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, 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. 

The Quick List

Best Golf Gadgets

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 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.

(Image credit: Future)

First on the list is the Garmin Approach Z82, which provides 2-D overlays for both full-color Course View and Green View detail through the lens. While looking into the viewfinder, a full-color 2-D Course View mapping is shown to the left-hand side of the lens view, showing you the distance to hazards and the green. Then the flag finder feature will lock onto flags making it more accurate and easier to know when you have pinged your target.

New to the Approach Z82 is linking to the Garmin app and gaining access to live wind direction. Along with slope-adjusted distances, they can be disabled for competition use and there is even now an external indicator light that shows that tournament mode has been activated so your playing partners can see it is being used legally.

Another feature is the Pin Pointer feature, which directs you to the middle of the green when you have blind shots. There is no doubt this is one of the very best golf rangefinders you can get. The pricing is premium but the actual use of this rangefinder and the experience you have when using it justifies the cost. With the GPS tech packed into this and the hole maps you gain when looking at the green, this rangefinder very impressive.

Shot Scope V3 GPS Watch

(Image credit: Golf monthly)

If your preference is a watch when it comes to GPS, the Shot Scope V3 is a great upgrade to the V2. The Shot Scope V3 is much smaller than the V2 and is a nicer fit to wear. You can get GPS yardages to the front, middle, and back of the green and you also get automatic shot tracking too. 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.

To get the most out of your Shot Scope V3 you should screw in the 14 tags to the end of your club. This can be fiddly and a bit time-consuming, but you can get instructions from the app and you only have to connect them up once.

While playing make sure to remember to hit the PinCollect button, when you get your ball from the hole, this then saves the pin position, and then saves you from having to edit it after the round. It can be easy to forget this as everything else is automated. With the quick-to-update GPS distances this watch is up there with some of the best golf watches we have tested. You get access to a lot of data through the app, which includes an overview of the courses you have played, and also where the shots have gone during your round.

Bushnell Phantom 2 Slope GPS

(Image credit: Future)

The first Phantom was very well received out on the course with how user-friendly it was and now Bushnell has stepped it up a notch with the Phantom 2 Slope GPS. With 38,000 courses preloaded onto it, it is one of our top-rated products and we have included it in our Editors Choice Awards for 2023.

A big new feature of the Phantom 2 is Dynamic Green Mapping, which provides the user with front, center, and back distances on the green, but this is regardless of what direction you are approaching from. This is a great feature should you be coming from another hole after a wayward drive etc. 

The Phantom 2 is very simple in regards to other devices which sets it apart from the competition. You can turn it on upon arrival at your course of choice and within around 10 seconds your course will be detected and the distances updated and ready to go. You can easily switch holes using the top and bottom buttons, which are on the left-hand side. The screen graphics are fairly basic and old school looking but are very easy to read, and reading from far away is surprisingly easy too. 

Garmin Approach S70 Golf Watch

(Image credit: Future)

One of the more user friendly GPS Watches you can get on the golf market, the Garmin Approach S70 is a brilliant option for any golfer that loves a new gadget packed full of great features. Like most watches, you get accurate yardage data, but with the S70 you can also track your score, see your shot distances, and select the clubs you are taking shots with. Another great feature is the ability to see what the weather is doing, giving you wind gusts and direction to aid your club choice. With all these great features, it is one of the best-equipped watches and the best GPS golf watches on the market. 

The S70 is a great-looking watch thanks to the strap and large color screen, which displays the hole maps outstandingly. It comes loaded with 43,000 courses, and it is easy to switch from golf mode to watch mode and vice versa. The S70 also can be used as a fitness and sleep tracker allowing you to use this watch away from the course too.

With the S70 you get great battery life, 20 hours in total, so it will easily last a couple of rounds. Should you be off the course and in watch mode then then you can get 16 days of battery life which is a market-leading level of performance.

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. 

Swing Caddie SC300i Launch Monitor

(Image credit: Mike Bailey)

The Swing Caddie SC300i is a very portable launch monitor that uses Doppler radar and makes improvements seen on the previous model the SC300. It does this by using atmospheric pressure sensors to provide a more accurate data experience. With this launch monitor you get access to the free MySwingCaddie App V2, which you can access on your smartphone or tablet. You connect through bluetooth and you can track your performance in real-time.

The Swing Caddie SC300i performed really well when we tested it and it ranks amongst some of the most accurate of the launch monitors which come in under $600. This includes some big names like the Garmin Approach R10, the Rapsodo, and Flightscope Mevo. The larger screen that comes with this device really appealed to us and we found the speaker to be very good to, which allows it to call out any yardages after you hit your shots.

Flightscope Mevo Launch Monitor

(Image credit: Future)

When you think of launch monitors you may think of GCquad or Trackman that will break many a bank to be able to afford it. However, this isn’t the case anymore, you can get a decent launch monitor to help improve your game without it costing you a fortune. With the Mevo you can get all the data you need to improve your game at an affordable price.

The Mevo won’t give you simulator functions or video capture, but if you want distances, spin rate, and club head speed then look no further. With how portable and compact the Mevo is, along with the simplicity of setup you will have a great launch monitor for your training and game improvement.

Setting the Mevo up is pretty simple – just unfold the stand, turn it on, place it six feet behind the hitting area and pair it with the Mevo smartphone app. This process is easy to do and once you’ve toggled on or off all the settings, you can hit away.

Full Swing Kit Launch Monitor

(Image credit: Future)

A launch monitor that is used by none other than Tiger Woods, the Full Swing Kit Launch Monitor is one of the best launch monitors that utilizes Doppler radar for shot analysis. It is very simple to use and great to have when looking to analyze your shots and overall game. To begin with, download the Full Swing app and pair it with your launch monitor, then place it where you practice 10 feet behind the ball, and away you go. There’s no need for stickers on the club face, leveling calibration or alignment sticks – just set it down, line it up, pair it and you’re good to go.

When we tested this launch monitor we found it to be incredibly accurate and reliable with data, and when navigating the app it really put the icing on the cake. It is an uncomplicated and easy-to-use launch monitor that comes with a carry case for use of transport and you can even link it to Bluetooth headphones so all the data is fed to you as you hit balls.

Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor

(Image credit: Future)

With the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor, you can turn your IOS phone into a launch monitor. It will give you a range of different data like carry distance, ball speed, club head speed, smash factor, launch angle, and also launch direction. You can also film your swing using your phone on the stand and you get storage of 100 videos in th app and you can upgrade this with a subscription and add shot tracer to your videos too.

You use it with a free app on your IOD device and it can be used whether you practice outdoors or indoors. You rest your phone in the front slot and place it six feet behind where you are hitting. There are lines on the screen to help align it along with the GPS overhead view making sure your hitting direction and alignment is correct for the optimal data.

We should also mention the portability because its small size and lightness means it can easily go in your bag all the time. We think this the best budget launch monitor on the market currently because the price represents incredible value for this accurate, easy to use and fun launch monitor.

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 guide as well.

PuttOUT Pressure Putt Trainer

(Image credit: Dan Parker)

The PuttOUT Pressure Trainer is a tool that is great for working on your putting at home, or even before a round. You can also pair it with the PuttOut Gates, Mirror, and Mat to make your putting even better. The Pressure Trainer aims to help you get the perfect speed on your putts by getting the ball to rest in the little indent on the trainer. It can be a rather difficult thing to master but once you do then you will be holing a lot of footage on the greens. 

The Pressure trainer doesn’t return your ball like some putting trainers do, especially if you do get it in the indent. However, should you miss the indent it will go up the ramp and return to you most of the way. You can see on the trainer three dots at the front and the shape of the hole at the bottom. If you get it in the indent you got the line and pace perfect and that is the perfect putt.

Dewiz Golf Swing Monitor

(Image credit: Future)

The Dewiz is designed to use biofeedback in real-time, which helps you to change your swing and make those changes quicker when you are practicing. The Dewiz is a wristband that you put on your lead arm, and it uses an internal motion sensor chip that will analyse your movement in 3D. It then proceeds to create a 3D image of your swing and shows you this in the app.

When we tested the Dewiz we found the band comfortable to wear and it stayed where needed securely. The app was also easy to use and you understood what you were looking at easily enough. In the app, you can set goals to achieve for certain aspects of your swing, which if you do not achieve a small electronic pulse will be emitted through the band to stop you from doing it again. We found that the Dewiz was overall a very effective training tool giving you real-time feedback on your swing and allowing you to make changes where needed.  We also liked that you could input the changes you wanted to make, meaning if you were advised by a coach to make ceratin changes the Dewiz can help with this.

Champkey Golf Swing Trainer

(Image credit: Future)

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. 

We found it did take a little time to get used to, but after a couple of sessions 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 guide, the Champkey Swing Trainer will help to correct the plane of the clubhead on the downswing and reduce the chance of a slice. 

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, 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.

Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors

(Image credit: MHopley)

Arccos have been the leading game tracking system in golf. It measures all the data you might need from your clubs, and give you a personal in pocket caddie to help guide you around the golf course. You can get distances to the green and hazards and track your clubs used to get the average distances you hit your clubs.

Arccos can be linked to a smartwatch and used on your phone allowing you to track data such as fairways hit, amount of putts around etc. Typically you would need to have your phone in your pocket to pick up when you use a club, but if you get the Caddie Link you can use that to track the clubs used with the sensors and save the battery life of your phone. 

Blast Golf Swing Analyser

(Image credit: Dan Parker)

We included the Blast Golf Swing Analyser in the 2022 Editor’s Choice List and we don’t regret it! This swing analyser is designed to help you as a golfer improve all the elements of the swing and your ball striking. With Blast you get access to a free app, and you can capture a lot of data about your swing and where you can make improvements. We found the feedback and the speeds in which it updated was very intuitive. 

If you are unsure of how to dissect the numbers and statistics then there are some great videos led by Blast ambassador and putting extraordinaire Brad Faxon. They range from some more simple explanations on how to understand each metric within the app, as well as some really great drills for putting and chipping. 

Arccos Caddie Link

(Image credit: Future)

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. 

Hyperice Venom Go

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

This is a wearable device that heats and vibrates to help aid recovery, and we gave it five stars. We felt that the Hyperice really took on the smaller details and definitely got it right. The Hyperice is extremely portable and versatile, which coupled with the heat and vibration for recovery makes this a great device.

The Venom Go comes with 3 pads, which you place on the area you are looking to get relief. You then attach the device to the pads with the magnets, it then pulsates and warms the area it has been applied to. It has nine separate settings giving you different variations of heat and vibration making sure you can find the right setting just for you. 

Blue Tees The Player Magnetic Speaker

(Image credit: Future)

A lot of golfers when they see Blue Tees think of their rangefinders, but they also make good speakers too, chiefly the Player Magnetic Speaker. It is a great premium-looking speaker, has a great range of 100 feet and superior sound quality when compared to other golf speakers. With its magnetic strip you can attach this speaker to anything metal, like a cart and the magnet really is great when it comes to staying secure. 

Another great feature is the waterproofing, it comes with an IPX7 rating meaning any downpours or submersion will not matter to this speaker. It also boasts a very impressive 12-hour battery life meaning it will easily survive a trip around the links. The speaker comes with an indoor and outdoor mode which gives it way more versatility for on and off the course. When we tested the Player speaker the only thing we could draw on as a downside was the size, it is rather bulky so storing it in a golf bag would be tough. 

Whoop 4.0

(Image credit: Future)

The Whoop 4.0 has a link to the PGA and is used by some of the best golf players and athletes around the world. The Whoop will collect your physical data 24/7 while you wear it and gives you a great accurate insight into how your body recovers and helps you to better understand your body and health. It will give you an understanding of the positive and negative effects your lifestyle is having on your health and body. 

With the Whoop it will give you measurements on strain, recovery, and sleep which is why a lot of the world’s best players wear Whoop. This knowledge then allows you to learn how to peak for optimal performance in your life as well as on the golf course. The straps come in many designs and colors to make sure you get one that suits you, seeing as you are going to be wearing it so much you can chop and change colors to make sure it doesn’t get boring.

Therabody Theragun Mini

(Image credit: Theragun)

When it comes to sports recovery is really important and this is where the Theragun Mini comes in. In any sport, this would be welcome but with golf being such a flexibility-based game it really does help. The Theragun will help to loosen muscles and dissipate lactic acid build-up, which can help to reduce cramping and stop DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness). 

The Theragun Mini is a great tool as it is so portable it can fit in your golf bag and can be used pre and post-round to help ease any aches for your round and make sure sports don’t bleed into everyday life and impact that. You can charge it up to be used anywhere and has 150 minutes of battery life with three-speed settings to make sure it hits the right spot.

How we test golf gadgets

At Golf Monthly we test a lot of products and golf gear because we feel that only by using a product for a good amount of time can you tell if it is a good product.  By doing that we can gain an understanding of usability, versatility, durability, value for money, and the important one, does it actually work how the brand claims it does. We use the products at home, on the course, the range, the putting green, etc. so we can really see if they do the job properly. 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

Golfers love gadgets and having the right gadgets in your bag can really help you improve as a player and analyse your round. But when it comes to the best golf gadgets in the game, there is plenty to think about with the best gadgets coming with a ton of bells and whistles – and that can make it hard to figure out which is the right product for you. So We’ve set out a few key considerations you’re going to want to think about when buying your next piece of kit. 

1. 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.

2. Usability

Do you want the gadget to be simple to use, with only a few features, or do you want a device with a lot of different features and wide usability? We have selected models above that cover both extremes and everything in between.

3. 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. 

4. 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. 

5. 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 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, best golf watches for ladies, or best value golf watches.

FAQs

Should I invest in good golf gadgets?

Yes. Depending on your game, a good golf gadget can really help you improve and drop your scores. Whether that’s using a rangefinder or a fitness tool, there are plenty of cool pieces of kit out there that can help you play better.

How accurate are laser rangefinders?

Accuracy will be dependent on the model as some are better than others but we have found from our testing that most are accurate enough to give you a clearer yardage, which will then inform which club to use. 

Are golf laser rangefinders worth it?

We think laser rangefinders are definitely worth it. They save a lot of time, last a long time, are convenient and simple to use, offer in-depth detail of the shot you face, and can sit easily on your golf bag. With a laser no longer do you have to find a sprinkler, or guess yardages because you can simply zap the flag or hazards to help you plot your way around the course.