The Apple Watch

The Caddy coming to a wrist near you.

Words: Joseph Donohue

Price: £299-£12,000

When I was given the Apple watch I felt reasonably guilty for being excited. I've slagged it off since it's been launched. I like my watches and have never warmed towards the smart watch idea watches are supposed to be ‘timeless’ right?

They grow in value and continue to look good for years. We all know Apple will be releasing a new watch annually thus rendering your smart watch ‘uncool’ and ‘old’. Nevertheless I put it on and haven't taken it off since… apart from every evening to charge it.

Who’s going to spend £12,000 on a watch with a lifespan of a year? Nope, not me. I’ve been wearing the 38mm Sport Watch - it's the cheapest one you can get but at £300 this is still a pricey(ish) bit of wrist wear. The Sport Watch comes in either a black body or silver body, each with a choice of different coloured interchangeable rubber straps. As you take the watch out of the box, you quickly being to appreciate the classiness of the watch. Trying it on your wrist quickly alters your presumptions - it’s far more attractive and premium than the photos suggest. Apart from being thicker than your typical analogue watch, it doesn't feel oversized or even slightly uncomfortable and doesn't get in your way when your swinging your clubs!

Forget about all the clever, Star Trek tech that’s packed into it - does it actually tell the time? Funnily enough, yes.

It’s a sport watch, right? As we’re all keen sportsman being golfers, we’re obviously incredibly concerned about our health just like the built in Activity App. Reminders to stand up and move around, calorie burning counters, heart rate monitors, health targets and a pedometer. For me, helpful reminders that I’m far too lazy. However it did make something clear, the watch may have a use for the glorious game?

First off, my golf game was uninterrupted. I only grabbed my phone out of my bag to take a couple of photos. My calls and texts came through to my watch so the game wasn't slowed down and we all hate slow play, right? I downloaded an app called GolfNow. I was booking tee times, tracking via GPS, scoring and analysing my game in seconds. It was sort of like having a caddy… on my wrist!

I do now take back my initial remarks about the watch. It’s an excuse to look at your phone less, which if we’re honest, we all need. The price is high but comes with luxury and quality. Once you are past the Apple “Genius’s” bland description of the watches uses, a whole new experience is unlocked. An experience which will aid anyone with a passion for golf to enjoy it a little bit more.