5 Best Golf Apps for Apple Watch in 2024

Golf apps for the Apple Watch offer an affordable and convenient option compared to a launch monitor or rangefinder device. However, in the past, these apps have not performed to the level of single-purpose golf technologies.

Like anything, the golf app developers needed time and customer feedback to improve their products, which brings me to the point of this post. We are searching for the best Apple Watch golf apps in 2024 to save you from going down the rabbit hole of finding the right option.

Here are the 5 best golf apps for Apple Watches:

1. 18Birdies – Best Overall
2. Roundabout – Best Features
3. SwingU – Best Free Golf App
4. The Grint – Best App for Scoring
5. Arccos Caddie – Best Swing Analysis

As you can see, each app excels in a different area. However, there is plenty of overlap. Read each of our reviews of the best apps on the Apple Watch for golf below to see which best suits your needs.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our team spends thousands of hours trying out and researching golf equipment to help you improve your game. Here’s our product review process.

How We Reviewed These Products

Golfspan only shares equipment and brands we trust.

I started Golfspan years ago after a 15-year career instructing and coaching golfers, and I meticulously researched and reviewed each of the products below. Following this, an editor combed through all of the information to ensure it read well and was factual. We also regularly review our content as the market changes to bring you the latest in golfing gear.

For this post on the best golf apps for Apple Watches, we considered the following criteria:

1. Cost
2. Easy-to-use interface
3. Useful features

Read More: Best Golf Swing Analysis Apps

1. Best Overall Golf App for Apple Watch – 18Birdies

Pros

• GPS yardage provides plays like distance
• Recommends clubs based on previous data from that distance
• The AI coach helps you hone your skills
• The tee shot planner helps you hit the ball to the best spot for your approach shot
• The blind shot compass feature keeps you on target, even when you cannot see the flag.

Cons

• The app does not have a free version, only a limited free trial
• There is no free trial with the weekly subscription
• Requires significant input to make use of all the features

Score: 92/100

When we take a closer look at the full scope of features offered by 18Birdies, there is no doubt that it is the best golf GPS app for the Apple Watch. Surprisingly, 18Birdies is not featured in many of the Apple Watch Golf App reviews despite the flawless Apple Watch integration.

The app features a Doppler radar view of the weather in the surrounding area. Adding to the cause is the virtual caddie+ function, which gives you plays like distance to your target and club recommendations to get you there. This way, it is like SwingU, as this competing app also shares these functions.

One unique feature that I love is the tee shot planner. It shows you the best area to hit based on data from other players. Furthermore, the app includes a blind shot compass. This helps you ensure that you are aiming correctly at blind targets.

In addition to the guidance it provides on the course, the app enables you to access pro tips during your round to see how to play shots from various lies. Moreover, the app automatically tracks your strokes, FIRs, GIRs, penalties, and putts per round.

Off the course, the application allows you to analyze your stats to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your golf game. Plus, you have their A.I. coach to analyze your swing and provide drills to enhance your skills.

Besides its features, this app is more affordable than many of its premium competitors and caters to golfers of all abilities.

Subscription Fees

Unlike golf apps with multiple subscription tiers, 18Birdies keeps it simple with a free trial and premium version. You can cover your subscription by paying an annual, monthly, or weekly fee.

An annual fee of $99 gives you a two-week trial period, while the monthly fee of $9.99 includes a one-week free trial. If you opt for the weekly subscription fee of $4.99, you will not enjoy access to a free trial.

Read more: This full review compares this app with the latest prices of GPS devices and watches.

2. Best Apple Watch Golf App Features – Roundabout

Pros

• GPS data on 40,000 golf courses
• The GPS rangefinder provides accurate yardage to hazards, landing zones, and the green.
• Offers detailed insight into your game to help you improve
• Functions as a digital scorecard
• Auto shot tracking
• You have three tiers of subscriptions to suit every budget
• There is a free version that includes GPS distances and shot tracking

Cons

• The Par subscription only offers one more feature than the free version
• To enjoy all the features of the app, you will need to subscribe to the Eagle package for $119 per year
• Shot tracking is hit-and-miss

Score: 90/100

It is no surprise that the Roundabout app (once called the V1 Game app) is near the top of our list for the best golf GPS app for the Apple Watch in terms of overall features. It gives you everything you could ever need in one application, which impressed our team of golf techies.

The Roundabout app is a premium virtual caddie that offers detailed insight, including yardage readings, shot tracking, and post-round statistics.

The app’s GPS functionality features data for 40,000 golf courses worldwide, which covers most of the world’s layouts, according to Golf Monthly’s Elliot Heath. This function gives yardage to the green, water hazards, bunkers, and landing zones to help you plan your hole from the tee.

Furthermore, the app’s rangefinder technology enables you to manually set the position of the pin on your watch for a more precise club selection.

It can also track your shots to understand your distance capabilities with each club better. This setup helps you improve your distance control and get closer to the hole with your approach shots. However, we found that shot tracking was not always reliable, as it didn’t capture all of our shots. Yet this was fairly infrequent, so it’s far from a deal-breaker.

The app is not only focused on yardage, though. It also features digital score tracking to record your strokes on every hole. This includes penalty strokes, putts per hole, and fairways in regulation (FIR).

The data recorded during your round is uploaded to the cloud for you to view and analyze later. Having access to this level of data gives you insight into your game that I wish I had access to when I started playing.

There isn’t a golfer on the planet who wouldn’t benefit from detailed insight into their game. It offers an excellent roadmap for mid- to high-handicappers to eliminate their weaknesses and lower their scores.

Subscription Fees

While all these features are outstanding, they come at a cost. Fortunately, the Roundabout app gives you four options, unlike 18Birdies. The most affordable option is the free package, which is very limited. This is followed by the Par package, the Birdie, and, you probably guessed it, the Eagle.

The Par package costs $20 per year, while the Birdie membership costs $59.99 per year. Finally, the app’s premium subscription, the Eagle, costs $119.99 for twelve months, so it’s not all that different from the $99 for a one-year subscription to 18Birdies.

You can opt for a monthly fee if you are not ready to commit to an annual subscription. Remember to cancel it if it is not for you, as it will auto-renew. The monthly pricing is in the description on the App Store.

Read more: A rangefinder can also help you with club selection, so here is an in-depth review of the best rangefinders on the market today.

3. Best Free Golf App for Apple Watch – SwingU

Pros

• There is no cost unless you wish to upgrade
• GPS rangefinder functions on most courses
• Provides yardage to the green and hazards
• Measures the distance of your shot
• Tracks your handicap through the round

Cons

• You will need to upgrade to premium to enjoy the host of game-improvement features SwingU has to offer
• Sometimes freezes
• Error messages make it difficult to use at times

Score: 88/100

Although SwingU offers a paid-for premium version packed with features, it tops our list for the best free Apple Watch golf GPS app. While many golf apps offer a free trial for one or two weeks, this app has a full-time free version.

Many functions are omitted, but it provides GPS rangefinder features and a digital scorecard at zero cost. As such, in our opinion, it’s the best free golf app for the Apple Watch in 2024.

The GPS rangefinder functionality of the app gives you the yardage to hazards and the green on most golf courses in the world. Plus, it allows you to track the distance of your shots to analyze after your round.

In addition to your distance analysis, SwingU allows you to keep track of your score, FIRs, GIR, and putts per round. You can also compare this with your round history. This gives you deeper insight into your overall performance, helping you identify areas that need improvement.

In terms of areas this app is lacking, it’s not functionality but performance. It is sometimes slow to run and can even freeze, which is a little frustrating. You may also experience error messages about not being able to connect to the servers, which is disappointing if you are a paying member.

Yet despite these drawbacks, we can’t help but love SwingU. As far as a free golf GPS app goes, SwingU is the best place to start. It is ideal for those on a budget or beginners looking to test out the world of Apple Watch golf apps. It even has a daily golf pointer from top golfing instructors, a cool unique feature you won’t find anywhere else.

Subscription Fees

Besides the free version of their App, SwingU also offers a premium option if you are looking for more advanced stats and features. If you pay annually, you must fork out $99, just like for 18Birdies. However, there is the option of a monthly fee of $14.99.

Read more: For further instruction on hitting laser-straight shots, including a one-on-one session with a pro, check the current price on the Ballstriking Mastery Program.

4. Best Golf App For Scoring – The Grint

Pros

• Record your putts per round
• Keep track of your strokes per hole
• Provides yardage to the fairway and the green
• One of the most affordable annual subscriptions around
• Tracks the club used for every shot in your round

Cons

• You have to have a pro membership for the app to function on your Apple Watch
• It only provides yardage to the green and not to the pin
• Not particularly user-friendly

Score: 86/100

The Grint is a quirky golf GPS app for the Apple Watch that revolutionizes scoring among large groups. Having played in my fair share of amateur tournaments, I  felt it would personally help to know where I stood in the field. But I could not know until I signed my card and handed it in.

While you can’t see this feature on the Apple Watch app, you can check it on your iPhone. The application lets you record your score on each hole and your drive’s accuracy. It also includes an option for shanks.

The scoring feature tracks the distance of your putts and how many putts you made per hole. Furthermore, you can track the club you used for each shot and if you landed in any hazards on a hole.

Besides its diverse scoring features, it also functions as a golf GPS, providing yardage to the fairway and green landing zones. Finally, it’s set up to make it easier to get a World Handicap System Number and upload your scores, which I highly appreciate. As a result, it only felt right to give it the title of the best Apple Watch scoring app for golf.

Subscription Fees

There are two types of subscriptions for The Grint app: Handicap and Pro. Handicap costs $19.99 annually and gives you a World Handicap System Number. However, if you want access to the GPS and scoring features, you require the Pro membership, which costs $39.99 annually. While $39.99 isn’t much for a premium annual membership compared with the other apps, you get access to GPS features with the free version of the V1 Game, so The Grint app loses out here.

There is a free option available. However, you can only use the app on your Apple Watch if you have the Pro version. As such, if you don’t want to open your wallet, it’s not an app we recommend. The best golf app that operates for free is SwingU, so we recommend checking that out instead.

Read More: Best Golf Apps with GPS

5. Best Swing Analysis – Arccos Caddie

Pros

• Accurate real-time tracking of every shot taken without manual input
• In-depth data analytics aids in refining specific aspects of your game
• AI-powered rangefinder accurately suggests club selection based on real-time performance
• Phone-in-pocket functionality for hands-free convenience during rounds

Cons

• Tracking glitches during certain rounds, causing shot misregistrations.
• Requires Arccos sensors for clubs or an additional wearable sensor.
• Some data discrepancies, particularly in average score calculations, raise concerns about data reliability.

Score: 90/100

Diving deep into the Arccos Caddie, it’s clear that it offers an unparalleled golfing experience for tech enthusiasts. It’s perplexing that the app doesn’t feature more prominently in discussions about Apple Watch golf apps, especially given its near-flawless Apple Watch integration.

A standout feature of the Arccos Caddie is its AI-driven capabilities. Not only does it automatically track every shot, but its AI-powered rangefinder provides club suggestions based on real-time performance, much like the Virtual Caddie+ feature in 18Birdies.

The app’s tee shot planner is reminiscent of 18Birdies but goes further by automatically capturing every shot. This ensures a comprehensive post-game analysis to refine your strategies and hone your skills. The added benefit of wind speed and direction furthers its utility, making each game a learning experience.

The only hiccup is occasional glitches during tracking. I’ve personally experienced this during crucial rounds, which was a tad frustrating. Additionally, while the data analytics provided are generally impeccable, I’ve noticed some minor inconsistencies, which, though rare, are worth noting.

Off the course, the app’s robust data analytics provides insights into your gameplay’s strengths and weaknesses, similar to 18Birdies. But the bonus here is the club-specific insights, which have been a game-changer for me. The price might seem a bit steep to some, but considering the wealth of features and the value it adds to your game, it’s worth every penny.

Subscription Fees

The Arccos Caddie requires an upfront investment for the sensors, and while it may seem on the pricier side, the plethora of features and insights offered make it worthwhile. The app itself has a subscription model, and users might find the pricing competitive, especially compared to its contemporaries.

What You Need to Know Before Downloading a Golf App

As you can imagine, there is no shortage of golf apps for your Apple Watch. That is why it is best to have an idea of the features you prefer and a budget to exclude any outliers.

Below are a few tips to help you arrive at a shortlist of applications that cover all your needs.

Are All Smartphones Compatible With an Apple Watch App?

Screenrant’s John Finn mentions that you need an iPhone to set up and use your Apple watch. Therefore, if you have an Android-operated phone, you must purchase an iPhone to run any golf apps.

Are Apple Watch Golf Apps Cheaper Than a Range Finder or Launch Monitor?

Generally, even the best golf apps are more affordable than a range finder or a launch monitor. However, the subscription fees do add up, and it is worth getting out of the calculator. It helps to know if a rangefinder, for example, is less expensive over time.

If you are not up for paying anything, there are free apps. But you will have a limited amount of features. All of the best Apple Watch golf apps run on a subscription model.

Read More: You can find budget-friendly launch monitors to check the current prices and see our full reviews.

What Are the Features of Apple Watch Golf Apps?

Apple Watch golf apps offer various features to help you navigate most golf courses worldwide. That is why you need to ask yourself what you want to gain by using an app.

Are you after a basic GPS application that gives you the yardage to hazards, doglegs, and various points on the green? Or maybe you want to measure the distance of your shots, keep score, or receive a club suggestion for your next shot. Whatever the case may be, the top golf apps have a range of features that can rival a dedicated golf watch, so they could save you a huge chunk of money.

FAQ

Related Articles

• The Best Golf GPS Devices and Watches
• Garmin Approach S6 Review; GPS Golf Watch Tried & Tested
• Best Golf Android Apps
• Best Golf Trackers