In what is arguably the worst kept secret in golf, the V3 edition of Shot Scope is being launched and the company listened to every aspect of consumer feedback to bring a fantastic device to market.
Rewinding a bit before diving into the technology and our early feedback, Shot Scop3 V2 was extremely well liked, although some users found it to be a bit bulky on the wrist. Those that used the previous version generally liked the data, accuracy and overall user interface quite a bit.
Hitting golf stores now, the V3 takes that GPS and Performance Tracking watch, and like the movie Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, makes it tiny in comparison. To use a comparison, this is right around the same size and shape of an Apple Watch, and weighs next to nothing. In fact, during my first round, I actually forgot I was wearing it and this is coming from a golfer that never wears a watch during play.
So what is new? A lot. A whole lot actually. The V3 added dual GPS Accuracy, which is designed to give it industry leading accuracy on the course. But what about the changes you can see? The V2 had kind of a bland screen, so it has been upgraded with full color, which is fantastic when needing a quick glance to get hazard info. The unit is actually preloaded now with 35,000 courses, rather than needing to sync the device. Want style? The V3 drops in multiple watch band colors to coordinate if you would like. Finally, battery life, actually more on that shortly.
The story behind V3 is what Shot Scope calls AI Swing and Performance Tracking Technology. That is a mouthful, but what it means is that the more you play using the device, the more data it collects and will be able to offer some incredible statistics aimed at making you better. This is all done in the background, so it is nothing you have to fidget with during the round. In fact, the only thing you need to do is tell the device how many putts you had after completing each hole by a simple click of one of the four buttons (if you five putt, you have bigger issues), and then move on to the next hole. No phone in the pocket, no screens to mess with, nothing at all, just play your game and Shot Scope works in the background.
We get asked a lot about battery life and the V2 definitely had no issues getting in a full round of golf. The V3 offers 10+ hours, and in our testing it might be even more. Testing it on the course I was on the green on the 14th hole of the 3rd round over the course of 4 days before it went caput.
When you get the device, there are a couple of things you need to do to get going right away. Obviously the simple part is charging it up with the supplied cord and then making sure you download the mobile app that matches your cell phone. Quick note, we have only tried the iOS app, but it worked extremely well. Like a traditional watch (and yes, this can be worn as one with what they call Everyday Watch Mode), you wear it on your left wrist for RH golfers or right wrist for LH golfers, then screw in the club tags in the grip end of your clubs. This step sounds tedious, but it is super easy. When you get to the course click play and choose the mode you would like (GPS, GPS and Data or Data). The first time we used it the load time took several minutes at the course, so give yourself a few while at the range or putting green. Then you are ready to play.
On the course, all you have to do is use Pin Collect, which is their quick version mentioned earlier about pressing the button associated with how many putts you had on a given hole. The rest is done for you, unless you are like me and hit a couple of hazards. I was genuinely surprised to see how well the watch handled the penalties. You click the button in the top left for menu and then press which penalty you had. That is it.
There are competitions with other Shot Scope users that can be had during the round, but since we were using the device before it was released, we have not tried it out as of yet.
For the golfer that is unsure if they want the statistics or data, let me share with you a quick story because like you, I never wanted to know. Didn’t care and assumed I knew. I was tasked with jotting down the clubs that I use the most and least in my bag and then play 5 rounds of golf wearing the V3. Turns out, I was way off base and Shot Scope not only told me about what clubs were used, but also how well I used them (not anything like I had thought).
After using this for a number of rounds, I am not sure I want to go without it. Not only did we find the GPS extremely accurate and match up to the GPS on the golf carts we used, but the post round data through the free mobile app is extremely enjoyable and done so without a monthly subscription fee, unlike a few other data tracking devices that charge a fee.
Shot Scope is also launching a standard GPS Watch to go along with the V3 and they call it the G3. It does everything the V3 does, minus the data tracking. Still loaded with 35,000 courses, still has Dual GPS and a color screen. Still no subscription.
The Details
In Stores: Now
Cost: V3 Launch Price $179 and MAP is $219
Cost: G3 Launch Price $159 and MAP is $179
So which clubs did you end up using in your 5ish rounds with this that surprised you most?
I do and posted one of the putting ones in the Odyssey #7 thread. I will be adding a lot more here and @Molten will be doing a full review of the device as well. There are a lot of THPers that have been using this and have shared in the other thread and will be adding more here as well.
For the club part, one of the biggest areas was wedge setup, where I have removed the 54 and 58 for a 56 and 60. I have also removed the Super Hybrid and 5 wood from the bag based on the data this supplied and need to update my signature because it is quite different now.
I was completely thrown for a loop on those two clubs, which I enjoyed quite a bit, but turns out was just not using them as expected.
I was completely thrown for a loop on those two clubs, which I enjoyed quite a bit, but turns out was just not using them as expected.
Here it is side by side Apple Watch.
View attachment 8952119
Edit: and one shows up before I could hit post
The phone interface for the data is pretty darn good for its release. It is mostly no flash, all data but it’s exactly what you want to really improve. I can’t wait to get more content in here later this morning.
I’ve used the major companies in the space and the data analysis here is unmatched.
I used Arccos last year and haven’t hooked it up this season. I liked the data, but found I wasn’t getting out enough both practice and course time to really put it to work to help improve my game. The sensors on these look oh so much better.
Much much smaller sensors that draw very little attention and are smaller than the butt if you club. That gets an A + from me. No doubt the watch won’t be confused for a fashion piece but it’s all utilitarian with the V3
I think we’ve seen plenty of those GPS watches that are built more for utility than they are fashion. So that part doesn’t actually bug me one bit.
Now I will paraphrase this comment that I have changed drivers just when I got me V3, but my driver distance looks to have dropped by 5%.
Just seems that drives that I bomb don’t show the same distance as what they were on V2. I play the same courses all the time so I know what the tee to fairway distance should roughly be.
Now I’m not one that fiddles around very round adjusting starting and stopping points of every shot. I accept it as another "Data Entry" in my club selection decision. The score is what matters.
It’s just one of those things that makes you go "Hmmm?"
Anyways, I like the new V3 unit, it’s a modern update of the V2 and I like the data that I get.
What do you like better about the data analysis here as compared to Arccos?
I do not believe they sell the device currently.
Great write up and that price is fantastic. How would you compare this to Arccos data wise? It’s kind of funny to me that the two things I think most complain about with Arccos is the phone thing and having to add or check your putts. This at least addresses one of them and I’m guessing you don’t need a sensor on your putter?
The data is more utility but genuinely might be better or at least more helpful to me than Arccos is/was. Plus the lack of paying for the full details is huge plus.
Sensor on your putter is still in place.
You can use a sensor on your putter for auto detection (not true my auto with the pin collect, but it’s close) or you can use manual. Click the location of each putt on your watch I’ve done both over the last few weeks.
So the sensor is there but you have to manually add your putts? What is the point of the sensor?
Edit: thanks @Molten that makes more sense now
When it comes to putting and short game, the shot scope wins hands-down. The one thing I miss from Arccos is the ability to see what shots are included, and which ones are not when they’re calculating my average shot distance for each full swing.
The pin collect feature is actually pretty great because it allows you to punch in the number of putts you actually have so there is no miscounting them and it shows the app where the pin actually was so you have a true distance to the pin for each putt.
I want to tackle this one with something that opened my eyes and is changing the way I play around the green. This data is after five rounds, btw.
Here is my 58 degree wedge, which is not my first choice around the green but it gets a lot of use because it’s uber versatile in my opinion and I have options of both high and low.
View attachment 8952122
As you can see, it’s used about 15% of the time and I get it on the green but not exactly lighting the world on fire.
Now look at the Pitching Wedge around the green:
View attachment 8952123
It is used roughly the same amount but the success with it is unreal. The usage rate of this needs to go way up and I need to use a lower loft whenever possible.
I had NO idea I was doing that well with the PW and I often overlooked it around the greens but I don’t anymore. The data is real and it’s fantastic if you dive in.
I wanted to share a little bit of what will change the way I play around the green. This is after five rounds
here is my 58 degree wedge data from around the green. It isn’t my go to around the green but it’s very versatile and gives me options to go high and low. As you can see, it’s usage is not insubstantial but I’m not lighting the world on fire with it. I use it a lot for the short sided, toe down chips from the fringe that I love trying.
View attachment 8952124
Take now my putter around the greens. It gets about the same amount of usage but the success rate is off the charts. In my mind, I don’t have as much confidence in my putter to get it close to the hole from off the green compared to a wedge
View attachment 8952125
I often thought I was much better with my wedges than my putter on those near misses but the data clearly says otherwise. And if I can get a putter on it, Im probably best served by putting the darn thing.
I still use the 54* wedge the most (its the remaining percentage and has an inside 6 feet percentage of 50%) and won’t stop using it because if I miss the green and have a lane to putt it, I’m going to from now on. Either that or I actually have to practice those shots with the 58* wedge because I’m losing a lot of strokes there.
THIS!!! This right here is the kind of stuff I can’t wait to go over. I have a very similar mentality. When it comes time to take the shot, I have myself convinced that I am better with a wedge in my hand. I have a feeling I would be getting similar results to you.
But seriously, this is the kind of data that I am too stupid to figure out on my own
What are the symbols there on the top right?
Has anybody who uses a Stroke Lab putter screwed the Putter Tag into the butt end of the grip? I am able to do that with the Game Golf TAGS but had to cut two threads off the Golf Pad TAG to get it to screw in. It seems the weight in the Stroke Lab putters is recessed enough to allow that but curious if modification is required for the V3 Putter TAG.
Here is mine. Sticks up slightly but never noticed it
View attachment 8952129
Was just wondering about this. It looks like the threads are long enough on the tags to allow for some trimming while still being secure in the grip. But, that’s not too bad.
I cut two threads off of my V3 tag and used Black Duck Tape to tape it on to the putter – You don’t even see it.
the first one is for the different lies (I selected rough) and the second is over the last 20 rounds.
Here is how mine sits. View attachment 8952146
Didn’t have to trim it? Must have a thick end cap?
No trimming with this grip, although you could easily trim it without issue. I’ve done it in the past with sensors.
Did you use the pin collect? I don’t know how it misses a putt when you enter the number at the pin but I might be missing something because I’m new to the device.
This thing looks ideal. GameGolf-like RFID tags without tagging, and a GPS watch? Yes, please.
For starters.
1) Is the system limited to 14 clubs or can you have multiples?
For example in Game Golf I have over 20 different drivers in that system having owned it since 2016. Right now I am testing 3 drivers and if I bring them to the course I can only have 14 live clubs to choose from but when I go back and edit I can activate the 2 others and select those as being used for shots.
2) If you have say a year’s worth of data, Can you compare distances you hit a certain club based on certain rounds or a time period? Say you want to look at avg driving distance from Driver A from Jan-June and then Driver B from July-Dec?
I am not following this comment, can you elaborate?
Are you saying with this unit you can’t take practice swings? I normally don’t but just curious.
Just the opposite! Apparently you must take a practice swing to "wake the watch up" before it will sense the shot itself. I think it is even suggested to take more than one. On chips, pitches and putts I know my practice swing is intended to mimic the shot at hand and may not be "vigorous" enough to get the watch awake. Thus, one may have to take a fuller practice swing on chips, pitches and putts before rehearsing the shot.