Feature Comparison

The Grand Plan vs 18Birdies: Full Comparison

Both offer GPS and tracking with different strengths. Compare features, analytics, social aspects, and find which app suits your golf game.

Get my free Leak ReportGet the Season Pass

Feature Breakdown

What each app offers

Pricing

The Grand Plan: Free plan (3 rounds/month) or the Break-90 Season Pass at A$149A$199 for 12 months. 18Birdies: free version, plus Premium at US$99.99/year or US$19.99/month (US App Store list prices (as of October 2026)).

GPS Features

18Birdies: GPS rangefinder covering 45,000+ courses. The Grand Plan: Shot tracking GPS, less focus on rangefinding.

Analytics

The Grand Plan: Deep analytics, strokes gained, AI Caddie. 18Birdies: stats including strokes gained, plus an AI swing analyzer.

Social

18Birdies: Strong social features, games, challenges. The Grand Plan: Round sharing, leaderboards, improvement focus.

Practice

The Grand Plan: Comprehensive Practice your fix. 18Birdies: Golf School drills and lessons.

Gamification

18Birdies: side games, leagues and tournaments with live leaderboards. The Grand Plan: side games with mates, focus on improvement.

Main Differences

Different philosophies

  1. App Philosophy18Birdies focuses on making golf fun with games, social features, GPS. The Grand Plan focuses on improvement through analytics and coaching.
  2. Target User18Birdies: Social, casual golfers who want fun features. The Grand Plan: Improvement-minded golfers who want insights.
  3. Feature Priorities18Birdies: GPS, social, gamification. The Grand Plan: Analytics, the AI Caddie, practice tracking.

Honest Pros & Cons

Both are solid choices

Why Choose The Grand Plan

Leak Finder names your biggest quick win, AI Caddie, practice tracking, strokes gained, improvement focus, no extra hardware.

Why Choose 18Birdies

Dedicated GPS rangefinder, fun social features, games and tournaments, AI swing analyzer, large community.

The Grand Plan Best For

Data-driven golfers, improvement seekers, those who practice, analytical players, budget-conscious serious golfers.

18Birdies Best For

Social golfers, GPS needs, casual players, those who like games/challenges, entertainment-focused users.

Value Comparison

Similar pricing tiers. The Grand Plan = better analytics value. 18Birdies = better GPS/social value. Choose based on priorities.

Our Take

18Birdies leans into GPS, games and community. The Grand Plan leans into finding and fixing your biggest quick win. Both are good - depends on your goals.

Built on Richard’s system. Richard averaged 101 off a 22 handicap. The same system took him to a best of +2.1 (2011), and he’s 0.9 today. In 2024 he played 25 rounds and averaged 77. Read Richard’s story →

Break 90 this season. Just play once a month.

Get your free Break-90 Leak Report in 5 taps, and Your Fix after one round. Or get the Season Pass and drop 3 strokes in 6 months, or your next year is free.

Free

Your free Break-90 Leak Report

  • No card. Log up to 3 rounds a month
  • Your Leak Report from 5 one-tap questions at sign-up: our best guess at your biggest quick win
  • After one round, Your Fix: what went well, your biggest quick win and one two-minute drill. No practice required

Who it’s for: golfers shooting 90–110 who play at least once a month.

Get my free Leak Report

Break-90 Season Pass

A$149A$199 for 12 months

About A$2.87 a week. Or A$19.99 every 4 weeks (the 12-month pass saves about 43%).

The price rises to A$199 on 1 Dec 2026. Join before and you keep A$149.

  • Your Fix every round: what went well, your biggest quick win and one two-minute drill, unlimited rounds
  • The Promise check-in: your average against your baseline, round by round
  • 2-minute pre-round plan, and club distances that learn from your shots
  • Go deeper (optional): drills and skill tests, swing check, AI Caddie
  • Richard’s books: “The Grand Plan” and “Short Game Made Simple”, included
  • Add-on: Richard Reviews Your Round, A$199
  • Spring bonus: the Distance Stack (Fitness, Stretching and Speed training plans) when you join by 31 Oct 2026
  • The Mulligan Guarantee: not for you? One tap on your account page within 30 days, every cent back
  • The Break-90 Promise: log 6 full rounds in 6 months, no practice required. If your average hasn’t dropped 3 strokes, your next year is free, or take a full refund
Get the Season Pass

Prices in AUD. Renews automatically; we email you 7 days before. Terms

Want Richard’s eyes on your game? Richard Reviews Your Round: A$199, only 10 a month, Season Pass members only.

Questions

Which app has better GPS?
18Birdies has more comprehensive GPS rangefinder with larger course database. The Grand Plan offers GPS shot tracking but isn't primarily a rangefinder app.
Which has better analytics?
Both offer strokes gained (18Birdies in Premium). The Grand Plan is built around improvement: the Leak Finder names your biggest quick win, plus AI Caddie and practice tracking.
Which is more fun?
18Birdies has more entertainment features with games, challenges, and social engagement. The Grand Plan is more serious about improvement.
Can both track my handicap?
Yes, both track a handicap from the rounds you log. For an official handicap, post your scores through your national golf association.
Which app will help me improve more?
The Grand Plan is designed around improvement: it names your biggest quick win and the one thing to fix next round. 18Birdies offers improvement tools too (Golf School, swing analysis) alongside GPS, games and social features.
Which is easier to use?
Both are user-friendly. 18Birdies packs GPS, social, games and lessons into one app. The Grand Plan keeps the focus on your stats and your next fix.

Related

The Grand Plan vs ArccosCompare The Grand Plan with Arccos Caddie on automatic tracking, pricing, and AI featuresThe Grand Plan vs GolfshotSee how The Grand Plan compares to Golfshot on GPS, analytics, and practice toolsGolf Analytics SoftwareDiscover the advanced analytics platform that sets The Grand Plan apart from competitorsGetting Started GuideGet set up with The Grand Plan in minutes and start tracking your gameAI Caddie GuideLearn how the AI Caddie gives personalized insights from your own rounds

Choose The Grand Plan for Serious Improvement

Deep analytics, the AI Caddie, and practice tracking. Built for golfers who want to get better.

Get my free Leak ReportGet the Season Pass

Free: no card, 3 rounds a month. Season Pass: The Mulligan Guarantee · The Break-90 Promise