If you don't have a Premium or Intelligence subscription and simply want distances to the front, center, and back of the green on your wrist, this article is for you. GPS distances on Apple Watch are free for every Hole19 golfer.
If you're a Premium golfer and want scores and stats on your wrist too, see Using Hole19 on Apple Watch with Premium.
Before you start
- Hole19 for Apple Watch requires watchOS 10 or later
- Make sure your iPhone and watch have a solid Bluetooth connection. See Troubleshooting Connection - Smartwatches if they won't pair.
- Update Hole19 to the latest version in the App Store. Updating the app on your iPhone should update your watch automatically. If it doesn't, open the Watch App on your iPhone > scroll down to Hole19 > toggle off ’Show App on Apple Watch” and toggle it on again > scroll down and under Available Apps you should see Hole19 updating. The next time you start a round, the app on the watch should be running the latest update.
- You always need your iPhone to start and save the round. During the round itself, the watch is enough.
Start the round on your iPhone
- Open Hole19 and select the course you want to play, then tap Play Golf.
- This takes you to the Round Settings screen, edit your round details, scroll down and turn the Skip Scoring toggle on.
- Tap Start Round.
During the round on your Apple Watch
When you tap Start Round on the iPhone, Hole19 opens automatically on your watch and takes you straight to the Distances screen. This is the screen you'll use for most of your round.
Reading the Distances screen
The screen is split into two. On the left side, you'll see the number of the hole you're playing, with a small GPS Accuracy icon just above it.
On the right side, three distances are stacked from top to bottom: to the back of the green, to the center, and to the front. Just below the front distance, you'll find the hole's Par and Stroke Index.
In the bottom right corner sits one more button to open Maps. You'll see it, but it requires a Premium or Intelligence subscription.
Choose your GPS source
From the Distances screen, swipe right. You'll land on a settings screen with a Watch GPS toggle.
When the toggle is on (blue), the app uses your watch's GPS, and your phone can stay in the bag. When it's off (grey), the app uses your phone's GPS instead, so keep the phone with you, or at least within 15 yards.
Change holes
There are four ways to move to another hole:
- On the Distances screen, scroll through the hole numbers on the left side.
- Swipe left and pick the hole number from the list.
Finish the round
You can finish the round on your watch, but you always need your iPhone to save it. If the connection between the devices is unstable, return to your iPhone before finishing on the watch.
On your iPhone, select Finish Round, then save it.
Tips
Watch GPS and battery. Using the watch's GPS significantly reduces battery life: expect an 18-hole round to use 60% to 70% of a full charge. Close other watch apps you're not using, and see battery tips for more.
Wake on wrist raise. For a smoother experience, open the Settings app on your watch, go to Display & Brightness, and turn on Wake on Wrist Raise.
Health information. To see steps, distance walked, and calories burned, check your permissions in Activate Health Information and keep your iPhone in your pocket during the round. If tracking still doesn't work, go to iPhone Settings > Privacy > Motion & Fitness and make sure Fitness Tracking is on. See also Apple's guidance.
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