Gary Symington is the General Manager of iGolf, a division of L1 Technologies Inc. The iGolf brand is uniquely focused on providing technological advances in software, hardware and GPS content for the golfing sector. You probably know them best for their golf course maps in Bushnell and Expresso golf GPS devices or as an app on your smartphone.
There is a lot discussion in customer reviews of GPS golf rangefinders about accuracy. In an effort to better understand the accuracy issues and the different products on the market, we asked Gary some tough questions and got some very enlightening answers.
- What is the process for creating a golf course map for the iGolf database?
This process has is constantly changing and varies depending on the course. One example is that we would send someone to a course with a GPS device to map the greens and hazards. Next we would overlay that information onto an aerial image of the course. We would then have our GIS team create a digital map of each hole which could be utilized on our partners hardware devices and our mobile applications.
- SkyGolf touts accuracy because of “ground verification”? Does iGolf use “ground verification” and/or do you feel that it is more accurate than other methods?
Yes, we use ground verification. No, I don’t feel it is more accurate than other methods. Optical devices are the most accurate for measuring distances.
- How does iGolf stay on top of changes to a golf course design?
We have a large in house mapping team that maintains the database. We also have one of the largest customer bases in the industry that notifies us when there have been changes to a course.
- Are there any independent studies or comparisons of golf GPS map makers?
Many have been done, but nothing professional that I could recommend. The mid range to higher handicap golfer is the target customer for GPS products. They are not concerned with +/- 1 yard of accuracy as the laser (low handicap) customer. Therefore, if someone is concerned enough about precise accuracy they would purchase a laser rangefinder as opposed to reading reports on what is the most accurate GPS device. On any given day a GPS product from any of the main companies could be off by 3 yards which is not even close to a club length.
- What are the factors that might affect the accuracy of a golf GPS device? Trees, cloud cover, the type of satellite receiver in the device?
All of the above. The quality of the GPS receiver would be critical and the points that were mapped on the course.
- From a consumer standpoint, is there a difference between devices with iGolf, iGolf Mobile and “Powered by iGolf?
Yes, all iGolf powered devices are different with different features, benefits, specifications, etc. The constant being the GPS data is the same for all of them. What they do with the data is dependent on the product/brand.
- What do consumers need to know before buying a golf GPS?
What product delivers the most value to them. If you want to get a color device that is waterproof you would go with a Bushnell XGC+. If you wanted a watch that was waterproof you would go with a Bushnell neo+ watch or Expresso WR62 watch. If you wanted a car GPS option you could go with the Expresso AG50s automotive and golf combination device. If you wanted to get instant updates to course files you would go with an iGolf Mobile product. Obviously, these are all Powered by iGolf devices, but the point is that the customer can decide what features they want and then pick the brand that offers the features at the price point that fits best. All of the major players in GPS offer good products (Bushnell, Expresso, Skycaddie, Golf Buddy and Garmin). The differences most of the time are based on customer support and technical support.
- In order to get the most up-to-date maps, do device owners need to periodically perform an update on the iGolf website?
It is not critical, but it does help. Normally a user would perform an update if they have found a course has changed recently.
- Is membership to iGolf free for some or all device owners?
The consumers have made it clear that they are not willing to pay yearly memberships for GPS products. Our partners have realized this and are only releasing products that do not require a paid membership. A membership for iGolf is free for some product lines and paid for others. All 2012 handheld products from Bushnell and Expresso include lifetime free memberships to iGolf. The iGolf mobile products provide a free membership with limits to the functionality and paid memberships are available for increased features/benefits.
- Is there anything else you that you would like to share with our readers?
Choosing the right GPS can be a difficult task since there are so many to choose from. As I said above, I would first determine the form factor that would be helpful most. Then pick the product in that category that you felt delivered the most for the price. I would not be too concerned with picking the wrong one if you were purchasing from one of the main GPS companies I mentioned above. Obviously, I am going to be biased to iGolf partners, but you can’t go wrong with any of the products on the market this year and in the future. Most of the time they do exactly what they say they are supposed to do, but it is still a technology that can be improved. You will see more innovative Powered by iGolf products in the near future and we are excited to bring them to market.
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I bought a Bushnell Neo watch because it said they had up to four hazards mapped per hole. So far, I’ve never seen 4 hazards mapped on a hole. Also, their choices of what hazards are shown on a given hole are bazaar. For example, on many holes there will be a fairway bunker, or two that you see from the tee. These will be mapped and you have distances to them. Then, when you get just past these two hazards and are ready to hit your next shot, there may be a stream running across the fairway and a greenside bunker. The Bushnell will show one of the bunkers you are standing right next to and the greenside bunker. No stream. This is most often the case in their mapping.
Do you have the Bushnell Neo Ion? If there are more than two hazards per hole, you should be able to scroll down to see the 3rd and 4th. On the hole you describe, it does have three hazards, the two fairway bunkers, and the greenside bunker, but it’s interesting that it is only showing two per “shot” and three per hole. I would be curious to know what would happen if you walk forward from the fairway bunker to see when it disappears and if the stream or the other greenside bunker would replace it.
I got my Bushnell Neo Ion working so I could see all the hazards available. On some holes very critical hazards are missing, even when there are only 3 hazards showing on the hole. An example would be the ninth hole on the Catalina course at Tucson National. My watch shows 3 hazards from the tee. End or fairway, front greenside bunker, and back greenside bunker. All of these hazards are beyond the most critical, a pond about 200 yrds from the white tee. We should be seeing the beginning of the water, the end of the water, the end of fairway, and front greenside bunker. The rear bunker is not important because we have the distance to the back of the green already. It would be nice if there was a way (a form maybe) for the consumer to add input for changes on the course information.