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Golf Buddy Golf GPS Review

With the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) for use in golf now becoming more and more popular I thought a Golf Buddy Golf GPS review might be useful.

There are three different models of Golf Buddy Golf GPS and I will review them all in this article.

The three Golf Buddy models are:

Golf Buddy Plus Golf Buddy Pro and Golf Buddy Tour.

Golf Buddy Plus. The golf buddy plus is the original model and has proved very popular with golfers, for good reason, as we are about to find out.

The first thing to note is that it is not compatible with MAC computers so you will need Windows 2000, Windows XP or Vista.

Once you have unpacked your Buddy it is ready to go straight to work. You don’t have to load anything. Simply switch it on and head for the golf course. The unit will automatically find the course and hole you are on. That’s pretty neat.

In the unlikely event that your course is not already mapped you have two options:

You can map it yourself or Ask the client support to do it for you.

Once you have mapped your own course it needs to be referred back to Golf Buddy headquarters for loading. This will take a few days and is one of the ways that the library of courses available is expanding. The current library consists of over 20,000 courses.

So you’re on the first tee and Buddy is merrily humming away having locked in on any number of up to 12 satellites. You’re ready to play but there is a bunker out on the right of the fairway. According to Buddy it is 192 yards from where you are to the front of the bunker and 203 yards to carry it. Select your club accordingly. How cool is that?

And so the game goes on with you being able to add as many as 11 points to any one hole in addition to the points already mapped by Golf Buddy.

You may find that the distance markers on the sprinkler heads do not correspond with what your Buddy is telling you. That’s not surprising but I suggest you believe your new Buddy – you’ll soon find out how accurate it really is. Sprinkler head distances could have been measured and marked by any number of methods and, in most cases, cannot be relied on for accuracy.

As you go along try the shot distance feature. Press a button, play your shot and proceed to where your ball has landed. Press the button again and you will know exactly how far you just hit the last shot. The shot distance feature is a great way to learn exactly how far you hit each club in your bag. But be warned that it can be humbling. Yours truly discovered that he doesn’t hit the ball quite as far as he thought – a possible explanation as to why I often came up short on my approach shots.

I didn’t have this problem with the Buddy Plus in my hand. Not only do I know how far I am hitting my clubs but I am automatically updated with the remaining distance to the green or other targets.

You’ll find the grey scale screen easy to read under all lighting conditions – even on a bright day. For those overcast days and twilight finishes there is the back light facility.

One of the coolest features of the Buddy Plus is the dynamic green feature. We don’t always approach the green from directly in front and for those times when you are coming at it from the wrong angle the Buddy Plus automatically changes the shape of the green to your angle of approach.

Another neat feature of the Buddy Plus is the score tracking. Simply enter your scores as you play each hole and then write them down later for submitting or reflecting on the game. No more soggy score cards on those rainy days!

The unit will store up to 1,000 past scores.

The Golf Buddy Plus can easily be operated with one hand and is a pleasure to use.

Some of the technical stuff you should know:

It is light and fits comfortably in your pocket. Weighing in at 3 ounces and measuring 3.2 inches by 2.1 by 1.0. The power source is a built in lithium battery which will give you ten hours of use. That is enough for two full rounds of gold. To be on the safe side I keep mine fully charged. Once you have purchased your Golf Buddy Plus there are no additional fees. There is no annual membership fee and course downloads are free. You will never run out of courses on your unit as it stores up to one thousand. It is multi lingual with a wide range of language options available.

Golf Buddy Tour. The big brother of the Buddy Plus has exactly the same functions but being bigger has a bigger memory and stores up to 20,000 courses.

It has a color screen which is bigger than its little brother making it even easier to read.

The big advantage of the Buddy Tour is that battery power can be backed up with 2 A A A batteries – so you should never run out of power.

Golf Buddy Pro. This model is identical to the Tour model except that it has a grey screen. The Golf Buddy Pro is proving to be very popular with golf GPS users. Its easy to see why with it great looks and sturdy construction having one of these in your hands makes you feel like owning one.

All of the Buddy models are very reliable, water resistant and sturdy.

To top it off all models are good lookers and as an owner of one you will be the envy of your mates.

If you are in the market for a golf GPS you could do a lot worse than buying one of the Golf Buddy range and I trust this Golf Buddy Golf GPS review has given you some indication of the functionality of these models. Buy one today and start having some fun on the golf course.

By: Lawrence Bredenkamp

About the Author:

Lawrence Bredenkamp is a qualified golf coach and self confessed golf nut. He has done extensive research on the top selling GPS models and you can see the results at his Digi Caddie website. Please feel free to visit the website and browse around for more information.

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Why People Buy Properties in Golf Course Communities

Many of the top reasons why people buy properties near golf courses transcend the game and have nothing to do with whether the buyer plans on playing on the golf course themselves. In some golf property communities, as much as half to three quarters of the buyers are not even golfers. They are making the purchase decision based on the quality of life enhancements which add to the location’s value and desirability. Furthermore, property situated within a country club development offers a variety of amenities and recreation choices along with the wide open spaces that will never be built upon.

For the growing numbers that love the game, a golf facing real estate investment definitely makes sense. Can you possibly imagine a more convenient access location to enjoy the sport than from your own golf house? Many of these communities offer special course membership rates and green fees to the homeowners. This adds to the value you’ll receive from the property. New home buyers who love the game can live their dream come true. They can take this opportunity to play more rounds as well as live in a community that contains so many neighbors and potential new friends that share their enthusiasm.

The prestige of living in a golf community can also quite often translate into more social and business opportunities. You will find yourself joining a ready-made community of high achievers who share your values. Whether you’ve just arrived in the community or you’ve been there for a long time, socializing and networking opportunities will continue to abound, facilitating those times when you are ready to make a change and move up in the world. These upscale communities attract more affluent buyers who value the quality of life increases that come from enhanced recreational opportunities and living in a beautiful area.

A big reason for the increased property values comes from community guidelines for property development. This helps to protect a buyer’s investment. Requiring new houses to conform to standards helps to ensure that all the houses and landscaping are complementary and in harmony with the community development plan. Acres and acres of landscaped and cared for open spaces appeal to real estate buyers who appreciate beautiful views. They can be sure they are purchasing property in an area that will remain free from further crowding or unsightly development. Also, country club areas are often a refuge for wildlife and provide opportunities for enjoying and interacting with nature.

Some buyers are looking for both capital appreciation over the long range and the opportunity to generate cash flow. The demand for golf vacation rentals is such that many communities have management programs available that can handle renting out your home. Many different options are also available through websites and rental companies so you can market and handle the rentals for your property yourself as well.

Golf continues to increase in popularity, and values reflect a trend in higher demands in this growing segment. The supply of these building sites is limited. Purchasers that lock into a golf house property will enjoy a wide variety of investment and lifestyle benefits.

By: Stephen A. Daniels

About the Author:

Interested in purchasing a home in a La Quinta, California golf community? Talk to the La Quinta Real Estate experts. Specializing in properties located in golf and country club communities, both buyers and sellers have benefited from their extensive knowledge of the La Quinta real estate market since 1989. Powered by SEO 2.0 Services

buying golf supplies

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Golf GPS Units – Know These Facts Before Your Buy This Unique Gadget

Any time you invest in a piece of newer technology, it is important to understand the specifications of the object. For golfers, it can be quite enticing to buy any sort of gadget that will improve your game in some way. There are now many golf GPS units on the market to choose from, however you should check into some of the specifications of the device before purchasing.

Some of the current golf GPS units on the market are made by Golf Buddy, Golf Guru, uPro, Sonocaddie, iGolf and SureShot. Every brand and model is set up a little differently, so it pays to know how the one you are interested in works. One of the best places to find information on the potential GPS unit you are thinking of buying is by going to golf forums and seeing what other people are talking about. You don’t want to just take the manufacturer’s word for it, rather you want to find out what other golfers think about these units.

The first thing you want to consider is where the GPS can actually be used. In other words, can it be used anywhere in the world or just in a certain area of the country? You also want to know if you have to pay any kind of additional annual fee in order to access the course information. In addition, you want to know what kind of power supply the unit has how and long the batteries will last. This is obviously important when you’re out on the golf course and you need the unit to work the whole time you’re there.

You want to make sure that your golf GPS unit is reliable and has some kind of warranty after the sale in case anything goes wrong. You also want to find out the price points so that you can set your own budget and stick to it.

In addition, there are many important features in golf GPS units that you may desire to have such as a shot distance measurement tool, a particular size screen, the ability to map your own points and the weight of the unit may be important to you as well.

The cost of golf GPS units can vary from $150 to over $400 depending on the manufacturer and the products specifications. It pays to ask your golfing buddies how they like their GPS system and what their recommendation is as far as manufacturer and model. You can also do online research to compare prices and features while also reading customer reviews.

By: Steve Pierce

About the Author:

Click Here to learn how you can use Golf GPS systems to improve your game. Golf GPS Systems will help you win a few rounds.

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Discount Golf Clubs VS Branded Golf Clubs

If you are in need of new golf clubs, and you are not quite sure of what kind you want to buy, then it is a good idea to read through this article first before making your decision. With a mere few minutes of reading, we might be able to save you a lot of unnecessary spending.

Everyone on the course is talking about the new model of golf clubs that just came out in the market. If you buy that set, you will most certainly be the envy of your friends, and you will be walking proudly on the golf course, brandishing your luxurious new clubs.

On the other hand, there are several discount golf clubs that are being sold in the golf supplies store. Buying those discount golf clubs will not give you more prestige on the course, but you will definitely be saving a lot of your hard-earned cash.

The novelty of having classy golf clubs will fade in time, and by then, will your game have improved because of the expensive clubs? It’s possible, but to do that, you would have to practice almost everyday. If you are the typical working individual who just likes to golf on the weekends, let’s face it – an expensive golf club will not do much to enhance your game.

Discount golf clubs may not be as impressive, but you can still do a lot with them, especially if you find a set that is quite good. Discount golf clubs are not necessarily substandard. You just have to look with a discriminating eye. You might even find secondhand discount golf clubs that are actually branded.

Many stores will sell you an entire set of discount golf clubs at a price equal to the cost of just one of the more expensive golf clubs. If you’re lucky, the store owner may even give you a golf bag at no additional cost.

Of course, discount golf clubs are not as perfect as those used by professional golfers. But who would really notice? Other golfers on the course will probably not even be interested in what kind of golf clubs you use. The more important thing is how you play, and whether you are having fun on the links.

Unless you are trying for the professional ranks, discount golf clubs will do just fine for your weekend golf sessions. Many recreational golfers are lured into buying expensive golf clubs in the hopes of playing a better game. But you know better. Playing a good game with discount golf clubs is definitely better than executing poor shots with a more recent but inferior model.

By: David Faulkner

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You can also find more info on Motorized Golf Carts and Refurbished Golf Carts. Golfclubscarts.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Golf Carts.

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