Fenix 5 Plus Golf App - Measure Shot

The Fenix 5 Plus spec sheet claims that you can measure shot distances from anywhere on the course, but the watch doesn't deliver that. I realize that the golf app might not be the highest priority feature to fix and I understand that; all I want is an acknowledgement of the issue from the support team and a commitment that it will be addressed at some point in the future. Either that, or take the shot measurement feature off your spec sheet because it's misleading to customers. I'm an avid golfer and one of the reasons I bought the 5 Plus is because I thought it would replace my S3, but as it stands the Fenix is a downgrade.

Same here, i have a ca.1000$ watch that i bought as it claimed "it can do everything" and i still have to use my old and run-down S3 to perform a VERY BASIC task.
Still can't understand Garmin's silence......
Specially because they're not delivering over a claimed tech spec....
Just copy the feature of the low range model and we'll all be happy....

I'm bringing up this old post, looking for a bit of advice and to see how things have progressed with the golf support on the Fenix 5 Plus?

I've been deliberating for the last year over whether to purchase a Fenix 5/5 plus or look at alternative(s). I don't currently have a sports watch of any sort.

I'm primarily looking for Running and Golf so could choose to get either a multi-sport watch or 2 separate devices depending on what more sense for functionality/cost. I tend to run 5k/10k/Half-Marathon over the course of a year, and have been trying to get back into playing more golf with each passing year. Other than that, any additional multi-sports stuff would probably be 'nice to haves' such as the skiing, cycling, and hiking/hillwalking.

I've read very little comment on the Golf functionality for the Fenix devices. The few comments that I have read seem to suggest that there are issues with the golf features and it compromises the functionality/performance of the dedicated golf watches such as the Approach S60. Staff in the stores here in the UK don't really seem informed to comment on the devices individual sports capabilities so it makes it very difficult to make a purchase decision.

I had hoped that the jump forward from 'Fenix 5' to the '5 Plus' providing pre-loaded courses, on-board memory and music would have been enough to tip me towards the Fenix 5 plus. However, it reads like the golf functionality may still not quite be there.

I prefer the idea of a single watch but if I can get better performance from a dedicated running and dedicated golf watch then I'd consider that.

Could any of you Garmin enthusiasts be so kind to offer some advice on devices to consider?



Thanks!

I consolidated my Garmin S20 and Forerunner 735 to initially a Forerunner 935 about 15 months ago and now have upgraded that to a 5+ in October. I wanted a single watch to do everything with all my statistics in one app. The 935 was an excellent watch and did all of this. I primarily use it for running, cycling, golf and walking/hiking.

The golf functionality is standard stuff, distance front/middle/back to green and distances to hazards such as water and bunkers. It can also record your score albeit requiring you to enter it manually on the watch. I have never tried measuring distances, but the Garmin Golf app on your phone does show distances of *some* shots. For some reason it does not detect all shots.

The best thing though, over the years I have stats overload. For running, golf everything. Every course I have ever played anywhere in the world over the last few years, it has my score. It shows you GIR, fairways hit, putts, etc. I can see how bad I have become at my local course :)

There is no doubt you would get more detail from a dedicated golf watch like a S60, but I dont see the need for all that. The 935, 5 or 5+ are more than adequate if you ask me.

I consolidated my Garmin S20 and Forerunner 735 to initially a Forerunner 935 about 15 months ago and now have upgraded that to a 5+ in October. I wanted a single watch to do everything with all my statistics in one app. The 935 was an excellent watch and did all of this. I primarily use it for running, cycling, golf and walking/hiking.

The golf functionality is standard stuff, distance front/middle/back to green and distances to hazards such as water and bunkers. It can also record your score albeit requiring you to enter it manually on the watch. I have never tried measuring distances, but the Garmin Golf app on your phone does show distances of *some* shots. For some reason it does not detect all shots.

The best thing though, over the years I have stats overload. For running, golf everything. Every course I have ever played anywhere in the world over the last few years, it has my score. It shows you GIR, fairways hit, putts, etc. I can see how bad I have become at my local course :)

There is no doubt you would get more detail from a dedicated golf watch like a S60, but I dont see the need for all that. The 935, 5 or 5+ are more than adequate if you ask me.

Thanks for the reply Gr4z!

That helps a lot and I totally get where you're coming from with stats overload. Realistically, I know my yardages if I hit a ball well and consistently. There's no need for needing to know and record every shot and I'm happy to count scores on my card.

Given that you've had a 935 and now 5+, which of those 2 would you recommend if you were choosing between the two?

5+ for looks, toughness and speed. Added bonus if you want Spotify music, maps and Garmin Pay. Crazy expensive though unless you get on eBay.
5 for toughness, cost and battery life. Does not have music, Garmin pay or maps
935 for battery, lightness and cost. I dont think it looks as good.

Try them on in a shop. They all do the same thing for running and golf.

I've been playing with this lately and it has performed nearly perfectly for me, detecting almost every shot with the driver, hybrid, and irons. Not detection for putting obviously. I've actually been pretty impressed. And I love the fact that you can go back multiple shots for the current hole. I can definitely see how it would be frustrating when it doesn't work and agree it would be really nice to have a way of manually telling it you just hit the ball. I also wish it always showed you distance since last hit on the screen, rather than having to bring up a display that just goes away after a short period. Having small text along the top or bottom wouldn't be too intrusive and would be really helpful.

5+ for looks, toughness and speed. Added bonus if you want Spotify music, maps and Garmin Pay. Crazy expensive though unless you get on eBay.
5 for toughness, cost and battery life. Does not have music, Garmin pay or maps
935 for battery, lightness and cost. I dont think it looks as good.

Try them on in a shop. They all do the same thing for running and golf.

Thanks again. I'll try and get into store like you suggest and try the 3 variants on.

I'm not crazy about the look of the 935 from the photos online but it's obviously a lot cheaper so is a good option.
I'd love to get the 5+ but it is crazy expensive. If that's the one I settle on I might even wait until next year when it goes on sale. Albeit that there would be a new model on the horizon at that point and my head would undoubtedly be turned by that. Ha.

Good morning

Can anybody confirm if they have received any feedback from Garmin regarding the auto shot tracking. I played again yesterday and it measured less than 25% of my shots. I just want the option to manually select measure shot, i don't believe its too difficult to add this feature. I paid a lot of money for a high end device and find it disappointing that Garmin cant even give us some update or acknowledge this forum, on an issue that has been going on for a while now.

No nothing here although I haven’t officially reported it. I lose around 25% as well.