Best Golf Gadgets
The word gadget has become more and more part of the golf world over the last few years as technology has grown. GPS technology, in the form of rangefinders, watches and handheld devices, is incredibly popular, as are gadgets built around shot tracking and game improvement training aids. Speaking of which, gone are the days when just the professionals used the best golf launch monitors (opens in new tab), because these gadgets can be bought and used by anyone, with many coming at relatively cheap price points. Additionally there are a whole host of gadget accessories out there to the point where it is a paralysis by analysis situation – there is so much choice that you don’t know what to choose.
This is where this guide comes in as for several categories we have picked out our favorite gadgets. These are models we have had our hands on and tested thoroughly, so their inclusion is based upon very good performance across a variety of factors (read more on this in the how we test section). Without further ado, let’s get to the gadgets.
Best Golf Gadgets
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GPS/Rangefinders
One of the best golf gadgets you should add to your setup is something built around GPS technology and getting you the right yardages when hitting shots. Therefore we have included a couple of the best golf watches (opens in new tab) on the market, along with a rangefinder and GPS device. If you don’t have a GPS tool yet, these gadgets are ultra convenient to use, give excellent information with accuracy, and once you invest in this area, you won’t have to again for a number of years.
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First up is the Garmin Approach Z82, which provides 2-D overlays for both full-color Course View and Green View detail through the lens. When looking through the viewfinder, a full-color 2-D Course View mapping is displayed on the left-hand side of the lens view, showing distances to hazards and the green. The flag finder feature meanwhile, will lock on the flag and give precise distances to the pin.
Other features include a Laser Range Arc, which will be drawn on the green at the distance ranged to the flag, so the golfer can see if the pin is in the front, middle, or back of the green. The arc can also be used to see what else is in play when ranging other targets on the course.
There’s also a PlaysLike Distance feature that accounts for slopes and also a Pin Pointer feature, which points to the middle of the green on blind shots. This is undoubtedly one of the very best golf rangefinders (opens in new tab) you can buy. While it’s premium priced, the user experience is second to none and the way GPS technology and hole maps have been incorporated into a rangefinder is extremely impressive.
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Or perhaps you would rather go for a golf watch instead, a model like the Shot Scope V3 for example, which is a big step forward from the already-brilliant V2. It’s much smaller and nicer to wear, and offers up GPS yardages as well as automatic shot tracking functionality thanks to tags in your clubs.
During play, the only thing you need to remember to do is hit the PinCollect button when retrieving your ball from the hole as everything else is done automatically. This marks the pin position and saves editing time afterwards.
The GPS distances are quick to update and comparable with other some of the best golf watches we have tested. You will also be able to access a plethora of data on the app, including birds-eye views of the courses you’ve played and where your shots have gone.
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The original Phantom was a very popular model because of how simple it was to use and now Bushnell (opens in new tab) has gone a step further with the Phantom 2 Slope GPS. It comes preloaded with 38,000 courses and up to six hazard yardages per hole.
One of the most significant new features is Dynamic Green Mapping, which provides front, centre and back distance measurements no matter which direction the user approaches the green. This is especially useful when you find your golf ball well off the beaten track and conventional 100 or 150 yard markers are well out of sight.
Whether you’re playing your home course for the umpteenth time or you’re playing a new track for the first time, we found having these accurate yardages from any angle gives you the confidence to pull out the correct club and execute the shot. The screen is slightly larger than its predecessor and, because the text is 40 per cent larger, it’s easier to read and should give users no problems even in bright sunlight.
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The S62 leads the way among the best Garmin Golf watches and it is not hard to see why many, us included, put it right up there as one of the best golf watches (opens in new tab) you can buy. It’s easy to get the watch set up and the touch screen works well alongside the side buttons to navigate through the various options. With a larger screen compared to the S60, it is easy to navigate around and see hole details more clearly on the color maps.
In terms of other features, it comes with a built-in virtual caddie function where it can detect where the wind is coming from, gives information on shots from the past in regards to clubbing and therefore suggests to you the strategy on the course. Once paired with your phone, the watch can also take into account the wind conditions in real time when suggesting a club, which is next-level stuff.
Another huge benefit is the versatility because it works just as well off the golf course as on it. There are also loads of fitness tracking options if you wanted to use it as a more rounded sports watch too. It can also receive email and text notifications.
Launch Monitors
Launch monitors are becoming all the rage of late and no longer are these gadgets purely costing thousands of dollars. Don’t get us wrong, some models still come with premium price points, but with models like the Mevo and Rapsodo below, you can get launch monitor information for a lot less. And from our testing these gadgets prove to be very accurate an easy to use.
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No longer do you need to break the bank for a launch monitor and the Mevo is a case in point. It is the little brother of the Mevo+, providing a more affordable alternative that still offers an impressive selection of data points, including clubhead speed, spin rate and carry distance.
It won’t provide simulator functionality, video capture or skills challenges but as a more basic option for golfers that want accurate feedback on shots hit, it’s one of the best around given how compact it is and how simple it is to set up and use on the range.
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As used by none other than Tiger Woods, Full Swing’s Kit is a launch monitor that uses Doppler radar to analyse your shots. It’s extremely straightforward to use. Having downloaded the free Full Swing app and paired it to the launch monitor, you place it on the ground 10 feet behind the ball and hit away. There’s no need for stickers on the club face, levelling calibration or alignment sticks – just set it down, line it up, pair it and you’re good to go.
Our testing revealed just how accurate and reliable the performance is here and the app experience really sets this package apart. Above all, this launch monitor is fun to use. It’s uncomplicated and functions quickly and effectively. It comes with a carry case, which makes it easily portable, and you can even pair it with your bluetooth earphones to hear the data parameter you want after each shot.
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This ultra-portable, doppler radar launch monitor is a new model that improves on what we saw with the SC300 by using atmospheric pressure sensors to provide more accurate data. It connects directly to the free MySwingCaddie V2 app on your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth so users can track their performance in real-time. There’s a voice output option of distance and a remote control that enhances the user convenience. It even includes video playback and analysis as well as increased battery life of up to 20 hours. For more launch monitors like this, check out our guide on the best portable launch monitors (opens in new tab).
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The Rapsodo mobile launch monitor literally turns your smartphone into a launch monitor to give you a wide range of numbers like carry distance, ball speed, club speed, smash factor, launch angle, and launch direction. It also films your swing and stores up to 100 videos for free (you can get more storage with a subscription) and offers video playback with shot tracer.
It works in conjunction with the free Rapsodo app on your iOS smartphone indoors or outdoors. After setting up an account and logging in, rest your phone in the front slot and position it approximately six feet behind the ball.
The lines on the screen and the GPS overhead view help you align it correctly and select your hitting direction for enhanced accuracy. We should also mention the portability because its small size and lightness means it can easily go in your bag all the time.
Training Aids
Golf is one of the most technically challenging sports out there and playing just once a week will not be enough to see you make big improvements. Thankfully the world of golf is inundated with golf gadgets all with the aim of helping golfers in different ways. Whatever aspect of your game needs work there will be a gadget to help and below are some of our favorites. Alternatively, be sure to have a read of our best golf training aids (opens in new tab) guide as well.
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The Dewiz uses real time biofeedback to help golfers modify their swing and implement changes quickly and more effectively. It comprises this wristband, which you wear on your lead arm and features an internal motion sensor chip that analyses movement in three dimensions. It generates a 3D image of your swing and displays it in the app, which you pair to via Bluetooth.
In our testing the app was an easy process and the wristband is comfortable to wear and stays in position securely. You’re able to set certain numerical parameters for elements of your swing like the transition, tempo, length of backswing to encourage a new and improved movement or feel. If you don’t achieve them, Dewiz will instantly provide a short electronic pulse to let you know, discouraging you from doing it again.
Overall, the Dewiz is a highly effective tool that allows golfers to feel what they are doing in their swing and get real-time feedback on whether they are implementing changes in movement, perhaps prescribed by their coach.
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Built to help improve the rhythm and tempo of your golf swing, the Champkey Golf Swing Trainer is an excellent gadget you can use to develop your timing and sequencing. Everyone can struggle with tempo sometimes and that’s why a swing training aid like this, can help you strike through the ball more fluidly. This training aid can be used both in the garden and indoors – if you have the room. Using a high traction rubber grip, a flexible shaft and a silica gel head, you can improve your golf swing tempo and build muscle strength with this swing trainer.
We found it did take a little time to get used to, but after a couple of sessions using this you should gain a better understanding of how to release the club at the correct moment. On reflection, we think this will really benefit mid-to-high handicappers who might lose their tempo more easily in pressure situations and slice the ball. That’s where the weighted ball on the end of the Champkey Trainer comes in. And while you may also want to think about picking up one of the clubs on our best drivers for slicers (opens in new tab) guide, the Champkey Swing Trainer will help to correct the plane of the clubhead on the downswing and reduce the chance of a slice.
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The PuttOUT Pressure Trainer is the perfect tool to pair with the PuttOUT mat along with a mirror and gate. The trainer works on its own well, too, as it will help you hit your putts at the perfect speed to get it resting in the indentation. It’s frustratingly difficult but, once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be a demon on the greens.
You can also get Premium (opens in new tab) and Platinum (opens in new tab) versions which are made from slightly different materials and are just as fun to use.
Game Trackers
Artificial Intelligence has changed the way we play golf in the 21st century and, thanks to an array of golf GPS apps and tracking devices (opens in new tab), individuals can see their stats like never before, accessing all kinds of data about their game to really pinpoint where strengths and weaknesses lie. We have included some of our favorite gadgets in this area below.
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Arccos is one of, if not the best game tracking systems, on the market. It measures all the data you can possibly need thanks to Arccos Smart Sensors in the end of your clubs. For some clubs, like Cobra and Ping, they already come with them fitted into the grips.
Typically, you will need to keep your phone in your left pocket (for a right-handed player) for the sensors to work, but you can purchase the Arccos Caddie Link which clips on to your belt and removes the need for having your phone in your pocket if this is too uncomfortable.
The system gives you information on how far you hit each club. It also provides real-time yardages taking slope, wind speed, temperature, humidity and altitude into the equation. The caddie advice, powered by your data, shows your likely shot outcome and recommends a club for you to hit based on your previous performance.
(Image credit: Dan Parker)
A recent inclusion in our 2022 Editor’s Choice List (opens in new tab), the Blast Golf Swing Analyser is designed to help golfers improve all elements of their swing and ball striking. Alongside the free app, the swing analyser captures an incredible amount of data about your golf swing and quickly feeds back that information so you can work on things like tempo and attack angle to achieve a better swing. The speed of the feedback, the accuracy of the data and the way it feeds it back is incredibly intuitive.
The number of statistics and numbers can be overwhelming to some, but there are videos led by brand ambassador and putting guru Brad Faxon. The videos range from simple explainers on what each metric on the app means, to useful drills on putting and chipping.
Finally while a few things need to be ironed out from a user experience point of view, the Blast Golf Swing Analyser has the potential to transform the way you practice.
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The Caddie Link clips easily on to your belt or trouser pocket and pairs to your phone via Bluetooth. This means that you can now store your phone away in your golf bag and get on with your round whilst only accessing the Arccos app on your phone for yardages and caddie advice functions if you want.
Using the Caddie Link allows for an even more seamless integration with the Arccos Caddie Smart Grips and app which we loved. This is because we didn’t need to keep our smartphone in our pocket anymore.
When on course, pressing the centre Caddie Link when next to the pin will also log the exact location of the pin on the app, allowing for even more accurate data when logging your short game. It lasts 10 hours, so should be enough for 36 holes, although if it runs out of juice you can switch back to your phone.
Accessories
Our final category in this best golf gadgets guide is accessories. We are all golfers and we all know how many smaller items we carry on the course, the speaker below is a case in point. But we have also included a couple of accessories that can be used off the golf course as well.
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This heat and vibration wearable recently got five stars from us. Why? Because Hyperice has really thought about the smaller details and got them right. The heat and vibration at the core of the design really helped recovery whilst the overall versatility and portable nature of the device means it can be used just about anywhere. The Venom Go comes with 3 pads that you stick onto the area you want relief, and then the little device then clips onto the pads with the magnetic feature. This device then pulsates heat and vibration into the area in nine different settings. It is just that simple and it is a handy little device for golfers and non-golfers alike.
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Blue Tees might be best known for its laser rangefinders, but its The Player magnetic speaker is a quality offering from the company as well. The Player speaker has a premium look and excels in terms of its range (100 feet) and sound quality, which is among the best in the golf speaker category. It also comes with a magnetic strip that allows the speaker to be attached to a riding cart during play, and the magnet holds up well in terms of security during play.
The Player speaker is also waterproof with an IPX7 rating, and it offers an impressive battery life of over 12 hours. Also noteworthy is that there are indoor and outdoor modes available to choose from, as this speaker offers more versatility than just being used on the golf course. If there’s one downside to The Player speaker it’s the size, which is on the larger for this category and can make the device difficult to store in a golf bag.
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The Whoop 4.0 collects physiological data around the clock, and provides an accurate insight to help the user better understand their body. But how can this help your golf? Well this gadget is for anyone who wants to better understand the effects (positive and negative) of their lifestyle habits and exercise patterns. Many of the world’s best players wear Whoop, the reason being it measures strain, recovery and sleep. In short, balancing strain (essentially effort) and recovery is vitally important for optimal performance and Whoop can help golfers peak for important rounds.
It really is a cool gadget and not only do you get a wide range of information but you can get loads of different straps and colors as well so you can get a design that is meant for you.
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Taking care of your fitness and wellbeing can make a huge difference to your golfing performance. If you do practice hard or work on your fitness, you’re likely to suffer niggles and aches as you push your muscles hard to improve.
Massage or Muscle Guns are increasingly popular and Theragun is acknowledged to be one of the best on the market. It uses Percussive Therapy to help ease tight muscles, aches and pains.
The Mini we picked is the ultra-portable version and it really can be taken anywhere, and it also has an ergonomic grip, an internal lithium-ion battery with up to 150 minutes of life and three speeds.
How we test golf gadgets
We think the best way to see if a gadget is any good is by using it (opens in new tab). That sounds like an obvious statement to make but it is only by using a product a lot, and often, that we can gain an idea of usability, versatility, durability, value for money, and above all else, does it actually work as it should and how the brand claims? We use products at home, at the range, on the putting green, etc to see they are actually worth buying. We should also mention that no manufacturer can pay for a good review because our team tells it how it is.
What to consider when buying golf gadgets
What is it for?
First things first don’t just dive into the world of golf gadgets without having a clear idea on what you actually need. Do you need something for GPS information on the course? Head to the GPS and rangefinder section. If you need a specific training aid or shot tracker, then head there. Knowing what you want can narrow your focus which is vital given how many golf gadgets out there these days.
Usability
Do you want the gadget to be simple to use, or do you want something that can be complicated so you can really delve into the process and fine-tune your game to minute detail? We have selected models above that cover both extremes and everything in between.
Versatility
Do you want to be able to carry around the gadget, a golf watch for example? Do you want to be able to use it at home as well as the local course? Many gadgets slot nicely into your bag, such as rangefinders, whilst others are more difficult to pack away and store. So have a think about how versatile and portable you want the gadget to be.
Durability
A good golf gadget should also be strong as well so be aware of what certain models are made from and whether brands offer warranty’s on their products in case they break from use. With gadgets that are supposed to be used out on the golf course, also be aware of waterproofing, and shockproof features so that the gadget in question can actually deal with the trials and tribulations of the golf course.
Budget
Our final factor is budget. Importantly, in every category we picked out above, there are models at different price points. (We have also created value guides like the best budget golf rangefinders (opens in new tab) as well). So it is worth thinking about how much you are willing to spend on a golf gadget, instead of investing elsewhere on clubs, balls, lessons or whatever the case may be.
For more golf gadgets be sure to have a read of our guides on the best golf GPS (opens in new tab), best golf GPS apps (opens in new tab), or best value golf watches (opens in new tab).
