TheGrint vs Hole19: Which Golf App Is Right for You?
TheGrint and Hole19 are both free golf GPS apps with paid plans. The biggest differences are the handicap and green reading: in the US, TheGrint lets you get an official Handicap ID in the app or link your GHIN® number, and TheGrint Pro has Green Maps. TheGrint Pro is $59.99 a year; Hole19 Premium is $69.99 a year on the US App Store.
Last reviewed:
- Official handicap (US): TheGrint, yes (Handicap ID in the app or link GHIN®). Hole19: a handicap calculator in Premium; we found no GHIN link.
- Yearly price: TheGrint Pro $59.99. Hole19 Premium $69.99 (US App Store).
- Free trial: TheGrint Pro 7 days; Hole19 Premium 14 days.
- GPS: free on both. TheGrint covers 40,000+ courses.
- Green reading maps: TheGrint Pro has Green Maps on 25,000+ courses; we found none on Hole19.
- Games: 6 free on TheGrint; Hole19 game modes are Premium.
- Competitor facts checked October 13, 2026.
The big difference: an official handicap
In the United States, TheGrint is a licensed data affiliate of the USGA®. You can buy a Handicap ID right in TheGrint, or link the GHIN® number you already have, and your scores stay in sync. Before you go official, TheGrint shows you an estimated handicap for free. Outside the US, TheGrint offers a GHAP handicap through its partner GHAP.
Hole19 has a handicap calculator in Premium that works out a handicap from the rounds you play in the app. When we checked its website, help center and App Store listing, we found no way to link a GHIN number or get an official handicap through Hole19. More about handicaps on TheGrint.
GPS and green reading
Both apps give free front, center and back distances: TheGrint on 40,000+ courses and Hole19 on 42,000+. TheGrint Pro adds Green Maps on 25,000+ courses, with 3 free trial views, so you can see the slope and break on the green. We didn't find a green reading feature on Hole19. Hole19 Premium adds plays-like distances and augmented reality distances on iPhone; TheGrint's GPS doesn't adjust for wind, elevation or slope. See TheGrint GPS.
Scoring, stats and games
Both apps keep score for free. TheGrint shows the headline numbers in every stats module for free and adds 50+ performance stats and Insights with Pro. Hole19 puts club and overall stats in Premium and Strokes Gained in its Intelligence plan. TheGrint includes 6 games and live leaderboards for free, and 11 games with Pro; Hole19 has free live leaderboards and puts its game modes in Premium.
Price and free trial
TheGrint is free for every golfer, with no time limit. A yearly Pro Membership is $59.99. On the US App Store, Hole19 Premium is $69.99 a year and Hole19 Intelligence is $99.99 a year. Hole19 offers a 14-day free trial of Premium. For more advanced features, try TheGrint Pro free for 7 days. Compare TheGrint Free vs Pro.
Where Hole19 is ahead
Hole19 has a longer free trial, plays-like and augmented reality distances in Premium, flyover maps on Apple Watch, and an Intelligence plan with automatic shot detection and Strokes Gained.
Which one should you pick?
Pick TheGrint if you want an official handicap in the US, or a GHAP handicap elsewhere, plus Green Maps and free games in the same app. Pick Hole19 if plays-like distances and automatic shot detection matter more to you than an official handicap.
Handicap
An official handicap in the app (US)
In the US, buy a Handicap ID in TheGrint or link your GHIN number, and your scores stay in sync. TheGrint is a licensed data affiliate of the USGA.
- Free estimated handicap before you go official
- GHAP handicap outside the US, included with Pro
See the handicaps page.
Devices
TheGrint: iPhone, Android, Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, and Wear OS watches.
Hole19: iPhone, Android, Apple Watch and Wear OS watches, per its help center.
TheGrint vs Hole19 at a glance
| Feature | TheGrint | Hole19 |
|---|---|---|
| Price of the free app | Free, no time limit | Free |
| Paid plan, yearly (US) | Pro: $59.99 | Premium: $69.99; Intelligence: $99.99 (US App Store) |
| Free trial of the paid plan | 7 days | 14 days (Premium) |
| Official handicap in the US | Buy a Handicap ID in the app or link your GHIN number | Handicap calculator in Premium; no GHIN link or Handicap ID found |
| Handicap outside the US | GHAP handicap ($9.99 a year, included with Pro) | Handicap calculator in Premium |
| GPS front, center and back | Free, 40,000+ courses | Free, 42,000+ courses |
| Green reading maps | Pro (Green Maps, 25,000+ courses; 3 free trial views) | Not found |
| Plays-like distances | No | Premium |
| Stats | Headline stats free; 50+ stats and Insights with Pro | Club and overall stats with Premium; Strokes Gained with Intelligence |
| Games and live leaderboards | 6 games free, 11 with Pro; live leaderboards free | Game modes with Premium; live leaderboards free |
| Apple Watch and Wear OS | Yes; GPS free, watch scoring with Pro | Yes; GPS free, watch scoring with Premium |
Hole19 facts from hole19golf.com, its help center and its US App Store listing, checked October 13, 2026. Prices can change and vary by store and country.
TheGrint vs Hole19 FAQ
Is TheGrint or Hole19 better for an official handicap?
TheGrint. In the US, you can buy a Handicap ID in TheGrint or link your GHIN number. We found no GHIN link or official handicap option on Hole19 (checked October 13, 2026).
Which costs less, TheGrint Pro or Hole19 Premium?
TheGrint Pro is $59.99 a year. Hole19 Premium is $69.99 a year on the US App Store (checked October 13, 2026). Both apps are free to use without a paid plan.
Do both apps have free GPS?
Yes. Both give free front, center and back distances. TheGrint covers 40,000+ courses and Hole19 lists 42,000+.
Does Hole19 have green reading maps?
We didn't find one. TheGrint Pro has Green Maps on 25,000+ courses, with 3 free trial views for Free members.
Can I switch from Hole19 to TheGrint?
Yes. TheGrint is free to download. Free members can import 20 past scores, and Pro members get unlimited score imports.
Hole19 is a trademark of its owner. USGA® and GHIN® are registered trademarks of the United States Golf Association®. All rights reserved.
