There is a clear functional gap in the Garmin Golf ecosystem that places it well behind competitors like Arccos or phone only apps like 18Birdies: the lack of a true "Second Screen" experience and live data management during a round.
Currently, the data flow between a compatible Garmin watch and the Garmin Golf app appears to be entirely one-directional and very limited until the round is completed. While the watch hardware is adequate at capturing shot locations, the phone app remains functionally dormant during play.
This limitation is most glaring in two areas:
- Live Data Visualization Competitors like Arccos have established a standard where the phone serves as a rich, live dashboard. Users can glance at their phone to see their exact real-time position, shot-by-shot tracking, and statistical data as the round progresses. For Garmin users, the powerful computer in our pocket sits idle while we are forced to view complex data on a small watch face.
- Real-Time Shot Editing Most importantly, we need the ability to add, move, or edit shots on the phone app during the round. Correcting a missed AutoShot or adjusting a club selection on a watch interface is cumbersome and disrupts the flow of play. The phone’s interface—with its larger touchscreen and map visibility—is the superior tool for these adjustments.
By restricting shot editing to the post-round analysis phase, Garmin ensures that users are less likely to correct their data, leading to inaccurate stats and a poorer user experience.