Golf GPS Software

Why buy a dedicated GPS system that has been specifically designed for golf enthusiasts when you can simply download and install (sometimes for free)  Golf GPS software for your GPS-enabled PDA or smartphone that does exactly the same thing?

The answer, of course, is that you don’t have to. Check out the free software first as long as it has a good reputation among those who’ve actually used it. No good being an early adopter here, better let the techies (alpha and beta testers mostly) play with such newly released software first.

If the software malfunctions, at least they know how to recover their system. But if you’re a bit tech savvy yourself and comfortable with configuring and re-configuring your PDA or phone whenever an application crashes the system, by all means, get your hands dirty.

Here’s a brief rundown of the non-free golf GPS software that might turn your PDA or phone into a convincingly “complete” golf GPS system.

• GPS Golf Tracker (from Innovationtech) is a $25 Golf GPS Tracker and Assistant software (for Windows Mobile devices) that allows you to record your game. This software allows you to mark on the map the locations where you took the shot and where the ball landed. It can also keep track of your score throughout the game.
• FreeCadie Pro is the beefier version of the free FreeCadie golf GPS software from the company of the same name. FreeCadie Pro ($24.95) allows the player to use his PocketPC or smartphone to quickly determine the distance between his current location and another location on the golf course (front/center/back of green, distance to hazards and fairway, length of shot, etc.). It also allows him to save as many golf course files (maps) as he wants on his PocketPC or smartphone (limited only by the available memory on the device, which can, of course be also augmented). The course details can be edited; and game scores and statistics can be recorded on the device.
• GolfLogix ($39.95 annual membership) is a golf GPS software for the iPhone 3G and BlackBerry smartphones that provides access to more than 24,000 maps of golf courses around the world. Similar to other golf GPS software, this software allows the player to record his/her play stats such as scoring averages, number of incurred penalties, putts for every hole, etc.
• Golfshot (from Shotzoom) is yet again another golf GPS software application that provides over 15,000 golf course maps (worldwide). Golfshot uses aerial photos instead of vector maps and allows you to automatically or manually zoom from one green to another after every hole. The usual score and stats recording functions are also standard for this application software. This software is accurate to within yards of a flag or a hole.
• IntelliGolf is another golf GPS software for most popular smartphones (Palm, Windows Touch, P900/910, Nokia 60, etc.). This software costs $39.95 and provides the same functions as most other golf GPS software. The designers claim that this software has been designed for quick and easy learning.
• AirVue Golf ($39.99) is an iPhone 3G-based golf GPS software that automatically pans across the map and displays the users current position at all times.
• The GreenFinder iPhone Golf GPS ($34.99 annually) that does not use overview maps or photos.
• ViewTi Golf iPhone Golf GPS ($24.99) that comes in four versions.

Making the choice betweeen buying a Golf Rangefinder, a full Golf GPS Unit or just buying some software that works on your pocket pc or smartphone can be a tough one.

Part of your decision will be based on price of course, not many of us are bottomless pits (even for Golf stuff) , but buying something because it seems cheap and then never being able to use it is a mistake which you will regret. Buying the wrong thing now will also probably end up costing you more later as you have to buy the right thing later.