The Apple Watch is one of the greatest wearable technology revolutions of the 21st century, especially given its massive impact on mHealth and athletic-based training. Since the first iteration, the Apple Watch Series 0, hit the market in 2015, the smartwatch has continued to break grounds in fitness tracking and health monitoring. Today, with the latest Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 10, there are even more use cases of the wearable device, particularly in club-and-ball sports like golf.
Whether you play golf for fun or you’re pro hoping to one day win a PGA Tour event, the Apple Watch is one device that will come in handy, literally. You can greatly improve your game with special apps tuned for the iPhone and Apple Watch. Additionally, these software offer in-depth analysis of the different aspects of how you play while providing recommendations on how to get better during rounds.
In this article, Kate Richardson, a seasoned golfer and wearables expert lets you in on the best applications for your device. Having live-tested them all, she explores the top eight for score tracking and virtual caddie functionality.
How We Rank the Best Golf Apps for Apple Watch
There are a ton of factors that should influence your choice of a golfer’s application for your smartwatch. While traditional rankings opt for basic methodology like battery life and wrist comfort, this article considers more advanced features that have an actual impact on upgrading your golfing prowess. That said, below is a brief rundown of how we rank the leading Apple watch golf apps.
In-Round Scoring
When ranking these applications, we prioritize apps that offer seamless and automated score input directly on the Apple Watch than those with manual input features.
Value for Money on Premium Versions
Although most golfing applications have a free version, many players don’t mind paying some extra for advanced features. The most functional software typically offer just the right number of premium functionality at an affordable rate.
Traditional Stats
Scores and stats analysis are a pivotal part of golf practice. That’s why the most useful apps help track traditional statistics like putts per hole, fairways hit and greens in regulation, among others.
Auto Shot Tracking
With the use of Apple Watch sensors and GPS tracking functionality, great apps can auto-detect swings and record scores automatically. Some apps even use AI-powered shot-tracking features for a seamless experience.
Official Handicap Tracking
As the Norwegians say, a handicap in this case has a slightly different meaning than it does in sports betting. On a sportsbook, the handicap involves giving a team an advantage for the other side to prevail against. It’s a common market at international bookmakers and has particularly grown popular among top platforms for Norwegian players that MightyTips talks about. These sites are also known for their mobile compatibility and incredible support services.
Down to golf, the term is a numerical value expressing a golfer’s technical ability. For golfing apps, adjusted scores are calculated in real-time to offer players a level playing field. Even better, the top apps sync with Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN) to provide up-to-date data.
iPhone + Watch Compatibility
Top golfing apps for Apple watch do not over rely on the iPhone or other connected devices to function. However, if they do need some extra mobile support, our ranked apps promise seamless compatibility.
Discover the 8 Best Free Golf Apps on Your Apple Watch
Now that you know on what basis we choose the leading apps, now is time for the ultimate reveal. Below are the nine top applications that will guarantee a better experience with your smartwatch.
TheGrint
Known for its cutting-edge post-round analysis and real-time golfing insights, TheGrint is arguably one of the best wearable apps in the world. It boasts a ton of useful features of competitive golfers, including an integration with the GHIN system. Additionally, it offers you accurate in-round score tracking, performance statistics and yardages. You can also take full advantage of its social features to compete with friends or other players online.
Pros
- Offers green contour maps for reading breaks on the greens
- Tracks golf rounds as workouts with Apple Fitness
- More battery efficient than other similar apps
- Provides significantly accurate tracking scores and GHIN values.
Cons
- Doesn’t have advanced features like strokes gained data and swing ID.
- Lacks auto-distance measuring features.
- The app does not offer sensor tracking.
Arccos Caddie
Perhaps the most popular on this list, Arccos Caddie has one feature that stands it out among the rest: it’s AI-powered functionality. By leveraging artificial intelligence tools and smart sensors, the app helps automatically track your shots and offers recommendations based on your performance on the gold course. It is a near perfect option for players who don’t mind spending a little extra to get data-driven improvements.
Pros
- Offer AI-powered personalized features and caddie advice.
- Allows you track your rounds without an iPhone.
- Course maps and distances to front, middle and back of the green are readily available
- Golfers can view and edit shot scorecards directly from the watch.
Cons
- Does not provide accurate shot tracking without Arccos sensors.
- Long usage drains battery life faster than usual.
- Requires subscription for advanced functionality.
Golfshot Golf GPS
Golfshot Golf GPS has been at the forefront of shaping golfing wearable technology for over a decade now.
“Leveraging the full capabilities of Apple Watch has always been a priority for Golfshot since our first Apple Watch release in 2015,” said Alex Flores, Golfshot’s Chief Growth Officer at Golfshot.
“Innovative features including Auto Shot Tracking and Swing ID – both powered by Apple Watch and sophisticated machine learning – truly help golfers improve their game by giving real-time, personalized data on the device that’s already with them.“
Among the many features that Golfshot has developed over time includes personalized club recommendations, hands-free score entry and 3D course previews.
Pros
- Free version offers scorecard functionality and beyond basic GPS features.
- Premium subscription offers bang for buck with 3D video pre-round course previous and tracking,
- Easy watch integration without overdependence on iPhone
Cons
- Advanced paid features may be overwhelming for amateur
- Free version may include disruptive ads
- High potential for outdated mapping and aerial imagery.
Tag Heuer
Many people know Tag Heuer as the Swiss watch manufacturer that’s been around for over 165 years. The brand also has a reputation for its fashion masterpieces featured on GQ and a host of other notable showbiz magazines. However, it’s exciting to know that the luxury watchmaker dabbles into golfing apps for wearables, too.
The premium software offers 3D course mapping and super precise distance measurements. If you’re a tech-savvy golfer who likes to play around with a lot of features, then you’ll find the innovations on the Tag Heuer Golf pretty exciting.
Pros
- Clean, user-friendly and easy to navigate interface.
- Offers 3D flyovers of thousands of courses.
- Provides accurate GPS tracking, including distances to greens and hazards.
- Works without a separate golf GPS device.
Cons
- Course maps and club recommendations require paid subscription.
- Bad GPS signals from phones can lead to inaccuracies.
- Drains smartwatch’s battery life quickly.
Roundabout
Previously known as the V1 Games app since 2020 and before its acquisition by Ponti Capital, Roundabout is another app that has gained a name among golfers. It has a simple and clean interface, making it a great option for golfers who do not want to overcomplicate their experience. In addition to all of the above, the Roundabout app has great auto-shot tracking and auto-distance measuring features.
Pros
- Advanced and detailed performance analytics
- Utilizes swing history and post-round analysis to offer virtual in-round assistance
- No iPhone support required after round start
- Real-time shot tracking features
Cons
- Easily drains Apple Watch battery life
- Expensive multi-tiered subscription model
- Occasional inaccuracies in yardage readings
18Birdies
The producers of the 18Birdies app state that it is the ‘#1 scoring app’ for golfers. Well, that may be true, because at a $99.99 premium annual subscription, the 18Birdies comes preloaded with an AI coach and a bunch of round-scoring features. Using the free version gives you access to rangefinder, side games and over 6,000 courses.
Pros
- Detailed scorecard, insights and stat tracking after each hole.
- High-resolution interface for shot planning and selection.
- Convenient on-wrist access to log stats and distances.
Cons
- Requires manual input for shot tracking.
- Poor GPS accuracy beyond five yards.
GolfLogix
Here’s another 3D-sporting watch software for enthusiasts with a more affordable subscription plan for its users. The powerful app offers direct in-round scoring features as well as break analysis and very detailed green maps. Unlike many other similar software, GolfLogix places more emphasis on heat maps near the greens, helping you note how the ball potential rolls with each round and approach shot.
Pros
- USGA compliance allows use in tournament golf.
- Offers 3D approach views for shots.
- Green reading feature allows for calculating breaks on putts.
- Directly inputs scores and track stats on the Apple Watch.
Cons
- Design and interface may be too simplistic for some users.
- Prolonged use affects Apple Watch battery life.
- The free version has very limited features.
Hole19
Last but not least on this ranking is Hole19. It is another premium software that promises advanced statistics and club recommendations for a fee of about $49.99 annually. Its free version only guarantees GPS, but all features considered, it definitely offers bang for your buck. Besides, you get very smooth integration with virtually all your Apple devices, especially the smartwatch.
Pros
- Offers accurate and easy distance tracking.
- Seamless Apple Watch integration.
- The free version provides access to basic stats and trackers.
- Available for offline use.
Cons
- Over-reliance on the iPhone for accurate data.
- Drains the Apple Watch battery too quickly.
- Club recommendations and shot tracking only available to premium users.
Closing Remarks: How to Get the Best of Apple Watch Features for Golfers
It was American professional golfer and winner of the 1967 Masters, Gay Brewer who said:
“Golf is a game you can never get too good at. You can improve, but you can never get to where you master the game.”
Thankfully, using the highly functional Apple watch golfing apps are sure to get you one step closer to some improvement. But beyond knowing which applications are great for your use, some information on how best maximizes their features is important. For starters, you may want to subscribe to a premium plan to enjoy all available features. Additionally, consider pairing your smartwatch with additional dedicated golf GPS devices for more accurate data. You should also explore the Apple Fitness+ for a workout that will keep you fit and ready to swing.
By ticking these boxes, you’re guaranteed not just a rewarding round of golf, but an overall better improved quality of life.
