Author: Tyler Moyer

Leupold GX-4i

The Leupold GX-4i has an aluminum body, a red OLED readout, and provides distances adjusted for slope, temperature and altitude, and club recommendations. Enhancements in this model include faster distance readings and flagstick range to 400 yards at +/- six inches. That being said, we found that we liked its predecessor a bit better, both because of difficulties in locking on to flagsticks and because the rapidly blinking display when panning targets was distracting. Read on for our detailed Leupold GX-4i review. Retail: $624.99 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Leupold GX-4i2 Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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  • 88/100

Leupold GX-3i

The Leupold GX-3i has a fancy aluminum body and a vivid red OLED readout, all in a great form factor. Enhancements in this model include more rapid distance readings and flagstick range to 400 yards at +/- six inches. While the device quickly provides distance while panning, we experienced difficulties in locking on to flagsticks and found the blinking distance readings to be distracting. Read on for our detailed Leupold GX-3i review. Retail price: $499.99 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Leupold GX-3i2 Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 91/100

Why Are So Few Small Manufacturers On The Golf Digest 2012 Hot List?

Though Golf Digest Senior Editor Mike Sachura remarked in the Golf Digest 2012 Hot List podcast that "…plenty of small companies…are on the Hot List this year", while referencing SeeMore (mSeries Private Reserve) and SCOR (SCOR4161 wedge), we would say this is a bit of a stretch. Only these 2 products from smaller manufacturers were selected out of 98 total clubs on the Hot List (see table at right), which doesn't quality as "plenty" in our book.
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Garmin Approach G6

The Garmin Approach G6 exemplifies the trend of putting all of the best features of previous devices into progressively more compact designs. We love the sleek form factor and ease of use, great course coverage, and no additional yearly or per-course fees. It's not perfect - we aren't fans of the arbitrary nature of when target distances are displayed, and experienced some bugginess when accessing old scorecards on the device. But all in all, a very good device. Check out our detailed Garmin G6 review. Retail price: $249.99 Three-year total cost: $249.99 Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith.com: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 93/100

Premium Golf Glove Reviews: Bionic, FootJoy, Hirzl and Titleist

The Paradox of Choice indeed. With so many gloves to choose from, where does one begin? Options are wide, ranging from inexpensive multi-packs to gloves made from the finest Corinthian - er, Premium Cabretta leather. And just what is this Cabretta leather? Well, it's produced from the skins of sheep that have hair instead of wool (straight-haired sheepskins). And what makes them Premium? Marketing.
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Leica Pinmaster II

The Leica Pinmaster II is the supermodel of laser rangefinders. Slim and light, an exceptional form factor. Extremely expensive. You can impress your friends with it. But like a supermodel, it’s blisteringly expensive to acquire, and once you get past the surface, you'll find it has issues that you really don’t want to deal with on an ongoing basis. Retail price: $499 (new retail price, down from a blistering $699) Amazon.com: Check price now
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  • 79/100

Expresso AG1

The Expresso AG1 (the "AG" standing for "Automotive" and "Golf") provides a navigation system for while you are on the road, and a golf GPS device for when you are on the course. Not limited to just GPS use, the device also can acts as a portable media player, with the ability to show photos, and play both music and video. Whether users find these additional features a plus or a minus, however, we leave (until our review) for others to debate. Retail price: $249.99 Three year total cost: $354.96 Amazon.com: Check price now
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Bag Boy Quad

The Bag Boy Quad presents a challenge to Sun Mountain’s Micro in the four-wheeled golf push cart world. It’s not the most compact, flashiest or largest cart in terms of storage space, but it’s well-built, easy to unfold and rolls well. Read on for our detailed Bag Boy Quad review. Retail price: $199.95 Amazon.com: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 89/100

Spikeless Golf Shoe Reviews: ECCO Street, ECCO Street Premiere and TRUE tour

It's been the rare instance over the last 20 years that I purchased the same golf shoe twice. I grew up wearing old school FootJoy shoes with metal spikes (translation = incredibly uncomfortable). Over time I branched out into other brands (Nike, Adidas, Oakley, ECCO) and models (both traditional styled shoes and sneaker-style), but still never found quite the right shoe. Clearly it was time to give the latest spikeless golf shoes a try.
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SkyCaddie SGXw

The SkyCaddie SGXw's ability to determine any point on the course, pre-mapped targets, radiating yardage arcs, mapping of the entire green all add up to the most extensive mapping and distance information you can find in a golf GPS unit. The optical trackpad received mixed reviews from our staff (and there are still bugs to work out). It's a great device for data aficionados, but players will want to consider both the device size and hefty price tag before purchase. Read on for more details in our SkyCaddie SGXw review. Retail price: $399.95 Three year total cost: $549.80 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the SkyCaddie TOUCH Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 86/100

Sun Mountain KG:2

We never had a chance to test the Sun Mountain KG:2 carry bag, but here's what we know: The KG:2 comes with a host of Sun Mountain's premium stand bag features, including light weight, the E-Z Fit Dual Strap System, and a cart-friendly bottom and new leg-lock system. The bag features a 9.5" 4-way top, three integrated top handles, and 8 pockets (with a mobile phone specific pocket - just make sure you turn it off though, OK?). The bag comes in eight color combinations. Retail price: $299 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Sun Mountain Series One.
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Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian

What sets the Sun Mountain ClubGlider Meridian apart from all other travel bags is the integrated leg set that, when extended, supports the entire weight of the bag and its contents, making it incredibly easy to navigate through airports, hotels and parking lots. The bag has two pockets, internal cinch straps and pivoting caster wheels. Comes in four different colors: Black/Lava (aka orange), Black/Baltic (aka blue), Black and Black/Red. Check out our detailed Sun Mountain ClubGlider review. Retail price: $279 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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  • 94/100

Sonocaddie V300 Plus

With the V300 Plus, Sonocaddie is starting to rival SkyCaddie with the sheer number of devices they have available: 6 versus SkyCaddie's whopping 7 devices. A marketer's dream! The Sonocaddie V300 Plus has a color screen and comes preloaded with basic distance information, including course hazards, targets and a graphic indication of whether they are on the left, center or right side of the hole. It does not, however, provide a map of the hole. Accessing hole maps, which include both color graphic layouts and satellite images, requires an additional membership fee of $29.95 per year. Retail price: $229.95 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Callaway Hyper-Lite 4.0

The Callaway Hyper-Lite 4.0 is a solid performer – there’s nothing radical about it, but it delivers what you need in a carry bag. The features include a 6-way top for club storage, pockets for everything you need, and exceptional padding both on in the shoulder straps and on the bag itself. Note that while it is marketed as "Hyper-Lite", the 4.9 lb. bag (as tested) was only slightly lighter than the average tested bag. Read on for our review of the Callaway Hyper-Lite 4.0. Retail price: $159 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 91/100

Medicus Golf Dual-Handle Putter Trainer

The Medicus Dual-Handle Putter Trainer looks and works unlike any of the other putting training aids on the market. The Medius trainer temporarily attaches to your putter by "sitting" on the butt end, with two handles that extended to either side of your putter handle, and then attach at the base of your grip. The goal is to develop the muscle memory to train the movement of the shoulders to keep your ball rolling in a straight line, every time. Read more about the Medicus Dual-Handle Putter Trainer. Retail price: $19.95 Amazon.com: Check price now
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EyeLine Golf Putting Laser+

The EyeLine golf laser is a simple offering, a laser that easily clips on to any putter shaft. The laser projects two perpendicular straight lines onto the ground (intended for indoor use) – one that points to the target and is perpendicular to the putter face, and the other that is along the face of the putter and is square to the target line to show the position of the putter face throughout the stroke. This allows players to get instant feedback to easily see if the putter is aligned or is moving off target. Read more about the EyeLine Putting Laser+. Retail price: $59.95 Amazon.com: Check price now
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Nike Vapor X Carry

The Nike Vapor X weighs approximately four pounds and enters as the lightest of the company's fully-featured carry bags. The curved Air shoulder straps are comfortable and the bag has storage for all the basics, though for us is on the small side, and we would trade off additional weight for a bag with slightly larger pockets. Though it carries a high retail price, the bag most often is found for less, including on Nike's own site. Read on for our review of the Nike Vapor X carry bag. Retail Price: $230.00 Amazon.com price: Check price now Golfsmith price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 88/100

Cool Clubs

We recently paid a visit to Cool Clubs, one of the few manufacturer-agnostic fitting centers with locations nationwide, and one of only two that focuses entirely on club fitting. Our editor visited the new 2,800 square foot Cool Clubs studio located within the Mariners Point Golf Center in Foster City, California.
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ProActive ProCircuit Putt Return System

We loved the ball return system, since it appeals to our lazy instincts - why reach a few inches to get the ball back when you can buy something that deposits it right back in the middle of your stance? But the wrinkly putting mat left us questioning the value of the device as a training aid. Retail price: $69.99 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 81/100

PING iPING Cradle and Putter App

The iPING is a fun and relatively inexpensive (at least for products in the pricey golf universe) way of analyzing the consistency of your putting stroke. The caveat is that it's currently only compatible with the iPhone 4/4S and iPod Touch (4th gen). Retail price (cradle): $29.99 Availability: Discontinued, though units may still be available at Amazon (see link below) Amazon.com price (cradle): Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 94/100

Hank Haney Ultimate Putting System

Don't let the name fool you - the "Ultimate Putting System" is just a basic putting mat with an electric ball return. The ball return is a nice touch, but the inferior quality of the putting mat makes this an also-ran within the product category. Retail price: $49.99 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 79/100

Greens Professor

Helps pinpoint whether the face of your putter is square, open or closed at impact. Using the device can get monotonous, and while the Greens Professor may actually help someone's game, it doesn't look or feel like a polished product, so it may not provide the "wow" factor you're looking for if you're giving this as a gift. Retail price: $49.99 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 83/100

Convertibles That Fit Golf Clubs

So you've decided to want to maximize your Vitamin D while not in your cubicle? A convertible is just what the doctor ordered. If you are having difficulty justifying this purchase to your spouse, keep in mind that auto manufacturers do indeed design these cars to work with child seats (the time to starting working on that golf scholarship is NOW!).
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Golf Fitness and Exercise Equipment

You can spend a lot on exercise equipment, but you don’t have to in order to get a great workout. The items below are a select handful to get you started, and work well in conjunction with some of the golf fitness books. It's time to get started on your 2011 resolution to get in shape (hey, it's only September). It’s easier to prevent an injury that to rehab from one, right?
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Advice on Custom Golf Club Fittings

If you are like any of the folks we play golf with on a regular basis, you probably have a barrage of reasons why you've never considered being fit for clubs by a professional: Your current clubs fit well enough that you won't gain any performance improvements from being fit (you will). Based on testing out equipment at your local retail store or demo day you can pick out the right match for your swing (you can't). You aren't "good enough" for a fitting (you are). That the fittings cost too much (they don't).
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Best Golf Books and DVDs

Though we would rather be at the course, sadly it’s just not possible to be there 24/7. So when away from the course, it’s time to break open a good book or watch a DVD. About golf, of course. While there are hundreds of books and DVDs, we have selected a number that we enjoy in different categories - fiction/non-fiction, coffee table, classics and history, and instructional. Don't forget, some books may be available on the Amazon Kindle.
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Notes from a Golf Digest Hot List Panelist

We found a bit more information on the Golf Digest Hot List process to shed some additional color. Personally, we find each additional tidbit interesting as there isn't a great amount of detail included in Golf Digest concerning details of the process. This information comes from an article on Tom Allen, a Middletown, OH resident with an 8.8 handicap index, who participated as a player in the Hot List team for 2011.
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The Golf Digest Hot List Process

Online golf addicts have undoubtedly seen (and perhaps have been authors of) the barrage of complaints in forums and blogs about the Golf Digest Hot List. And every year you can hear many of the same criticisms: the list is based on whether the manufacturer advertises in Golf Digest, if companies have personal relationships with the Editors, a ranking process that favors larger equipment manufacturers, and panelists that don’t thoroughly test all clubs but rather gravitate to those they know best. And hey, what were each club's numerical scores by category? Can we see the scores for all products tested, not just those that made the Hot List?
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No Value in Golf Digest Hot List

For all the debating that occurs each year over the Golf Digest Hot List, one thing is for certain: there is no more Value in it. Zero. This isn't anything new, however. "Value" as one of the Hot List criteria was removed back in 2009, with more significance given to the Look/Sound/Feel of the equipment.
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Who Determines the Golf Digest Hot List

To give a sense for the level of player evaluating equipment for the Golf Digest Hot List, we compare the handicap indexes of the judges and players in the panel against USGA handicap index statistics. Your play may not be quite the same level as the players who are ranking the clubs (who have an average handicap index of 5!), so take this into consideration when evaluating the Hot List if necessary.
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Golf Magazine ClubTest 2011

It wouldn't be quite right for us to comment on Golf Digest's Hot List without making a few remarks about Golf Magazine's ClubTest at the same time. Golf Magazine's March 2011 issue focused on drivers, and we eagerly flipped open our copy to see what insights we would find.
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Putting Arc MS III

Simple in its design and how it teaches the stroke (place the heel of the putter against the arc and just practice swinging back and forth). Extended practice with the Putting Arc MSIII should teach a proper "swinging gate" stroke - unfortunately, it can get repetitive. Note that this device is not designed to help those who use a "straight back/straight through" stroke. Retail price: $69.95 Amazon.com: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 92/100

Z Factor Perfect Putting Machine

The Z Factor Perfect Putting Machine rests on the green (or your carpet, of course), and is unlike other products in that you attach your putter to the system, and then "feel" the correct putting stroke and build the muscle memory groove it. The Z Factor is adjustable for six different swing planes, including square to square and five different arcs. Or bet is that your stroke matches one of the six. Or at the least, it should. Left handed? No worries, it's fully reversible. Read more about the Z Factor Perfect Putting Machine. Retail price: $199.95 Amazon.com: Check price now
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SKLZ Accelerator Pro

Teaches the critical concept of accelerating the putter head through impact. Excellent putting mat provides a true roll. Unfortunately, severe incline near the hole may be teaching you to smack the ball too far. Retail price: $49.99 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 89/100

TOMI Personal Putting System

TOMI, short for The Optimum Motion Instructor, is a training system designed to support instruction on the practice green. The system consists of a transmitter that attaches to the shaft and a base unit which records the information and saves it to your PC. The system records the motion and angle of the putter in space, from the backstroke to follow-through. The system then in near real-time breaks the data into sets of data for each of the eight key stroke measurements and then displays these results in charts and graphs. For data junkies out there looking to work on their putting, this could be just the ticket. Read more about the TOMI Personal Putting System. Retail price: $199.99 Amazon.com: Check price now
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Motocaddy S3 Digital

The S3 Digital offers all of the base features found in the entry-level S1 Digital, including the same dial control with 9 speed settings, 200w motor, ability to lock when folded, ergonomic grip, in an aluminum frame that weighs 19 pounds. The top-of-the-line Motocaddy also can track 3 different distances at any time (total distance traveled, distance for the found and also shot distances - though they can't be saved as with some GPS devices), and for those of you who simply refuse to leave the office (or Angry Birds) behind, a USB charging port for your GPS device of choice. The S3 Digital's display also provides time and a battery meter, and an adjustable distance control feature allows to to send the S3 on ahead of you from between 5 to 60 yards. Motocaddy S3 Digital Retail price: $849 Amazon.com: Check price now
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Nike Performance Carry

The Nike Performance Carry Bag, the heaviest of Nike's carry bags at 7 pounds, features a 14 full-length club dividers, 10 pockets, and a nice addition of their new S-curved shoulder straps. It's a sharp looking bag, though probably most at home on a push or riding cart, seemingly designed as a hybrid between a cart and carry bag. At an MSRP of $240(!) it's tough to recommend, though some quick searching at Amazon and others show it available for much, much less. Read on for our review of the Nike Performance Carry Bag. Retail price: $240.00 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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  • 86/100

IZZO SWAMI 3000

The SWAMI 3000 brings a number of significant improvements to the original SWAMI 1500, including course name displayed on screen, pre-loaded with over 19,000 courses. If you like bells and whistles, look elsewhere, but if an uncomplicated approach is more to your liking, the SWAMI 3000 is a nice simple unit in a lightweight and compact form factor. Read our detailed IZZO SWAMI 3000 review. Retail price: $99.99 Three year total cost: $139.98 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the IZZO SWAMI 4000. Amazon.com: Check price now
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  • 80/100

Cleveland Golf Fitting Studio

Tucked away in the little Hamlet of Huntington Beach just off the 405, in an unassuming office complex surrounded by Konica Minolta and Boeing buildings, lies Cleveland Golf headquarters, the site of our latest visit in our continuing series on golf club fitting and performance centers. Whether you select a fitting for woods (driver, fairway and hybrid), irons, wedges, or a putter the cost is the same. Zero. That's right. Zilch. Nada. Nothing. Apparently something in life is free! That’s not reason alone to drop everything that you’re doing and head on over, but it’s one on the list.
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Hot Stix Golf

Founded in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2000, Hot Stix is one of the few brand-agnostic fitting companies with locations available nationwide. The company independently tests all of their equipment, and shares their experiences across locations to ensure that visitors benefit from the collective knowledge of its fitting staff around the country. Their client list includes over 250 Tour players (including major winners) and 35,000 amateurs, and the company is the official Golf Magazine equipment research partner.
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GolfTEC

Our visit to GolfTEC was our first to a manufacturer-agnostic facility, one only two companies that offer such services nationwide, though with over 140 Centers available in North America, it is the largest by far. Those familiar with the GolfTEC name will most likely recognize the company as a provider of golf lessons. And it is indeed a powerhouse in the lesson business, teaching over 20% of all U.S. lessons annually, an absolutely stunning number. My visit, however, was for their Personal Club Fitting, one of the other services that they have available for players.
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GolfBuddy World

The GolfBuddy World is a nice combination of an intuitive user interface, quality graphics, a full set of features, exceptional course coverage with pre-mapped targets, and no annual or per-course fees. While users can use the touchscreen to target any point on the hole and receive distances both to that point and to the green, as well as select the flagstick location, touchscreen sensitivity fell short of our expectations. The screen isn't as bright as we would like, but hole and green graphic images are crisp. Though still not as well known as SkyCaddie and Garmin, GolfBuddy is making good progress. Read our full GolfBuddy World review. Retail price: $299 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the GolfBuddy PT4 Amazon.com: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 89/100

Callaway Diablo Octane

The Callaway Diablo replaces the earlier generation LR550. It features 6x magnification and "First Target Priority" mode, is waterproof, and picks out targets at up to 550 yards. It does fine if you’re aiming at the flag portion of the flagstick, but struggles when you aim at the stick. Nonetheless, as the least expensive laser rangefinder in our tests, it scores big points in terms of value. Read more in our full Callaway Diablo Octane laser rangefinder review. Retail price: $299.99 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by Callaway RAZR.
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  • 89/100

Bushnell Hybrid GPS Laser

The Bushnell Hybrid features the great idea of combining a laser rangefinder and a GPS device into a single package. Evaluated from the GPS perspective (we have a separate review evaluating it from a laser rangefinder perspective), it's a bit light on features, is big and bulky, and costs a bundle. A fair attempt for a first generation product, but we're hoping that new versions will have better integration between the GPS and rangefinder functions. Read our detailed Bushnell Hybrid Golf GPS Device review. Retail price: $399 (down from $499 at introduction) Three year total cost: $399 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Bushnell Tour V4 Shift, plus the latest Bushnell GPS watch Amazon.com: Check price now
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  • 89/100

Bushnell Hybrid Laser GPS

The Bushnell Hybrid is the first combination GPS and laser rangefinder on the market. Though the Hybird has only 5x magnification and no panning mode, the benefits of having a built-in GPS (with over 16,000 courses out of the box, and no yearly fees) is clear. Given the size and cost, however, users will likely not only be stacking the Hybrid up against the Bushnell Tour V2 and neo+ (which it essentially is), but also against separate dedicated laser and GPS devices. Read more at our detailed Bushnell Hybrid Laser GPS review. Retail price: $399.99 (down from $499 at introduction) Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Bushnell Tour V4 Shift, plus the latest Bushnell GPS watch Amazon.com: Check price now
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  • 88/100

Celestron CoursePro Elite

The Celestron CoursePro Elite suffers from being a "tweener" - caught as neither a compact basic device nor a full featured top-end unit. Most consumers are likely to find a better fit elsewhere. The exception is that the CoursePro Elite may appeal strongly to those who enjoy customizing their own course maps or need a device that displays one of the whopping twelve different languages that the CoursePro Elite supports. Read our detailed Celestron CoursePro Elite review. Retail price: $149.95 Three year price: $182.84 Availability: Discontinued. No replacement product.
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  • 83/100

Bat-Caddy X3R

One of the best values in electronic carts, and one of the top selling on the market, the Bat-Caddy X3R can be controlled up to 120 yards (though 10-20 yards is recommended). The cart has a silver aluminum alloy frame with stainless steel components and a single 200-watt electric motor. The remote can move the X3R forward/reverse and left/right, and features a timed advance function to keep the cart advancing in front of the player. The cart has two rear wheels, one front wheel, plus a retractable rear stabilizer wheel. There are a large number of optional accessories, ranging from seat to sand dispenser. Bat-Caddy X3R Retail Price: $645 Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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Stewart Golf X5

The Stewart X5 Remote is marketed as a “luxury” electric cart, and with the quality, level of design and specifications, it certainly meets this description. Designed from the ground up as a remote controlled cart, the X5 is far different than some of the competition that are based on existing push carts, with battery and/or remote control systems tacked on without a change in cart design. Stewart Golf X5 Retail Price: $2,495 Amazon.com: Check price now
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Bat-Caddy X4R

One of the best values in electronic carts, and one of the top selling on the market, the Bat-Caddy X4R makes large leaps from the Bat-Caddy X3R. The cart has a silver aluminum alloy frame with stainless steel components and two independently powered 200-watt electric motors. The remote can move the X4R forward/reverse and left/right, controlling it up to 120 yards (though 10-20 years is recommended), and features a timed advance function to keep the cart advancing in front of the player. The cart has two rear wheels, one front wheel, plus a retractable rear stabilizer wheel. There are a large number of optional accessories, ranging from seat to sand dispenser. Bat-Caddy X4R Retail Price: $995 Golfsmith: Check price now
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Bag Boy Navigator 2

Bag Boy, well known for their push and pull golf carts, also offers a remote controlled electric cart, the Navigator 2. The Navigator 2 has two rear wheels, a 360-degree swiveling front wheel (with suspension), and the common rear wheel stabilizer. Dual 140-watt motors power the cart, which has controls for front/reverse and left/right. The Bag Boy Navigator 2 also comes with a removable seat with storage, in case there aren’t any benches on the tee to take a load off. Bag Boy Navigator 2 Retail Price: $1,995.95 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Bag Boy Navigator Elite
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Callaway upro mx

The Callaway upro mx has now been officially discontinued, ending its disastrous 16 month lifespan which included the initial launch, a litany of initial problems with both the device and uxplore portal, the (supposedly temporarily) recall of the device, a release of PC beta software in an attempt to fix issues, and as of today, the official scrapping of the device without ever being re-released. We can now say that this was the worst golf GPS launch GPS (actually probably the worst of any consumer tech device) we have ever seen. Read our detailed Callaway upro mx news update for further information Availability: never! Retail price: $199 plus $59.99 for unlimited ProMode (satellite view) courses Replaced by: Callaway upro mx+
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AJAX Parkridge

While this cart qualifies as an exceptional value for some (hey, if you can find it, it might even be free), even doubling as a cart and bag in one, the AJAX Parkridge simply can't keep up with the competition. The Parkridge is held back by the dated styling, poor weight distribution, lack of storage, and a extendable seat which is too small to fit an American-sized behind. Retail price: As negotiated at garage sale
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  • 68/100

Club Glove Last Bag

The Club Glove Last Bag is used by more professionals on the PGA Tour than any other bag, and we can see why. We love its heavy-duty construction and durability. Even better is the ease of traveling with the bag, which provides additional space for tossing in extra gear and has a soft cover that makes it easy to fit into trunks. Check out the details in our Club Glove Last Bag review. Retail price: $289 Amazon.com price: Check price now Golfsmith price: Check price now
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  • 93/100

SKB Deluxe

The SKB Deluxe Golf Travel Case (we tested the 2SKB-4814W) is a rugged hard case that can stand up to serious airline abuse. The kicker is that it comes with not only a warranty on defects in materials and craftsmanship, but also a unique $1,500 warranty to cover the cost of any equipment damaged by the airlines. Now that's peace of mind! Check out our detailed SKB Deluxe Golf Travel Case review. Retail price: $259.99 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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  • 91/100

Build Your Own Home Golf Studio (on a $50,000 Budget)

All too many garages sit unused, collecting a barrage of items that you haven't used in years (yes, including the treadmill you bought after you put on a few extra lbs in the 90s), covered with dust and spiderwebs. The good news is we consider this to be an easily fixable problem. The solution, of course, is to get rid of all that crap via freecycle, and build your very own custom residential golf swing analysis center. You'll be the envy of the neighborhood!
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Garmin Approach S1 Watch

Just a bit thicker than standard watches, the S1 has an easy-to-use interface providing distances to the near, center and far edges of the green. While hazard distances aren't available, the S1 provides hole and par information, along with shot measuring capability. If you are looking for just the basics and don't mind wearing a watch while you play, or simply miss your Finnish Suunto G9, the S1 is the way to go! Read more at our detailed Garmin Approach S1 review. Retail price: $179.99 Three year total cost: $179.99 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Garmin Approach S3 watch Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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  • 91/100

Golf Etiquette

The list of etiquette rules in golf can be painfully long - but there are some simple ones that we think are worth posting, because if just one person learns something from this, the golfing world will be a better place.
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Who Doesn’t Love a Good (Golf GPS Device) Price War?

There isn’t anything better when a nice price ware breaks out. I sure love them. Plane fares to Vegas, cars, mattresses, or electronics. As consumers, we all win. So those who have been holding off purchase of a dedicated golf GPS unit, cringing at the prices, will be happy to hear that the competition is heating up and prices are coming down. The combination of the economy, end of the season, and increased competition in the market has dropped both list and street prices of a number of devices considerably.
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Bushnell neo+

With its "Plus" series, Bushnell joins the growing number of manufacturers offering golf GPS devices that come with courses pre-loaded, and, even better, requiring no membership fees for access to the course database. The neo+ is one of the simplest devices we tested, providing text distances to the front, center and back of the green and up to four other hazards/targets on each hole. If you are looking for ease of use, the neo+ ranks among the top devices. Read on at our detailed Bushnell neo+ review. Retail price: $149.99 Three year total cost: $149.99 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Bushnell NEO XS Watch Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 90/100

Bushnell Yardage Pro XGC+

The Bushnell Yardage Pro XGC+ has a good form factor and is quite light, with solid buttons, an intuitive menu and a color screen that works fine in different lighting conditions. Hole map usability is an issue - the device can move the target point you have selected on a whim, creating a maddening experience. Only green points and selected pre-mapped targets come installed - if you want the overhead hole maps, you’ll have to download individually (annual fee required). Read our detailed Bushnell Yardage Pro XGC+ review. Retail price: $299.99 Three-year total cost: $369.97 Availability: Discontinued. No handheld replacement, next nearest replacement is Bushnell NEO-X Watch
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Our Rating

  • 78/100

Callaway iQ

Callaway's top-of-the-line rangefinder features rapid line-of-sight and slope-adjusted distance readings, 6x magnification, and exceptional performance in picking out flagsticks at a distance. It's in the middle of the pack of our cost comparison, but worthy of your consideration. Retail price: $429.95 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Nikon COOLSHOT AS. Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 90/100

Bushnell Tour V2 Slope

While we have not obtained a Bushnell Tour V2 Slope Edition laser rangefinder for testing, we believe that it will provide the same level of performance as the Bushnell Tour V2, reviewed on our site. These two rangefinders have the same specifications, with the exception of the slope-adjusted distances available on the Slope Edition version. Retail price: $399 Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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iPhone Golf GPS Apps: Why It’s Okay to Pay for iTunes Apps

We'll consider paying $1.29 for a song on iTunes, and if we're feeling flush maybe try a cheap app for $1.99. But $10 for an app for an iPhone? $30? Are you nuts? That’s a good percentage of the cost of the iPhone itself! How can that possibly be a reasonable amount to pay? That's insane. Well, that was before. Having bitten the bullet and sprung for a number of iPhone golf GPS apps that cost much more than $1.99, we can honestly say that many of them are worth the price of admission. These paid apps (well, the top ones at least) offer much better course coverage, support, functionality and overall quality than iPhone GPS free apps.
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iPhone Battery Packs: The Perfect Companion

So you've learned to live with AT&T service. But you haven't learned to live with the short battery life of your iPhone. Well, neither have we. Since the iPhone battery hasn't evolved to the point of being able to keep up with our needs during the day, we purchased a handful of iPhone battery packs and gave them a thorough testing. We don't know what a mAh is, nor do we want to. All we wanted to know was which is the best.
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Bag Boy Automatic

A bit bulky and with a lack of storage space, the Bag Boy Automatic doesn't distinguish itself from the rest of the pack. It is easily unfolded, but unless that's your top priority, you will likely find better value elsewhere. Retail price: $199.95 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Bag Boy Quad
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Our Rating

  • 85/100

The Best Free iPhone Golf GPS Apps: Do You Get What You Pay For?

I don’t know about you, but the last time I paid for some software for my computer or for an iPhone app was....well, I can’t remember when. We all expect to get free information from the web. For a while we were even conditioned to expect to be able to download music for free (yes, we have reformed). And as part of the growing masses that own an iPhone, we expect to download free apps. At the very least, we consider it payback for the crappy AT&T wireless service that we have to deal with on a daily basis. So for those that won’t spend one thin dime on an iPhone app, we downloaded all the free iPhone golf apps we could find and headed to the course to see how they would perform.
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How to Cure an Aching Back Instantly: Golf Push Carts

We once were nonbelievers...carrying our bags regardless of the length of the course, elevation changes, and temperature. But as our shoulders and back gradually feel the effects of time, and common sense starts to override whether we will take flack from our buddies, we have become push cart converts.
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Our Rating

Plum Caddy

Plum Caddy features extremely rudimentary hole graphics, along with scoring (but only if you mark each shot location) and statistics. The app has limited course coverage (and when a course is available, there is often mapping of only one or just a few holes) and is riddled with bugs. And without a tool to map a course, players can’t even add to the sparse course coverage. Plum Caddy has been sold to a new owner by the developer (we know who got the short end of the stick in this deal!), and until our review of the next release, we recommend that players look elsewhere. Availability: No longer available from the iTunes Store
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Our Rating

  • 55/100

Laser Link Red Hot

The Laser Link Red Hot is a pistol-styled laser rangefinder that can target any object on the golf course (unlike Laser Link's QuickShot, which can only target flagsticks with reflective prisms). We liked the Red Hot's point-and-shoot design and its vibrate mode, which vibrates the device when it has locked on to a target. Our concern about the Red Hot arose from the difficulty in getting a confident reading on targets without prisms at longer distances - a problem that was exacerbated by the lack of any magnification in the viewfinder. Check out our detailed Laser Link Red Hot review for more. Retail price: $389 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Laser Link Red Hot 2. Amazon.com: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 83/100

Laser Link QuickShot

The most simple laser rangefinder in our tests, the Laser Link QuickShot only works for reading distances to flagsticks with reflective prisms. While the QuickShot’s lack of versatility is a bit of a non-starter for us, players who appreciate the pistol-shaped form factor and frequently play on a course equipped with reflective prism flagsticks may be drawn to this device. Read our detailed Laser Link QuickShot review for more. Retail price: $289 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Laser Link QuickShot 2.0 Amazon.com: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 80/100

Leupold GX-2

6x magnification, panning mode to continuously update target distances, and an exceptional ability to pick out flagsticks not enough for you? The Leupold GX-2 provides not only the slope compensated distance to a target, but will even provide club selection based on temperature and altitude. The GX-2 features improved performance in fog and rain, and the ability to lock onto prisms on flagsticks. You can't go wrong with this device. Read our detailed Leupold GX-2 review Retail price: $400.00 Amazon.com price: Check price and buy now
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Our Rating

  • 91/100

Leupold GX-1

Leupold has topped our list with past devices, and they stay there with their latest release, the GX-1. The smallest laser rangefinder in our test features 6x magnification, panning mode to continuously update target distances, solid ability to pick out flagsticks at long distances, and even a setting to change the cross-hair in the viewfinder. Improvements include enhanced performance in foggy conditions and on flagsticks with reflective prisms. See our detailed Leupold GX-1 review. Retail price: $375 Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 91/100

TeeToGreen Lite

Satellite images, distances to the center of the green and mapped targets, scoring and statistics. What’s not to like about TeeToGreen Lite? Well, an incredibly bizarre interface that makes it confusing to start a round. Oh, and the app is limited to only the first 5 holes of play. Want to play 6 through 18? You’ll have to pony up for TeeToGreen Pro. This app is good only if you are considering purchase of the full app, otherwise you’ll want to look elsewhere. Download TeeToGreen Golf Lite from iTunes
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Our Rating

  • 50/100

GolfGPS Pro

We enjoyed the satellite images and marked hazards of GolfGPS Pro, but only for its 30-day trial. The free app is limited to merely a scorecard and statistics tracking, though with charts and graphs for those who enjoy some nicely presented data. If you’re looking for more, you’ll need to upgrade to the GolfGPS Pro paid version. Download Golf GPS Pro from iTunes
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Our Rating

  • 62/100

FreeCaddie

FreeCaddie is one of the few apps listed here that doesn’t include either satellite or graphic hole images. The app provides distance readings to the center as well as front and back of the green, along with hole and par information, and offers far better course coverage than most apps on our list. But given the bugs we experienced, the lack of hole views and scoring, users can do better elsewhere. Download FreeCaddie from iTunes
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Golf GPS

Golf GPS is an ad-supported app that determines player position (be it on or off a course) and displays radiating circles on a satellite image at distances of 50-300 yards in 50 yard increments. Users can drop pins on their location that will then display distances to that point. The app has no knowledge of the course or any particular hole, which can be disconcerting during play, and there is no ability to record score or statistics. Limited in use, our bet is that most players want additional features included. Download Golf GPS from iTunes
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Our Rating

  • 67/100

Swing by Swing

Swing by Swing is a very straightforward app that features satellite images, with the ability to determine distances to any point selected, and the distance from that point to the center of the green. Users can’t zoom or pan, and there is no scorecard or statistics tracking included (that functionality is available for purchase, however). Swing by Swing gets the job done with limited bugs and course coverage is reasonable, but the lack of features makes it difficult to recommend. Price: Free for GPS use; $11.99 for scorecard functionality Download Swing by Swing from iTunes
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Our Rating

  • 72/100

iYardage

The ad-supported iYardage possesses most of the functions a user would want in an app – full hole graphics, hole par and handicap, zooming ability, distances to any target and from the target to the center of the green, and radiating circles around the green at 50 yard intervals. A scorecard and stats tracking is included in this very complete package. To date, there are extremely few courses mapped (mostly Australian courses), and if you need to map a course yourself, it will take approximately an hour on your computer. However, we weren’t even able to get the file to iYardage staff for use. Download iYardage from iTunes
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Our Rating

  • 69/100

myCaddie Pro

myCaddie Pro provides satellite images, zooming ability, and distances to any point selected. Users can track score and statistics, though the app lacks hole handicap and par information. myCaddie lacks the polish of most paid apps, but it is still is easy to navigate. myCaddie largely relies on users to map courses, and while its course database is larger than most of the other free competitors, the coverage still has a long way to go to compete with the top paid apps. If you need a course yourself, you should set aside approximately 30 minutes to map a course on your computer, after which the course mapping is available for immediate use. Download myCaddie Pro from iTunes
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Our Rating

  • 78/100

iGolf

As hard as we tried, we never could get this app to launch successfully, receiving a variety of error messages upon launch. At least there is a 24-hour trial so players can see if the app works for them before purchase. And if you succeed, you get the pleasure of paying a blistering $50 yearly to access the iGolf GPS database, the highest-priced iPhone golf GPS app tested. Price: Free for the basics, $50 per year for GPS functionality Download iGolf Golf GPS for iPhone from iTunes
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oGolf

With a combination of extremely sparse course coverage and an interface that isn’t quite as polished as others, Orrie Golf is going to struggle against both paid and free competition. We mapped a course in our area via the Orrie Golf website, but were unable to access it for play. Sad to say, we can't even get this app started. Price: $9.99 Download Orrie Golf from iTunes
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Sonocaddie

We attempted a number of times to test Sonocaddie for the iPhone, only to find that it does not work on the new iPhone OS4.0. Most iPhone golf GPS app companies have been quick to make this transition to the latest operating system, and we take this as a bad sign of how the Sonocaddie app was developed. We’re going to wait for availability o the latest OS arrives before reviewing. Price: $34.99 Download Sonocaddie from iTunes
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TeeDroid

TeeDroid lacks the satellite or hole graphics that all other paid apps reviewed by Critical Golf provide, and has consistently been one of the least stable apps tested. The good news is that you have 45 days to demo the app for free before deciding not to pay the annual fee. Price: $19.95 per year Download TeeDroid from iTunes
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Sonocaddie V500

The Sonocaddie V500 brings you the latest features, including satellite images and video flyovers. But uneven implementation of certain interface elements left us disappointed. Combine that with overall poor image quality of satellite views, lack of ability to zoom, limited mapped points, and buggy software, and you’re left with a device that gets lost in the noise. Oh, and it finished last in our course coverage analysis at a mere 21% of courses available. Not compatible with Macs. Read our detailed Sonocaddie V500 review. Retail Price: $399 Three year total cost: $428.95 Availability: Discontinued. No replacement hardware. Sonocaddie appears to be shifting its business model to mobile apps.
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Our Rating

  • 88/100

Bushnell Yardage Pro XGC

The Bushnell XGC, which we have not had the opportunity to review, includes course maps, distances to up to 5 custom points per hole, the ability to determine the distance to any point on the hole, and scorecard and statistics tracking. The device features a 2.2" high resolution color screen and storage for up to 100 courses. Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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Golfscape

An augmented reality iPhone golf GPS app?! Yup, it's true. The good news is when it's working it's a pretty nifty app to show off to your friends. The bad news is that the current version is riddled with bugs. We would love to spend more time, but we'll wait until the app is more stable. Price: $19.99 Download Golfscape from iTunes
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GolfBuddy World Platinum

With the release of the World Platinum, GolfBuddy joins the ranks of devices that offer full hole graphic layouts and the ability to target any point on the course for distance readings. The device is extremely easy to use and information is presented in a clear manner. And with lots of work on their course database, GolfBuddy how features exceptional course coverage in our tests. Check out our full GolfBuddy World Platinum review. Retail price: $399.99 Three year total cost: $399.99 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the GolfBuddy Platinum
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Our Rating

  • 88/100

New Trent IMP190

The good news is that New Trent quickly replaced our first unit, which was defective and we were unable to test. The bad news? Our replacement unit failed during testing as well. It seems that in this case, you get what you pay for. Retail price: $69.95 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 60/100

Energizer AP1500 (iPower)

Lightweight, but a bit underpowered, the Energizer AP1500 (iPower) doesn't quite do enough to distinguish itself from the field. If you can find it at a sweet price point, it's worth a look, but at MSRP there are better options. Retail price: $79.99 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • B/100

Tekkeon MP1200 (myPower)

Our editors either loved the Tekkeon MP1200 (myPower) or hated it. Black leatherette with white stitching will either strike you as elegant and refined or ridiculously hokie-looking. Quirky design that allows the Tekkeon to serve as an auxiliary power source for the iPhone (the Tekkeon will be drained before the iPhone's battery), but prevents the Tekkeon from actually charging the iPhone battery left us puzzled. Retail price: $79.95 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 86/100

Mophie Juice Pack Air

Feathery light and featuring a slender profile, the Mophie Juice Pack Air delivered a knockout combination of solid performance and a great form factor. The Juice Pack Air is the one battery extender that we would consider keeping on our iPhone all of the time. Retail price: $79.95 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 93/100

MiLi Power Pack

The MiLi Power Pack was the workhorse among the iPhone battery extenders we tested, providing the most charging power. It's not going to win too many beauty contests, but it'll look a heckuva lot prettier when it saves you by having a reserve of juice available when you need it. Occasional charging bugs kept it from earning a higher grade. Retail price: $99.95 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 88/100

GolfLink

The GolfLink iPhone app is a recent release from the online golf portal of the same name. While it seems with this introduction that GolfLink is trying to grow beyond being a mere content provider, the level of quality of the app tells us that this might just be, like Steve Jobs would say about the AppleTV, “a hobby.” Price: $9.99 Download Golflink from iTunes
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Our Rating

  • 85/100

Clicgear 3.0

Clicgear improves on an already excellent product with the Clicgear 3.0, providing a better brake mechanism and improved storage capacity. A great combination of snazzy styling and solid performance. We would definitely splurge on the optional ($9.99) shoe brush that attaches to the bottom of the cart – very handy! Retail price: $229 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by Clicgear 3.5+
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Our Rating

  • 93/100

Bushnell 1600

The Bushnell Pro 1600 Tournament Edition laser rangefinder provides an industry-best 7x magnification, excellent ability to find flagsticks and other targets, large field of view, rapid distance updates and crisp clear display. If you don't mind the size, the Bushnell 1600 product should definitely be on your short list. Check out our detailed Bushnell 1600 review. Retail price: $399.99 Availability: No longer available. Replaced by the Bushnell Pro 1M
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Our Rating

  • 92/100

Ping 4 Under

The new Ping 4 Under is a great combination of all the basics at an extremely attractive price. Light on your your back and wallet, this is the bag of choice in the lightweight category. Retail price: $135 Amazon.com: Check price now Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Ping 4 Series.
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Our Rating

  • 91/100

Leica Pinmaster

From one of the top optical companies in the world comes the Leica Pinmaster. The Pinmaster sports a lightweight carbon-reinforced body and is watertight (to a depth of a meter, so don't throw it into the pond in a fit of rage). The device offers an exceptional 7x magnification (matching the Bushnell 1600 series and the Callaway LR1200), with an adjustable eyepiece that is suitable for glasses wearers and an LED display that adjusts its brightness based on the lighting conditions during play. The whopping $799 price tag is tops the in our tests, but rest assured you will likely to be the only one in your foursome playing this beauty. Retail Price: $799 Amazon.com: Check price now
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Callaway uPro

A beautiful interface, the ability to determine distances to any point on the course, video flyover previews of each hole, and a new scoring/statistics module, all packaged into one of the lightest and smallest devices tested, make it tough to go wrong with the Callaway uPro. Add in a new aggressive price point, and the uPro is once again our undisputed leader of the pack for golf GPS devices. Retail price: $199.00 plus per course fees and $20 for Scoring Plus module Three year total cost: $269.00 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Callaway upro mx
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Our Rating

  • 94/100

Ping Hoofer C-1

It's the Hoofer you've known for years with a few new tweaks. Reliable and versatile, this bag straddles the line between lightweights and more full-featured carry bags and will appeal to a variety of players. Retail price: $189.99 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the 2014 Ping Hoofer.
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Our Rating

  • 88/100

Sun Mountain Speed Cart V1

First introduced in 1999, the Sun Mountain Speed Cart V1 is one of the pioneering devices in the push cart world. Unfortunately, its size (a whopping 3 feet long even when folded up), weight and design no longer compare favorably with some of the newer entrants in the market. Retail price: $199 Amazon.com price: Check price now Golfsmith price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 83/100

Sun Mountain Micro Cart

The Sun Mountain Micro Cart is the top-rated golf push cart in our test. One of the problems with push carts is that they can be so much of a hassle to load in your car and unfold at the course that they wind up gathering dust in the garage. Not so with the Micro Cart! It dazzled our reviewers with its compact shape when folded, light weight, and easy set-up. Check out our detailed Sun Mountain Micro Cart review. Retail price: $199 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Sun Mountain MC3 Micro-Cart
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Our Rating

  • 94/100

Clicgear 2.0

We definitely liked the sporty looks of the Clicgear 2.0 and its solid and stable feel on the course. Less appealing is the fact that when it's folded up, it isn't exactly small, which could be a problem if storage space is at a premium in your vehicle. Retail price: $199 Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the Clicgear 3.0
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Our Rating

  • 91/100

Garmin Approach G3

All the basic features of the Garmin Approach G5 in a slightly smaller (though still as rugged) body and at a lower price point. A solid device that warrants a look from anyone considering purchasing a golf GPS device. Read our detailed Garmin Approach G3 review. Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Garmin Approach G6 Retail price: $269.99 Three year total cost: $269.99 Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 92/100

Leupold GX-4

Carved from a single block of aluminum, the GX-4 features a red OLED display that can easily be read against any background. In an interesting twist, the GX-4 comes with two swappable faceplates – one that provides slope-adjusted distance information and club recommendations(!), and a second that only provides line-of-sight distances (though ruled by the USGA as not legal for tournament play). The unit carries a steep price, but the traditional excellent Leupold performance on the course, portability and red OLED display make it one of the best options in its class. Read our detailed Leupold GX-4 review Retail price: $500 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Leupold GX-4i
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Our Rating

  • 90/100

Leupold GX-3

Carved from a single block of aluminum, the GX-3 is Leupold's top-of the-line tournament-legal laser rangefinder, featuring a red OLED display that can easily be read against any background. While the unit carries a high price tag, the traditional excellent Leupold performance on the course, portability and red OLED display make the GX-3 one of the best options in its class. Read more at our detailed Leupold GX-3 review. Retail price: $400 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Leupold GX-3i
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Our Rating

  • 93/100

SkyCaddie SGX

The SkyCaddie SGX has some of the latest features, including full hole graphic views and detailed green maps that show contours and false fronts. But course coverage for these new maps is still sparse, a user interface that feels overloaded (maybe it's time to move to a touchscreen?) and a steep price tag, keep the SGX from rising higher in our rankings. Read our detailed SkyCaddie SGX review. Retail price: $349.95 plus yearly fees Three year total cost: $499.80 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the SkyCaddie TOUCH Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 85/100

Callaway uPro Go

A comfortable device with bright color screen and excellent distance details around the green (with the optional $50 GoMode). A low price point makes the Go extremely competitive. Now about those scorecards and statistics... Retail price: $149.00 Three year total cost: $198.99 Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the Callaway upro mx
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Our Rating

  • 87/100

iGolf Neo

The iGolf Neo was re-branded under an agreement with Bushnell and is marketed (and reviewed by Critical Golf) as the Bushnell Neo. The iGolf Triton and Saturn are now available as the Bushnell Yardage Pro XG and XGC.
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Bushnell Neo

Our vote for best value in a golf GPS device, the Bushnell Neo (formerly iGolf Neo) provides simple functionality, but does it in a user-friendly design and at an extremely affordable price. Retail price: $149.99 Three year total cost: $254.96 Amazon.com price: Check price now Golfsmith price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 91/100

GolfLogix

A very polished interface and a perfect score in our course coverage test are the strengths of the GolfLogix application. But lack of ability to control the view displayed and a steep price tag temper our enthusiasm. Price: Free 24-hour trial, $39.95 yearly thereafter Download GolfLogix from iTunes
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Our Rating

  • 87/100

Golf Guru 4

The Golf Guru 4 aims to be jack of all trades, but ends up master of none. The release of the device seems premature, as course coverage for AerVu maps is poor and the software was tremendously buggy. Not compatible with Macs. Read our detailed Golf Guru 4 review. Availability: Discontinued. The company is no longer shipping golf GPS devices. We do not recommend purchase of the Golf Guru 4 from third party sources. Retail price: $399.95 plus per course fees Three year total cost: $509.95 Amazon.com: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 74/100

Golfshot

Golfshot sets itself apart from competitors with its satellite images and exceptional user interface and statistics capabilities (viewable both on the iPhone and online). Without a doubt, this application holds a clear edge on all others. Price: $29.99 Download Golfshot from iTunes
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Our Rating

  • 93/100

FlyCaddie

The combination of terrible course coverage, lack of ability to determine distances to any point on the hole, and a pricey yearly subscription fee drop FlyCaddie quickly to the bottom of our rankings. Price: $34.99 per year Availability: FlyCaddie is no longer available on the iTunes Store
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Our Rating

  • 70/100

AirVue

A great overview of holes, with all hazard distances viewable on the satellite image, solid statistics tracking and a sweet price point ($9.99!) make this application difficult to resist – just make sure the courses you play are available before purchasing. Price: $9.99 Availability: Discontinued. As of mid-2013 this app was no longer available in the iTunes App Store.
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Our Rating

  • 89/100

ViewTi (2009)

Satellite images and statistics tracking make ViewTi worth checking out. But the loading time required for each new view, combined with a confusing variation in hole orientations during play, kept us from rating it higher. Price: $28.99 Download ViewTi from iTunes
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Our Rating

  • 80/100

Ping Hoofer Vantage

While the Ping Hoofer Vantage provides solid performance, it doesn’t truly stand out in the crowded carry bag market. Ping traditionalists will still like the Hoofer Vantage, but the competition seems to have passed it by a bit. Better bags can be had at a lower price. Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the Ping Hoofer C-1
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Our Rating

  • 86/100

OGIO Nexos

The OGIO Nexos has lots of gadgets and doodads, some of which are VERY cool. On the other hand, some of the inventions are ho-hum, and they all combine to make this the heaviest bag tested. Oh, and it's the most expensive one as well. Retail Price: $260 Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the OGIO Edge Stand Bag
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Our Rating

  • 85/100

Callaway idTECH

Features speedy distance readings in 1/2 yard increments along with 6x magnification. While it can provide the line-of-sight distance along with the slope, elevation change to target and horizontal distance to the target, you will have to do some math in your head to determine the “play as” distance, unlike other devices that will do the work for you. Retail price: $429.95 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by Callaway iQ.
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Our Rating

  • 88/100

Sun Mountain Zero-G

The Sun Mountain Zero-G is pricey, but delivers excellence. Like a stay at the Ritz-Carlton. Or dinner at Nobu. Includes the nifty invention of a belt strap to distribute weight to the hips and legs and keep your back healthy. Let’s loop another 18! Retail price: $229.99 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Sun Mountain Three 5 Zero-G Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 94/100

Nike SasQuatch Tour

The Nike SasQuatch Tour Carry Bag looks very cool, so if style is of paramount importance in your bag-purchasing decision, you will like it a lot. But it struggles trying to be both a carry bag and a cart bag at the same time, and ultimately succeeds at neither. Some odd design elements left us scratching our heads. Retail price: $190 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Nike Performance Carry
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Our Rating

  • 86/100

Leupold GX-II

Like its sister device, the GX-I, the Leupold GX-II is the smallest and lightest rangefinder tested and overall an exceptional device. It picks up flagsticks at a distance as well as any of the portable vertically-oriented rangefinders, and features respectable 6x viewfinder magnification, a scanning mode to continuously update distances while targeting objects, and even the option for the user to choose from a number of different crosshairs. Retail price: $499.99 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Leupold GX-2
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Our Rating

  • 91/100

Leupold GX-I

In addition to being both the smallest and lightest rangefinder tested, the Leupold GX-I is an exceptional device. It picks up flagsticks at a distance as well as any of the portable vertically-oriented rangefinders, and features respectable 6x viewfinder magnification, a scanning mode to continuously update distances while targeting objects, and even the option for the user to choose from a number of different crosshairs. Retail price: $374.99 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Leupld GX-1
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Our Rating

  • 91/100

Callaway LR1200

Callaway's LR1200 rangefinder is a great device, with rapid distance readings (in 1/2 yard increments no less), an industry best 7x magnification, and good performance in picking out flagsticks at all approach distances. It's pricey, but worth a good long look Retail price: $499.99 Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the Callaway iQ
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Our Rating

  • 90/100

OnPar Touchscreen GPS

OnPar wasn't able to survive the ever-increasing competition in the golf GPS market, and the company went belly-up on July 31, 2011. For current owners, SkyCaddie had a trade-in offer to their SGX that was available until September 30, 2011. There is a lesson here (for which we paid $350): any time you buy a device from a startup there is the chance that the manufacturer won't be around next season. At least in this case use of the devices wasn't tied to an annual subscription, so owners can continue to use the device after the shutdown of the company. Retail Price: $349.00 Three year total cost: $349.00 Availability: Company went out of business on July 31, 2011
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Our Rating

  • 90/100

Garmin Approach G5

Intuitive touchscreen interface, the ability to determine the distance to any point on the hole, and ready to go out of the box (just add AA batteries). Recently added the ability to track statistics (although only for the round in progress, not for multiple rounds over time). Better course coverage would be the icing on the cake. Read our detailed Garmin Approach G5 review. Retail price: $349.99 Three year total cost: $349.99 Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 91/100

IZZO SWAMI 1500

We like the concept of a basic, lightweight device that comes cheap and has low annual fees. But little functionality, coupled with numerous distance errors, keep the SWAMI at the bottom of our rankings. Not compatible with Macs. Read our detailed IZZO SWAMI 1500 review. Retail Price: $99.99 plus yearly fees Three year total cost: $129.96 Amazon.com: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 72/100

Opti-Logic InSight GT

A low price point may not be enough to save the Opti-Logic. The lack of viewfinder magnification, inability to scan across objects, and bare bones feature set makes it tough for the Opti-Logic to keep up with the competition. Retail Price: $359.95 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 82/100

Titleist Premium

The Titleist Premium Stand Bag delivers on all of the features a consumer would expect from a product with “premium” in its name. Those looking for lots of storage space (and not as concerned about weight) will love this bag. Retail price: $190 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Titleist Lightweight
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Our Rating

  • 92/100

SkyCaddie SG5

Once the top of the line in the SkyCaddie series, the SG5 shines with its easy-to-use interface and ability to customize how the map data is displayed. A new lower price makes the G5 affordable - but SkyCaddie lovers might want to check out the new SGX before purchasing. More... Retail price: $299.95 plus yearly fees Three year total cost: $419.80 Amazon.com: Check price now Golfsmith: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 85/100

Sonocaddie V300

Overhead hole maps, friendly interface and lots of features will make this device appealing to many users. However, multiple bad experiences with significant distance errors make the V300 difficult to recommend whole-heartedly. Not compatible with Macs. Read our detailed Sonocaddie V300 review. Retail Price: $349 plus fees Three year total cost: $378.95 Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Sonocaddie V300+ (not reviewed)
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Our Rating

  • 82/100

GolfLogix GPS-8

It may be good enough for Peter Costis and Gary McCord’s moustache, but it’s not quite good enough for us. Achieves its goal of simplicity, and just about any course is available. But with few features, the value just doesn't seem to be there for this bulky device with a black and white screen. For those interested, Amazon is having a fire sale on these as GolfLogix has stopped production of the GPS-8 in favor of selling their new GolfLogix iPhone app. Retail price: $199.95 plus yearly fees Three year total cost: $289.80 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 74/100

Golf Guru Color Guru

The Golf Guru Color Guru is rich in features but the design of the hardware, user interface and packaging all could use a lot of polish. It ranks highly with respect to the amount of data that users can add to existing course maps, but the interface to add this data is challenging for those who are not gadget-oriented. Retail price: $399.95 Three year total cost: $399.95 Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the Golf Guru 4
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Our Rating

  • 87/100

GolfBuddy Tour

Courses come pre-loaded, so just charge the GolfBuddy and go. Simple to map out courses on your own or add targets to existing courses, which is a good thing as courses available often provide fewer marked obstacles than desired. Not compatible with Macs. Retail price: $289.99 Three year total cost: $289.99 Amazon.com price: Check price now
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Our Rating

  • 86/100

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