50 Words or Less
The Callaway GPSy GPS watch is one of the best GPS watches I’ve tested. It’s light, accurate, and displays the information better than any other watch I’ve seen.
Introduction
For the last couple years, I’ve been of the opinion that smartphones and GPS apps were going to put standalone GPS devices out of business. Then I showed up at a new course without a laser or GPS and actually tried to find a good free app to use in a pinch. Not as easy as I thought. Opinion revised: standalone GPS units are here to stay because A) golfers want to get away from their phones and B) many golfers will always pay for quality. The Callaway GPSy GPS watch checks both those boxes.
Setup & Ease of Use
The Callaway GPSy GPS watch isn’t as out-of-the-box-intuitive as other GPS units, but learning to navigate it doesn’t take much time. Getting through the menus and on-course options with the three-button interface sometimes requires pushing a button, sometimes holding a button, and all that takes some time with the manual (or, more likely, trial and error). Again, it’s not terribly onerous, but it’s not idiot-proof either.
Once you’ve charged it with a USB connection, power it up and go to the menu. There aren’t many choices here (which is a good thing), and “Play Golf” is at the top of the list. It will take a minute for the satellites to locate your watch and generate a list of nearby courses. Select the one you’re at and, if you choose, you can never touch the watch again – it will automatically update yardages and switch holes. If you want to get into the distances to hazards, score keeping, and shot measuring, you’ll need to get comfortable with the button sequences, but, again, it’s not too difficult.
Accuracy & Performance
On the course, the Callaway GPSy GPS watch is the most accurate GPS that I’ve tested this year. When I stood on the 150 plate, the watch said 150. The GPS in the cart was always +/- 1 yard from the GPSy. It was also in line with my laser rangefinder when measuring to hazards.
There are many other good things about the GPSy, too. It’s small and light compared to other GPS watches, and the battery life is excellent: 8-12 hours in golf mode and 90 days in time mode. It’s also packed with extra features like shot measuring and stat tracking.
Value
The Callaway GPSy GPS watch retails for $180. This is an average price for a GPS watch, and given how good the GPSy is, I think it’s a solid value. The GPSy comes preloaded with 30,000 golf courses, and there’s no cost for updates.
Conclusion
A good GPS watch is the best way to improve your pace of play, and the clarity of the display on the Callaway GPSy GPS watch makes it one of the best in the category. The interface could be improved, but it’s worth having to read the manual for how fast, accurate, and well-displayed the yardages are.
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Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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I bought GPYs watch and tried to locate the golf course where I was in Shenzhen, China, it failed to detect the golf course I was playing, it shows list of ???????? / ??????? /???????? and then I saw the golf courses nearby was listed as well, then I randomly select one and it stayed in yardage 999, what can I do?
thanks for checking and reply to below email address
Hong Kong
Veronica,
I would suggest contacting Callaway to get the course that you’re interested in added the the GPSy watch.
Best,
Matt
I have used the GYPSY for 2 years. Now the Battery shows low after 2 or 3 holes. The unit is beginning
to shut off. Is there a replacement BATTERY?
Larry,
I’m not sure. I would suggest contacting Callaway directly, I’m sure they can help.
Best,
Matt
I just received my Callaway watch went to set time date year would not do
any thing moved to next screen looked on line for more info found no results
can you help do I need to be on golf coures to have work it work doesn’t
seem like you need to do that not hade chance to use it
Bob,
I would suggest contacting Callaway directly for technical assistance. You should be able to set the date and time from anywhere.
Best,
Matt
Have you been able to sync the watch to your smartphone?
Joe,
I have not worked with this since the review, and I don’t recall syncing it with my watch for the review.
Best,
Matt
Good evening! There are only a few golf courses registered in my callaway gpsy watch.How will I register other golf courses in the Philippines?
Paul,
I would suggest contacting Callaway. I would guess that they don’t have all the courses mapped.
Best,
Matt
I have had my Callaway GPS watch for 1 year. It will no longer hold a charge. I have used it twice a week golfing.
The charging process was always clumsy. The charging unit has to mate with the connections 4 on side of watch. It’s not easy connecting it properly.
I paid $180.00 and believe it should perform a lot better. I would not purchase another one.
Does the wat h track heart rate or bp like a fitbit?
I spend forever trying to get the watch to work.
It says play golf, and that’s as far as I can get!
I can’t setting date my watch,hiw to setting date and time callaway gpsy
I am John Jansen ( email: janchem@ziggo.nl) I have a Callaway GPSy golf watch and I cannot proceed any longer because of the fact that on the screen of my watch I see 2 little arrows upposite each other , and I do not get any movement on the screen/watch
Can you be of any assistance to me.
John,
I would suggest contacting the manufacturer. I don’t have any tech support abilities with this item.
Best,
Matt
How do you change the battery??
Stan,
It’s a rechargeable battery, it should not need to be replaced.
-Matt
how can i change the time to get the correct time
Phil,
It’s been about five years since I wrote this review, so I can’t recall how to set the time. If you don’t have the manual, I would suggest contacting customer service.
Best,
Matt
Please advise :my Callaway GPSy watch V2 has a fully black screen and cannot be updated, whenver I try to contact , my computer says ..not connected..I have a brand new computer m, but even my old computer gave same negative results
How can I restore all information and courses.
Please avise
Regards,
John Jansen
John,
My best advice would be to contact the manufacturer or whomever you bought it from about a warranty claim.
Best,
Matt