The best FREE GPS smartphone golf apps that will enhance your round
The feeling of finishing the first hole and realising you’ve forgotten a scorecard or pencil would make any golfer’s fists clench.
Having to retrace your steps back to the pro shop, or worse, count the scores on your notes with no course details, can be frustrating and take from the joys of golf.
But fear not. New, readily accessible, and FREE technology awaits you on Apple and Android smartphones.
These applications provide an easy-to-operate digital scorecard with the need-to-know details of every course and also have additional handy features.
Whether you’re monitoring your improvement, receiving live updates from your friend’s rounds, or using GPS on-course help, one of these apps is an absolute must for a true modern-day golfing aid.
Click the titles to download on IOS or Android now.
Hole19
– The most popular golf aid on the app store.
– Courses around the world synced to the app.
– GPS tracking provides reliable yardage no matter where you are on course.
– Performance insights such as course stats, club-by-club distances and course data.
– Live leaderboard allowing you to compete with your friends all the time.
Premium features (£)…
– Smartwatch compatible, meaning you can view live yardage, hole details, and scores without opening your phone.
– Match play scoring options.
– A full handicap calculator to track your progress.
Golfshot GPS
– GPS real-time distances are available at over 45,000 courses worldwide with green, hazard and target information provided.
– Scoring features make it easy to track your group’s score while providing analytical insights from the data provided after your round.
– Auto Auto-shot tracking allows you to track every stroke with your Apple Watch and provides post-round flyover reviews.
Premium features (£)…
– Swing ID on both the course and the range provides personalised swing stats and visual analysis with auto-shot tracking. Just set up your camera and crack on with your session.
– Golfscape AR is an award-winning augmented reality feature that brings a new way of viewing a golf hole before you play it.
– Handicap index can be purchased and linked with your GHIN number to post your scores directly from Golfshot.
18Birdies
– 18Birdies offers an awful lot of features within the free app.
– GPS at over 40,000 courses means you likely have shot-by-shot yardage covered wherever you play.
– Multi-player scoring from separate devices means every player in the group can input their score – if you trust their counting!
– Side games mean you can try other alternatives in the range or on course rather than just strokeplay.
– Low battery mode and a Watch App allows flexibility in how the tech is utilised.
Premium features (£)…
– Distance arcs give visual analysis, a satisfying measure of progress.
– 3D green data provides a little bit of aid for those difficult reads.
– AI coaching allows you to receive little pointers at the opening of your phone.
Golf GPS & Scorecard by SwingU
– GPS Rangefinder with distances to greens and hazards on most courses.
– Digital scorecard with hole data.
– Shot tracking to provide real-time feedback.
– Daily video tips from Top 100 SwingU golf instructors, meaning you can receive game improvement tips from the comfort of your home.
– Localised Clubhouse Content Feed to stay up to date with what’s happening at your golf clubs.
Premium features (£)…
– Live updates on wind speed and elevation to factor in for your round.
– Your own ‘Yardage Book’ poses as a caddy in your pocket.
– Stats compared to your target handicap benchmarks.
– Handicap index for each part of your game.
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