SkyCaddie

[Dave]

Hi Mike, or any other golfers out there,

Do you have any information on this new gadget that I have heard about, the 'SkyCaddie', is it useful? Can this gadget improve your game or is it a waste of money?

Dave

[rayval]

Hi Dave,
As I understand it the SkyCaddie is one of a number of GPS systems which will give you the exact yardage of your ball from the centre of the green on each hole as you play. My experience is that they are very accurate and as long as you are good enough to be able to hit the ball the distance required is a good aid and takes some of the guesswork out of choosing which club to use. All courses are marked anyway with either marker posts at 150yds or red, yellow and white markers set in the fairway at 100, 150 and 200yds respectively. Yardages are also commonly marked on sprinkler heads etc.
Some golf clubs have these systems already installed in their golf buggies.
Don't get to used to this system though as far as I am aware they are not allowed in competitions as they are looked on as an unfair advantage (as are some other accessories).
Hope this helps.
Ray

[JON AND SARAH]

Hi Dave and Ray

Am I right in saying that the golf courses in Spain measure the distances in Meters not Yards.  This can make a difference if you are used to playing in England.  Always seems longer on the Spanish courses.

Jon

[rayval]

Hi Jon,
Yes you are right, all distances in Spain are measured in metres. As a quick method I always add 10% to the metreage to give me the approximate yardage e.g. the 150 metre marker becomes 165 yards etc.
Regards,
Ray

[Dave]

Hi Ray and Jon

Thanks for the information.

I need to invest in a few more lessons and not a skycaddie. I must arrange to have a few more lessons and a round or two before the course opens at La Tercia. Otherwise I will probably be found on the aqua driving range or the pitch and putt over at La Tercia Real.

Dave

[Mike Probert]

Hi Dave,Ray,Jon,etc

Sorry for the delay in responding but i have been back in the windy and wet UK for a holiday.

Golf marketing men will always offer you the 'holy grail' of golf and the latest gadget to reduce your score by shots.

Just remember one thing,if you do not how far you hit the ball consistently with each club,what is the use in knowing the exact distance?

Your last comment was correct,develop your technique first before resorting to gadgets.

There much cheaper hand held devices on the martket which give you the exact distance using a laser light and these are permitted for use in competitions.

BUT...fix the swing first.

Regards
Mike