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Here is our comparison of the best golf stats apps and which ones are worth your investment.
1. Pinpoint Golf
Pinpoint Golf is the top golf stats app for tracking strokes gained. If you want to dive into strokes gained tracking, but you’re worried about data collection and complexity, don’t fret. Pinpoint makes navigation and data input as easy as it can be.
One of the nicest features is the ability to enter a round of golf either using the GPS or after the round is over. Either way, it takes about five minutes to track your round, and there’s no typing in numbers or messing with sensors.
Pinpoint gives you the golf GPS free of charge, and even allows you to track strokes gained free of charge. If you want to compare one round to the next or get aggregate stats, you’ll need the premium version, but the monthly and yearly subscriptions are both good values.
Pinpoint lets you compare your game to any level of player, from PGA Tour pros to 20-handicaps.
With the paid version you can analyze trends over time and see where to invest your practice time. You’ll have more stats than you could ever want, with strokes gained breakdowns from every distance and lie.
Pros
- Great for golfers who are ready to get better
- Simple tracking on and off the course
- Easily share rounds and stats with coaches
- Benchmarks from +5 to 20 handicaps
- One of the most fairly priced golf stats tracking apps
Cons
- Built for golfers with 20 handicap or less
- No caddy feature
2. Golfmetrics
If you want to go right to the source and use a golf strokes gained app directly from the creator of strokes gained, then Golfmetrics could be your solution. The Golfmetrics app is a great solution for a more analytical golfer that understands what it takes to get better in golf.
The Golfmetrics app allows golfers to use any handicap as a benchmark for their strokes gained tracking, an important feature that others lack. One of the more unique ways to analyze data within the Golfmetrics app is to look at your handicap rating for all areas of your game.
You may be a 10 handicap in short game but a 5 off the tee. If that doesn’t tell you where your game needs a little work, nothing will!
If you are a motivated golfer that knows the game and how to improve, Golfmetrics is a perfect solution for you. If you need your hand held a bit when it comes to game improvement, there may be better choices.
Pros
- Raw data that is easy to analyze
- Can use any handicap as a benchmark
- Data entry is relatively quick
Cons
- Requires manually typing in data
- Not as visually appealing as other apps
3. 18Birdies
Many golfers gravitate towards 18Birdies for its free version. However, if you want to track strokes gained (and the stats that matter the most for your game) you will have to upgrade to the premium version.
The 18Birdies app has a lot of information about your golf game. It’s not just a stats app. In fact, the company describes 18Birdies as “The Most Complete Golf App.” If you want all of your information in one place, the 18Birdies app is helpful.
You will find a clear and easy to work with GPS and easy navigation. The Caddy+ features are a lot like the Arccos without you having to buy the sensors. There are some social and sharing aspects to the 18Birdies app, but nothing game-changing from a stats perspective.
Like a lot of other golf stats tracking apps, you may want to invest in a phone holder so that you can ensure you track every shot and enter your data without it slowing down your round.
Pros
- Premium features are impressive
- All inclusive app with score tracking, instruction, and more
- Easy strokes gained functionality in the premium version
- Caddy+ to help you learn more about your game
Cons
- Must upgrade to premium to track strokes gained
- Requires you to input a lot of information
4. Arccos
Arccos is probably the most well known name in golf tracking. With Arccos, you put a sensor on each of your clubs, and those sensors do a lot of the work for you. Arccos was one of the first stats apps to fully embrace strokes gained.
If you are a newer player, still unsure of all that is involved in tracking your golf game, Arccos is known to be a great solution.
Because of all the information it collects about your game through its sensors, Arccos can eventually become like an on-course caddie. It can help with everything from stats to club yardages.
Pros
- The sensors mean there’s almost no manual input required
- Uniquely collects and analyzes data about each of your clubs
- Good tracking and presentation of strokes gained data
- Caddie features are very helpful for beginner to intermediate players over time
Cons
- Sensors don’t always track properly, so some manual adjustment is required
- High up-front cost for sensors and hardware
- More of a beginner to intermediate player solution
5. Upgame
Upgame is a great app when working with golf teams or groups. Whether you are part of a team, or even a coach trying to check in on students, Upgame has some impressive features for coach visibility and even motivation.
Upgame features a mapping overlay that makes it simple to see and understand the location of each shot. In addition, if you are a data person, Upgame offers all kinds of advanced visualizations to look at your data.
Pros
- Easy to navigate app
- Course mapping technology
- Scorecard and round history
- Easily share information with team, coaches, mentors etc.
Cons
- Practice plan features are lacking
- You will have to know how to break down and analyze your stats in order to benefit from the app
- What To Look For In A Strokes Gained Golf Stats App?
When looking for the best strokes gained golf stats app, you may feel as though some of the features are starting to blend together. Focus on finding an app that’s easy enough you’ll actually use it, and one that gives you insights that can really make a difference in your game.
Gone are the days of tracking greens in regulation and fairways hit. Those stats don’t give you nearly the level of useful information as strokes gained.
Ease Of Use
It should take you no longer than 5 minutes throughout the course of your round (or after your round) to input your data. If a golf tracking app is more than a passing thought, it will likely slow down play and throw off your rhythm on the golf course.
Tracking Over Time
Tracking a single round is important. However, tracking all of your rounds for a season or over a few years shows the real progress of your golf game. Choose a golf stats app that holds on to some data for you and shows you your progress.
On And Off Course Data Input
The ability to input a round of golf after you play is a tremendous benefit. Some golfers want to put their phone in their golf bag on the course, and with apps like Pinpoint you can. Simply take 5 minutes while you enjoy a refreshment at the 19th hole and input your data.
Affordability
Golf stats apps need to give you room to afford your greens fees on top of collecting your data and stats. There are great options in the $7-$10 per month range, so you shouldn’t need to spend more than that.
Final Thoughts
Do you find yourself wondering what to practice to get better? Or even wondering why your game is getting worse? A golf stats app might be the solution.
If you want the insight and data that will actually take your game to the next level, start tracking your strokes gained. Pinpoint takes the top overall spot for the best golf stats app because of its usability, clarity, and breakdown of information that any golfer can use to improve.
Disclosure: This article was written by Pinpoint Golf, whose owner also owns part of Cantata Media LLC, which publishes Daily Voice.
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