The best golf tech in 2025 falls into 3 categories: rangefinders and GPS, launch monitors, and smart accessories. Here's what's worth buying and what's not.
Rangefinders and GPS
Laser rangefinders
Point at the flag, get exact yardage. Accuracy within 1 yard. The best option for yardage on the course.
| Model | Price | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Bushnell Tour V6 Shift | $350-400 | Slope compensation (adjusts yardage for elevation) |
| Precision Pro NX10 | $250-300 | Magnetic mount for cart, good value |
| Callaway 300 Pro | $200-250 | Budget-friendly with slope |
Slope-adjusting rangefinders give you a "plays like" yardage that accounts for uphill or downhill shots. Legal for casual play. Not legal in most tournaments (you must disable slope mode).
GPS watches
Show front/center/back of green distances without aiming at anything. Faster than a rangefinder but less precise (within 3-5 yards).
| Model | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Approach S70 | $500-600 | Best overall GPS watch, full-color maps |
| Garmin Approach S12 | $150-200 | Budget GPS, simple and effective |
| Apple Watch with Arccos | Watch + $200/yr | If you already wear an Apple Watch |
Launch monitors
Launch monitors measure club speed, ball speed, spin rate, launch angle, and carry distance. They're the fastest way to understand your game.
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| Model | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Approach R10 | $500-600 | Best value for home practice |
| Rapsodo MLM2 Pro | $400-500 | Good outdoor accuracy, camera-based |
| FlightScope Mevo+ | $1,800-2,000 | Near-pro accuracy, indoor/outdoor |
| Trackman 4 | $20,000+ | Tour-level, used by every PGA fitter |
For most amateurs, the Garmin R10 gives you 90% of the data you need at 3% of the Trackman price.
Smart accessories
Arccos smart sensors
Sensors that attach to each club grip and track every shot via GPS. After 5 rounds, the system knows your average distances, shot patterns, and weak points. Subscription: $200/year. The data is genuinely useful for understanding where you lose strokes.
Bluetooth speakers
Magnetic speakers that clip to the cart. JBL Clip 4 ($60-80) and Bushnell Wingman View ($150) are the most popular on courses. Keep volume low enough that other groups can't hear you.
Putting mirrors
Not tech exactly, but the PuttOUT mirror ($30-40) is one of the best practice aids available. Align your eyes, shoulders, and putter face in one view. 10 minutes per day improves your putting more than any GPS will.
What's not worth buying
- Swing analyzers that clip to the shaft: data is often inaccurate and hard to interpret without a coach. Spend the money on a lesson instead.
- $500+ GPS watches for high handicappers: knowing you're 147 yards out doesn't help if your 7-iron goes anywhere from 120 to 160. Work on consistency first.
- AI coaching apps: most give generic advice. A 30-minute lesson with a pro is worth 6 months of app tips.
For more gear guides, see our golf ball guide and beginner's gear recommendations.
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