What Is Handheld Golf GPS?

What is a handheld golf GPS? Just like any sport, golf players always are in search of ways to improve their play on the green. This can be evident by a number of products available in the market. The products range from high-tech golf clubs, improved gloves, to glare-reducing sun glasses. But perhaps the most important gadget golfers are starting to embrace was once a military project. GPS, or global positioning system, is now gaining popularity not just to motorists but to golfers as well.

The Evolution of the Golf GPS

At first, GPS systems were used by golf courses to track people playing at a time; nevertheless, it was only a matter of time before golfers realize the benefits of handheld golf GPS in how they play. They use the device on their golf carts, so they would have a view of the field.

Soon, several companies already involved in providing GPS for cars started to make public their interests to introduce such devices.

The problem was that the rules of golf at that period made it very clear that the use of any mechanical or electronic device may not be utilized for sanctioned play. It is the same rule that prevented high-end binoculars to be used in the course. This limited its popularity to those who are relatively new to the sport. Fortunately, the rules were recently changed to accommodate the use of such devices. Today the popularity of handheld GPS is steadily rising.

How GPS Devices Work

As everyone is well aware, GPS receivers interpret signals coming from satellites hovering above the Earth. The receivers are able to calculate the time a signal arrives from the moment it was sent above the atmosphere. Using similar data from four different satellites, a receiver is able to calculate its exact location with an accuracy of a meter. The information is presented in terms of familiar latitudes and longitudes. To make it easier for people, most receivers are paired with high-resolution display to present the location visually through a map. Simply put, golf GPS equipment tell distances of important targets relative to a player’s position.

Many professional golfers still stay clear of handheld golf GPS devices perhaps because they may take away certain skills and instinct that are inherent characteristics of the sport. However, one cannot deny that the pieces of information these devices provide help make a player come up with better playing decisions.