Sureshot - the latest GPS device
Hand held device distributed by Motocaddy
Posted: 15 August 2008
by Bob Warters
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Sureshot 880 Golf GPS: smart and sophisticated
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As golf equipment becomes more sophisticated and golfers learn to maximise their potential by having their clubs fitted to their bodies and their swings, so the spin-offs join this new revolution to make the most of the latest technology.
A key by-product of this knowledge is the growing use of satellite navigation to help us manage our way to lower scores and digest our statistics.
After thousands of clubs agreed not to stand in the way of progress by ammending their local rules to allow amateur golfers to use yardage calculators during competition rounds, even PGA professionals have been given clearance to use GPS during some tournaments.
So it comes as no surprise to discover that hand-held devices have become even more sophisticated with the launch of the Sureshot 8800 Golf GPS - distributed in Europe by powered trolley manufacturer, Motocaddy Ltd.
The company claims the user-friendly device - priced at £199.99 - is the best value and most advanced of its kind. It features a high-resolution colour screen, designed to measure distances to greens and hazards without having to look for physical markers.
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A typical hole on Sureshot
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Sureshot GPS courses are plotted accurately by professional map designers to within either a yard or metre (as the user prefers) with distances to greens, hazards, dog-legs and lay-ups displayed in real time and updated with a player's movements. Golfers can also personally map a course or edit any registered and mapped course. The 8800 model has the capacity to hold up to 40 courses at anytime, all of which can be downloaded directly from
www.sureshotgps.com - where 1800 UK courses (12,000 worldwide) are stored. Silver membership comes as standard with the 8800 and includes three free course downloads per year.
The model can also record scores and statistics including driving distance, fairways hit, greens in regulation, sand saves and putts - all of which can be uploaded to your computer for analysis.
The lightweight Sureshot 8800 GPS includes a World Charger and Lithium Ion rechargeable battery which lasts up to 36-holes a day.
Tell us on the forum if you have found GPS hand held devices have helped your game. Some believe that GPS use in competition play is a step too far and that its use penalises the golfers who cannot afford it and favours those who can. Indeed, they say, are competition scores of players riding in buggies with GPS fair, compared to those on foot and without it? |
Discuss this story
I've used a GPS for around 18months and legally in competitions since April of this year. I'm not going to say it will dramatically reduce your handicap, because simply it won't. What it does is gives you information, what you then do with that information is up to you. The yardage I use most on my GPS is the yardage to the back of the green(our Golf Club has very small targets and the wrong club can mean missing the target short or long), I then take the club that I cannot hit to the back of the green. Therefore if I nail it, I'm on the back of the green, If I slightly misshit, I should be on the front at worst. I find that many higher handicap players would look at the yardage to the centre of the green and take the club which would get them there if they hit the ball perfectly. However, higher handicap golfers and even professionals don't hit it perfectly every time and thats why you rarely see a higher handicapper over the green, they are nearly always short. The argument about whether it should be banned becasue some players can't afford it, doesnt really wash with me. Otherwise you could say the same thing about the latest and greatest Drivers, Scotty Cameron Putters and the likes.
Posted: 15/08/2008 14:36
interesting debate on 2 different levels. imo the cost argument over gps has no standing given that drivers, putters and utility clubs are all about the same price or dearer. does it help your game. most definitely. i started using my skycaddie in april and at that time it was not allowed in competition. however it changed my clubbing around my own course and this translated into a steadier and more consistent game which i could take elsewhere. in june, we allowed them in comp. and my h/cap has benefited greatly as have my results away from home, especially those in counting medal play. it gives you accurate distances but you still have to hit the shots. ride on buggies are a more insidious advantage, as the user will always be fresh and fit during their game. for me, part of golf is walking round the course and the draining of physical energy is part of coping with playing shots and making scores. they are however an essential aid for older members who are no longer able to walk the course and in that context have a use and should be allowed. however, in the context of this thread --- GPS units are a yes. ride on buggies are a no.
Posted: 15/08/2008 21:35
The cost of something should NOT cause it to banned (as mentioned above). Should £200 waterproofs and £100 shoes be banned as they are expensive and offer increased scoring potential in bad weather? Does a GPS unit provide anymore information than a stroke saver that you have walked the course with for 4 hours and written at least 10 distances per hole? NO. This is what caddies do and it is deemed legal. GPS is just faster, it saves you pacing out to the nearest marked object! Granted if you are WILD it may help but surely that is beter than somebody pacing 137 yards from the next fairway etc. If everyone had a GPS play would probably speed up (a little). They ONLY tell you distance. They do not say it is cold, hot, head wind, cross wind, raining, uphill, hard and fast, soggy etc. They do NOT give you a perfect 110 yard shot. They only tell you it is 110 yards. I have no idea on carts as I have never used one. Sure they may keep you fresh but can't that also be classed as cold or stiff? Walking keeps you moving, supple and warm. Result- GPS- Should be legal everywhere (even on Tour) Carts- Not bothered. If you need them use them. If you just use them because you are lazy then be preparred for pelters.
Posted: 16/08/2008 09:37
How many of you out there go on holiday abroad to play golf and hire a buggy when most of the time you could have walked?. I'll bet plenty even you Howler, yea yea we have heard all the excuses but lets face it a buggy is great. There is not that much difference between an electric trolley and a buggy in my opinion. As for GPS devices just look on them as an electronic yardage chart, they really do help correct club selection.
Posted: 16/08/2008 17:46
i have a skycaddie and i must say it helps me choosing the right club and getting to know how far i can hit a certain club. it has helped me getting my handicap down to 18. like other members have said ,you still have to play the shot.it gives you no help there does it.
Posted: 17/08/2008 10:07
Yes I too have a Sky Caddie. It has 8 input keys to use in conjuction with each other and to the feeble minded like myself it is too time consuming to use the facilities it offers.While sitting at my desk I switched it on, loaded Old Thorns Course and it displayed that to the centre of the green it was 15 miles. What it does not tell you is that, it measures only as the crow flies. In a straight line. Distances from the tee to a green is a straight line measurement.It does not measure walking distances like up and down hills or around corners. If one can see the green from anywhere on the course that is flat, the distance displayed is true. For my own personal knowledge I have measured the distances I can hit a ball with each club in my bag with a wheel device. The Sky Caddie tells me the yardage to the centre of each green from where I am about to hit the ball. And that really is all I want from it. I then select the club that I know, properly executed, will give the desired result. Sometimes the dream comes true.
Posted: 15/11/2008 11:59
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