SkyCaddie SW2 GPS Golf Watch Review

SkyCaddie has upped the ante in the GPS wrist watch category with the introduction of the SW2 watch, an upgrade from their previous model. The SW2 is slimmer and looks more like a sports time piece, without the added bulk of the previous generation.

The SW2 covers the basics and covers them well, giving golfers distances to the front, middle and back of each green in large easy-to-read numbers, which is all 99% of us really need. No more aiming a laser beam and then overshooting the pin, only to get an accurate distance to that tree in back! You'll even get accurate yardages to greens you can't see - for whatever reason!

And SkyCaddie's yardage is very accurate, thanks to the company's TruGround approach. SkyCaddie is the only company that walks every course with professional-grade survey equipment to create original course maps, accurate to within 1 yard. With over 35,000 courses mapped around the world, that's a lot of walking!

It's really easy to get started with this device - simply show up at the course and turn it on. Give it a couple of minutes, and the SW2 will not only find the course you're playing, but will quickly identify what hole you're on.

In some respects, the new SW2 is a learning device - it can teach you how far you are hitting each club. And this feature is extremely easy to use; this is what we meant by the easiest way to measure distance. Simply press the Mark Ball button to start the process and the OK button once you get to your ball. Press Mark Ball a second time to return to the previous golf view screen. Now you'll have a better idea of how far you really do hit that 7-iron.

Other golf features include a digital scorecard with the ability to save up to 20 rounds. All of your scorecard data on SW2 can be wirelessly uploaded to your "My 360 Personal Performance Locker" within the SkyGolf 360 app. More on SkyGolf 360 in a moment.

Your new SkyCaddie SW2 watch does a lot more than just provide accurate yardages on the course. Off the course, it can be used as a fitness device. The built-in odometer also tracks location, distance, elapsed time, laps, speed, pace and calories burned during walks, runs or bike rides. If you're looking at purchasing a fitness watch, you can have the best of both worlds in one device and save money.

The battery life has been extended on this upgraded model and lasts about 14 hours in Golf Play mode. It's also water resistant up to 30 meters, in case you fall in trying to retrieve that errant tee shot.

Now, more about SkyGolf 360. If you just want to use the SW2 watch to measure distances to the front, middle and back of each green, as well as all of the other features mentioned so far, there is no annual fee. The new SW2 watch has been equipped with Bluetooth Smart technology, which syncs with your smartphone and gives you access to SkyGolf 360. SkyGolf 360 allows you to track your scores online and identify your strengths and weaknesses from up to 20 previous rounds using a host of web tools. You also have the ability to chat with fellow SkyCaddie owners within the SkyGolf 360 online community. It will also display certain smartphone features, such as who that was calling during your birdie putt. The Bluetooth connectivity also makes it easy to keep the SW2 watch up-to-date with the latest course updates, avoiding the obsolescence of preloads. There is an annual fee to access this technology.

If you normally wear a watch while playing golf, then why not upgrade it to something that can help improve your golf game? If you don't wear one, maybe it's time you did. Of course, you could always strap it on to your golf bag if you prefer not to wear it on your wrist.

Each package comes with a SkyCaddie SW2 watch, a charging cable and a user's guide. Given the fact the we live in a very litigious world, a warranty disclaimer booklet written in 12 languages that exceeds the size of the user's guide is also included! The SW2 watch has a retail price $179.95, however there is a Father's Day promotion going on that will save you $50. For more information or to order at this special price, visit www.skygolf.com.