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
I don’t think there’s something nefarious at play. When I stated that they maybe sold out of a pre-allocated launch special stock, I didn’t think anything negative about it. I guess I didn’t think I worded it that way. I wouldn’t fault a company for limiting a special price like that. I guess the reason I assumed that was the case is because it’s a little odd that it’s sold out and not on backorder though. I can’t place an order and wait. They aren’t taking orders at all on anything that isn’t on hand. They’ve essentially cut off their revenue stream until they’re back in stock. Not a move I’m used to seeing. I’m fine waiting. Just a timing thing on my end. I’ll likely buy at the higher price, but I’ll just wait until a point where I have a lot of golf in my future vs the end of my season.
I thought something similar. When Shot Scope ran out of certain colors, Dicks and Golf Galaxy still had them. I presumed each was allotted a specific quantity of each color. By limiting the initial quantity sold, they can better control the technical problems. In a sense, I guess I did view it as a beta test of sorts, with a launch at full retail once the firmware has been sufficiently tweaked.
I had played 3 rounds with mine, not only does it miss shots, it says I hit clubs I never did. This is a big disappointment.
1. Nope didn’t hit my 5w 298
2. Nope never touched the 5i on this hole.
3. 54 wedge -yes 90 yards and went long
4. Chipped back with 54 for a tap in
4. Phantom putt, it was a tap in so I wasn’t doing any practice strokes
5. Yes tap in putt for a 4
Had multiple holes like this on all rounds.
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However yesterday I was playing a course in my home town and on hole 12 it said I was still 328 out and was next to the green.
I thought maybe it was a mapping issue but the screen was still not moving 2 holes later. Just froze up. Tried hitting a few buttons to no avail. So I finally had to shut the watch off and fire it back up again. It seemed to record the remainder of the round. I will sort it out later on the computer and see how much I need to edit/fix.
I ordered mine from Golf Galaxy and got it the next day.
When did you order it? I only saw purple in stock when I looked. Or, did you go to the store and order?
I just checked and they don’t have purple anymore either.
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Man, 17? Have they entertained the idea of sending you a replacement yet? You’ve had issues since you got it. Yours seems to be on the extreme side too. I can’t imagine that it’s not a hardware problem. Unless, they changed hardware at some point during their production runs and yours requires different firmware than others.
We know many have not had a single issue, while others have had quite a bit, but we expect this to really assist golfers.
That’s good to hear. I sent a note in to see when they’ll be available again. Got an auto response saying that it could be a week until I get a reply. They’re likely working hard to get everything smoothed out. I applaud their dedication to getting things working flawlessly.
They are working hard to build and get them ready. Excited about the launch and the early response, but know a lot of people are following this thread and ready to jump in when available.
They were slow to respond at first, but now they are pretty good at keeping a dialogue going. They are expecting to roll out a big upgrade in a week or so. They have said I have 30 days from uploading the upgrade to return it no questions asked. Part of me is starting to wonder if it’s my ping glide wedge. The grip is a little longer so you can choke down a little further for more control. I now make sure I take some big swings with the wedge whatever shot I’m trying to hit to wake the sensor up, but it still seems to miss anything not played with a full shot. I’ve even changed the tag, so I know that’s not the issue.
In this case it wasn’t entirely me. I actually remembered to mark all putts while on the green (minus two holes – both had to be fixed). And I marked my penalties on the course (although the next shot wasn’t always grabbed).
BUT I still cause my share of missed shots I really need to take a few more practice swings than my usual zero and I’m hoping the next huge update sorts this out too.
It’s funny, I don’t treat the V3 any different than I treated the V2. The V2 my misses were nearly ENTIRELY on me. So far for the V3 the misses are MOSTLY on me with more missed than I would’ve seen in the V2.
Does it only happen with your wedges?
Mostly, yes. Never had this issue with the V2 though. That thing never missed a beat.
Wonder if your wedge tags are bad. Do they ever register a shot???
No they aren’t bad. There’s a feature on the V3 where you can check the tags. They all registered correctly as they should. I did change the wedge tag for a spare though just to be sure. Same issue.
Huh. Hard to say then. Yesterday I played a round and it only missed one greenside chip. I can’t recall if I made a practice swing or not. Usually even if it’s a little fringe chip I’ll take a practice swing like it’s a full shot. I know that’s not your issue. Was just throwing it out there that I haven’t had the shot missing experience for the most part.
Yeah, it’s weird. It seems some people like me are having major issues. Others like you seem to have few issues.
Missed five shots yesterday. Two were greenside chips. One was a penalty I never marked. And a few putts I marked wrong (every once in a while I mark putts only and not putter used from greenside as well)
Out of curiosity, have you tried the tag check feature while choking down on the wedge? Could be when you hinge your wrists that the tag is moving out of range of the sensor in your watch. I don’t know how far down you are moving your hands though.
I haven’t, but that sounds like a good idea.
No phone needed on the course. Just sync your course before you play and again when your done for editing and score.
You do not need your phone with you on the course as the watch is not "tethered" to it while playing. You do need the Shot Scope app as that is how you offload your rounds and the app is what then copies them to the Shot Scope server so you can use the Dashboard from your home laptop.
Thanks guys! I’ll have to get everything downloaded and club tags on. Really excited to get this out on the course!
I do for some shots, especially if the number I get is in-between clubs. Longer shots, I keep the rangefinder in its case. I have found that having the watch for distances to the front, middle, back have been extremely helpful.
Me too, it is helpful to have all the distances on the green. Also I tend to go for the middle of the green now, which is probably smarter overall.
Because of how of the band collects the data and the strap design, it can’t be switched. That strap has to be on the outside of the arm to work properly, supposedly.
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I still shoot par 3 flags as well as anything say under 170 yds. Anything outside of that is close enough and use the watch for distance.
I will say though the watch yardage is usually within 1-3 yds of my laser. Find it very accurate. So if I’m being lazy I’ll just use the watch yardage.
coming from game golf I already know my club distances having logged 4+ seasons in there. But it does offer some nice info like which club you’re better off using from just off the green (putter vs wedge, etc). Also the ability to compare Clubs.
For example my Cobra SZ X Is the black “D” and my Flash is the yellow “D”
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I have had the same experience.
Ordinarily I wouldn’t spring for an extra strap just to have a spare or a different color, but if they improve the clasps at all, I’d be all over it. The clasps on the cheap knockoff Fitbit bands on ebay are better than this clasp.
I, too, have had the same experience but no constantly.
Another perfectly captured round today. Just had to edit a couple of pin locations (inherent GPS inaccuracy?).
Pretty much the same, I use the V2 and have had no issues with it at all