Garmin Golf: distance on course vs distance reported in app post-round is 15-25yds off

(I have an Approach S20 with latest fw and maps)

I've noticed that on some courses, the shot distances reported in the app are way off vs what was measured on the course.

As an example:

Par 4, 395yds, pin in the back of an elongated green. Total yds 408yds.

From my drive, I measure the pin with a rangefinder: 185yds. Watch places green center at 175yds. It makes sense.

2nd shot was just of the green, about at the mid point of the green length. 

App reported:

Drive: 189yds, second shot 154yds, missed the chip, 2 putt bogey.

So drive was about 225yds in reality, that's 35yds off. Second shot was about 178yds. That's 25yds off.

Has anyone noticed this ? I have plenty more examples.

  • The shot banner on the watch will reflect the distance recorded in-between each shot during the round for what the AutoShot feature is capturing in real time prior to the scorecard being saved when the round has ended. 

    I recommend ensuring the Golf Distance Units are set to yards opening the Garmin Golf app > Select the "Settings" tab > Tap "System of Measurement" > Make sure "Golf Distance Units" are showing set to "Yards". Also confirm "Unit of Measure" is showing set to "Statute". 

  • Hi. Obviously, distance is set to yds and the distance on the watch is the distance to the center of the green. As mentioned above, I'm comparing what I'm seeing live during the round and on the range finder (delta is pin offset) vs post-round and the numbers just don't make sense.

  • The default distance at the end of the hole is the middle of the green based on the last full swing shot detected during the round. This will not be reflective of the exact distance measured to the pin from a rangefinder, as that will get the exact distance from where you are standing to the exact location of the flag placement for that day.

    On the example you gave, you will see the distance plotted on the map where the shot ended after the 154 yard shot resulting in the distance displayed. If you happen to see where the flag and green orientation is represented...you should see where the difference in distance was calculated from where you lasered the exact flag location. 

    For more info or assistance, Garmin Support can discuss and confirm your info to review the scorecard to provide further insight into what you are seeing recorded on the scorecard with a golf specialist. 

  • Thanks for taking the time, but as stated in my original post, I calculate the offset between the watch (center of green) vs pin position. The issue is everything on the course matches, but the app then is way off.
    I have another example when I missed the green 2 yds right on a par 3 but the app indicates the shot what left of the green... about 20 yds off.  I expect a certain margin of error based on tree/cloud cover, but 20+ yds is a lot. 
    I'll accumulate data from our usual course and I will reach out to support.

  • The AutoShot detection feature is not designed to pick up partial swings, so chip shots and putts are not going to be tracked typically by the watch. The distance value is not going to be calculated where the ball actually landed around or on the green by design due to full swing shots being features for shot detection. 

    The only way to have partial swings, chip shots, or putts detected around on or the green is to use the Approach CT-10 sensors to allow those shots to be detected for more accurate distance around the green if you are chipping onto the green. 

    You can edit the shot on the scorecard as well to correct any distances you feel are incorrect around the green, if you are not wanting the shot location detected by using the CT-10 sensors. 

    Another factor that can affect the shot distance is the GPS signal strength or environmental factors that may affect GPS location accuracy during the round. Factors that can affect the accuracy or GPS signal received by the watch are commonly due to tree cover or periods of time where the user is not moving or changing locations causing GPS drift. Periods of a couple minutes or longer (like waiting for a group ahead of you) may also result in GPS drift due to your location not changing and staying stagnant for a period of time. These are all factors to consider as well.