Ed Travis rates the latest golf gizmos

EQUIPMENT

From lasers to monitors, here's the best of 2022

by ed travis

Golf Oklahoma spends a lot of time keeping up-to-date on the myriad advancements in the technology used in golf and wants to share with readers the most noteworthy devices, especially those coming on the market this year.

Our list is not meant to be definitive, but simply reflects our thoughts on the most significant cutting-edge technology as applied to golf. Many bring insight into your game, showing a pathway for improvement and others help decide which club to use on the next shot, plus a couple are just fun.

SWING DATA MEASUREMENT Arccos Smart Sensors Gen3+

The newest version of Smart Sensors provides more accurate automatic shot tracking, capturing swing data with the now familiar sensors that screw into the butt end of the grip. The $200 price covers 13 sensors plus one for the putter and a one-year Arccos Caddie membership; subsequent years are $12.99 per month. Swing data is sent to a smartphone app with a GPS distance readout of the hole being played.

DISTANCE MEASUREMENT Blue Tees Series 3 Max Rangefinder

Priced at $260 this laser rangefinder falls in the lower end of the price range of competitive models while offering features golfers want such as water resistance, quick focus and vibration feedback when the laser locks on the flag. Slope compensation is standard and there’s an on/off switch to comply with USGA regulations. The view automatically adjusts for lighting conditions and it has a handy magnetic cart mount.

MGI Sureshot Pinloc 6000IPSM Rangefinder

This $299 laser rangefinder will give yardages to the flag up to 390 yards to +/- 1-yard and to help with battery life it shuts off after 15 seconds. Once locked on the target a vibration can be felt and the scan mode, to help with other distances, is effective up to 1,100 yards. A built-in slope feature compensates for the terrain and can be turned off for competitive rounds. A magnet in the case holds the device to the cart.

Precision Pro R1 Smart Rangefinder

A combination of laser and GPS distance front/ back/middle measurements, the R1 ($320) also offers pairing with the Precision Pro Golf smartphone app to provide yardages personalized for your swing after user inputs of launch monitor data. Weather data is also part of the personal yardage calculation. Up or down slope adjustments with an on-off switch and target lock vibration are standard as is a magnetic cart mount.

Shot Scope Pro LX+

Some players like their distance for the next shot from a laser rangefinder and some from a GPS device. Shot Scope has something for both with the $350 Pro LX+. It has both their Pro LX laser rangefinder with vibration and their H4 GPS Handheld showing yardage to front/back/ middle of the green and hazards. Shot data is also captured and analyzed using the custom smartphone app.

LAUNCH MONITORS Bushnell Launch Pro Personal Launch Monitor

The Launch Pro ($3,000) may be used indoors or out and has an extremely accurate threecamera system to capture data for each swing, including ball speed, launch angle, carry distance, clubhead path and smash factor. The basic Foresight Sports software basic package is included for one year. Simulation software is available with a bundle of 10 courses using FSX2020.

Garmin Approach R10 Launch Monitor

Here’s a lightweight portable water-resistant launch monitor offering up to 10 hours usage from the rechargeable battery. With sophisticated radar capturing more than a dozen metrics from each swing, the R10 pairs with your smartphone using the Garmin Golf app with data stored for subsequent analysis. At $600, including a trial Garmin Golf app premium service and is compatible with E6 Connect for simulated play.

BLUETOOTH SPEAKERS Bushnell Wingman

Many of us like to listen to our favorite tunes on the course and the Bushnell Wingman ($120) is a quality speaker which Bluetooth connects to a smartphone to play whatever suits your mood. But that’s not all because by pushing the button on the remote control it announces the distance to the front, back and center of the green. Other nice touches include magnetic cart attachment and a USB port to charge other devices.

Puma PopTop Bluetooth Speaker

This PopTop Bluetooth speaker ($130), powered by Speaqua Sound Co., brings music to the range or the course all day with 10 hours of battery life while recharging your phone at the same time. It’s rugged, the outside is made of silicon, and has lots of well- thought-out features such as dual speaker pairing, a hook to attach to your bag and there’s even a Puma ball marker on the bottom plus the metal ring doubles as a bottle opener.

GOLF WATCHES MGI AXS GPS Watch

The AXS GPS Watch from MGI is a great choice at $199 for GPS distances. Control is accomplished with easy-touse button controls, and it has a scratch resistant face. Yardage to the front/back/middle of the green and distance to hazards is instantly available plus a built-in scorecard is standard. Battery life is 12 hours in Play Golf Mode, and it connects to MGI’s Sureshot smartphone app via Bluetooth.

Voice Caddy T8 GPS Watch

Priced at $350 this watch with battery life good for 36 holes provides lots of information starting with front/ back/middle of the green and hazard GPS distances displayed on the color touch screen. Slope calculation is built in as is a green map showing undulations plus user-defined pin placement for even more accurate yardages. After each shot the T8 also displays the user’s swing tempo and shot distance.