Tour 3 – Getting To Know Your "Buddy" Although "Golf is always better with a Buddy", it doesn't become apparent until you have played the game with the proper information. Having pertinent course information in the palm of your hand, can help improve your game, reduce playing time, and add to the over-all fun and enjoyment.
The following sections will help you get to know your Golf Buddy GPS range finder.
Current Hole Selector
Use this feature to select a hole manually. The display also includes Par / Handicap info for each hole.
Display Views
This feature toggles between the Front / Centre / Back targets located on the green, and the target list display.
Menu Options
Selecting this feature allows you to select from the various menus / features, as well as change settings.
Target Listings / Distances
Text descriptors of targets (hazards) as well as the associated distance for each is displayed here.
Satellite Strength Indicator
Indicates current satellite signal strength. Just like the signal strength indicator on a cell phone, the Golf Buddy® Plus works best when the satellite strength is highest.
If signal strength is low, or the Golf Buddy® Plus is not performing adequately, check your surroundings for items which may affect signal strength:
- Overhead Hydro Wires
- You are currently surrounded by higher land formations. (i.e. you are in a deep ravine or mountainous valley)
- You are adjacent to large structures/buildings
Note: In Canada, the satellites appear just over the horizon and to the South of us. Keep this in mind when you are experiencing low performance.
There may be blockages between you and the satellite signal.
Satellite Connections
For optimum performance, the Golf Buddy® Plus should be connected to 6 satellites or more. Peak performance is found when operating while connected to 8 Satelites or more.
Current Hole / Current Green Indicator
Displays the hole number of the hole currently being played, as well as the green being played if multiple greens are available.
The Hole and Green values are displayed as "H" and the number of the hole, and "L" or "R" to indicate left or right green.
(i,e, Hole 9 playing on the right green would be as follows: H09R)
Note: If only 1 green is available for this hole, "L" is used as a default value.
Current Unit of Measure Indicator
Displays the unit of measure currently being used by the Golf Buddy® Plus. Available units of measure are Yards and Meters.
Current Hole Par Rating
Displays "Par" for the current hole.
Battery Strength Indicator
As with most electonic devices, performance is deminished when the charging system is minimal. The Golf Buddy® Plus uses a built in Lithium-Platinum rechargeable battery. Under normal usage, this will effectively last approximately 18 hours, or approximately 3 full rounds of golf.
Note: Although the active life of each charge is quite long, if you wish to get the best performance from your Golf Buddy® Plus, ensure the unit is fully charged.
Menu Navigation / Jog Button
Positioning and clicking this button navigates through the various menus, and activates menu and display selections.
Slide the joystick left or right - To select from menus listed on the left or right of the screen
Slide the joystick up or down - To navigate up / down the lists of choices found in the menus
Pressing the joystick down - clicks to activate the currently selected menu or display option
Power (on/off) / Cancel Button
This is the circular button found on the right hand side of the front of Golf Buddy® Plus.
- Pressing and holding the button for 2 or more seconds turns the Golf Buddy® Plus on / off depending on which power state you are currently in.
- Pressing this button once while in the Display / Menus will cancel the current screen and return to the previous menu area.
Mark Distance Button
Use this button to:
- Measure Your Last Shot
- Calculate How Far you Hit Each Club
- Assist You in Your Practice Sessions
Measuring Your Last Shot
The Golf Buddy® Plus allows you to calculate your "Shot Distance" with the touch of a button.
Set your current position (the place you shot from), using the Mark Button (located on the side of the unit as shown in the image left).
Proceed to your ball location.
As you travel towards your ball, the distance value updates until you arrive at your ball location.
Calculate How Far You Hit Each Club
Using the Golf Buddy® Plus as a training aid can help improve your game as well. Most golfers do not know how far they typically hit shots using each of the clubs in their bag.
To figure the "Shot Distance" for each club, stand in one location and hit a few balls using the same club. Now using the technique as above, mark your current location then proceed to the cluster of balls you just shot until you are standing in the approximate center of the cluster. This will give you a distance which represents the approximate "shot Distance" for that club.
Repeat the process for each club in your bag until you know your hitting distance for each club.
Using Shot Distance in Practice
Having trouble with your "in between" distances? Often you are faced with a shot which requires you to take a modified swing to make the shot.
(i.e. choking up on the club, taking a softer swing, lower your back-swing point etc)
The Golf Buddy® Plus can assist with these as well. Using the Mark Button, start from the center of the green or some other target location, measure off the distance until you are postiioned at one of these "in between" shots.
Now practice hitting from this location using your modified swings.
The Golf Buddy® Plus is more than just your "distance to the hole" indicator. It is a valuable tool with any / all distance requirements you may have with all aspects of your game.
