29 of the Best Golf Apps You Can’t Live Without

Do you live and breathe golf like many of our customers? If you eat, sleep and live the sport of golf then you’ll probably already have quite a few specialist apps on your mobile device. With so many brand new apps being developed all the time to help amateur golfers improve their swing and enhance their training, it’s no wonder mobile solutions are becoming such a hot commodity.

Here at Golf Escapes, we believe in spreading your wings and experiencing the joys of this prestigious, time-honoured sport in destinations across the world. And having mobile access to useful apps will make golf travel and golf training so much easier. So we’ve created a list of some of the best golfing apps available right now.

Divided into handy categories:
Best Gold Swing Tracking Apps
Best Golf Score Keeping/Rangefinder Apps
Best Golf Handicap Apps
Best Golf Course Locator Apps
Best Golf Gaming Apps
Miscellaneous Golf Apps
Here are 29 of the top golf apps that you simply cannot live without…

BEST GOLF SWING TRACKING APPS

1.V1 Golf (free)

This is perhaps the best free app at the moment for tracking your golf swing. Not only does it allow the golfer to record and analyse, but it also provides useful and interesting comparisons to more than 50 swings from PGA, LPGA and Champion Tour players – with a split screen so you can see the difference between your own swing and the professional’s. These players include the likes of Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood, Lorena Ochoa, Karrie Webb, Darren Clarke, Freddy Couples, Vijay Singh and many more. Additionally, the app allows you to trim, mark up and edit your swing video so you can play it back and study it frame by frame, or you can watch it in slow motion.

2. Everyday Golf Coach Power (£5.99)

Improve your game with the Everyday Golf Coach app, complete with 38 coaching videos to help with your training from PGA professional golf coach, Dr. Noel Rousseau. You can record and compare your swing with that of a model, and you can also use slow motion/variable speed playback on the video recording to analyse your technique step by step. If you are looking for more yards off the tee, then this app is definitely for you.

3. Golf Channel Academy (free)

Another app claiming to be the best of the best, and it’s definitely up there with the best apps to download right now. Excelling as an instruction app, Golf Channel Academy is ideal for golfers who are looking to learn. The library features a comprehensive collection of over 2,000 videos from top instructors such as Michael Breed, Marin Hall and Dana Rader. Additionally, for anyone living in or travelling to the US, you can use the app to find a Golf Channel Academy coach to help you out in real life.

4. Hudl Technique Golf: Slow Motion Swing Analysis (free)

Like the other apps mentioned so far, Hudl Technique allows you to record your swing then play it back in slow motion for frame by frame analysis. You can use swing plane drawings and compare your swing to that of pros, whilst also being able to add a voiceover to videos. But the top added benefit of using Hudl is access to a large Hudl community of golfers just like you. The community feature means that you can get feedback on your swing technique, and the app allows social sharing which can be done very easily.

5. Edufii (free)

This free app has been designed for coaches by coaches. And is said to be the top digital platform for various careers in sports coaching, saving over 20 hours a week in administrative tasks. The app is focused on video and image analysis, and can be used to channel all communications with players and team members. Also ideal for individual golf users or for sharing training and technique analysis between friends.

6. Swingbot (free)

Swingbot features video, playback and easy video upload to Swingbot.com. The special Swingbot software will analyse your swing and provide instant feedback – whether you’re in the middle of your golf round or just practicing your swing at home. You can also view your own progress as you upload more and more videos over time.

7. Golf Coach by Dr Noel Rousseau (£6.99)

A ground breaking golf instruction app and winner of both the UK and US App Design Awards for ‘Best Sports App’. Also named as the ‘Top 20 Must Have App’s by The Telegraph. It costs £6.99 to download but if you’re serious about improving your game and honing your skills, it’s worth the price tag. Dr Noel Rousseau has a PhD in motor learning, making him the ideal teacher.

BEST GOLF SCORE KEEPING/ RANGEFINDER APPS

8. Golf GPS & Scorecard (free)

Golf GPS & Scorecard is an excellent GPS rangefinder that works on over 33,000 courses across the globe! And it comes with a digital scorecard that automatically advances from hole to hole, giving you complete convenience when on the golf course. You can store your rounds online (free of charge) and you can even use the available stats and graph makers to watch your progress. The rangefinder feature is fantastically handy, with satellite imagery and zoon.

9. Golfshot: GPS + Scorecard + Tee Times (free)

The free version of Golfshot gives you easy scoring and tracking, as well as distances for over 38,000 courses worldwide. Not only can you track your own scores, but you can track the scores of your friends too and other features include graphing your performance in driving, greens, short game and putting. There’s also a paid version (Golfshot Plus) which is £28.99 and is a more advanced version; with interactive, real-time distances to all targets and hazards, as well as real-time GPS distances, 3D flyover previews of each hole, easy tracking on the Apple Watch, and personalised club recommendations based on your record.

10. Golflogix (free)

Features GPS distances on more than 30,000 golf courses, plus a yardage book with colour 3D imagery. The included scorecard feature allows up to 4 players at a time, as well as handicap and stat tracking. All stats will be linked up to the GolfLogix website, which means that you can easily track your progress.

11. Golf Pad: Free Golf GPS Finder & Scorecard (free)

Easy to use and compatible with the Apple Watch (in the premium version), this GPS app has everything you need. It has a rangefinder, shot tracker and free scorecard.

12. Golfshake (free)

This is a stylish app and its claims to be ‘the no.1 online score tracking system’ which can record rounds and stats, track your golf handicap, as well as provide important course info and course reviews. With independent reviews for more than 27,000 courses around the world, it’s perfect for your next golfing holiday.

BEST GOLF HANDICAP APPS

13. Diablo Golf Handicap Tracker (free)

Use the Diablo Handicap Tracker app to establish a USGA Handicap index, and use it to post your latest scores, share reviews and ratings, and track your friends too. Features include Facebook integration for score sharing and finding other Diablo members and course location functions such as GPS course finder.

14. SGU HandicAPP (free)

Made by the SGU, the Scottish Golf governing body for amateur golf in Scotland, this app is for members only. Membership with Scottish Golf is available to affiliated golf clubs and will give you access to their members forums and other added features, such as this superb app. Once downloaded, simply login with your membership username and password.

15. Golf Handicap Tracker – Track Unlimited Rounds (free)

Designed with simple interface, this app is very easy to use. The Golf Handicap Tracker by Max Rodewald allows you to track unlimited rounds, is free to download, and calculates your handicap under USGA rules. All you need to do is record your scores and the app will do the rest. It’s a simple, no frills application that is handy for beginner or seasoned golfer alike.

16. FC Golf Handicap (free)

A fantastic handicap app that will help you figure out your handicap on “particular courses” such as marsh, blue or black. Use your USGA Index handicap and enter a few other details and it will give you an accurate handicap for your next game.

17. Instant Golf Handicap (£1.99)

Instant Golf Handicap is a smart tool that helps you understand your handicap as you play. Simply enter details such as score, slope number and course rating and then the app will calculate everything for you. Your history is then recorded in a table that you can easily review and manage.

Need a new golf trolley? Check out this post to find out more…

BEST GOLF COURSE LOCATOR APPS

18. Golf Finder (free)

Made for the UK and Ireland, the Golf Finder app allows you to find a golf course anywhere near you or somewhere you’re travelling too. You can search by region or use the interactive map to locate courses within a few miles. There are more than 2,900 courses within the Golf Finder database and each course features its own profile page with key info.

19. Golf Nearby (free)

Golf Nearby is ideal for travelling around the world with. It has logged golf courses across the globe, and is able to locate the nearest golf courses to you wherever you are in the world by taking data from Foursquare. Other features include pictures of golf courses if available, directions to get there, street view, contact details such as phone number for the club, link to golf course website, and easy information sharing via email or text.

20. My Golf Caddy – Course Finder (£0.99)

Booking a golf holiday to the states? Or travelling out there for business? This superb app, costing just £0.99, is everything you need for the perfect game of golf anywhere in the states. There are more than 16,000 golf courses stored within this application and can be accessed via your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. You can get the nearest courses by proximity, find out course details, see course reviews and ratings, get one touch calling – or you can search specifically by city or state.

In need of a new golf bag? Take a look at this…

BEST GOLF GAMING APPS

21. WGT Golf Game by Topgolf (free)

The no.1 free golf game at the moment! By TOPGOLF Media and as seen on NBC Sports, Golf Channel, DIRECTV and Fox Sports. Top graphics, the best 3D technology, and over a dozen championship courses featured in the game.

22. Pro Feel Golf (free)

A game that looks and feels realistic, yet it isn’t overly complex. A simple touchscreen game for golf addicts who also enjoy gaming in their spare time. The one touch interface provides a real-world experience with realism and precision. Compatible for both iPhone and iPad.

BEST MISCELLENOUS GOLF APPS

Here are all the golf terms you need to know…

23. Stat Caddie (free)

A superb little app that doesn’t overcomplicate things. Track the accuracy of your golf stats and find out which clubs you pull or push, and which clubs you excel at. Ideal for analysing a single golf game or for reviewing your latest range session. You have the option of viewing top line stats or drilling down into the details.

24. TheGrint – All Golf. One App (free)

If you’re sick of downloading different apps for different needs, then this app is for you. TheGrint is an easy and convenient all-in-one application that is completely free to use. It’s the most complete ‘all-rounder’ app available, with handicap calculator, performance stats, live scoring, GPS rangefinder, games and points calculation, 4 people organiser, tee times booking and much more.

25. Golf Ball Finder (£0.99)

Tired of losing your golf balls? The Golf Ball Finder App does the same job as blue glasses and is super handy anywhere on the course. With the app, you can adjust the screen to match the weather/sun exposure and you can even adjust the blue filter based on the type of grass you are playing on. Finding golf balls has never been easier!

26. PGA Tour Mobile (free)

This official app of the PGA Tour features real time leader boards, live player scorecards with shot trails and stats, player profiles, live video for every PGA Tour event, round recaps and tournament highlights, as well as access to the latest news. Set it to push notifications so you never miss a thing during the PGA Tour.

27. Sports Illustrated Golf + Digital (free)

Get free articles from Sports Illustrated Magazine by downloading this app. There are new articles available every Wednesday and the free content will include everything from columns, articles and commentary to video essays, photos and interviews with pro players. From time to time, there will be reviews on products and various equipment, or reviews of golfing destinations and different courses.

28. LPGA Now (free)

Provides you with tournament info, news and live scores. Other features are photos and video footage, player stats, player rankings, and course conditions. You can even select certain players to follow.

If you’re planning a golfing holiday, make sure you’ve downloaded your new apps before you go so you can give yourself time to get used to them. Also, don’t forget to pack your golfing sunglasses!

29. TheSocialGolfer

The Social Golfer online golf community (TSG) is a place where you can find new golf partners & societies, join local golf games and events in your area or county, run golf societies and golf groups, track your scores, establish a handicap certificate and join in with the latest chat and forum discussions.

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About the Author

Matt Standley

Role: Marketing Executive - Handicap: 15 - Home course: Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club - Favourite courses: Palmares, Aphrodite Hills, Quinta do Lago North, Monte Rei & La Manga Club South