Author: Sean Ogle

Over the last decade we’ve seen a number of completely new categories pop up for golf products. Game tracking systems like Arccos or Shotscope… Golf GPS Speakers like the Wingman View or Blue Tees Player… But one of the most unique new categories is also one that has the potential to have the greatest impact on how you experience golf. What is it? The remote caddie. You could also call it an electric push cart, follow cart, or any number of other terms, but essentially these are remote-controlled push carts that allow you to essentially walk the course hands-free (ish).…

Updated in October 2023 to make comparisons to other products and add long term wear notes. I’ve learned over the years that golf pants are a very personal thing. We’re seeing more variety than ever in the market, and finding a pair that works for your style, preferences, and body type can be more challenging than you might expect. Recently I tried on a pair of modern golf pants from a popular brand and my wife said “those look pants a figure skater would wear.” Probably not wearing those again. Others can be too baggy, too tight, too…pleated? Ok, I…

I review a lot of different products here at Breaking Eighty. And part of that job is often reviewing product categories that aren’t necessarily what I’d personally use on a day-to-day basis. A great example? The cart bag. I’m someone who almost always walks, either carrying my clubs or using a push cart. There are always exceptions when playing resort courses or the occasional emergency 9, but I certainly don’t play enough to warrant buying a dedicated cart bag. But after using the Vessel Lux XV 2.0? It’s making me wish I were a “cart guy.” If you’ve read any of my…

For many people, the thought of buying your first set of clubs is super daunting. All the brands pretty much look the same… All the price tags are weirdly high… And something just doesn’t feel right about picking up a box set of clubs from Costco that may or may not actually be any good. Trying to find the best golf clubs for beginners used to be really difficult, but these days, it’s gotten much easier for me to make recommendations. Why? Because Stix Golf exists. 10 Reasons Why Stix Makes the Best Golf Clubs for Beginners In my opinion,…

Way back in 2019 the Bushnell Pro XE was released, and it quickly became my most recommended rangefinder. It’s sturdy, accurate, and fast – everything you could want in a golf rangefinder. But over the last couple of years, a handful of startups like Precision Pro, Blue Tees, and Nikon have been making strides. Ok, Nikon isn’t exactly a startup, but their rangefinders are getting much better. My point is, other companies are consistently improving their products, and charging much less than the industry incumbent Bushnell. Despite this, there haven’t been many products that have challenged Bushnell’s dominance. At least…

There have been a lot of people waiting for the release of the Shotscope X5 GPS watch and shot sensors – and it’s finally here. Shot Scope has positioned itself as one of the leaders when it comes to swing tracking in golf. Their extremely popular V3 system represented one of the best values on the market for people who wanted to start tracking their rounds. It was very affordable, came with a GPS watch, and there were no subscription fees – which proved to be a great combination. However the GPS watch was pretty barebones, and the app itself…

Over the past year, I’ve now reviewed a number of Payntr golf shoes. I’m not sure there’s a new brand that has impressed me so much in the early stages of their business. While Payntr has been around for a while, primarily making cricket shoes, they’ve been in the golf world for less than 5 years. Usually, it takes at least that long for a new company to find their stride. This is especially true when it comes to something as finicky as footwear. Design, materials, fit – so much goes into it. Anyone can make a polo shirt these…

Let’s get this out of the way: If you’re choosing between the FlightScope Mevo+ and the SkyTrak+, you literally cannot make a bad decision. There are no wrong choices when considering the two products that are definitely among the best golf launch monitors in the $2-3k price range. But just because there’s no wrong choice, doesn’t mean there isn’t a best choice. And that’s where things get personal. Because for as awesome as these two products are — and they are — one of them is at least fractionally better than the other for you personally. So, how do you…

If you told me a year ago that I’d ditch my Apple Watch Ultra for a different smartwatch? I’d have said there is absolutely, positively, no way that will happen. I’m deeply engrained in the Apple eco-system, and the idea that another smartwatch could offer enough value over the Apple Watch to get me to switch? It honestly, seemed downright impossible. Fast forward to May of this year. I ventured out to Missouri to meet the Garmin team to get a firsthand look at their new Approach S70 golf watch. Its golf features were a notable improvement to the previous GPS…

I get asked all the time what my favorite cheap rangefinder is. Cheap is a relative term. In the golf rangefinder world, I consider $200 cheap. And there are a number of products I recommend around that price, like the TecTecTec KLYR and Callaway 300 Pro. But generally speaking, once you get much cheaper than that? Quality goes down with it. Usually to the point where I just can’t in food faith recommend the product. And this is what’s so interesting about the Shot Scope Pro L2 rangefinder. It’s the first rangefinder under $150 that I can give a recommendation for. To…