FIGURE B

You can enter details for each hole as you play.

Next I entered the names and handicaps of my playing partners: Don, Julie, Cindy and myself. Don didn't have a USGA Index (i.e. handicap) so I entered Don's average score (e.g. 92) into the IntelliGolf's "average score" field. IntelliGolf used Don's average score to calculate an approximate handicap index for todays round; a very nice feature.

Shortly thereafter I discovered that IntelliGolf includes 17 wagering games that can be played in any combination. It was easy to create a friendly Nassau wager (two players against two players) and a Skins wager for our entire foursome, as shown in Figure C. At the same time I also bet my long time friend/opponent that I would shoot a lower score than him (i.e. Stroke Play). A couple of stylus strokes and all of our wagers were entered. It was also interesting to note that IntelliGolf lets you wager in local currencies (e.g. Yen) for international travelers/customers.

FIGURE C

Showing a different foursome; you can set up your wagers.

Now it was time to tee off! The first hole was a 364-yard Par 4. I fortunately drove the fairway and IntelliGolf provided an easy way to record my "in fairway" drive. As I walked past the 150 yard marker, to where my drive landed, I brought up the IntelliGolf distance calculator. I pressed the Palm III's scroll button, for each step I took, and IntelliGolf told me I was 126 yards from the green and had driven the ball 238 yards. With another tap on the screen, it recorded this as my drive distance. I was also able to calculate the distance to the green for my Nassau partner too. Figure D shows this with another hole.

FIGURE D

You can calculate your distance from the hole.

When we finished the hole, it was very easy to record everyone's scores and putts by simply tapping on the IntelliGolf-provided numeric pad. In fact, it was easier to use than the traditional pencil and paper method. After entering the scores, IntelliGolf automatically tallied our winnings and began accumulating statistics for everyone in our foursome. IntelliGolf kept a running total of our scores and putts, calculated average drive distances and fairways hits and even presented us with on-screen graphics showing our Birdies, Pars, and Bogeys, as shown in Figure E.

FIGURE E

A nice graphical image shows the statistics for the game.

As we made the turn, I was even able to show the group a scorecard view of their front nine. The scorecard showed Pars in bold and Birdies in inverse video, as shown in Figure F.

FIGURE F

View a running score with the IntelliGolf score card.

After our round, on the 19th hole, IntelliGolf calculated our winnings and provided us with some great statistics on our round. Stats included greens in regulation, number of putts, fairways driven, sand saves, average drive distances plus more. We even poked fun at Don, as he clearly needed to take some putting lessons. Some folks may not be interested in keeping track of ALL statistics, but if you are really into watching your golf game improve, statistics are critical.