The Izzo Swami 4000 has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..
Our Izzo Swami 4000 Review considers hands-on testing as well as feedback from dozens of users. Our ratings score is a compilation of ratings from user reviews across multiple websites.
Izzo Swami 4000 User Rating:
4.12 out of 5 (146 reviews)
Score compiled from multiple sources.See our video review of the Swami 4000.
We believe the Swami 4000 to be one of the best values in a basic golf GPS. Here’s what we love:
- preloaded with over 25,000 golf courses (update it before you play and there are thousands more, plus corrections to existing courses.)
- provides distance to front, middle and back of every green
- large numbers on an easy to read color screen
- Super easy to use
- can easily measure your shots
- long battery life (up to 12 hours)
- quick satellite lock and course recognition
- easy to edit green locations if necessary
We don’t really have anything negative to say about the Swami 4000, but there are a couple of things we should mention… It has auto-hole advance, but it only works if you take the unit onto the green. However it’s not really any trouble to press the up arrow button to get to the next hole, if you aren’t using this on a belt clip (included) or in your pocket. It has a “scorecard” view, but that only shows the total hole distance and the par. There is no place to input your scores. We’re partial to paper anyway, but for some that may be an issue.
User Reviews – Most mentioned Pros
most frequently mentioned on top
- accurate
- value
- easy to use
- easy to read
- lots of courses
- acquires distances quickly
- size
- shot measuring
- durable
- customer service
- improves game
- lightweight
- auto hole advance
- auto course recognition
- yellow color
- battery life
Most mentioned Cons
User Reviews – most frequently mentioned on top
- belt clip
- auto hole advance – Must take Swami 4000 onto the green for auto hole advance to work
- battery life
- course not in database – updating the database often solves this issue. Also, Izzo will add courses upon request.
- customer service response
- problems downloading updates
- slow to get satellites first time
| Izzo Swami 4000 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course Download Fees | No | |
| Pre-loaded with Courses | Yes | |
| Full Hole Views | Yes | |
| Slope / Elevation | No | |
| Battery Life | 10-12 hours | |
| Battery | Li-ion recharge | |
| Size (Width x Height x Depth) | N/A in. x N/A in. x N/A in. | |
| Measure Shot Distance | Yes | |
| Screen Size | 1.8" | |
| Resolution | N/A | |
| Display Type | color | |
| Weight | N/A oz. | |
| Rainproof | waterproof | |
| Touch Screen | No | |
| Touch Targeting | No | |
| Manual Pin Positioning | No | |
| Stat Tracker | No | |
| Digital Scorecard | Yes | |
| Computer Analysis Tools | No | |
| Ground Verified | N/A | |
| Alternate Targets | No | |
| Green Rotates to your shot angle | N/A | |
| USGA Compliant (local rule) | Yes | |
| Notes | Supports 12 different languages and displays distances in yards or meters | |
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Swami 4000 will not recognize all the courses in my area — is it defective or am I doing something wrong?
Roger, sorry to hear that. You can check to see if your courses are in the Izzo database at http://www.izzo.com/maps. When you go to that page and enter the course name, stick to the “less is more” rule. In other words, when I searched for University Park CC, I didn’t get any results, but when I searched for University Park, I found what I was looking for. If your course isn’t there, you can e-mail sales@izzo.com , or call them at 1 (800) 777-7899. Let us know what you find out.
why is my 4000 allways showing 999 and you can not get out of it
thanks
chuck millard
Hi Chuck. 999 is usually when you’re not in range of the hole the device is showing. If you’re trying it at home, that’s probably your issue. If you’re having this happen at the golf course, make sure you have chosen the correct golf course and that the hole # on the display is very nearby (less than 999 yards to the center of the green). I did notice that sometimes the unit starts up somewhere other than the first hole, so check that hole #.
IN ADDITION I CAN’T GET THE 4000 LOADED ON MY COMPUTER SO I CAN’T UPDATE IT
THANKS
CHUCK MILLARD
Chuck, I don’t really have enough information to know what’s causing your problems with updating the Izzo Swami 4000. Check these pages on the Izzo website to see if they help.
http://www.izzo.com/pages/swami-setup – this has a phone number and email address for support
http://www.izzo.com/static/Swami_Helpful_Hints.pdf
Please stop back and let us know if you have any luck getting these issues resolved. If not, post more details about your problems updating on the computer and we can try to help.
I bought one and at the second hole the yardage increased. It wasn’t accurate as my playing partners always had the same yardage and mine was 2 to 11 yards out. The front middle and back were out by different yardages each hole. I sent it back
Sorry to hear that you had problems Hazel. My experience with the Swami 4000 was very good, but as we often say, no golf GPS is perfect and it may vary from hole to hole or course to course. Did you update the courses and firmware before you played? We recommend doing that with all golf GPS devices.
Would love to hear what you end up buying and how it works.
my swami 4000 keeps turning off during rounds. then it wont come back on for a couple of holes
Hi Mike. Sorry to hear you’re having problems with your Swami. We didn’t experience anything like that in our testing and I haven’t heard that feedback from any users either. One of the downsides of Izzo, is that the warranty is only 90 days. You can contact their support at 1-800-777-7899 or on their website – https://www.izzo.com/messages/new.
I just got my 4000 2 days ago. I went to the course to try it out and get use to it and on the third hole, it showed 365 yds to the center, 408 yards to the front and 435 yards to the back. By the time I got to the hole, the front was 600+ yards and the back was also 600+ yards. The center seemed to be ok. Also I can’t get the shot distance to shut off.
Please help!
Jim, that’s very unusual. First I would make sure the firmware is up to date. Go to http://www.izzo.com/pages/swami-faq and click on the “Swami 4000 Update” link. This will download the Then make sure you click on the “Firmware” tab to see if there is an update available. If that doesn’t solve it, I would call Izzo Support at 800-777-7899. Good luck and let us know how it works out!
My Izzo 4000 does not give the correct yardage to the center of the green. The yardage for the back of the green is actually the center yardage. I have used the course yardage markers and also playing partners gps devices to verify this. What can I do to get it to give the proper yardage? This has happened on four different courses I have played recently. Thanks.
Have you updated the database? http://www.izzo.com/pages/swami-faq. Also make sure it’s not set to meters. Golf GPS devices are not going to be correct all the time – if you want total accuracy, you’ll need to buy a laser rangefinder. If you really think it’s consistently measuring short, I would contact Izzo at 800-777-7899.
I only have had the 4000 for 4 days and only used it twice so far yardage is give or take a few. My main concern is when I go to turn it off it will not work right away and at times wonder if it ever will. Tried to contatact customer service on weekend unfotunately they are not available at anytime on weekends very odd I guess they were out playing golf.
Hi Jimmy. Were you able to get in touch with Izzo customer service? That definitely seems like a defective device. Make sure you follow-up with them quickly as the warranty for Izzo is only 90 days.
I am having trouble with my 4000 also. The first problem is at my home course it does not read the yardage correctly. First hole is 485 but the unit reads 225. As I walk to the green the yardage goes up. This on every hole. 2) I sent in the scorecard and Izzo told me that the course is in their system and they have the software of the course correct. 3) I can’t get the unit to be recogonized when plug the unit in and I follow all the upgrade instructions. 4) There are times when I can’t get the unit to shut off. I have to leave it on until the battery goes dead. Can you suggest anything? Other than my home course (which I plat at the most) it reads all the other course in my area.
Hi Phil. Sorry to hear you are having trouble. Can you try to get the update on a different computer? There may be a firmware update as well as a golf course database update. If not, I would take a video of the two issues and send them to Izzo. I would also call their customer service at 800-777-7899.
My swami 4000 is not accurate..not compared to 4 or 5 other devices that my playing partners are using. ..its 10 yards off at 200 yards…disappointed in it
Hi Bob. Sorry to hear about your Swami 4000. Have you experienced this on more than one course? Have you updated the Swami firmware and course database? http://www.izzo.com/pages/swami-faq. We didn’t experience any significant accuracy as compared with other models and laser, but with every GPS model, we occasionally see distances that are clearly wrong. You might try calling Swami Support to see if they will update your home course. 800-777-7899. Thanks for letting us know and please come back and report any changes.
My Swami 4000 isn’t very accurate. I don’t know how to update firmware on Apple devices.
Thanks for the feedback Marty. Have you contacted Izzo support? 800-777-7899
Not very accurate
Have you tried it on more than one course? Overall, we good luck in our testing, but with most of the golf GPS devices that we test, there are places where they are not very accurate. Let us know if you have any update since your last post.
How do you update on apple devices??
Try calling Izzo support at 800-777-7899.
my izzo 4000 is locked on the 5 hole .i have 2bars on the battery ,holding down the enter button does nt work . what can i do . michael carrick on shannon ireland
Hi Michael. Did you try the Update on the Izzo website? You could also contact their support team to see if they have any suggestions.
i purchased the 3000 to find that later it wouldnt work due to sat. Conn. Error. Customer service said theres nothing they can do. then I purchased the 4000 and it worked fine for approx. a year. Now the yardages are way off. Im on a tee that is 396 yards and the 4000 shows that its 64 yards. And yes I have checked to see if it is in metric and have gone to Izzo’s sight for the update. Nothing has happened. Ive sent an email to Izzo and waiting on their response to the issue.
Sorry to hear that, but appreciate the feedback. Let us know if Izzo helps you resolve the problem.
I have contacted Sara in customer service in sales and explained that I have updated the courses from your websight, and I only show that I have 2332 courses loaded. Also it only shows dots and dashes and jibberish after it searches and load the courses. Still waiting on answer. This is the 2nd Swami that I have owned, and I think its time to move on and purchase another brand.Nothing last for ever, but it seems that 2 years it the life spam of the Izzo Swami Gps.The response I recieved in June as you can see it they appreciate the feedback! Thats alot of help rectifying the problem!
Hi Richard. Sorry for any misunderstanding, but this website is GolfRangefinderShop.com and is not associated with Izzo. We review many different brands of golf rangefinders and GPS devices. I am sorry to hear you are still having problems. If you want to follow-up with Izzo, here is their support phone number: 800-777-7899 and here is their support page: https://www.izzo.com/messages/new. If you have had enough and are ready to move on to a new brand, here is our current list of best picks for golf GPS: https://www.golfrangefindershop.com/gps/best-golf-gps-2/.
Why does my Swami fade and switch off half way round a round of golf and take 10 – 20 minutes to be able to switch on again?
Sorry to hear you’re having problems with your Izzo Swami 4000. Have you done the firmware updates? You can download the Update Tool on this page: http://www.swamigps.com/product-support. Make sure you choose the right product. The 4000 and the 4000+ likely have different updates.
I don’t know how long you’ve had it or if it is still under warranty, but if the update doesn’t help, check with Izzo customer service and see if they have any recommendations. 1-800-777-7899.
Let us know how you make out.
My swami 4000+ has frozen is there a way to unfreeze it
Hi Ian. Have you tried updating the firmware? You can do that here: http://www.swamigps.com/product-support.
If that doesn’t help, you may want to reach out to Izzo support here: 800-777-7899
Let me know whether or not you get the issue resolved.