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 have already cut 2 of the threads off of the sensor, so I may just have to use electrical tape to keep from removing the sensor a bunch of times to figure out which option is best. Thinking about it, electrical tape is probably the best so I’m not pulling the sensor out again.
Best Plan……
And it’s on sale…
ugh I know! ????
From what I have read, now that Shot Scope has started to include Shots Gained (granted just against pros now but against various handicaps by the end of June), the stats provided by Shot Scope are as good if not better. There are different the stats are presented as the website Dashboard displays stats one way and the app takes a different look at them with Shots Gained only available in the app.
Little overused but appropriate
Pros:
– Very comfortable. I normally wear a regular watch when I play, and this is way more comfortable than my normal watch.
– Was very easy to set up and get going. I already had the app downloaded from where I knew it was on the way. Either way, I don’t think it took me longer than 30 minutes to set up and that includes installing the sensors.
Cons:
– Band is opposite of what I’m used to. Not really sure it’s a con, because it doesn’t affect it in any way, but just feels a little weird putting it on. I can see myself putting it on backwards a few times until I am used to it.
– The putter sensor had to have threads cut off the sensor and will have to put some electrical tape on it as a safety measure, but this is mainly due to me having a StrokeLab putter and the weight in the end of the shaft preventing it from seating all the way. Once altered, it did sit flush. I do have some silicone that I might use instead as it will look a little better, as I don’t change putters really, but I will figure that out tonight.
These are only initial impressions. I will post more once I am able to get it to the course this weekend (hopefully, pending the rain).
I’m with you in this one. Not a deal breaker or anything but it does seem like an odd design choice.
Enter to win the whole trip.
https://www.thehackersparadise.com/forum/index.php?threads/win-a-trip-to-hammock-beach-for-the-data-experience-sponsored-by-shot-scope.8931091/
I cut a few threads off of the putter sensor for the same reason and it has stayed in just fine, without additional tape or glue.
When I put the tape on, it didn’t look like it was going to move, but I guess I did it as an extra precaution or piece of mind, lol.
I don’t see any shots being added as I am very careful when I take a club or clubs out of the bag to hold them well down the shaft, almost to the hosel as a lot of times I’ll leave the cart with my playing partner and walk a good distance to my ball. There is only thing I’m not sure of. If I decide on a club, let’s say my 8i, grip it, start my setup, then change my mind and go back for the 7 or 9, does it recognize the last club chosen or only the first that it recognizes? I’ve failed to take notice. Also, if whatever minimum distance required to recognize a shot has been exceeded to make the club change, say walking back to the cart for another club, maybe that is picked up for some as an added shot?
I think most if not all of my editing is on shots around the green where I am either just on or off the green and either due to small mapping issues or GPS inaccuracy the V3 reflects the opposite, off the green when I’m on or vice versa.
One of the shots it missed was a 3w that I topped off the tee and walked 50 yards and it missed the next shot. I’m thinking bc I didn’t change clubs. I was also wondering about the picking a club and the watch registering it and then changing club bc I changed my mind. I almost switched clubs once in a circumstance like this but stayed the same. I was super glad it got all my putts yesterday. Just had to adjust 1 pin location. Very minimal editing for sure.
I would think 50 yards would be far enough to be recognized as another shot unless out of frustration you didn’t bother with a practice swing or maybe didn’t let go of the grip while you walked to the ball.
I honestly don’t think I let go of the grip. I’m almost positive I took a practice swing though. Either way it was a shot I didn’t forget lol ?
They say wearing another device, like an Apple watch, etc., might interfere with the V3 but if it is on the opposite wrist I think it would be OK. A regular watch might be OK, too, but this has the time on it so why bother with another timepiece during the round?
No it does not. The watch just provides pure linear GPS yardages.
I wear a fitbit on my left wrist and read about the possible interference issue so I looped it on my belt. It didn’t make any difference that I could tell, so I just keep it on my wrist.
If you’re playing a 9 hole course once you’ve played 9 it will ask you if you want to play the back 9, i.e. play round again, you just press the button next to the tick and it then counts the 2 9 hole rounds as 18.
Sorry for the late reply but just checked back in on this thread
Thanks for the reply. That is good to know for sure!
You’re not doing it wrong. Unfortunately, when you duff a shot, particularly in a bunker, you don’t move far enough away from the first shot for it to realise you’re taking a second shot. I also keep a separate scorecard for that reason.
I wish I knew what that distance is.
Me too mate. I’m assuming something in the vicinity of 5+ yards because GPS accuracy is about 3 yards or so.
What’s the issue?
I don’t wear a watch, and I don’t know how I would adjust to wearing one when golfing.
I never wear a watch but find I don’t even notice my SS watch. Even now that I have switched to Arccos for the MC I still wear it for the distances on holes.
It’s not that heavy and I’m thinking you’d get used to it pretty quickly.
I don’t notice the watch either. It is very light weight and isn’t some heavy Rolex strapped to your wrist (not that I would know what a heavy Rolex strapped to my wrist would feel like! )
Good to hear. My biggest concern is just being annoyed by it.
No, you can only get distances to hazards and the front, middle and back of the greens. It’s not a map of the course.