail.
Going to try Hole 19 now.

I've yet to try Golfshot out on the course but just trying to load and sync to the watch has been really slow. Used Hole 19 on the course yesterday, worked great. Distances loaded in 1-2 seconds on wrist raise, scoring was quick and easy. Still hoping Golfshot turns it around because it's the best on the phone, but I'm really into using the watch now.

 

[N54TT]

So there's a new update for golfshot. Doesn't list specifics...but I think the app watch experience is back to where it was before the previous update. I was having issues with delayed yardage updates...which I didn't have before. With this new update it seems to be better now.