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 never timed how long it takes for my watch to charge but it sure doesn’t take anywhere near that long. I usually charge after each round and at bout 60% charge I would have to estimate maybe 20 minutes?
The watch does not depict the hole. You get FMB yardages and you can get distance to and over hazards like bunkers or water. There are lots of apps that can do what you are asking and I’ll occasionally refer to one for layups to blind spots as I use Shot Scope for its primary purpose, data collection. I use a laser more than the watch for distances other than when there is a hazard short and I want to play to the back yardage.
So what makes the Shot Scope so special? Through all of my research it sounds like Arccos provides much of the same data collection points. Maybe if someone wants the data but in a watch rather than carrying a phone or link device? I am sure people looking to reduce the amount of things they carry would love to carry a range finder and an app on their phone with a course map. Maybe if I played the same course everyday and knew it well.
I went from a Garmin s20 to Arccos, back to Garmin s20, and now Shotscope for thelast few rounds. Arccos was fine but was absolutely annoying to keep the phone in my pocket, especially with how big phones have gotten over the years. I’ve used Arccos with both the iPhone XS and iPhone 12 Pro and it just got annoying, not to mention the battery drain on the phone too. I’ve also had quite a few club sensors stop working for whatever reason. Yes they replace them but still very annoying. Probably 6 sensors were replaced over a 5mo period. In any event I went back to the Garmin for ease of use, but missed all the detailed stats so recently gave Shotscope a try. IMO it gives the ease of use that I love from the Garmin but also the detailed stats that I missed from Arccos. Best of both worlds imo.
@robd mentioned a lot of the reasons to go with Shot Scope. Big for me were two things, the sensors used by Arccos (both in regard to their size and the fact that they have batteries), and with the latest version of Arccos it is subscription based, you must pay an annual fee. Shot Scope’s customer service is outstanding as well! One of the big reason I kept reading as to why people preferred Arccos was the Shots Gained analysis. Now that Shot Scope has released the latest update with Shots Gained vs not only Pro but, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 handicaps I think that addresses that issue.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m one who doesn’t mind the phone in the pocket. I like being able to map out the shots. Had an older SkyCaddie that I bought refurbished prior to Arccos.
What brand/model of grip do you have on your clubs? On my Golf Pride Z-Grip Plus 2 grips the end cap is totally flat so the tags fit flush. If the end caps are rounded/raised at all I would suggest using electrical tap to secure them as well as otherwise they might snap off.
GP Tour Velvet on irons, no problem. Just having trouble with new Vokeys. I’ll keep at it. Thanks …
Honestly with all of the additional info, not sure how they are not charging a yearly fee unless there is some really good margins with the V3.
They’ve made a fair amount of upgrades to the app since the V3 release.
Perhaps that or the rangefinder helps them stay in business. I guess we should just be thankful!
I’m too OCD for that … lol.
Guess I’ve got about 47 pages of reading to do for THPer pointers and suggestions.
BTW – ShotScope sells a Putter tag with an adhesive on the bottom of the tag for Counter Balanced putters.
I ordered those as I have three putters that are in or out of the bag on any given day.. One came with threads and two with the adhesive but I didn’t find the adhesive all that secure and I didn’t want to use super glue. That is why I got some adhesive dots and use the electrical tape. My original putter tag I had cut some threads off and screwed into one of my Stroke Lab putters and it eventually broke off and got lost. I’d use the manual putting method but I just cann\ot reliably remember to mark my first putt all the time.
This!!!! I used to stand practice swinging like a demented demon trying to get the club to be recognized. Then I read in one of their blog posts to hold the sensor near the watch strap. Since I’ve been doing that, it hasn’t missed a beat.
I think there are a couple of things that contribute to this. The V3 is set up for dual frequency, L1 and L5 but L5 is not totally rolled out and available everywhere. When it is, that should bring accuracy down to about a foot. Until then we are looking at something like accuracy within +/- 3 meters or about 10ft. Add to that, every GPS I have worked with, including this watch, has a small period of time when one comes to a standstill before it settles on a constant measurement. So the inaccuracy may be compounded by the fact that we don’t stand over the hole long enough, but that can be disruptive to the game and one’s partners if one does that.
I think someone said You can’t due the the sensor in the band.
Can any of our UK friends verify if this is a standard thing for Bands in the UK. Trying hard to like this thing.
Am I correct in saying because the sensors are NFC rather than Bluetooth I could not leave the Arccos sensors on my clubs and pair them with the Shot Scope?
The bands are ‘backwards’ because of the way the one strap collects data from the tag and sends it to the watch face.
Yes, you are correct. Two different data collection methods.
If you work it out, let me know. I’ve had mine since it was released and still can’t get it done.
You don’t even really notice that you are wearing it. It’s so lightweight.
I think it will still pick up the club you are using for your chip and the distance even thought he Pin Collect Screen is showing.
I rarely see a shot missing or added and typical editing is mostly either pin location or adjusting a putt that is near the edge of the green and that is incorrectly recorded as being on or off when it is the opposite. Today’s round, other than pin location on a few holes, was dead on in regard to shots taken and even number of putts.
Wow! Sorry to hear that. I used Game Golf for about 5 years which uses the same technology and the same kind of tags and now Shot Scope for almost a year exactly and never had a tag snap off and I play a lot of golf, ~180 rounds per year every year. Well, maybe a putter tag I tried just screwing into a backweighted putter but I don’t know if it "snapped off" or fell off as one day it was on the putter an the next day not. I did have one Game Golf tag that stopped being recognized in the time that I used that system.
I have to sometimes keep backing up when I get to my ball – usually around 3-5 yards. Eventually there will be an X on the watch that you can click (I think it’s too left button) to get out of the putting part. I do manual putting because I’m left hand low though.
Have you tested that with auto putting mode? I occasionally will putt that way on a given putt and I use auto mode and it doesn’t seem to miss the stroke.
I haven’t because of the manual, but I’ll have to try it now.
Paging @Phil75070
You do have to swap out the putter in your bag every time you change it.
Drag your current putter to the Unassigned Clubs, and drag your new one to the "P" slot under "Tags".
How do I get the watch to pick up the new sensor?