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’m not really a watch guy either. I didn’t get this model but I did get a golf watch and was quick to like it. I don’t notice any discomfort or anything like that and I do like being able to track my clubs used and info to go with it. I specially like being able to get distances to targets or hazards without using my range finder. I will still use the rangefinder but not as often.
I haven’t worn it as a regular watch but after 5 rounds with it I "mostly" don’t find it bothersome. I say "mostly" because it is strange with the buckle on the opposite side of what I’m used to with a watch. The first round or two I was actually wearing it too low, too close to my hand and I would occasionally "catch" on the buckle. I was also seeing the watch advance to the next hole ore even two as the bottom right button must have pressed against my bent wrist during a shot. Since then I’ve worn it just a little higher on my arm and that seems to have taken care of the problem though I still wish the buckle was reversed.
You can set the watch to lock the buttons if this continues to be a problem.
I forgot my charge cord at work and played 18 Thursday and left it on since that round. I seriously need to order a 2nd and maybe even 3rd charge cord. So stupid it can’t hookup through a micro usb like the game golf receivers.
As I understand it, NOT using a micro USB is part of what has enabled them to make the watch smaller. There are always trade-offs.
View attachment 8954217
View attachment 8954225
Next round will tag my King Utility 4 iron and begin the bag battle between that and the H85 4 Hybrid …
View attachment 8954226
This slice of egregious play, starts with the Drive that is blocked to the right of Barry Goldwater, and is compounded with a attempt to get cute with a brand new wedge after chunking a 5 iron. Good times that the Shot Scope app lets you relive.
it did take about 5 minutes to start up and find the course but no issues after that. The battery was fully charged before the round and was around 30% at the end. I think I’ll need about 10 rounds to get the stats and distance averages about right.?
TBH I think this the beauty of the system. It makes you go back, review your round and if you pay attention, you learn how a hole blows up. Not just in you mind but on “Paper” so you can avoid it in future rounds.
His words:
“Well I hit the 7 iron 162
8 iron 148 best ever .
Old clubs 7 141
8 Iron 136
Big difference “
Only black in stock and won’t ship until August 1. They then quote up to 6 weel shipping which means not getting it until right before golf season ends in most areas!
Plus while there is a money back guarantee it must ship back to England not USA. So shipping costs might be quite high.
I agree, that’s pretty cool that he realized that. I also think or would hope even without it he’d be able to tell that big off a difference just by what he saw on the course.
Mine has shipped already and enroute. I’m sure they wouldn’t expect us Canadians to ship it back to the UK. Must surely be somewhere on this side of the pond?
I emailed customer service. What I stated in my post was their response to my questions.
What day did you place your order?
That shipping date is only 12 days away. I bought mine on the upgrade deal in February and it didn’t ship till June 18th and arrive July 7th. Some colours were sold out so fast I settled for black. But, it works great, aside from a couple of little issues I’ve had. I’m sure there will be retailers carrying them in Canada at some point, but probably not this season as I think it’s very popular and likely the best option if you want stats, as well as a good value when you compare to other options. You could maybe buy one from a US retailer, which would get it quicker ? but then you would have shipping costs.
Ordered on July 10th and shipped on July 14th.
Second round Sunday – different course (Norwood Park – not one I’ve played much or recently). Was running pretty late after dropping off daughter so got to the first tee before switching the watch on. Actually found the course very quickly this time and was ready by time it was my tee shot. Reading looked very odd though at 250yards (when it’s supposedly a 400 yard hole). Walking up the fairway (rough) the hole was getting longer…..realised it had picked up the 9 hole par 3 course. The full name of Norwood is quite long winded, so when picking the course and skipping left/right the name didn’t noticebly change, but took a punt and it picked the right one. Just something to look out for as have seen a few comments about it not picking up the right course when there are 2+ on site.
Will add the tags when the new bats arrive and give the stats tracking a proper workout. No oddities noticed with the yardages in GPS mode (when the correct course selected!)
Some quick thoughts:
1) During my 3rd rd the battery died on the 14th hole (forgot to charge it) so that’s on me. I finished the round tracking my shots using my Game Golf app so I had data to complete the round.
Once I charged up the unit today I was able to sync and get the first 14 holes to load up. Then it allowed me to build the remaining 4 holes which I used my Game Golf info for. So I was able to post all 18 holes. What’s odd though is I noticed my driving stats seemed "off" for the round. Then I noticed in the performance tab there were only 10 drives on the Tee Shots grid. I looked to see which 4 tee shots were missing and it was the last (4) drives that I had to build manually. So for whatever reason it’s not factoring in the drives I manually added post round.
2) Round 1 I used Putter A and had 32 putts. For rds 2 and 3 I used Putter B.
When I click on Putting stats and toggle to putter A it says I avg 17 putts per round. Since I only used it once the avg should be 32. So that is way off the mark.
3) Rounds 2 and 3 I used manually putting. For the most part this works pretty good. Only putt that seemed way off was on #9 yesterday I put a wedge to about 3′ and made the putt, marked it and the pin and when editing my round it said I made a 22 footer.
4) Also yesterday it missed 2 or 3 chips. I am almost positive I took a full practice swing before making the chip but perhaps I didn’t. Nonetheless I had to edit them in.
5) On a positive note, I mentioned a few pages ago how the data for driving and putting was showing in meters even though I have yards selected. Shot Scope reached out to me after a few days and said it was a known bug. Today both driving stats and putter seems to be showing in yards and feet now so that is good.
12 days until shipping then up to 6 more weeks until received for nearly 8weeks or end of season.
Going through the data in a bit to see how much of it was me!
You may as well wait till next season ? I retired to the West Coast so I can play just about year round now. It seemed like I waited forever as I ordered Jan/Feb and was supposed to ship May but there were delays (Covid) Normally stuff from the UK would be here in 10-15 days but Covid has changed all that right now. I just noticed it goes up $50 after July 31st as the intro special ends.
I ordered mine from the UK (Live in Ontario) on July 12th, and that was just 8 days ago and received the shipping notice on the 14th, and now waiting for it to arrive. I imagine i will get it by the end of the month, another 11 days or so. Or at least hopeful.
That will still give me 2 months (August/September) of Shot Scope golf tracking.
As usual almost entirely on me. Didn’t add penalties during the round and since i generally forget to mark putts until I’m on the next tee box – it had those numbers fairly wrong. I think I added two shots total that were missed (both were almost whiffs that traveled about seven feet so the next swing was same club and real close to the previous shot AND i was in a rush / frustrated so I didn’t pause / practice, etc).
Anyone know if I had started a round again on hole 10 and ended it on 18 – is there a way to combine the two separate rounds that would be uploaded – one for the first 9 and one for the last 9. Guess for stat purposes it would not matter? In hindsight that is what I should have tried. Well if it happens again then I know how to recover. Any better ideas?
They have not notified me if my replacement watch has shipped (I am the one that lost a screw). So has anyone with a T2 or T3 size Torx driver tried to see if they fit the custom screws? I would really like to know before buying a precision Torx set.
Thanks for any input.
I just checked my screws, a T4 fit perfectly and glad I did, 1 screw was real loose.
They won’t even shp before August 1. They are quoting up to 6 weeks from ship date.
Sent from my SM-N950W using Tapatalk
That’s the theory according to Shot Scope. As they put it, it’s to sort of wake up the watch.
I don’t know of a shot trscking system that doesn;t need at least some editing post-round.
One of the biggest complaints about the V2 was battery life. By "going to sleep" the V3 conserves battery. I’ve yet to have less than 60% battery left after any of my rounds.
https://www.thehackersparadise.com/shot-scope-v3-gps-golf-watch-review/
I’m fine manually adding penalties, drops, etc, but it missed 8 swings for me in my first outing, two of which were full swing bunker shots. Trying to recall how far I was from the flag on short game shots is the part I find most tedious, and even then I’m only guesstimating. If I can get the missed shots to go away, I’ll be thrilled with it.
Raining cats and dogs, so will have to try in another dayView attachment 8954477
plenty of time to update the firmware and make sure your course is mapped!
Already updated and request for mapping of the course nearest camp sent!
Wise one, here. I need to request an update to my home course but I’ve been delaying half out of laziness and half because it’s super minor and they have real courses to deal with.
Same with me. They totally redid our 8th green last year and it changed the size and contour somewhat, but it is a relatively minor adjustment to move an approach on or off the green if it is that close. Like you said, they have enough to deal with right now.
yep, I’ve updated firmware and the next 4 courses I’m playing are in there
I also cannot stress enough how lazy I am after a round of golf when a nap is a possibility. And before the round, too excited to care about the error. It’s a vicious cycle
View attachment 8954505
that’s great, received mine today also