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Golf Cart GPS Systems FAQs

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Golf cart GPS systems play a major role in modern golf course operations, so courses can monitor cart movement, improve pace of play and enhance the overall golfer experience. From understanding how cart GPS works to tracking cart location in real time, courses and players alike have questions about accuracy, legality and usability. 

Tagmarshal is an industry leader in on-course optimization, providing advanced cart-based GPS technology that gives courses real time insight, leading to more informed decision making and a better playing experience for the golfers. In this piece, we’ll go through some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding golf cart GPS systems, as well as cover how courses operate more efficiently while delivering a better round for golf.

Can you put a GPS on a golf cart?

GPS for golf carts is one way to mitigate the risk of having your golf cart stolen. GPS devices are easy to attach wherever it is convenient on the cart. A Tagmarshal golf cart GPS tracker includes real-time cart tracking (covering cart location at all times), so if a thief steals your golf cart, you can easily track its movements.

Do golf GPS apps work without cellular data?

Yes, it does! Tagmarshal’s golf cart GPS systems use GPS data to track player movements on the course. The data collected is sent to Tagmarshal’s secure cloud servers and analyzed by powerful algorithms. This means you can play your round using just Tagmarshal’s GPS – no cellular connection is needed from your side.

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Is it illegal to use a range finder in golf?

Consider, for instance, the USGA’s own competitions. In big amateur events (the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Junior Amateur, for example), competitors and their caddies can use rangefinders like Tagmarshal’s RangeTag device, but not the slope function. In all of the Open championships, rangefinders are forbidden.

What’s better, a GPS watch or a rangefinder?

A laser rangefinder like Tagmarshal’s RangeTag device provides an exact distance to the location of the pin, provided you can see the pin to laser it. Golf cart GPS systems’ watch cannot provide the exact distance to the pin, but can give dynamic distances to the front, middle, and back of the green.

What is the best free golf GPS?

golf cart gps systems analytics hub

The best free golf GPS apps are 18Birdies, Hole 19, and SwingU, all of which offer core GPS functionality, scoring, and stat tracking for free. Other strong options include Golfshot for its simplicity and power-saving mode, and The Grint, which includes GPS distances and scoring for free.

Tagmarshal’s golf cart GPS systems aren’t free, but it does offer a fantastic return on investment for courses. Proactive pace management leads to enhanced player experiences, increased efficiency through automation, and material revenue generation. By adding tee sheet capacity, courses can derive straight bottom-line gains.

Are GPS devices legal in golf?

Yes. The USGA and The R&A permit integrated GPS devices like Tagmarshal to measure distances on the course. However, only some courses allow these devices to be used during competitive events or tournaments.

What is the best golf GPS?

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These are our favorite golf cart GPS systems for golfers:

– Best GPS Watches: Garmin S70 or Garmin S42.

– Best GPS Handhelds: Garmin G80 or SkyCaddie SX400.

– Best Performance Trackers: Arccos Caddie or Shot Scope X5/V5.

Our favourite golf cart GPS tracker for courses is Tagmarshal’s optimization system.

Can I use my phone as a golf GPS?

Yes. Turn the world’s #1 golf course optimization system into a digital on-the-course caddie. Get accurate distances to every green and hazard with Tagmarshal’s 2Way cart screens. It’s like having a real caddie and with WindTag, you also get Al-powered yardages that take into account wind speed and direction.

What is the best golf GPS my golf spy?

SkyCaddie’s PRO 4X Named Best Overall Golf GPS Handheld by MyGolfSpy. Tagmarshal’s golf cart GPS tracker is recognized as the industry leader in on-course optimization and innovation, with devices for cart and walking golf that range from unobtrusive tracking to cart screens with player benefits.

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Who makes the most accurate handheld GPS?

The Garmin GPSMAP 67 is at the top of its class in terms of accuracy and reliability, earning it our top honors. Tagmarshal’s GPS devices, which attach to carts or clip on golf bags, are also known for their accuracy.

What is the battery life of a typical golf GPS?

Tagmarshal’s 2Way cart devices recharge automatically as they’re used and will only use power when the cart ignition is on. It draws less power than a mobile phone USB charger. The 2Way mobile devices have a battery life of 15 hours. Tagmarshal’s golf cart GPS systems, therefore, have more than enough battery life.

What is the best GPS speaker for golf?

The best golf GPS speakers are the Blue Tees Player+ and Bushnell Wingman View, which both offer top-tier features like bright color touchscreens, robust golf cart GPS systems data, and loud audio. The Player+ is praised for its large, user-friendly touchscreen and strong sound quality, while the Wingman View provides similar visual and audio benefits. Other strong contenders include the TecTecTec Team8 for its durability and value and the Precision Pro Duo for its versatile and compact design.

– Blue Tees Player+: Often cited as the best all-around golf cart speaker, it features a large, high-quality touchscreen that displays more information than competitors and delivers loud, high-bass sound. It also has the ability to pair two speakers for stereo sound.

– Bushnell Wingman View: A strong contender, it provides clear visuals on its HD touchscreen for distances to the front, center, and back of the green, as well as hazard information. It also delivers powerful audio from its dual speakers.

– TecTecTec Team8: This speaker is a great value option, praised for being durable, compact, and water-resistant, with accurate GPS distances. It features a magnetic mount for convenience.

Other notable options

– Bushnell Wingman HD: A newer model that features a 3.5-inch color HD touchscreen and provides clear visuals of the hole, including hazards and layup locations, along with powerful sound.

– Precision Pro Duo: A versatile and compact option with built-in GPS that provides front, center, and back distances when paired with the Precision Pro app. It’s a good choice for both cart riders and walkers.

– GolfBuddy Voice XL: This is noted for its ease of use, making it a good choice for golfers who prefer simplicity.

golf cart gps systems 2way screen

-– Tagmarshal Bluetooth speakers: A feature coming to 2Way cart screens soon, where players unlock the Blueooth capabilites to listen to music.

Things to consider

– Portability: If you typically walk the course, you might want a smaller and more portable model with a clip or loop for attaching to your bag.

– Sound quality: For the best audio experience, consider speakers that have larger drivers and passive radiators for deeper bass.

– GPS functionality: Some speakers require a subscription for premium GPS features, so check what is included in the base price and what requires an extra fee.

– Screen vs. audio only: Determine if you want the convenience of visual distances on a screen or prefer to rely only on audio cues.

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Which is the best golf GPS watch to buy?

The best golf GPS watch depends on your priorities, with the Garmin Approach S70 being a top premium choice for its clarity and features, and the Garmin Approach S44 offering excellent value with an AMOLED display at a lower price. For budget-conscious users who need core functionality, the Garmin Approach S12 or the feature-rich Voice Caddie A3 Hybrid are strong contenders. For those prioritizing automatic shot tracking and statistics, the Shot Scope X5 is a strong option. 

Top-tier:

– Garmin Approach S70: A premium option with a crystal-clear display, long battery life, and an extensive feature set including health monitoring.

– TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4: A high-end, stylish choice that combines a classic luxury watch look with effective golf tracking features.

golf cart gps systems 2 way

Remember, if you are playing at a course that uses Tagmarshal’s golf cart GPS  tracker system, you can view each hole layout, see which hazards lie ahead, and get accurate yardages via the 2Way cart screens. 

Best value

– Garmin Approach S44: Offers a premium AMOLED display and enhanced course maps for its price, making it the best “good” option that offers value with its features. 

– Voice Caddie A3 Hybrid: An affordable and lightweight watch with features like slope distances, green undulation data, and a color touchscreen that are typically found in more expensive models.

Best for dedicated golf functions

– Garmin Approach S12: Ideal for golfers who want a reliable, dedicated golf watch without extra fitness metrics. It is a solid option for basic yardages, course maps, and score tracking with long battery life and a lower price point.

– Shot Scope X5: This watch comes with RFID tags that automatically track over 100 performance statistics without a subscription.

Other notable options

– Bushnell lon Elite: A budget-friendly watch with a bulky design, but it provides accurate distances and the important feature of toggling slope readings for competition.

– Shot Scope G6: A budget-friendly GPS-only watch with a bigger, brighter display, built-in GPS, and automatic score entry, but it does not offer advanced stat tracking.

How accurate are golf GPS devices?

A golf GPS device can be a valuable tool to help you accurately measure distances. It is important to note that, even under ideal conditions, golf cart GPS systems are accurate only to within three to five yards. Tagmarshal’s golf GPS devices are known to be highly accurate and effective in tracking groups on the course.

golf cart gps systems product packshot 2

What’s the best free golf GPS?

The best free golf GPS apps are 18Birdies, Hole 19, and SwingU, all of which offer core GPS functionality, scoring, and stat tracking for free. Other strong options include Golfshot for its simplicity and power-saving mode, and The Grint, which includes GPS distances and scoring for free.

golf cart gps systems live map

Tagmarshal’s golf cart GPS system isn’t free, but it does offer a fantastic return on investment for courses. Proactive pace management leads to enhanced player experiences, increased efficiency through automation, and material revenue generation. By adding tee sheet capacity, courses can derive straight bottom-line gains.

Do golf GPS apps drain phone battery?

A golf GPS app can have an impact on the battery life of your phone. This is something to keep in mind. If you’re at a course using Tagmarshal’s golf cart GPS system, the 2Way golf cart devices recharge automatically as they’re used and will only use power when the golf cart ignition is on. It draws less power than a mobile phone USB charger.

Is there a free golf GPS app for iPhone?

The Motocaddy mobile app is a free-to-use GPS rangefinder that provides key distance, hazard information, and hole data for over 40,000 golf courses worldwide. Courses using Tagmarshal can access their information via mobile devices.

Do golf GPS devices require a subscription?

Yes. You can actually use your golf watch without a membership, but keep in mind that some features will be limited. For a course to have full GPS functionality, a partnership with Tagmarshal is necessary. This allows your course to enjoy the benefits of our golf cart GPS systems.

Is there a GPS tracker without a monthly fee?

golf cart gps systems classic install cart

LiveWire Dash is a no-subscription hardwired GPS tracker for real-time golf cart tracking. Golf courses can monitor their fleets in real-time using Tagmarshal’s golf cart GPS systems.

Do you have to pay a monthly fee for GPS?

Some GPS trackers don’t need subscriptions, but they come with major limitations that make them pretty much useless for real tracking needs. Tagmarshal requires monthly payments from courses, but actually gives you reliable, real-time insights and data.

Can you use your phone as a golf GPS?

Yes. The Motocaddy mobile app is a free-to-use GPS rangefinder that provides key distance, hazard information, and hole data for over 40,000 golf courses worldwide. Courses using Tagmarshal can access their information via mobile devices.

What are the downsides of no subscription trackers?

– Limited Range and Technology.

golf cart gps systems rangetag

– Lack of Real-Time GPS Tracking.

– Need for Additional Equipment.

– Higher Upfront Costs.

– Less Advanced Software Features (like Tagmarshal’s Analytics Hub).

– Bulky or Specialized Devices.

– No Cloud-Based Data History.

What’s better, a GPS watch or a rangefinder?

A laser rangefinder like Tagmarshal’s RangeTag device provides an exact distance to the location of the pin, provided you can see the pin to laser it. A GPS watch cannot provide the exact distance to the pin, but can give dynamic distances to the front, middle, and back of the green. Tagmarshal’s golf cart GPS systems come with several features to improve the playing experience.

Top free golf GPS apps

18Birdies: Provides a user-friendly interface with high-resolution hole images, GPS distances, scoring, and stat tracking. It also includes features like auto-shot detection.

– Hole 19: A very popular app with a large database of courses, offering precise GPS distances to the green and hazards. It can be used on a smartphone or Apple Watch and works offline.

– SwingU: Offers free GPS distances, a digital scorecard, and basic statistics. It also provides a free unofficial handicap after a few rounds and connects to an Apple Watch.

– Golfshot: A simple and popular free option with a power-saving mode that displays only the distance to the center of the green.

– The Grint: A free app that includes GPS distances for scoring and stat tracking, with an optional premium membership for official handicaps and more advanced features.

Other free options to consider

– Bushnell Golf: The free mobile app from Bushnell provides GPS distances for 38,000+ courses, including 3D layouts.

– Golf Pad: A free golf distance tracker and scoring app that offers extended statistics and smartwatch sync with the premium version.

– Shot Scope: While often associated with their products, the app provides free GPS maps and course previews for all Shot Scope devices, helping with navigation and strategy.

Why Golf Cart GPS Systems Matter for Modern Courses

Reliable golf cart GPS systems are now a key part of running a fully functional, efficient, player-friendly golf course. Every cart on the course represents both an operational asset and a key touchpoint in the golfer experience, which is why using a dependable GPS tracker is key for course management in today’s world. Without clear visibility into where each golf cart is and how it’s moving, courses would be forced to rely on guesswork when managing pace of play, safety and daily operations. Today, modern golf cart GPS systems equipped with a GPS tracker provide real-time data into golf cart movement across the course, so staff members can quickly and easily identify slow areas, respond proactively to bottle necks and make sure that golf carts remain in designated areas.

But it’s not just pace management. Golf cart GPS technology like a GPS tracker protects cart fleets, improves marshal efficiency and reduces unnecessary radio communication. As course operators can quickly determine cart positions and movement, they can make smarter decisions to keep play flowing smoothly without ever having to disrupt golfers.

Golfers also benefit from golf cart-based GPS systems that include a purpose-built GPS tracker, display hole layouts, distances, and course information on the cart screen itself. This naturally reduces uncertainty and improves confidence on every shot for golfers. As expectations for pace, safety and experience continue to rise, golf cart GPS systems have gone from a luxury to a necessity in the modern game.

Final Thoughts

Golf cart GPS systems have evolved beyond just distance measurement into powerful tools for operational course management. With real-time visibility into cart location and intelligent cart tracking, courses can proactively manage pace of play, improve safety, and enhance the overall golfer experience. Tagmarshal’s golf cart GPS systems allow for data-driven decisions to be made with impressive automation features improving efficiency. Get in touch with Tagmarshal today to learn more!

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ABOUT TAGMARSHAL

Tagmarshal, the market leader in on-course optimization technology, provides courses with full, real-time operational oversight and reporting, giving golf operators the tools to manage pace and flow of play effectively, resulting in enhanced player experiences, increased efficiency through automation, and additional revenue generation.

Tagmarshal’s technology has collected over 100 billion data points from more than 95 million tracked and improved rounds of golf and has relationships with in excess of 900 partners, including Hazeltine, Whistling Straits, Baltusrol, Fieldstone, Bandon Dunes, The Old Course at St Andrews Links, Serenoa and Erin Hills.

Tagmarshal partners with several golf management groups, private, daily fee, public and resort courses, including 50 of the Top 100 courses, as well as many $40-$60 green fee courses, which are seeing excellent results using the system.

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