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
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I’m hitting my 4 iron as far as my 3 hybrid according to the stats, which is strange as the 3 hybrid is 21* compared to the 4 iron of 24*
I’ll never forget when @Master Yagley said they see that all the time in data.
Today I was in somewhat of a "zone" and was barely conscious of taking practice swings, something I’ve made sure I did, and full swings at that (even with a putter!) up until today. Yet, not one shot was missed today, not a full shot, chip nor putt!
I make sure I take a ridiculously exaggerated practice swing or two before practicing the stroke I want to use on my first putt. I also use a conventional, reverse overlap grip so the sensor is really close to the watch band. Also, are you using a counterbalanced putter? If so, I think I read where that metal weight in the putter could have some impact. I am using Stroke Lab Putters and with the weight recessed a little I was able to cut two threads off the tag and still screw it into the grip and it seems very secure.
You could try manual putting mode
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I tried taping the sensor halfway down the grip but it hasn’t helped. The watch is reading the sensor in the new location but still not working (recording all 2 feet) Yes I have a counterweight in my grip. I am going to try manual again today and try and do a better job of recording. I just put the sensor back on the end of the grip but I don’t think I even need it if I do manual ?
Tried it once but don’t think I did it correctly. Going to try again today.
I’m trying to remember. Why did you tape the sensor halfway down the grip?
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As I putt lead hand low and was having issues with the putting, I moved the sensor from the top (13cm from the V3) to just above my lower hand (6cm from the V3) It didn’t help so I have switched it to manual putting now and will just have to make sure I push the buttons. Hopefully they can improve the putting sensor operation down the road.
I will provide more insight as I have experience with it.
Have you reached out to support on this?
Performance, takes out the outliers
Even though I take an "aggressive" practice swing before tapping in those little tap-ins, some are picked up and some are not. The ones that aren’t are shown as 2′ putts. Since the tightest granularity they get statistically on putts is 0-6 feet I guess that is no big deal. Those are the only shots that are somehow missed for me.
I have emailed and told them of my issues and have had response. I only just let them know that it still doesn’t seem to record even when it’s within 6cm. Worked fine in manual mode yesterday but I would really like it to be automatic. They said it is likely due to my lead hand low and they are working on a sticker tag to help resolve the lead hand low issue, hopefully in September. Just takes a bit of time to get the wrinkles out.
Are you wearing the watch as a daily watch or just for golf?
P Avg stands for Playing Average I believe which takes out the highs and lows to get a better number than just a straight average.
just golf
Have had it confirmed that a T4 Torx driver will fit the custom screws. The person that tested that for me found one of his screws loose so everyone might want to check for loose screws. (no pun intended) I lost a screw which started this whole issue. They do not have screws to ship a replacement so they are sending me a new watch – although I have not gotten any shipment information.
Meanwhile I found a phillips head screw (from an old set of eyeglasses) that I have inserted temporarily and am continuing to play. I have ordered a T4 Torx driver (want to make sure the other screws are tight). Support told me they will ship a driver with the new straps they plan on selling starting around Christmas time. They didn’t say if extra screws would be shipped. Since they are custom screws that might be a good idea.
Still love the watch and have just about gotten myself trained.
Do you use the watch as a daily watch?
I also had one shot not picked up. Again, I have heard of this with Arccos, but at least with Arccos, you can look at the phone and see whether the shot registered, something that does not appear to be available on the Shot Scope watch.
In the 9 rounds I’ve played not one club has been misidentified. As far as editing, I don’t mind doing it and enjoy going back over the round. I had to do it with Game Golf and move any stroke with a putter that was taken from off the green and also try to remember the pin locations and move them on practically every hole. The few edits I have to make with Shot Scope are because I may be putting from just on or just off the green and a pin location may be slightly off but I see those more as issues with GPS inaccuracy or mapping issues as contours of fairways and greens can change over time.
I have had it register the wrong once or twice.
I have found that if it can find a tag it will assign a club that it you would most likely use.
Happens with the Driver for me. If a tag falls off or if change shafts and forget to put the tag in. SS will assign your most used club for that distance.
There’s a little AI going on with ShotScope….
Maybe that’s my problem – I exceed your shot count significantly. I bet my V3 just gets tired of recording all of my extra shots!!
I’ve not had the V2 or V3 ever record a wrong club. I do like the idea of seeing the previous shot (maybe at least note the club used so you can see that it recorded the shot)
Weird has support replied at all? Every time I’ve had a request on mapping they’ve sorted it within a day or two.
Not to get this off topic as it’s not an Arccos thread…but what’s your experience like with Arccos? I have some Cobra’s that I picked up via this site that have them built in to the hybrids and irons…so I could easily activate and try it out with those clubs (I’d have to get sensors to add to other clubs if I liked it). However, I know there is an annual fee versus shot scope not having one….so I guess my question is – Arccos works well for you? And is worth the price in your estimation? Since you’ve used both – would be curious for a quick comparison of pros and cons…
I love Arccos and believe it is worth the annual fee. I am just becoming acquainted with Shot Scope, so I am not sure that I am yet in a position to render an opinion on the merits of each. I believe Arccos is a little easier to set up initially. I think it is more useful on the course, because, using the phone, you have a bigger screen that shows the layout of the hole, something you don’t have with Shot Scope. On the other hand, some don’t like having a phone in their pocket during a round and are anxiously awaiting the long promised and delayed link device that fits on your belt. With that, the screen feature and GPS benefit is lost. It appears to me at this early juncture that the putting part of the application is stronger with Shot Scope. It is pretty simple to set the pin location for the diagnostics. Also, when using the putter off of the green with Shot Scope, it recognizes it as not being a putt, something Arccos does not do. One thing that is an additional hassle is having to remember to charge the Shot Scope phone before use. We always tend to have our cell phones with us and keep them charged, so, for me, being ready to use Arccos does not require and additional task in preparation.
I think when all is said and done, both systems are fun and beneficial. I am going to have to go back and forth because my main set of clubs is primarily Cobra and they have the built in Cobra Connect sensors. I can happily
1) Unit of measure of yards is selected in my dashboard, but in the Performance tab its showing meters.
They responded saying this was a known bug. As of this week it seems to be fixed.
2) Asked them if there were plans to also add the Brand, Club name, perhaps even shaft name (or a custom field) in the Performance area instead of just color coded Letters to make it easier to know which clubs you are comparing..
They replied this week saying they realize the current setup is not ideal for those who add many clubs and over the next year they plan on making enhancements here.
3) Mentioned to them that during my last round I had to manually enter my shot data for 4 holes (watch battery ran outta juice) and I noticed in the Performance area it’s not counting those shots into my data set
No response yet.
4) They were missing several of the clubs I had in my bag:
All of the clubs I asked them to add were added to their drop down menu within 48 hours.
Minimal edits were needed post-round. I’m loving the data, I can’t wait to get a good amount of rounds in to really see where I can improve. I did not have the buttons locked, and I had no issues with the watch advancing holes or any buttons being pressed during the swing. So happy with this purchase!
This was 3W, LW, 2 putts. At least the score was correct on this hole.
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I had a similar experience during my first two rounds using this. And shows not approved tee boxes for my course.
No I do not use a daily watch.
I will get the V3 at some point but not until all these bugs have been ironed out / fixed
It almost sounds like some of you are beta testing it for them
Occasionally as I review the round on the map a shot location may be several yards off but I really feel this is due more to the inherent inaccuracy of GPS. According to GPS.Gov for example, a typical smart phone is only accurate to about 16 feet and that is 95% of the time. Atmospheric conditions and even trees can interfere with the signal. L5 is still considered "pre-operational" but when fully deployed will allow accuracy to be "sub meter".
I believe if a tee shot is not detected the system defaults to picking "driver" as the club used.
All the issues /enhancements I’ve posted about comes from their online dashboard. Those would apply to V2 or v3. No issues with the V3 watch itself.
I was kind of on the fence on whether or not I would truly utilize the data. My club distances are pretty much what I thought they’d be. So, there was no big revelation their. It shows me that I’m not as accurate off the tee as I’d like to be. Also no surprise. The deal breaker was a light weight GPS watch would be nice to have. May as well have one that can track my rounds. With only a few months left in my season sadly, I think I may hold off until next spring.
Part of that is to wait for any issues to be ironed out. It doesn’t sound like it’s super common. But, I don’t have a lot of golf left this year. I can wait until the device is more solid. No doubt it will get all ironed out before next season.
A quick firmware update took care of some of the problems with another coming in the next couple of weeks or so. I think you can still take advantage of the "launch price" if you order now. I think the price goes up $40 after the special pricing expires if you wait.
I haven’t seen any of the issues that you have on the dashboard, yardages have never changed to Meters etc etc
I can’t buy it. It says sold out, but available at Dicks. The purple appears to be the only one in stock at either site.
Maybe it’s just the intro pricing units and they’ll be available once the price goes up.
Between the number of people who owned the V2 and took advantage of an upgrade offer and those like me who researched in advance and pulled the trigger as soon as it was released I believe it could be sold out. My buddy tried to order one this past week and wanted black and it was sold out. He actually talked to someone who told him one of the reasons is they just started shipping to retail accounts.
Why does anyone who can’t get what they want when they want it assume something nefarious at play?