Our SkyCaddie SX500 review took place on the course at Alwoodley in Leeds.
I love the instant information you get from a mere glance at a GPS device. But I am also a long-term laser devotee because sometimes I need to know the exact distance to the flag.
So I was keen to see what the SX500, SkyCaddie’s new top-of-the-range GPS, had to offer.
SkyCaddie SX500 review: First impressions
My current GPS is an old and basic Garmin that just provides yardages to the front, middle and back of greens. It’s entirely adequate, as I will always reach for my Bushnell when I want to know an exact yardage.
But often, especially in casual play, a middle-of-the-green number is all I am looking for. It saves me reaching into my bag to get my laser out.
So the first thing that struck me about the SX500 was the size of the device and the richness of the display. It’s like picking up a smartphone.
There is absolutely no doubt that if additional features are your thing, you are going to relish using the SX500.
The view of the hole is large and crystal-clear. You can pinch the screen to zoom in as you would on your smartphone.
SkyCaddie SX500 review: The technology
Let’s start with the IntelliGreen Pro feature, which lets you zero in to a view of the green from any distance. It shows you what’s around the green and also significant contours on it.
The key screen is the Dynamic HoleVue, which displays anything from a full-colour map of the entire hole to a close-up of the angle of a dogleg or a specific hazard with accurate distances from the point where you are standing.
That’s great for those of us who like to think of ourselves as strategists.
Like all GPS devices, the SX500’s bread and butter is those front, middle and back yardages.
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I’d argue that, for most of us, most of the time, a distance to the middle of the green is more than enough information.
But if you want the ultimate, then the SX500 has the potential to go much further and even provide you with the Holy Grail – namely, exact distances to the pin. SkyCaddie call this PinPoint.
My sincere thanks go to the SkyCaddie team for going above and beyond the call of duty to give me the best possible testing experience. They liaised with Alwoodley’s greenkeeper when he was setting the pin positions for the weekend. He in turn shared this information with our club pro, who then let SkyCaddie know.
Hey presto – when I connected my SX500 to wifi and synced it to the SkyGolf360 portal, I was able to select these customised pin positions and I had the exact yardage to the hole. And that was irrespective of the angle I was approaching from. Or whether or not the flag was even visible from where I was standing.
The SX500 has even more technology to offer. Find out on the next page…
SkyCaddie SX500 review: Even more technology
Small wonder the SX500 is proving so popular out on the Senior Tour, where the pin position information at tournaments is available on a daily basis.
In fact, if I were a pro of any description, it would be almost as compulsory to own an SX500 as it is a set of alignment sticks.
However, for the club golf that I play (and I suspect the same is true for most of us) I should make it clear that PinPoint is not going to be available for the vast majority of my rounds.
At the very least, you are reliant on someone at least providing you with a pin sheet. That allows you to input the pin positions manually.
It’s still a very nice piece of tech though. And a key feature of any SkyCaddie SX500 review.
We haven’t even got into the many other things your SX500 can do for you.
From the digital scorecard function to its ability to measure how far any given shot has gone; from the built-in camera to its ability to provide an accurate front-of-green yardage regardless of the direction from which you are approaching the green.
And much more besides.
SkyCaddie SX500 review: NCG verdict
I think it’s fair to say that you need to be tech-savvy to get the best out of the SX500.
A good idea is to download the SkyGolf 360 app on to your phone.
It’s also smart to think ahead and get connected before boarding the 1st tee and add the course to your list of favourites.
A quick sync over wifi will ensure you have the very latest map of the course you are about to play.
The SkyGolf 360 app will also allow you to do clever things like upload the scores and statistics that you can collate on your SX500.
And you can tell it how far you hit all your clubs.
Now this is only any use if you know how far you hit your clubs (and you don’t exaggerate) but the SX500 can put these distances on to the HoleVue screen. That will help you decide what club you need to find a green or lay up short of a bunker.
At this stage of our SkyCaddie SX500 review I am also obliged to say that it comes with a year’s Birdie subscription that gives you access to all courses in the British Isles. I confess that I am not a huge fan of the SkyCaddie subscription model. While I understand their business reasons, I would rather pay whatever the cost is up front and know that I was done. I stress that this is merely my personal view.
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I do, however, take their point that no other GPS manufacturer is standing the costs of mapping courses on foot, day in and day out.
And there is no doubt in my mind that SkyCaddie devices are providing the most accurate information in this category.
So should the SX500 be your next equipment investment? Find out our expert’s opinion on the next page…
SkyCaddie SX500 review: Conclusion
For those content merely to glance at a number, there are plenty of other, less expensive, devices out there that will meet your needs.
For those who want more – much more to be fair – the SX500 can really help you to get the most out of your golf.
It’s worth noting that the battery life is excellent – much better than I have seen previously on GPS devices. You should comfortably get two rounds out of one charge.
A very slight niggle is that you can’t plug a bog-standard micro-USB into the SkyCaddie. You need to use the one supplied with the unit.
I emphatically recommend the SX500 to you if you want:
- A GPS that sets new standards in richness of display and the features it can offer
- A golfing companion that can help you analyse your game
- A view of a hole before you have played it
- To enjoy having all the numbers at your fingertips
SkyCaddie SX500 review: Price and details
RRP: £379.95 (including 12-month Birdie subscription for all GB & Ireland golf courses)
Available: Now
For more information visit the SkyCaddie website and download the SkyGolf360 app.
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