Shot Scope Brings its GPS and Performance Tracking to Apple Watch

If you’ve been waiting for a way to use Shot Scope on your Apple Watch without needing a dedicated GPS watch, that option has officially arrived.

The Scottish tech company has announced a new Apple Watch app that gives golfers access to GPS distances, detailed hole maps, green contour maps, and Shot Scope’s performance tracking—all directly from an Apple Watch.

It’s designed to let golfers use the smartwatch they already wear while still tapping into the Shot Scope ecosystem. 

What’s Included?

Rather than offering basic front, middle, and back yardages, the new app includes many of the features golfers have come to expect from dedicated golf GPS devices.

• Detailed overhead hole maps with tap-anywhere yardages
• Green contour maps to help visualize slopes and breaks
• Dynamic distances to hazards and layup points
• Front, middle, and back green yardages
• Shot tracking with access to more than 100 performance statistics after the round

The app also syncs with Shot Scope’s performance dashboard, where golfers can review advanced stats like Strokes Gained, Handicap Benchmarking, and the company’s MyStrategy planning tools. 

No Subscription Required

One thing that stands out is Shot Scope’s pricing model.

Instead of charging an annual subscription like many golf GPS apps, the Apple Watch app is available for a one-time purchase of $149.99.

According to Shot Scope, that includes lifetime access with no recurring fees. The company estimates that golfers using subscription-based alternatives could spend between $300 and $500 over five years. 

Part of a Bigger Ecosystem

The Apple Watch launch continues Shot Scope’s expansion beyond its dedicated GPS watches and laser rangefinders.

Earlier this year, the company introduced its LM1 Launch Monitor, and the Apple Watch app now gives golfers another way to collect and analyze their on-course data within the same platform. 

Our Take

This release should appeal to golfers who already wear an Apple Watch and have been reluctant to switch to a dedicated golf watch just to get GPS distances and shot tracking.

Whether the one-time purchase is a better value than subscription-based competitors will depend on how often you play and which features you use. But for golfers who prefer owning their software outright instead of paying monthly fees, it’s an option that will likely get some attention.

As Apple Watches continue to improve their battery life and GPS capabilities, we’re likely to see more golfers choosing to use the smartwatch already on their wrist instead of carrying a separate golf device.