Golf GPS++ vs Golf Journal
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Golf GPS++
This app transforms your Apple Watch into a standalone golf GPS device. It automatically tracks your shots, analyzes your swing and putting, and provides distances to the hole and hazards on over 35,000 courses. Enjoy detailed game statistics and course flyovers without needing your phone.
- Auto shot tracking with Apple Watch
- Swing and putt analysis
- GPS distances to holes and hazards
- 35,000+ golf courses worldwide
- Standalone Apple Watch functionality
- Detailed game statistics
- 2D/3D course maps and flyovers
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LEAVE YOUR PHONE IN THE BAG Turn your Apple Watch into a powerful golf GPS, scorecard, and automatic shot tracker. Get distances from your wrist, automatically record shots, keep score, and review your swing and putting performance—all without carrying your phone around the course. BUILT FOR APPLE WATCH With Golf GPS++, your Apple Watch becomes your on-course golf companion: • See GPS distances to greens and hazards • Automatically detect and record golf swings • Save the GPS location of each detected shot • Track club distance and accuracy • Keep score directly from your wrist • Automatically advance to the next hole • Play without carrying your phone • Sync round data between Apple Watch and iPhone • Contribute workouts to Apple Health and your Activity rings • Show maps on your watch (Internet needed for this feature) UNDERSTAND EVERY SWING Golf GPS++ does more than measure distance. Built-in motion analysis helps you understand how you swing and putt during an actual round. Swing analysis can include: • Swing tempo • Hand speed • Swing plane • Impact angle Putt analysis can include: • Tempo • Take-back angle • Take-back time • Follow-through angle • Follow-through time TRACK YOUR GAME AUTOMATICALLY Golf GPS++ uses motion recognition and GPS to detect swings and build a record of your round. Review useful golf statistics, including: • Club distances • Club accuracy • Fairways hit • Greens in regulation • Putts per hole • Shot locations • Round history Prefer a simpler experience? Use Simple Mode to record your total score without tracking every individual shot. PLAN EVERY HOLE Explore more than 35,000 golf courses around the world. • Measure distances to greens and hazards • Zoom in on detailed satellite imagery • View holes using 2D or 3D maps • Preview each hole with a 3D flyover • Check real-time wind direction • Download and cache courses before playing Once a course has been loaded, it remains available offline, so you don’t need a reliable internet connection on the course. USE IT YOUR WAY Use Golf GPS++ on your iPhone, your Apple Watch, or both together. Round information syncs between your phone and Watch in real time. The iPhone experience includes free GPS and course-mapping features. Apple Watch functionality, custom clubs, and certain advanced features require Golf GPS++ Premium. Monthly, annual, and lifetime purchase options may be available. RECOGNIZED GOLF TECHNOLOGY Golf GPS++ was featured in Golf Digest, and our motion-recognition technology has been covered by Google I/O, Mashable, IGN, Golf News, and other publications. Download Golf GPS++ and discover a simpler, smarter way to play from your wrist. Privacy Policy: http://vimo.co/privacy Terms of Use: http://vimo.co/termsofuse/ IMPORTANT Continued use of GPS in the background can significantly reduce battery life. Feature availability may depend on your Apple Watch model, software version, location, and Premium plan.
Golf Journal
Track your golf performance with this app, logging rounds, practice sessions, scores, and media. Analyze your game with performance graphs and iCloud syncing. Ideal for golfers of all levels aiming to improve.
- Round diary and score tracking
- Practice session documentation
- Photo and video gallery
- Performance graphs
- iCloud syncing
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Elevate your golf game with Golf Journal, the essential iOS app for tracking your progress on the course and during practice sessions. Effortlessly log notes, scores, photos, and videos in a single, user-friendly location, making it easier than ever to analyze your performance, identify areas for improvement, and relive your best shots. Whether you're fine-tuning your swing on the range or capturing unforgettable moments during a round, Golf Journal provides a seamless experience for golfers looking to take their game to the next level. Golf Journal offers: • Round Journal: Maintain a comprehensive diary of each round you play • Practice Log: Document practice sessions, including cues, drills, balls hit, and videos • Score Tracker: Accurately record your scores for every round, and track your scores over time • Photo and Video Gallery: Capture and store images and videos of unforgettable views and shots • Performance Graphs: Monitor and analyze your score trends over time • Additional Features: iCloud syncing Simple and intuitive, Golf Journal delivers a seamless experience for golfers of all skill levels. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.mygolfjournal.app/posts/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: Golf GPS++ at 4.7K against Golf Journal's 12. Golf GPS++ also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Golf Journal's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Golf GPS++ sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Golf Journal sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Golf Journal holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Golf GPS++ has 4.7K ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Golf GPS++ ships an update every 6 weeks, Golf Journal weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Golf GPS++ | Golf Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (4.7K ratings) | 4.8 (12 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 43.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4.7K — better | 12 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vimo Labs Inc. | Gruffydd Johnston |
Customer experience
Golf GPS++
Golf Journal
Bugs and requests
Golf GPS++
Reported bugs
4 issues- Incorrect course layouts
- Inability to restore premium membership
- Watch app frequently crashes
- Scorecard data loss after updates
Requested features
4 requests- Add FIRs and GIRs to scorecard
- Allow manual course selection
- Improve Apple Watch integration
- Provide better user guide and tutorials
Golf Journal
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Golf GPS++
- GolfGPS++ Premium monthly7 Days trial$6.991 Month
- GolfGPS++ Premium yearly$29.991 Year
- GolfGPS++ Premium Membership$79.99
Golf Journal
- Pro7 Days trial$2.991 Month
- Pro7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Pro7 Days trial$9.991 Year
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- Pro7 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Lifetime$49.99
Questions
Is Golf GPS++ free?
Is Golf Journal free?
Which has better reviews, Golf GPS++ or Golf Journal?
Do Golf GPS++ or Golf Journal have ads?
Which is updated more often, Golf GPS++ or Golf Journal?
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