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Chances are you'll be surprised to learn that there's a modern gadget for your trusty golfing arsenal, an electronic gadget that really lives up to the claim that it can actually improve your golf game. There are now GPS models specially designed for use on the golf course.

What's a golf GPS? Utilizing the exact same means of communicating with satellites to establish your position as your auto GPS Navigation system, the key item of information provided by all golf GPS models is your distance and direction to the hole. Possessing this information can help you make strategic choices concerning club type, direction and needed amount of power for your shot. In addition, a golf GPS can help you in situations when you're playing on a course for the first time. In this way the golf GPS can help level the playing field and take away the advantages from competitors who are already familiar with the course.

Higher-end golf GPS models can also determine the distance traveled during your last shot, alert you to the presence of water hazards and bunkers and direct you to targeted locations. You can zoom in on the current position and analyze your position in relation to targets or other parts of the course. The GPS stores all of this information so you can refer to it later on. Some models include a course recognition feature which automatically recognizes the course you are playing on.

Higher-end golf GPS models will log information about all of your shots in a round, permitting golfers to review and analyze their performance. Others have a scorecard feature that tracks your score after which it summarizes the information for your evaluation.

To utilize a golf GPS, you should have a relatively unobstructed view of the sky so that the GPS can speedily communicate with satellites. After that, it is very simple. In contrast to laser rangefinders, there is no need to point a GPS at the target in order to get a distance evaluation. Even if the target is outside of your field of vision, the GPS will still manage to furnish a reading. A steady hand and a sharp eye aren't required in order to enjoy the advantages of a golf GPS.

Another factor to consider is the fact that while you are outside on the green, you would like to spend less time reading and more time playing. Utilizing a golf GPS unit means you won’t have to continually refer to a yardage book, which can slow you down. Keeping score also will become much easier without a miniature pencil to lose. Consequently, a golf GPS can reduce the time it requires you to play a round. Lastly, perhaps the most clear benefit--the analysis performed by a GPS can help you reduce your number of strokes and improve your score.

Golf GPS models receiving the best customer reviews include offerings from Garmin (including the popular GolfLogix and high-end Approach models), as well as models from Golf Buddy, SkyCaddie and Bushnell. If you already own an iPhone or iPod touch, you are already carrying a GPS with you, so you may consider investing in an iPhone app. The top-rated Golfshot Golf GPS receives the highest owner ratings and claims to furnish access to over 27,000 golf courses and no monthly or annual charge.