# GolfNow Compete vs Digital Fairways

The clearest difference is rating: GolfNow Compete at 4.7 against Digital Fairways's 3.9. GolfNow Compete also leads on ratings volume (5.6K vs 71). Digital Fairways's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

GolfNow Compete holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GolfNow Compete has 5.6K ratings behind it against 71, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 45% of GolfNow Compete's written reviews are positive against 72% of Digital Fairways's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

GolfNow Compete ships an update every 5 weeks, Digital Fairways every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | GolfNow Compete | Digital Fairways |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (5.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/golfnow-compete/id1451640918/reviews)** | [3.9 (71 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digital-fairways/id6450993877/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.6K** | 71 |
| Positive reviews | 45.2% of reviews | **72.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 276 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [GolfNow.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/411930501) | [DIGITAL FAIRWAYS, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1470916721) |

## What reviewers say

### GolfNow Compete

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/golfnow-compete/id1451640918)

Enhance your golf experience with a comprehensive app for competitive play. Track scores, challenge friends, and utilize GPS features for over 30,000 courses worldwide. Improve your game with advanced stats and find local tournaments.

**Highlights:** Live leaderboards, Virtual wagers, 30,000+ course GPS, Advanced stat tracking, Live scoring for up to 8 golfers, Tournament and event search, Custom competitions

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate GPS and yardages
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 💡 Ability to adjust pin position
- 🚀 Seamless transition from lock screen

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and login issues
- 🔨 Missing features from previous app
- 🔨 Inability to track 9-hole rounds
- 🔨 Can't add other players to a round
- 🔨 Limited statistics and scorecard history

**Reported bugs**

- GPS not working properly
- Auto-scoring feature not functioning
- Courses not showing up in search
- Handicap not updating correctly

**Requested features**

- Apple Watch compatibility
- Advanced statistics and analytics
- Ability to edit and delete scorecards
- Support for 9-hole rounds and competitions


### Digital Fairways

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/digital-fairways/id6450993877)

This app offers a free, all-in-one solution for golfers to track shots, yardages, and scores on over 12,000 U.S. courses. It includes course details, overhead views with dynamic shot tracking, and live scoring for up to four friends.

**Highlights:** 12,000+ U.S. golf courses, Live scoring with friends, Adjustable overhead course views, Dynamic yardage and shot tracking, Detailed satellite imagery, Play history and scorecards

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use interface
- ⛳️ Great for scoring golf rounds
- 🗺️ Accurate GPS and course maps
- 🆓 Free to use
- 🤝 Good customer service (resolved issues)

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⚠️ Scam allegations (advertising)
- 💸 Overcharging and unauthorized charges
- 📉 No traction/downloads for advertising
- 📞 Poor customer support (unresponsive)
- 🚫 Ads not showing up

**Reported bugs**

- Course overviews are messed up
- Ads not showing up
- Ad leads to dead page
- Ad appearance distorted and unprofessional

**Requested features**

- Differentiate scorecard for birdies, bogeys, etc.


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GolfNow Compete free?

GolfNow Compete is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Digital Fairways free?

Digital Fairways is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, GolfNow Compete or Digital Fairways?

GolfNow Compete is rated higher. GolfNow Compete averages 4.7 out of 5 from 5.6K ratings, while Digital Fairways averages 3.9 from 71 ratings.

### Do GolfNow Compete or Digital Fairways have ads?

GolfNow Compete shows ads; Digital Fairways does not.

### Which is updated more often, GolfNow Compete or Digital Fairways?

GolfNow Compete ships an update every 5 weeks, and Digital Fairways every 5 days. Most recently, GolfNow Compete was updated on October 24, 2026 and Digital Fairways on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*