Skycaddie SG5 – The GPS Rangefinder That Gives You The Edge
Golf is a game of accuracy, precision and flexibility over various courses. It is imperative to accurately judge the distance between the ball and the hole that, in the olden days, would have to be made through mental calculations. More often than not, these calculations missed by miles to disastrous consequences. Fortunately, somebody came up with the idea of using GPS to make calculations easier through a single press of the button. Enter the Skycaddie SG5.
Key Features
Like all the Skycaddie GPS rangefinders, the SG5 features the IntelliGreen software although it is of the upgraded type known as the Pro. Basically, it displays the major features of the land from the tiers and contours to the false fronts and mounds of the golf course from wherever you are on it. This way, you can determine the angle of attack on the green to get that ball into the target hole.
In many ways, the software is your ally. You have information on the total distance from the tee to the green plus or minus 2.5 yards as well as the direction and distance of the fairway position. All these will spell better scores, maybe a hole in one, if you get lucky.
And speaking of scores, the Skycaddie SG5 keeps track of scores into its digital scorecard. You just input your handicap and its pars, which will allow the software to automatically highlight them on the digital display. At the very least, you have one less thing on your mind to consider, thus, allowing for more brain cells to work on the shot instead.
With an annual subscription fee, you can access maps of the various gold courses around the country. Now, if your favorite golf course escaped mapping, the SG5 allows for a point-and-map operation of the front, back and center of whatever golf hole you may be in. The device stores the data for later retrieval.
All in all, the Skycaddie SG5 is a good GPS toy that can be used to your advantage. You may have to ask tournament officials, however, if it is allowed under the rules since rules can vary from one course to the next.
Key Complaints
The biggest flaw in an otherwise good system is the price. You have to shell out $249 for a toy that you may not need if you already know the course like the palm of your hand. You may want to ask your golf buddies if they have it and then decide if you need or even want the SG5, too.
Plus, the subscription requirement is not exactly friendly, in a manner of speaking. You have to pay for the maps when you could just use its point-and-map feature. Add in the fact that the Skycaddie SG5 only works on Windows Vista and you have a very vocal, if small, sector of the computer-carrying populace who will be up in arms (read: Mac users on Mozilla browsers)
If you were to ask any of my golf buddies about the need for a Skycaddie when the likes of Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer do not use them, you will get ambivalent answers. Our best advice then is to determine if you need a Skycaddie SG5 or you can just make mental calculations. Either way, you can still shoot that ball into its hole.