Meet the most advanced golf GPS ever
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.
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…
Dan Murphy
Dan loves links golf, which doesn't mean he is very good at it. He is a four-handicapper at Alwoodley. A qualified journalist and senior editor with 25 years’ experience, he was the long-time editor of NCG. His passion is golf courses and he is the founding editor of NCG Top 100s course rankings. He loves nothing more than discovering and highlighting courses that are worthy of greater recognition.
