GolfLogix teams with Garmin to give caddies a break

With Brandt Snedeker upstaging Tiger's return to the greens, we have to wonder if he didn't get ahold of GolfLogix's latest gizmo before heading out to the tee box. The self-named GolfLogix handheld GPS exercises an exclusive agreement that allows the company to "utilize its proprietary golf software on Garmin's popular eTrex line of GPS receivers." Since this still-debatable technology has been given the USGA and R&A blessing, folks looking to more accurately judge the distances, terrain, and unforeseen hazards up ahead can legally take advantage of its 1.25- x 2.25-inch LCD, automatic advancement to the next hole, large on-screen numbers, water / shockproof enclosure, personalization features, and backlit screen to get an edge. The built-in 12-channel GPS receiver claims to be accurate within two meters, and while we're not exactly sure how much internal memory is included, it can hold "multiple courses" simultaneously. The unit itself should start shipping soon after its stint at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, and while one free course download comes with the $349 pricetag, you'll probably want to invest the yearly $29.95 for unlimited course access if you plan on moving around much.

[ian spain @ Jan 25th 2007 7:18PM]

I thought that all non-military GPS was something like 100 feet off as a rule.

[Luis @ Jan 25th 2007 7:51PM]

wrong... it's a meteer or two... but that can mean the difference between hitting a trarget and not hitting it

[zzzzz @ Jan 25th 2007 7:44PM]

may be then they could get that crazy "wii-bot (arm)" to swing for them too ....

[Wile E. Coyote @ Jan 25th 2007 11:09PM]

No professional golfer would ever trust their paycheck to one of these things. They may carry one to get a paycheck, but you can bet his caddie has checked every conceivable yardage before the round. If you ever saw a PGA caddie's yardage book for any given hole, look for the notation, "ICYFU" that stands for "In Case You F*** Up"...

[catfish @ Jan 25th 2007 9:36PM]

"I thought that all non-military GPS was something like 100 feet off as a rule." It used to be, that rule was rescinded a few years back, though. So even "civilian" gps can be good to a few meters. (satalite dependent, of course.)

[Brad Johnson @ Jan 25th 2007 10:52PM]

anybody know how I can get this golf course map data on my Nuvi???

[Hilg @ Jan 26th 2007 12:23AM]

I'm not sure what the Tiger reference was for. This isn't legal on tour. All the USGA did was change the rule to give a tournament committee the OPTION of allowing them. They aren't just free to use all the time, in any event. And, the PGA Tour has definitely NOT allowed them.

The players and caddies will use devices like these in practice rounds to map out the course for their yardage books. But during a any tournament on tour, you get no help from electronic devices.

These things are mainly for recreational golfers. And, this one here, is a pretty crappy one anyway. Probably the best device for this is the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 Laser Rangefinder. It will measure distance VERY accurately, and will also compensate for slope. The Bushnell, not a GPS device, is what almost all the players on tour use.

[John Garvey @ Feb 24th 2007 9:55AM]

I'm sure pro golfers learning a course before a tournament would want a laser rangefinder, but amateur golfers are going to want a GPS device. I tried the Bushnell 1500 but returned it because it's too big to carry around on the course - you have to leave it on the cart and retrieve it every time you want to know your yardage. If carts arent allowed or your partner has the cart on the other side of the fairway it's a pain in the neck. Also, you want to know the distance to a target even when you can't see it. For most golfers, especially if you're playing a new course, a GPS is way better. But get a Sonocaddie. They don't charge an annual fee - all the course downloads are free. It's got a scorecard function plus you can use it to measure the length of your drive (or any shot). Best toy I've gotten all year.