Best Golf Swing Analyzers: A Full Review of Our Favorites
Updated March 2023 to add a comparison video between Arccos Caddie, Garmin CT10, and ShotScope V3.
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.
Here’s some of the data that Arccos golf gives you when using their sensors.
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 Caddie.
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.
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
Ever wanted Tour left analytics on your game from every round you play? With Arccos Caddie, it's possible. This is one of our absolute favorite golf products. Use code "BE15" for 15% off (Final price $170).
Best Value Swing Sensors: Shot Scope V3
Shot Scope is another on-course set of sensors, that’s very similar to Arccos.
Over the years they’ve continued to improve their product offerings, and their latest V3 sensors are their best yet.
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.
First, it’s less expensive to buy, and there’s no subscription fee. So it becomes considerably cheaper 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 Shot Scope. 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+
- Our Review: Forthcoming
- Where to Buy: Buy from Shot Scope. Buy from Amazon.
- Coupon: Use code “BREAKINGEIGHTY” to save 15%
Don't own an Apple Watch but want a GPS watch that provides shot-by-shot statistics and analytics? Then Shot Scope V3 is the best option on the market. Use "BREAKINGEIGHTY" for 15% off at shotscope.com
Most Complete 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 or fantastic S62.
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 S62 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.
Are you in the Garmin ecosystem and want shot tracking for all your rounds? These are the sensors for you.
Best Swing Analyzer: Blast Motion
Blast Motion Sensor on a 7 iron
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.
Blast Motion is one of the best ways to track the intricacies of your golf swing. It works especially well for getting your putting stroke on plane, and is a fantastic way to practice on the range, on the putting green, or even better, at home.
Zepp Labs Smart Coach
An alternative to Blast Motion is the Zepp Labs Golf Swing Coach.
The major difference between Zepp and Blast is that instead of connecting to a club, Zepp attaches to your golf glove.
It will show your swing in 3d within their app, and you can also use it while on the course, since it’ll be on your glove for every shot you hit.
Personally, I get more value out of it when using it on the range. I’m usually not trying to make swing changes while I’m on the course. But the amount of data it gives you is very impressive, and they’ve improved the product a lot over the years.
The Smart Coach feature takes your data and actually tells you specifically how to improve your swing, which is super useful.
- Our Review: Zepp Golf Review. This was our review of the original Zepp 1 product. We have yet to publish a review of the newer Zepp 2 product.
- Where to Buy: Buy on Amazon.
Another great option for a golf swing analyzer to help you on the range. Specifically this will help you improve your swing path and make your swing more effiecient.
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 Zepp or the Blast Motion.
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!
This page contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and buy one of the products on this page, I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you!) This doesn’t affect our opinions or our reviews. Everything we do is to benefit you as the reader, so all of our reviews are as honest and unbiased as possible.
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