Martin Hopley
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Undoubtedly, the first thing you will notice about the GolfBuddy Voice is its size. It's tiny! Similar size in diameter to a golf ball, the device can be clipped to your bag, bag strap, cap, belt or even on the side of a laser. It is not designed to be a hand-held device, but rather attached somewhere and stay relatively hidden.

The Voice automatically locates the course you are playing when you turn it on so there is no course downloading required and the pre-round preparation and loading takes a few minutes. Once set up, you simply press the button and a nice lady's voice announces "Hole number one, 360 yards to green centre".

The Voice can also be set to give you readings to the front or the back of the green and if you need more than one of these numbers you have to press and hold the main button. This is not very user friendly as pressing and holding the button for each yardage is time consuming and really all 3 yardages need to be shown on the screen or spoken to you at the same time in your preferred order.

If you have a laser rangefinder then setting the Voice to speak you the back of the green yardage whilst you zap the exact distance to the flag was probably the best setting, otherwise stick to the middle of the green yardage.

The volume can be easily adjusted in case you are worried about disturbing fellow players or other golfers. In fact, we actually enjoyed using it on mute, and simply glancing at the yardage. Having the Voice on the side of your cap whispering in your ear was also good fun.

One nice feature on the GolfBuddy Voice is the shot measurement feature. Hit a shot, press the "P" button on the side of the device and the device begins measuring. Press it again when you reach your ball and you discover just how far you are overestimating you are hitting the ball.

The upside of the GolfBuddy Voice is the price and its ease of use. No annual fee or required membership is a blessing, and you don't need to worry about plugging in the course the night before, the satellites will do that for you. It is also cheap enough to consider buying with a laser to get the best of both worlds, which we feel is the way to go until someone makes a decent combined device.

The option of having the voice talk to you is a cool feature and will be a taking point in your foursome, even if it takes a few more seconds that just looking at the screen.

Truth be told, this is definitely a first-generation gadget as there are other small wearable GPS devices in this price range that display front, middle and back at the same time, which we feel is a basic must have.

However the concept is on the right lines and the size is ideal for clipping anywhere so we look forward to hopefully seeing a second generation GolfBuddy Voice with these and other features.

Golfalot Rating: 3 stars
Overall Rating - 4 stars:
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GolfBuddy Voice Golf GPS Rangefinder - Product Details

UK Launch15 April 2012
Device TypeGPS Handheld
ElevationNo
Shot MeasurementYes
ScoringNo
Power OptionsRechargeable
SubscriptionYes
DimensionsWidth: 4.3mm, Height: 4.3mm, Depth: 1.1mm
Screen SizeWidth: 2.5mm, Height: 1.3mm
Device Weight30 grams
Course Capacity40,000
Manufacturer's WebsiteGolfBuddy Website

User Reviews

Terry SMITH
September 2018

What happens if it stays on and won't turn off. Battery will die and then can't charge. Please HELP

GOLFALOT: I believe you push and hold the power button to turn off.

Matty Boom Boom
November 2012

The Voice by Golf Buddy really needs no introduction. We have all seen the adverts I'm sure. And whatever your opinion on them this really is a cracking little product.

I've had 2 separate conversations with avid golfers about the Voice this week. Both had their opinions. Both made valid points. Both had severely overlooked the Voice.Pre loaded with 40,000 courses all you need to do is charge it and your ready to go. No subscriptions. No fees. No fuss. Just clip it anywhere you like. Hat, belt, bag, trolley and just slip it in your pocket. It will tell you when you have reached the 1st tee.

The individual using the Voice does need to take other golfers into consideration when using The Voice, but for me it's about common sense. Don't press the button for a yardage when some is on a tee box. Don't press the button for a yardage when someone is in the middle of the backswing. If you can manage that then your laughing. And if you did want a yardage and could wait then you can just look on the screen.

Press the button once and The Voice will tell you your yardage to the middle of the green. Press and hold - front of green. Press and hold again - back of green. Very very simple to use. During my use I found it to be very accurate compared to other GPS range finders on the market.

I found it to be a great product to use. However, personally, I am a visual person and sometimes like to see a hole laid out in front of me which obviously the Voice doesn't have available. Other More traditional GPS units may also give you distances to bunkers, water hazards and lay up points, which again The Voice doesn't. But then if those are the features your looking for then your looking in the wrong place.

The Voice is small, simple,measly to use, unique and a pleasure to play golf with.

brianparnell
August 2012

Great device, conveniently small and fits a treat on a belt, making it so easy to use and view at an instant for me as I carry a bag. Voice is particularly useful and can be managed unobtrusively. Battery conveniently lasts for 2 complete rounds.

The options available are plentiful to give yardages to green front, middle and back plus it's very good to see just how far one hits a club. Extremely happy with device.

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