I first came across Tangent in late 2023 after buying an Apple Ultra Watch and searching for a GPS app. Having reached 250 recorded rounds, it felt like a good time to write an update.
Why Tangent?
First, let me be clear that I am in no way sponsored by Tangent. I pay full price for the app and have no affiliation with them other than being a happy user. I was an early adopter, and my decision to go with Tangent over the other (more established) products available on the App Store came down to my interaction with Dallas and learning about his vision for the App. It’s developed by a golfer, for golfers and goes well beyond a standard “front, middle, back” GPS app. I was particularly interested in how it would use my playing data to identify areas for practice. With a desire to improve my own golf, I thought Tangent looked like an excellent tool that would provide me not just GPS information, but also data-rich insights into my own game.
Dallas promised future improvements to the app, and he has certainly delivered on that promise. The app continues to be regularly updated with enhanced functionality and features. I would love it if they find a way to use the sensors in the watch to add a swing analysis feature. I would also love to use it for full-swing tempo training and maybe metronome features for putting. For example, could the watch provide some of the data that a Blast Motion Sensor provides? Maybe that’s going too far.
How have I used it?
During a round
This post is not intended as a Tangent tutorial; the app itself has an excellent section dedicated to that. Everything you need to know about using the app can be found there. Everything from initial setup to creating your own custom skin or adding creator content can be found in there.
As a walking golfer, I primarily use the Apple Watch when playing, then review and edit the round on my phone when I’m finished. The watch interface is simple and unobtrusive to use. It keeps data entry to a minimum when playing and prevents too much unnecessary distraction. I use the watch primarily for front/middle/back distances (having learned that pin seeking is not the way to lower scores) as well as course management, such as distance to hazards. The other big thing I use the watch for is putting performance, where I use the more detailed entry method and pace out my putt distances for Strokes Gained analysis. That sounds cumbersome, but it really isn’t. You have to walk to the hole to take the pin out or get to your next putt, so count your steps when you do that.
After a round
Post round, I will use the phone app to review the round and ensure it has recorded my club selections correctly. If I want to add any extra data, such as lie, mental score, impact or shot trajectory etc. I can do that now. I usually do this on a “by exception” basis and only record the information if it is different from “normal”. Was I in a divot? Was I struggling to make my club/shot selection? You can also do this when using the watch, but only if you are not holding up play in the process.
The main screen I look at is the high-level “Strokes Gained Summary” that is contained in the “Today’s Performance” report.
This provides me with a quick overview of how I performed today and gives an objective balance to my subjective views from the round. I might be coming off thinking about the putt I missed on 7, or the poor approach shot on 15, but this report provides a reality check. My ambition is to get to scratch or better, so I look at my analysis relative to a 0 handicap, but you can easily change that in settings.
From the high-level chart, I can drill down into areas that need improvement, such as my approach play. Why am I missing? What do I need to work on?
Helping with practice
I have to admit, like most golfers, I don’t practice enough. Not only has the Tangent app helped me identify the areas I need to practice, but it also suggests drills that I should try. This gives structure to practice, and it is easy to log the results from those practice sessions, too. Better practice and improved personal fitness are my main priorities for winter 25/26 in preparation for next season.
The app also has a built-in AI caddy function that learns how far you hit each club and can make club selection suggestions. Obviously, the more rounds you have recorded, the better this function becomes. Also, like slope on a rangefinder, you can’t use that function in tournaments, so you need to select the appropriate option when starting a round. But it’s a great feature for rounds when you can use it.
Previewing a new course
The app includes an “Explore” option, as seen on the bottom left above. I found this very useful recently when I was playing new courses and didn’t have a stroke saver handy. It allows you to walk through the course using the AI caddy to suggest what clubs you should use. You can also move the screen around to look at more aggressive or conservative options.
Helping with recent reviews, lessons and fittings
Being able to share my Tangent data with my instructor has proven very helpful for targeting areas to work on in lessons. It gives some objectivity to the process and also allows the instructor to monitor progress. This is demonstrated in my recent review of AimPoint (link) where I was able to show my putting performance before and after learning the process.
I have also used Tangent data for club fittings, where it helped the fitter understand my dominant miss and what I might be looking for from new clubs. The ability to customise your bag also allows you to compare clubs over time.
Conclusion
I am a big fan of Tangent and plan to remain a subscriber for the foreseeable future. I like all of the data that it provides for my game, and I am excited (if that’s not too strong a word) to see what additional features Dallas and the team decide to add. The team have been fast to respond to any bugs or issues that arise, and despite having been an early adopter, I have experienced very few issues in two years.
Tangent is far more than just a golf GPS app, and my advice would be that you take a free trial subscription and have a look around for yourself. Playing with it is the best way to find out what it provides. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.