Updated March 25, 2022. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
The Rundown:
Best For Most Golfers: Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors
“The Arccos is an ingenious method of bringing Big Data to the average golfer. With 14 trackers that screw into your club and report data, this is the closest you’ll get to a complete course management coach. We recommend it for most golfers.”
Best For Low Handicappers: Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor
“The Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor is a dynamic multi-faceted golf swing analyzer that can provide your swing data measurements with high accuracy. It can even use your phone’s GPS to track and locate distance and arc of all shots.”
Best Portable Golf Swing Analyzer: Voice Caddie SC200
“The SC200 provides accurate and reliable swing data, in a compact format about the size of a smartphone. With the included remote control allowing you to pick the club to track, this is a great little device to get accurate stats.“
One of the biggest advances in the last five years in golf technology has been in the realm of golf swing analysis and shot-tracking.
The TrackMan is a mainstay on PGA Tour driving ranges these days, but at the price of a family car, they’re out of reach for the average weekend golfer.
This being said, several companies are looking to bring these technologies within reach of the average golfer.
I’ve taken a look at a number of them, and this article is here to tell you which products are the best golf swing analyzers.
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Last updated on 2022-05-25. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
Best Golf Swing Analyzers
- Best for Most Golfers: Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors
- Best for Low Handicappers: Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor
- Best Portable: Voice Caddie SC200
- Best Luxury: FlightScope Mevo
- Best for Improving Your Putting: Blast Motion Golf Swing Analyzer
- Best Pocket-Sized: PRGR Pocket Launch Monitor
- Best Swing Speed Measurement: Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar with Tempo Timer
- Best for recording your swing: SelfieGolf Record Golf Swing
- Best for Families: Phigolf Mobile and Home Golf Simulator
Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors
Best Overall Golf Swing Analyzer: Thorough, highly useful hands-off stat tracking
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PROS
- Very detailed shot-by-shot analysis of every round played
- App is intuitive and very helpful
- Provides tour-quality data
CONS
- Doesn’t work if you use a counter-weighted putter
The Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors is an ingenious method of bringing Big Data to the average golfer.
It relies on 14 tiny trackers that screw into the end of each club and report data via bluetooth to your phone, which records the shots via a GPS overview of the course you’re playing.
This device is the closest thing you’ll get to a complete course management coach.
As one of the best golf swing analyzers today, you can pair the Arccos 360 system with Mark Broadie’s excellent book “Every Shot Counts” and you’ll immediately see ways to play smarter golf and make better scores.
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The new era of stats has overtaken the golf world. Gone are the less-than-useful stats of total putts per round and greens in regulation.
If you hit 18 greens but you’re 100 feet from the hole every time, your round may look good on paper but you actually need to work on your iron play!
Strokes-gained has taken over the PGA tour statistics, and it shows much more accurately who’s playing well and in what segment of the game they’re doing better than their competitors.
But these stats rely on having an army of volunteers on the course reporting each shot played by every player.
The Arccos 360 Tracking System is an ingenious method of bringing this type of data to the average golfer.
When you’ve got all the sensors screwed into your grips, open up the app and pair each one, one by one.
Then when you get to the golf course, it’ll figure out what course you’re on, download the map, and you start your round.
You do have to carry your phone in your pocket throughout the round so it can record when you hit your shot, which might be off-putting for some people. However, the sensors are tuned to detect whether you’re taking a practice swing or hitting a shot and won’t record two strokes from the same spot if you take a mulligan.
If you whiff or notice that it didn’t record a shot, you’ll need to add that shot on later, which is fairly easy to do. This is most common when tapping in a short putt or if a putt was conceded to you.
One major drawback is if you use a putter with a counterweight, there’s no way to screw the sensor into the putter grip. Without a putter sensor, the app never knows that you’ve finished a hole and moved on to the next one. It’s a headache trying to add the putts at the end of each hole.
If you’re using a counter-weighted putter, I’d skip the Arccos system entirely until they come up with a solution to this issue.
But if you’re using a regular putter, this is the closest thing you’ll get to a complete course management coach.
One note: the durability score is low because the batteries on the trackers die after 1-2 years and cannot be replaced!
They do offer a steep discount on replacement trackers but it’s disappointing that there aren’t replaceable batteries. Arccos’ customer service is excellent, though.
Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor
Best Golf Swing Analyzer for Low Handicappers
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PROS
- Uses phone’s GPS to track and locate distance and arc of all shots
- Small sensor attaches easily to your smartphone to measure data
- Can be used indoors or outdoors with iPhone and iPad
- Setup in less than 30 seconds for instant feedback
CONS
- Must have a high enough ceiling to take golf swings indoors
- You’ll need a net or impact protection screen and a hitting mat, sold separately
- Data is a little inconsistent
Great for indoor practice facilities or your favorite driving range, the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor is one of the dynamic multi-faceted golf swing analyzers that measure your swing data with startling accuracy.
The launch monitor boasts a lightning-quick setup in less than 30 seconds. The feedback after a shot is also instantaneous as the real-time video feedback on the screen of the iPhone or iPad shows a shot tracer that tracks the arc and distance of your swing. The data also shows up on the screen for a quick glance at where your distance, swing speed, and launch angle currently stands.
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We mentioned the accuracy earlier and Rapsodo claims their launch monitor is accurate within 2.5% of the much higher-priced Trackman unit and a mere fraction of the cost. We were very pleased with the results shown by the launch monitor during our time with the product. All of the data is relevant and the app collects the numbers in their history for a full accounting of how the swing is progressing over time.
One of the biggest challenges early when using the Rapsodo Launch Monitor is making sure that you have the unit set up correctly on top of the sensor with the proper distance away from the swing itself. The monitor needs six feet of distance behind the swing to gather a proper reading, an important note to make when first setting up the device.
As we hinted at before in our review, the launch monitor works indoors with hitting nets and we did not notice a difference in the data of our swings from outdoor to inside a building.
The Rapsodo Launch Monitor is an exquisite piece of golf training equipment, well worth the cost when you consider the improvement that your game can make with the data it shares and stores on the device. It’s definitely one of the must-have golf swing analyzers on the market today!
Voice Caddie SC200
Best Portable Golf Swing Analyzer: Compact and accurate launch monitor for better range sessions
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PROS
- Provides accurate, reliable swing data
- Very compact and portable
- Quick setup
CONS
- Tends to freeze up after a few shots
- Will register practice swings, which messes up data
- Doesn’t register launch angle or roll-out
The Voice Caddie Golf SC200 is a highly compact, highly useful portable launch monitor at an excellent price.
It’s about the size of a smartphone and comes with a great little cradle that makes it easy to set up on the driving range.
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Once you’ve got the SC200 in place, you’ll use the included remote control to choose which club you’re hitting so it can predict the launch angle and give you more accurate numbers.
The remote control is easy to use but I had to push the buttons really hard to register. Also, I question the durability of what feels like a fairly flimsy remote control, so make sure you’re storing it safely and handling it gently.
The SC200 measures carry distance, swing speed, ball speed, smash factor (a fun metric that indicates how well-hit the ball is — hit the sweet spot perfectly for max smash), and that’s it. So the data is useful, but it’s limited in scope.
I’d rate this higher if it estimated roll-out based on spin rates and provided launch angles. Nevertheless, it’s a notable omission, seeing how we’re in the “launch angle revolution” where distances are being maxed out by perfecting the launch angle for each golfer’s swing.
And if you’re hitting a driver, while it’s useful to know your carry distance, you may be losing overall yardage if you max out carry distance without thought to roll-out.
It also required a reset more often than I’d like, as it seems like maybe the RAM or cache gets full and it starts to freeze up. And you have to be careful with practice swings, as it’ll register those.
If you’re looking for overall number trends, you don’t want your practice swings factored in.
Overall, though, this is an incredible little launch monitor for the price. After a few range sessions, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without a little robot calling out your carry distances after every shot.
FlightScope Personal Launch Monitor
Best Luxury Golf Swing Analyzer
PROS
- Tour-level launch monitor for a fraction of the price
- Accurately measures a host of important swing data points
- Outstanding app that helps record video for real-time analysis
- Ability to track improvements through data collection over time
CONS
- Expensive price point for casual golfers
- Needs frequent recalibration to ensure accurate readings
The FlightScope Mevo, our choice for the best luxury swing analyzer, delivers premium performance for a fraction of what you could spend on a TrackMan monitor.
A launch monitor can bring data and science into building an improvement plan for serious golfers, ready to take their game to the next level. The Mevo remains one of the most dependable and accessible on the market today.
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Measuring just over five inches in length, the FlightScope is small. And after you unbox it, you may wonder if “this is it?” But we can assure you that this particular launch monitor packs quite the punch, recording several important data points such as swing speed and launch angle.
FlightScope’s handy app works seamlessly with the monitor to help record your swing. As time progresses, the app saves your workouts so you can follow your progression. One of the biggest reasons we recommend this monitor is the ability to follow your swing as it develops alongside having all that data to craft the workouts you need to maximize speed and distance.
If there is one negative we noticed during our time with the FlightScope is that the monitor can lose its bearings at times, causing the reading to be sporadic and slightly off our regular distances and speed. Now that does not happen frequently, and while we wholeheartedly recommend the FlightScope for several positive reasons, the device did go astray a few times. However, with a simple reset, we found the monitor was back on its game, functioning properly.
A dynamic launch monitor that doubles as a premium swing analyzer, the FlightScope Mevo Portable Launch Monitor helps maximize your potential.
Blast Motion Golf Swing Analyzer
Golf Swing Analyzer to Improve Putting: Decent golf swing analyzer shines with putting analysis
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PROS
- The best putting golf swing analyzer we tried
- Works with counterweight putters
- Option to sync with smartphone to take swing videos
CONS
- Not as accurate with full swings
- Requires tripod or another person to record video
- System only includes one sensor, not intended for shot tracking
Blast Motion Golf Swing Analyzer is similar to the Arccos and Game Golf systems, but it’s designed for use during practice rather than during a round.
It analyzes your swings at the driving range and putts on the putting green and provides drills to help you improve tempo and consistency.
So while the technology is similar, the focus is different: it’s more focused on swing analysis than shot tracking and course management.
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While the full-swing analysis is only somewhat helpful, this thing really shines in its putting analysis.
If putting is the weakest part of your game, the Blast Golf Swing Trainer is worth taking a good long look at.
You may have noticed that the two previous best golf swing analyzers reviewed both screw into the small hole at the end of the grip.
This one wraps over the edge of the grip, making it usable with counter-weighted putters and oversized putting grips as well.
The app is a little buggy, but if you can get it synced up, it’s a well-designed app that records important data like tempo and clubface rotation.
Clubface rotation is a major influence on whether a putt will be made, but it’s often overlooked because it’s hard to measure and hard to see with the naked eye.
With the Blast Golf Swing Trainer, you’ll get detailed information about your putting stroke as well as drills to help improve your weak points.
It’s as good as a putting lesson, with the added benefit of being able to track your progress over time.
If you add in a small tripod or have a friend come along to video you (or buy a SelfieGolf clip, reviewed below), you can record your strokes in the Blast app. Having the video helps you visualize a perfect stroke and gets you closer to making more putts.
The full swing analysis is good but not great. It’s clear that Blast has focused in on putting improvement, and in that department they’ve nailed it.
PRGR Pocket Launch Monitor
Best Pocket-Sized Golf Swing Analyzer
PROS
- Pocket-sized launch monitor provides accurate readings in indoor and outdoor settings
- Highly affordable option for amateur golfers on a budget
- Quick, easy setup with clear display for immediate readings
CONS
- Swing speed stats were off by as much as 20%
- More style than substance
The PRGR Pocket Launch Monitor ushers in a new era of technology for the amateur golfer. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a swing analyzer, PRGR has boiled their latest creation down to the essentials, providing golfers with several key data points that can help them improve their game in dramatic ways.
The handheld device easily fits into your golf bag and offers a clean, quick setup with minimal fuss. The PRGR sets on the ground a few feet behind the golfer using doppler radar technology. Then, with each swing, the monitor quickly responds, utilizing its clear display to provide a reading to the golfer.
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As with all launch monitors, golfers are curious about the PRGR’s accuracy, especially at the lower price. However, after testing the device with a few hundred swings, we noted that the PRGR was highly accurate to our previous readings on more sensitive monitors.
While we were pleasantly surprised at the accuracy of this device, don’t expect the measurements you would receive from a TrackMan. The charm with the PRGR monitor remains its low price and relatively close yardage and speed readings.
If you like as much swing data as you can collect, then you’ll probably be disappointed by the PRGR monitor. Golfers only receive five data points, including clubhead speed, ball speed, smash factor, carry distance, and total distance. And while that might seem slight, for younger or infrequent golfers, these main statistical areas can provide a solid baseline for improvement.
The device needs 4 AAA batteries for power, so you will need to carry extra batteries to the range to ensure you don’t lose service during your workout.
Offering a high-quality launch monitor at a very reasonable price, the PRGR Pocket Launch Monitor provides a very nice service for data-hungry golfers looking to increase their distance.
Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar with Tempo Timer
Best Swing Analyzer for Speed Measurement: Simple and effective tool to measure progress
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PROS
- Accurate swing speed measurements
- Tempo timer senses start and finish of swing
- Can be used with or without golf balls
CONS
- Limited capabilities
- No advanced metrics available
The Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar with Tempo Timer is a very simple device that serves one purpose and serves it well: it tells you your swing speed.
OK, there’s one other feature — a tempo timer — but I found that to only be marginally useful. If you’re using a speed-increasing product like the SuperSpeed Golf training system, it can be helpful and encouraging to know that the time you’re putting in produces results.
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The Sports Sensors radar system will provide that feedback with a highly accurate swing speed measurement. My biggest worry is that you’ll focus only on overall swing speed and start swinging out of your shoes to try to max that number out.
Sure, any golfer would love to swing the club a bit faster to eke out more yards from every shot. But I believe the best way to produce more distance is to figure out how to use the swing you have to hit the ball on the sweet spot more consistently.
Unless you’re actively training to increase your strength, agility and speed, having a swing speed monitor will take your focus off of making solid contact and will encourage you to just swing as hard as you can.
Be careful with a device like this, or it could start to wreak havoc on your golf swing. But it’s a reliable, accurate device that can be helpful in the proper circumstances.
SelfieGolf Record Golf Swing
A fancy clip to help you record video of your swing
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PROS
- Small gadget so you don’t have to worry about a tripod
- Attaches easily to bag, golf club, or alignment stick
CONS
- It’s basically just a clip to hold your phone in place
The SelfieGolf Record Golf Swing might not really belong in this article as it’s not actually a golf swing analyzer. It’s basically a clip that easily attaches to your golf bag, shaft, or (preferably) an alignment stick.
Clip it in place, put your phone in and press record and voila — you’re recording your golf swing. That’s it.
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So is it useful? Actually, yes. It’s much smaller and easier to use than a tripod. It’s secure and allows you to position the camera in any position you like.
It saves you from having to bug someone to hold your camera for you, and it’s easier than trying to balance it on a headcover or something.
If you’ve got a friend who loves analyzing their swing on video, this might make an excellent gift as it really is a nice, small substitute for having to haul out and set up a bulky tripod.
Surprisingly, many tour players use the SelfieGolf clip because it doesn’t take up much space but does its job rather well.
Phigolf Mobile and Home Golf Simulator
Best Golf Swing Analyzer for Families
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PROS
- 3-in-1 simulator provides modes for play, practice, and swing analysis
- Play iconic golf courses from around the world
- Engaging gameplay makes simulator great for families
CONS
- Doesn’t replicate the feel of a golf club with a joystick
- Swing stick sometimes fails to offer accurate replication of yardage
The Phigolf Mobile and Home Golf Simulator carries three modes; multiplayer, 3D Swing Analysis, and online play. The multiplayer mode is great for playing with family and friends, while the 3D Swing Analysis helps refine your game. Even if you are stuck at home alone, you can still compete against other individuals from around the world.
Also included in the software is a couple dozen of the best golf courses globally. You can play iconic layouts such as St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, and Pinehurst. Each course offers realistic replication, helping you get better while increasing your enjoyment of the great game.
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When evaluating the gameplay, you will find that the Phigolf offers a quick response from your swing to the results on screen. While lag can certainly be frustrating when playing any video game, the Phigolf does a solid job of keeping your experience moving along with instant results that you can see.
Easily, the best feature of the Phigolf simulator is the ease of use for families. This simulator remains one of the best models for golfers that want to introduce their family and friends to golf. The engaging gameplay, exceptional graphics, and bevy of fun and recognizable courses to play make this simulator package an absolute steal at this price.
The online section provided by the simulator’s software is another benefit. Not only can you go head-to-head, but you can join tournaments and skill challenges. With high-speed internet, the experience is crisp and a whole lot of fun for the weekend warrior.
The Phigolf Smart Simulator offers golfers an excellent home simulator experience, perfect for families, at a very reasonable price.
What to Consider When Buying the Best Golf Swing Analyzers
When buying the best golf swing analyzers, here are a few things to consider:
Usefulness
Is this a product you’ll find yourself using over and over again through the year, or is this something that’ll wind up gathering dust in the basement?
I have friends who buy every late-night advertised gadget they see, try it once, and discard it on the pile of failed devices. Especially since many of these new high-tech gadgets are getting quite expensive, you want to purchase something that you’ll use. Aside from a golf swing analyzer, I’d also recommend getting a GPS speaker to help you.
Bang for the Buck
Is this a good deal? Even if it works, can a lower-priced item get similar results? If you’re a golfer on a budget (and who isn’t these days?), you want to get the most out of every dollar you spend.
Technology
How advanced is this product? Is it cutting-edge technology or tired tech that’s outlived its usefulness? You want to be sure you’re getting the latest and greatest tech to make sure you’re on the cutting edge.
Durability
Will this last through the season? Can I use it all winter and still expect it to work when next season rolls around? A lot of these items have delicate technology crammed into small packages. If you use it before (or during) the round, then stow it in your bag until the next round. Is it going to fire back up the next time you pull it out?
Ease of Use
Is there a steep learning curve to use this item? Will you have to spend hour upon hour just learning how to turn the damn thing on? Sure, we all want to improve, but we have a limited amount of time. If you get frustrated just trying to get the thing to work, you’re probably not going to have much use for it.
Expert Advice
If you are struggling to find a golf coach that you are compatible with, a golf swing analyzer can fill the void. Yes, you may need to learn some basic fundamental approaches to the golf swing and, more importantly, how your body works while swinging, but the time spent will be rewarded with lower scores.
Modern golf swing analyzers perform beautifully with intuitive interfaces, so you never should be afraid of the technology becoming too overwhelming. Instead, these top-tier analyzers feature user-friendly approaches to helping you gather the data you need to improve your swing.
If you are a serious golfer, you should definitely check out the more advanced swing analyzers, similar to what the professionals use to create their staggering swing speed and accuracy. For more casual golfers, an at-home system that uses joysticks rather than clubs can boost your enjoyment level while teaching you more about the game.
Questions & Answers
How can golf swing analyzers help?
There are several types of golf swing analyzers available: launch monitors, ShotLink-style information providers, and camera mounts designed to get the best video of your swing.
Launch monitors help by giving you numerical information about the ball flight. You’ll see these golf swing analyzers lined up along the driving range at PGA Tour events as the pros analyze every bit of RPM and launch angle that the launch monitor provides.
Launch monitors can help you get fitted properly and to dial in the right settings on your adjustable clubs. In addition, they provide insight into what your clubhead and clubface are doing at impact once you learn how to analyze the numbers.
The ShotLink-style systems that provide information like PGA Tour’s ShotLink will help you in the realm of course management. They’ll provide feedback on which of your clubs produces the best results and where you’re giving shots away.
These golf swing analyzers are very useful for players who feel like they’re hitting the ball well but can’t quite figure out why their scores don’t reflect the quality of their play.
The classic golf swing analyzer is simple: a video camera. Today’s smartphones almost universally have excellent video cameras that allow you to take HD video of your swing and usually view it in slow motion. Even if you’re unable to determine where you need to improve, you can send your video to a pro or post it online for critique.
Several golf swing analyzers are available that make it easy to get great videos at the right angle with your smartphone. This can be a low-cost alternative to the more expensive launch monitors.
Do I really need a golf swing analyzer?
There’s no doubt that golf swing analyzers provide a great deal of feedback on your golf swing. However, you’ll need to do some research to determine what all the numbers mean!
If you have the time to learn how to interpret the numbers your launch monitor is returning, the launch monitor can be a great investment. However, if you’d rather have someone else look at the numbers and make recommendations, find a local pro with a TrackMan and take lessons from them.
I strongly believe that a shot-tracking system is well worth the time and investment. Course management is not necessarily intuitive and it’s very tough to teach. A lot of pros offer playing lessons, but since 9 holes usually takes at least 2 hours to play (and longer if you’re getting instruction before and after every shot), they can get quite expensive.
Tracking every shot and using an app to tell you where your strengths and weaknesses are can be very enlightening. You may think you’re a great iron player but find out that your long irons are above average, but your wedges need work. Or maybe you hit it a long way, but missing fairway after fairway is costing you strokes.
The information that shot-trackers provide can be used to immediately improve your scores without making any changes to your swing. For example, you’ll find out how far you actually hit each club instead of having to guess, and you’ll get a better idea of when to hit a risky shot and when to play it safe.
Are golf swing analyzers accurate?
In a word, yes, golf swing analyzers are very accurate. Golf swing analyzers are sophisticated pieces of equipment that utilize radar technology to take measurements of the motion that takes place in front of them.
Once powered, a golf swing analyzer accurately measures a variety of data categories such as ball speed, shot height, ball flight time, carry distance, clubhead speed, spin rate, and launch angle.
As the data compiles, golfers can view the readings on something as large as a computer or as small as a smartphone on the golf swing analyzer’s software.
Golfers can use the data collected by a golf swing analyzer for many purposes. From using the data to correct swing issues to properly fitting new clubs for maximum performance, golf swing analyzers provide convenient readings that assist golfers.
What is the difference between a launch monitor and a wearable analyzer?
Launch monitors are devices that measure various data points that can help assess issues with a golfer’s swing. From total distance to launch angle to swing speed, launch monitors see everything and provide incredibly accurate readings to a device such as a tablet.
Made for practice areas, launch monitors can also help professionals fit golfers for the right clubs based on their swings. These monitors are usually placed on the ground near the golfer to take readings at impact.
Wearable golf swing analyzers are different from launch monitors because they can be worn on clothing or even attached to clubs. In the form of a watch or smartphone apps, wearable golf swing analyzers in this style provide golfers with distance readings and other more general information about shots.
For more detailed information, golfers can attach sensors to their golf clubs and receive readings of club speed, launch angle from the clubface, and other data to a watch, smartphone, or tablet that you would typically see on a ground-level launch monitor.
Golf Tip! Pair your golf swing analyzer with the best golf gloves for sweaty hands for a great game!
Conclusion
Our choice for the best golf swing analyzer is the Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors due to its convenience and integration with your smartphone.
Incredibly easy to use, the Arccos sensors track your swing data automatically. Regardless of what club you use or the weather conditions on the course, the Arccos sensors take care of everything, allowing you to focus on your game and then break down the round with precise data afterward.
After 5 rounds, the artificial intelligence-aided software offers suggestions much like a caddie to help you improve your game.
With its advanced technology and very affordable price, the Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors is an easy choice for the best golf swing analyzer.