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
Having used another system literally you just go out and play. Very little involved in tracking.
Sooo why switch … Rather pay once and get full benefits with SS watch. I never used some of the features of the other.
Agreed. I only used one of every club in 2020 so none of the clubs I added and used in 2021 show up there. For me, the issue isn’t the data being displayed, it is the accumulation of clubs in My Bag. For example, in addition to the 16 that I have assigned tags, I have another 14 unassigned clubs, some of which I no longer even own and some I plan to sell in the future. As I understand it, I can’t delete those clubs without losing all previous data and possibly rounds associated with them.
even if they’re not as accurate as many claim,
I’m strictly from the hand held school.
I can’t wear a wedding band playing golf, much less a watch.
I stopped wearing a golf glove in the late eighties, I believe.
Wrap style grips, although now synthetic leather, re-appeared, and I went to those.
Even with a hand held, I’m too much of a luddite to use all of the features.
Mark it as a provisional, that’ll take care of it.
1) Played like ass, 45/37
2) Putts got a little off, here and there, and I had the most issues getting that sensor to register on the watch.
3) This was overall easy breezy. Unlike Arccos, this didn’t at all feel like work. I only had one hole where there a missed shot, which is freaking exciting.
IM IMPRESSED!
Thanks for the update. I’m sure interested, but I wasn’t if it was going to be as much work as Arccos
It’s not in the same stratosphere.
ARCCOS Is what has kept me from adopting data tracking, this, this is different, and easy.
SO Good to hear. Thanks!
They’re not. Hahaha
Plus, I LOVE that the tags don’t bother me like the Arccos ones do.
As others have said, I may go manual mode and see if that makes any difference
The hardest thing to do is to remember to mark the pin location on each green. Otherwise, shot collection is unnoticeable.
Arccos seems a lot flakier, to me. They’re are so many potential failure points in that system, from dead batteries in the sensors to subpar audio hardware on the listening device. Caddie Link was a big improvement for my experience with it, but it still doesn’t approach Shot Scope or Game Golf, for that matter, in terms of ease of use.
Putting stats are MUCH better than the junk info from Arccos, too.
Get it!
I can’t say enough how impressed I am!
Can you expand on the putting being a little off?
^^Amen to this^^^.
I"ve basically been testing mine for a few months, since I had to return the original one due to a sensor-detection problem. The replacement works better, although I have to consciously and manually hold the grip end to the watch sensor more often than I’d like. But, I fall short in doing my job of consistently marking the pin location, too.
I’m going to use Nov-Dec as final "test" months and then start saving and analyzing the stats in the New Year.
I like how they’ve upgraded the GPS watch functions to include layup distances, etc. It really provides a lot of information to help with shot selection. And, when I test the yardage against my rangefinder, the two devices usually are within a yard or two of each other.
I read no instructions before going to the course, so I didn’t mark the pin accurately I think? On a couple holes it recorded the putts, but didn’t count in the total because I miffed that up. Had to be a little more patient for the watch to pick up the putter as well, but was no biggie, made me read my putts more.
My hand hurt after putting them on, but I LOVE how low profile they are.
Wonder if a couple notches and a spike tool would be useful.
Hmmm…that’s actually an interesting thought
I don’t know what kind of materials are inside them, but a couple shallow dots the right space apart might solve all that. Of course, I’d likely go too deep, or if they were on the edge, I’d find something inside that need not be damaged and damage it. That’s just what I do.
Oh, me too. Damage for sure.
Bolded because this is where I’m getting with Arccos from time to time. Checking or correcting shots instead of enjoying friends or the view on the course. Dislike having my phone on me all the time.
My biggest draw to Shot Scope V3 besides data tracking, is the assumed ease of checking yardage. Quick glance at the wrist and go. Is it that easy?
It truly is that easy!
that’s why i **** canned arrcos
do i need to be careful when putting my clubs back in the bag after shots? golf…shots…not alcohol. well…maybe. i just don’t know who i might be paired up with.
Little heat to the grip cap to soften it up be enough?
This is very true! I’ve got GP grips on all my clubs except for my PXG driver. The GPs have flat end caps while the PXG driver is rounded such that the tag doesn’t fit flush. Afraid of it snapping off, I tape it like I do the putter tag on counter-balanced putters. This is a key reason I switched to GP grips when I ordered my set of PXG 0211DC irons on Thanksgiving.
A couple of things when it comes to putting. If using the "auto" mode, it takes getting used to to push the button corresponding to the number of times you USE the putter, and not just the number of "putts" on the green statistically speaking. For example, putt from just off the green leaving a tap-in you push the button next to "2" while standing over the hole. Statistically it will be recorded as a one-putt green.
Also, in regard to putting, I have found that distances are not very accurate as well as exact hole locations, undoubtedly due to the inherent inaccuracy of GPS currently. This is especially true on putts right around the hole. My experience has been that most GPS devices take a few seconds to "settle" on the unit’s exact location, and it may be that we/me just don’t spend enough time on those relative tap-ins and when marking the hole location. Even in manual mode, with a little tap-in I find myself quickly recording the location of the ball next to the hole, moving very slightly to be over the hole and hit the Pin Collect button and often it will be shown as a putt from several feet. This is the one area where almost all my time editing is spent and even then it is difficult to get exact distances when editing.
This all being from my experience using the V3 in over 230 rounds.
https://www.thehackersparadise.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-data-experience-will-return-in-2022.8935045/
Budget took so much money from me the last week lol
As a non watch wearer (on the course) non glove wearer I got used to it really quickly. After 2 seasons my biggest issue is forgetting it at home before a round
I don’t wear watches so my biggest worry was between the ears as far as my comfort with it, but plan on wearing it to the range tomorrow to get some swings in with it on my wrist to make sure it’s a non factor, but all signs point to go.
Good thing is it’s fairly light.
I don’t usually wear a watch on my left wrist so I started wearing it. Updated firmware and seems to be good to go. Fits fine, took a few swings outside and no issues.
That is music to my ears! Thought I would be better with Link, but then worried if every shot got tracked. Plus opening phone for gos with a system that didn’t find hazards easy caused the ultimate upgrade.
Basically for the price of a "subscription". Sooo glad this is working.
it didn’t bother me at all…and i don’t wear watches, either.
Put your ball and then mark when you hole it? Selecting how many you had?
truly, truly that easy
hit the button corresponding to the number of putts when it’s on the pin collect screen. voila.
Tracking putts?
Did you check to see that it was showing your current club before you shot?
On some of the videos I seen on YT the … on the watch should show the club you’re using if it stays … it didn’t recognize the club yet they say take a few waggles to get it to read.