Golf Industry Online Equipment Reviews

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Modern technology scores again on the golf course! The SkyGolfGPS™ Personal Digital Caddie System has arrived with an abundance of benefits for the non-tournament player.

By: Dr. Barry Lotz

Frustrated by incorrect yardage markers? Not familiar with the Pro Book layouts? Trying to figure out how far you hit each club? Flustered with expensive yardage books that need magnifying glasses to read and a Ph.D. to interpret?

Well, your frustrations can end and your enjoyment of the game can begin anew with the new SkyGolf GPS Personal Digital Caddie System. Better golf through better information.

SkyHawke Technologies, L.L.C., is a Mississippi company founded by technology and business management professionals, which develops innovative positioning systems for recreational use.

SkyHawke's initial product is the SkyGolfGPS™ Personal Digital Caddie System. The SkyGolfGPS is a handheld global positioning system designed for the golfing enthusiast. It automatically computes - from the player's ball - all critical distances needed to maximize playing performance. SkyGolfGPS is leading a revolution that will change the way golfers play the game.

At this point in time, the SkyGolf GPS is the industry leader in this domain. There are at least three other companies, Magicaddie, Tothegreen and GPS-Caddy that are currently selling either software and/or GPS receivers, but SkyGolf GPS has the only package to include the technology, the accuracy, courses surveyed and most importantly, outstanding customer support and user friendliness. SkyGolf GPS is the only company, which uses the WAAS - Wide Area Augmentation System that allows for more accurate readings.

The Sky Golf GPS is also being used by PGA Tour caddies such as Fannie Sunneson (Nick Faldo), Mark Long (Fred Funk, Nolan Henke), Eric Schwarz (Fuzzy Zoeller, Corey Pavin) and David "Cayce" Kerr (Jay Williamson) to plot and verify distances throughout the courses used for professional tournaments. Mark Long, PGA Tour caddie and yardage book author, has been quoted as saying. "It's like having a personal caddie in the palm of your hand. If SkyGolf GPS could carry a bag, I might be out of a job."

The difference between SkyGolf GPS and cart-based GPS systems is that unlike cart-based GPS systems, SkyGolf GPS is a complete personal digital caddie system that can be used on any golf course in the world. It can be easily customized to show the distance to any targets that you are interested in on a course. Additionally, it can be easily carried to any location on a hole. Finally, it belongs to YOU -- take it anywhere!

The SkyGolf GPS receiver turns your Palm™ V or Handspring™ Visor™ series handheld computer into an electronic GPS yardage book of your golf course. The exceptional design of the handheld computers and the GPS receiver make the unit portable and light. You can clip it securely on your belt, your bag, or your cart so it's out of your way yet convenient to reach.

Jim McLean, one of the top golf instructors in the world was so impressed with SkyGolf GPS that he now serves on the company's Product Advisory Board and is promoting SkyGolf GPS.

SkyGolf GPS's unit also allows the user to record scores of 5 players, record and extrapolate numerous statistics designed to improve the golfer's game and all in one unit.

For those who do not own a Palm and price is an issue, visit the web site: store.palm.com Select "Handhelds" and then "Refurbished". The Palm Company frequently sells refurbished units from this site. The site currently offers refurbished Palm V and Vx units for $82. There is no problem with the performance of the units. Other web sites offering both Palms and Visor PDA products are also available.

Just the Facts:

Do measuring devices, like SkyGolf GPS, conform to USGA rules?

In competitions governed by current USGA rules, use of such devices would not be allowed per USGA Rule 14-3 unless waived by a local rule or competition committee decision. The USGA has stated, however, that scores may still be submitted for handicap purposes, even if a device such as SkyGolf GPS was used during the course of play.

SkyGolf GPS uses precise terminology to distinguish the functions of their unit:

Courses information used by SkyGolf GPS are called "SkyCourses" and can be downloaded from the company's site, beamed between "SkyPlayers", or created using the "SkyCourse" Setup Mode in SkyGolf GPS. The unit does not come preloaded with courses. A SkyCourse is a golf course that has a set of specific target locations recorded for use in playing a round with SkyGolf GPS. On the handheld device, hundreds of SkyCourses can be stored. On your PC, depending on adequate free disk space, the computer is capable of holding all of the SkyCourses in the world.

"SkyTracker" is a feature in SkyGolf GPS that associates a shot with the club used on that shot. Over time, a SkyPlayer can use this information to select the best club for the distance they need to cover.

A "SkyPlayer" is a SkyGolf GPS user. When you register your software, you will be a part of our growing SkyPlayer community at no additional cost. As a SkyPlayer, you can upload SkyCourses created by you for use by other SkyPlayers and download SkyCourses created by other SkyPlayers for free. Professionally created SkyCourses may be downloaded at a nominal charge.

"SkyGolf@Home" is a PC-based SkyCourse management program. It is used to transfer SkyCourses to and from your handheld, backup your SkyGolf GPS data, and manage course and round information.

The Basics:

• Hand held unit plus GPS receiver (10 oz)
• Owned by the individual golfer
• On screen scoring and statistical functions
• Use on any course for which it has survey data, no infrastructure has to be installed on the course
• The unit has a superb attachment for a golf cart
• Data for over 900 courses is currently available with a grand total of 6,000 planned by the end of 2002 and over 20,000 worldwide within the next three years
• Golfer may survey his/her own course and add targets
• Tools and instructions provided, as is SUPERB customer support
• Both the GPS unit and PDA operate on AAA batteries versus plug-in wall chargers. The Palm V and Vx and some of the Visors have a very good Lithium Ion rechargeable battery. SkyGolf GPS receivers use AAA batteries that last approximately 10 hours.

User friendly:

• User-friendly operating screens and operation
• Take to a course and turn it on
• Battery strength indicators for both the GPS unit and PDA
• Identifies hole being played with distances to all targets calculated automatically in real time as the player moves around the course
• Player knows distances to targets whether or not the target can be seen
• It will bring up new hole data when golfer gets to the next tee
• Community of users for courses to be uploaded or downloaded to web site

The SkyGolf GPS Displays the following:

• Playing tips for that hole created by local pro (all tips are optional depending on the course)
• One hint from the tee
• Approach/putting tip when within 200 yards of green center

Distances in yards or meters:

• To front/center/back of green, upper level, up to 8 zones per green, practice flags on driving range
• To/to clear hazard between golfer and target even if hidden from view
• To other hazards in play from tee, into lay-up areas or approach shots to green
• To landmarks (tree, boulder, aiming flag)
• Of last shot by using the "Mark" function
• Distances of each shot and club used by using SkyTracker function
• Note: SkyGolf GPS does NOT display distance to pin, but substitutes the Centers of Multiple Zones on the green when used by a golf course.
• Distances of each shot and club used by using SkyTracker function
• Note: SkyGolf GPS does NOT display distance to pin, but substitutes the Centers of Multiple Zones on the green when used by a golf course.

Superb Golfer Benefits:

• Yardage to target enables better club selection
• Yardage to hazards and hints enhance course management
• Playing hints aid first-time or infrequent players at a course
• Speeds up play by eliminating looking for yardage markers, pacing, calculating and triangulating distances
• Allows golfer to concentrate on golf swing, not math
• Enhances confidence by delivering "common knowledge about the course" in a faster, more contemporary way, the same type of information a professional caddie provides to a PGA Tour player.
• PLAY SMARTER, BETTER, FASTER and HAVE MORE FUN!

GPS Technology:

• Four major technical innovations in last 25 years
• Metal woods
• Graphite shafts
• Perimeter weighted irons
• Titanium heads
• GPS is the next major technical innovation for golf

On-Course Test Results:

Our testers found the SkyGolf GPS unit to be extremely easy to operate both for obtaining distances and keeping scores. The testers felt the analysis following each round is extremely beneficial to the golfer and his teaching pro. All the testers agreed that this product was one of the best innovations and most beneficial products available. The only negative response was the cost of the unit.

For additional information on testimonials and a history of the development of the SkyGolf GPS, which is great reading by itself, visit the company's web site at www.skygolfgps.com

Price: $399.00

Phone: (601) 605-2115.

Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is also a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and the California Golf Writers Association and a Mediator for the golf industry. He is a contributing writer to numerous national magazines. He can be reached at drlotz@cbsgolf.net.