I've been a gadget guy during my 30 years of golf. (The best: the now-discontinued Suunto G6 watch.) But I've been slow to adopt a launch monitor...until now. I saw one (not the SC300i--the SC200) on the range, asked the guy a few questions, then took the plunge. I decided on the latest technology, so I went with the 300i. I also got the bundle; more on that, too.
I wanted something easy to use. Boy, is this easy! Power it up, use the remote to set the club you're using, adjust loft angle--if your lofts aren't the same as the device's default lofts--and go! The device captures almost every shot with almost every club, but misses a lot with the driver. Keep the device about 5 feet behind the ball and, if you're on a mat, keep it mat-level. (Setting it on the case is the second-best reason for getting the case.)
Change clubs by selecting the desired club using the remote. It's quick and easy. The display is huge and easy to see, providing valuable information like distance, smash factor, apex, launch angle, swing speed, etc. You can set it for either carry or total distance (and toggle between them to see each figure for any individual shot or between shots). Finally, you can set it for practice--where I leave it--or for target. (Target gauges your distance accuracy vis-a-vis your desired distance.)
The device also has an iPhone app with additional features, but unlike a lot of launch monitors, you don't have to incorporate the iPhone to use the device. It is stand-alone. I like this a lot because I was able to get going quickly without a lot of hassle setting up. Now that I'm thoroughly into the device--which happened very, very quickly--I can turn my attention to the app and see what it has to offer.
A note on range balls. I was coming up short--about a club--on everything. I suspected it was the quality of range balls, so I set about confirming it. One way was to note the differences between the two types of range balls at the range I was using--the white balls went about a half-club farther than the yellow ones. But what really did the trick was I bought some used balls--real golf balls, not range rocks) and my distances perked right up to where I would have expected them to be. Now, hitting your own golf balls on a range can get expensive, so I don't do it a lot. But it helped me calibrate the distances and to have more confidence in the device.
The results? I'm much more consistent with my distances than before, and I'm maxing out my swing--because the device won't let me get away with being lazy. I said before that the Suunto G6 golf watch was the best training device I've ever had. I guess that remains true, but the Swing Caddy SC300i is taking my game to a new level--one I don't think I would have found on my own.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 11.06 x 10.51 x 5.51 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.04 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 1 x 6.5 x 4.5 inches |
| Brand Name | PlayBetter |
| Color | +Gift Box Bundle |
| Manufacturer | Voice Caddie |
| Style | SC300i |
| Size | SC300i |
| Sport Type | Golf |
