Best Golf Swing Analyzers: A Full Review of Our Favorites

Updated March 2024 to add new video comparing Arccos, Garmin, and Shot Scope. Also added HackMotion.

One of the most interesting tech developments in golf over the last few years is undoubtedly the golf swing analyzer.

The amount of data you can get about your swing, your clubs, your distances and more is pretty unbelievable.

There are now products that provide data that used to only be available to tour pros who had access to equipment that costs thousands of dollars.

But these days?

For a few hundred bucks you’re able to get world-class data on just about every aspect of your golf swing and golf game.

But which swing analyzer is right for you?

There are quite a few golf products out there, and each of them are a little bit different from one another.

Some include a GPS watch, while some you’ll need your phone to use.

Others are meant to track your performance on the course, while others are more geared towards practicing on the range or putting green.

And in this full review, we’re going to look at all of the best golf swing analyzers on the market, cover the pros and cons of each, and help you figure out which ones are right for you.

Sound good? Let’s do this.

Different Types of Golf Swing Analyzers

First off, let’s address the most important aspect of this whole thing: what is a golf swing analyzer?

Well, there’s not a super easy answer to this question – because the term “swing analyzer” can mean a couple different things.

Specifically, there are two types.

The first is for use on the golf course.

These swing sensors will track every shot you hit throughout your round using a combination of the sensor data and GPS data through an app.

These types of sensors will tell you exactly how far you hit each club, can help show you the strengths and weaknesses of your game, and provide statistics like GIRs, FIRs, strokes gained, and much more.

The second type of sensor is meant to be used for practice, either at home, on the range, or on a putting green.

This type of swing analyzer will actually track the movement of your golf swing, to help you cultivate the best swing possible.

It will show you things like speed, tempo, and attack angle. It will often then give recommendations for what you need to improve in order to have a more optimal swing.

Both of these types of golf swing analyzers can be incredibly valuable, and we’ll cover a few options for each of these styles within this post.

First, let’s look at our three favorite on-course swing analyzers.

Best Overall Swing Sensors: Arccos Caddie

There’s not a single golf product out there that I’ve used more than Arccos. 

I’ve played over 300 rounds with Arccos, and I’m incredibly impressed by how they continue to evolve the product.

Arccos tracks every shot you hit throughout a round, and then gives you every piece of data you could want based on that information.

The user-interface is great, and it’s my favorite of all the on-course swing sensors. 

You have your choice of sensors that screw into your clubs, or golf grips that have the sensors built in. Both are great, this is just personal preference. I prefer the grips.

You can also get the Link Pro if you want to play without the need for your phone.

The downside is that there’s an annual subscription fee that goes along with it, but for what you get? I think it’s absolutely worth it.

• Our Review: Arccos Caddie Review: One of Our Favorite Products in Golf
• Coupon: Use Code “BE15” for 15% off any Arccos products on their website.
• Where to Buy: Buy on the Arccos Website. Buy on Amazon

Best Value Swing Sensors: Shot Scope V5

Shot Scope is another on-course set of sensors, that’s very similar to Arccos.

Personally, I’ve found the user-interface, information, and experience to be better with Arccos – but Shot Scope has a few very big advantages over its main competitor.

The big one? There’s no subscription fee. So it is considerably cheaper to use over the long term.

Second, it comes with a GPS watch as well. With Arccos you either need their “Link” product, an Apple Watch, or you’ll need to have your phone in your front pocket. Not the case with the Shot Scope V5. The product works with the included watch, so you get the benefit of not needing your phone and you can get easy GPS yardages directly on your wrist.

Shot Scope has a few other products as well including the world’s only 3 in 1 rangefinder, GPS, shot tracking system, the Pro LX+

Last year Shot Scope released the X5, which is still the bigger brother to the V5 system. The main difference being it’s watch has a touch screen.

• Where to Buy: Buy from Shot Scope

Most Complete Shot Tracking Platform: Garmin CT10

When most people think of Garmin, they probably immediately think of car GPS units or fitness watches for endurance athletes.

But over the last few years, Garmin has built one of the very best golf tech platforms in the sport.

They have the Approach R10 launch monitor, which is by far the best launch monitor for under $1,000.

They have a slate of GPS units like the G12, and GPS watches like the S42, the fantastic S70 – and even their flagship watches like the Epix Gen 2 have golf features built in.

And now, they have their CT10 golf sensors which pair with one of these watches to create one of the most premium golf swing analyzers on the market.

The CT10 sensors essentially do the same thing as Arccos Caddie and Shot Scope sensors, in that they track every shot you hit.

You need a Garmin watch in order to use them, but doing so, elevates the experience in a big way. The only way to use Arccos sensors with a watch is if you have an Apple Watch, and the Shot Scope watch is pretty stripped down.

Using a Garmin S70 with CT10 sensors you not only get a ton of GPS data, but you’re getting swing tempo training, a virtual caddie, wind information and more.

If you want to invest in one eco-system for all of your practice both on the range and on the course? There’s a big argument to be made for investing in Garmin.

• Our Review: 8.8. Garmin CT10 Sensors Review.
• Where to Buy: Buy from Amazon. 

Best All-in-One Shot Tracking System: Shot Scope X5

Looking for a shot tracking system and a GPS watch all included in one system? Then the successor to the budget V3, the Shot Scope X5 may be exactly what you need.

It’s a much higher quality watch than the outgoing model, and the V2 sensors do a good job of picking up all of your swings on the course.

It’s shot tracking isn’t quite at the same level as Arccos, and its GPS watch isn’t quite as feature-heavy as similarly priced options from Garmin and Bushnell.

But if you’re looking for an all-in-one system with robust data and no subscription? The Shot Scope X5 may be the one to get.

• Our Review: Shot Scope X5 Review: Their Best Shot Tracker Yet?
• Score: 7.4
• Discount: Save 15% with Shot Scope code “BREAKINGEIGHTY”
• Where to Buy: Buy from Shot Scope here.

Best Overall Swing Analyzer: DeWiz Golf

If you’re trying to use technology to make significant changes in your swing, I’m not sure thre’s a better consumer-level product out there than deWiz golf.

A good launch monitor is great for giving you the results of your shots, but if you don’t necessarily know why you’re hitting the way you are, or how to make changes? You’ll never make progress.

This is where DeWiz shines. 

It even takes things a step further and will use tactile feedback when your swing falls outside of set parameters. So if you’re working to stop coming over the top? You’ll get shocked if you continue to do so. Literally.

The app is user-friendly, and the animations of your swing are spot on. It’s not as affordable as the Blast Motion we mention below, but if you’re serious about finally upgrading your swing, this may be the device for you.

• Our Review: deWiz Golf Review: A Shockingly Good Golf Training Aid
• Score: 8.8
• Where to Buy: Buy from deWiz Golf
• Soiid Alternative: HackMotion Golf.

Best Budget Swing Analyzer: Blast Motion

Now let’s shift gears and look at a couple golf swing analyzers that will help you perfect your swing, and practice at home or on the range.

My favorite swing analyzer for practice is undoubtedly the Blast Motion device.

You attach the Blast Motion to the base of your club, similar to how you would with any of the sensors I mentioned above.

But instead of tracking distances and on-course metrics, the Blast sensor is tracking your golf swing itself.

Specifically, it’s looking at swing speed, tempo, attack angle, and more – to help you figure out how you can make your swing more efficient.

It has different metrics depending on if you’re putting, working on short game, or taking full swings. The best part is you can use it without having to actually hit a ball as well.

This means if you’re stuck at home during a long winter, you can still perfect your swing.

I’ve found Blast Motion to be particularly adept at helping with putting.

• Our Review: Blast Motion Review: A Ton of Tech in a Tiny Package
• Where to Buy: Buy on Amazon here.

Final Thoughts on the Best Golf Swing Analyzers

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after 10 years working in the golf industry, it’s that most of us don’t actually know that much about our golf games.

We think we hit it further than we do.

Often our biggest strengths are things we consider weaknesses (and vice versa).

It’s pretty remarkable how much information a swing analyzer can give us about our game.

If you’re someone who wants to improve but doesn’t have the chance to play full rounds all that often? Consider the DeWiz or HackMotion.

If you’re the opposite and you play all the time, but don’t like to grind away at home or on the range? I’d go fro the Arccos, Garmin, or Shot Scope.

There’s no wrong answer. All of the products included in this list are well-executed and totally capable of helping you improve your golf game.

The only thing left is for you to decide which is best for you!

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