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The SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro are the next generation of golf’s favorite speed training tool.  Adjustable weighting adds versatility.  Five levels of protocols keep training interesting and challenging.  A proven way to get faster and longer.

Introduction

Launched about a decade ago, the original SuperSpeed training system brought speed training to the golf masses.  Since then, SuperSpeed has birthed numerous imitators, but no other system is seen in the bags of as many Tour pros.

New for 2025 is the long awaited “sequel” – the SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro.  This new set of training tools is an grip-to-tip upgrade that includes added levels of versatility and portability.  I tested a set to see if you should consider making the switch.

Set Up & Ease of Use

The SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro don’t require any set up – pick them up and swing them fast.  Like the Force Board Pro [review HERE], the Speed Stick Pro don’t come with any written instruction – you need to find the training protocols in the SuperSpeed App.  The app is easy to use, and the Level 1 Protocols are included with your purchase.  You need the premium app subscription to get access to more advanced protocols (more details on this later).

There is a weight kit included with the Speed Sticks Pro.  I’ll discuss the function of this below, but I will note here that this system is very easy to use.  The wrench is included, and the weights screw in and out without hassle.  Changing the weights does take a minute because of the long threads, but that’s a safety feature – you wouldn’t want a 30 gram weight being flung from your training club at 100 MPH.

Effectiveness

At core, the SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro are not fundamentally different than the original training system [review HERE].  There are three training clubs of different weights, and you swing them according to the provided protocols to gain club head speed.  Thousands of golfers of every age, gender, and ability level can tell you that the system works.

With that out of the way, let’s talk about what makes the Speed Sticks Pro different.  Most importantly, they have what SuperSpeed calls the Inertia Matching System – adjustable weighting.  The set comes with ten total weight plugs – 20 grams (3), 30 grams (3), 40 grams (3), and 80 grams (1).  This allows you to personalize your training clubs based on the chart above or an assessment in the SuperSpeed app.

The other benefit of the Inertia Matching System is that it allows you to train with just one training club.  SuperSpeed refers to this as the “Integrated Travel Version.”  By using the blue club without a weight, with your standard weight, and with the 80 gram weight, you can simulate having all three training clubs.  This is a nice feature for those that want to have their SuperSpeed with them at all times or those trying to keep their luggage under the 50 pound limit.

The weighting is not the only change to the SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro.  They’ve made the “heads” more aerodynamic with a teardrop shape and three “air flow modulators” on the sides.  The new grips are larger and less tapered with alternating sections of texture.  I think the soft feel of these grips is great, and SuperSpeed claims that the larger grips will allow players to more effectively activate the muscles in their hands and forearms.  The grips can be replaced if you don’t like them or want something smaller.

The final change is the new shaft.  SuperSpeed training clubs have always had very stiff shafts, but the new versions are more thoughtfully tuned.  The Load Zone near the grip is very stiff to encourage an aggressive loading of the shaft.  Near the tip, there’s a softer Torque Zone which SuperSpeed says “promotes more optimal timing of club head release”.  I don’t know that this change will fix your release, but the new shaft makes the training club feel more like a normal club rather than a piece of rebar with a dumbbell on the end.

Longevity

In my original review, I stated that longevity was the one weakness of SuperSpeed.  The company has done a lot to shore that up with the SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro.  The SuperSpeed App has five levels of Overspeed training, so you get more variety in your workouts.  There are also notifications and badges which gamify the training and help you to stay on track.

With all that said, this is still a workout program.  You will see “beginner gains” very quickly, but then your growth will slow down.  SuperSpeed training also requires enough room to swing a driver at 100%.  I think that SuperSpeed Golf has built a tremendous system, but you need to be committed to it if you want it to work.

Value

The SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro retail for $199.  Please support Plugged In Golf and buy HERE.  Especially with the new additions, I think it’s a great buy for anyone looking to add club head speed and play better golf.

To get the most out of your SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro, you will need the SuperSpeed App.  The Premium membership is $10/month or $100/year.  This unlocks all five levels of the training protocols, the physical assessment, and much more.  Training with just Level One Protocols will work, but I think the added variety makes the Premium membership worthwhile.

Conclusion

SuperSpeed Golf took their time coming up with a sequel to their blockbuster training system, and I’m glad they did.  The SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro are an improvement on the original system in every way, but they maintain the core principles that have helped thousands of golfers get faster.  If you want to hit it longer with every club in your bag, start SuperSpeed training today.

Buy SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro HERE

The post SuperSpeed Speed Sticks Pro Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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The PutterCup putting trainer is a family of three putting cups designed to let you practice putting anywhere and increase the difficulty of your putting practice.  Very affordable and quite challenging.

Introduction

While there is no shortage of great putting trainers (check out my Top 5 HERE), most golfers practice putting by simply rolling a few balls on a practice green or a mat in their house.  Rather than trying to get golfers to use some type of device, PutterCups meets them where they are.  PutterCup’s trio of putting targets allows golfers to train their line and speed control to standards that are higher than those of the course so they can have a mental edge when they tee it up.

Set Up & Ease of Use

There is no set up required to use any of the PutterCup trainers, nor any instructions.  The To Go Cup simply gets tossed on the ground wherever you want to putt.  You can use it on an indoor mat, on carpeting, or on a real putting green.

The other two trainers – the Speed Bump and Center Cup – work in conjunction with the To Go Cup or with a real golf hole.  Insert the trainer into the cup (see below), and they created an added level of difficulty.

Effectiveness

The PutterCup family of trainers includes three different aids: the To Go Cup, Center Cup, and Speed Bump.  The To Go Cup is a putting hole that you can take anywhere.  What elevates it beyond a simple putting disc is the 360 degree ramp.  This has two major benefits.  First, it gives you the satisfaction of the ball “going in” on a successful putt.  I use putting discs fairly often, but they lack the positive feeling of a real hole.  The To Go Cup puts that satisfaction back into your putting practice.  Additionally, the ramp makes the putt tougher.  Your putt must have solid pace and a true line or else the ramp will deflect it away.

The Speed Bump was my favorite of the three trainers.  It takes the things I like about the To Go Cup’s 360 degree ramp and bumps them up a notch.  As someone who putts with dying speed, the Speed Bump forced me to make a more confident, affirmative stroke.  It’s also very taxing on your line – you can’t expect putts to fall in the side door.  Adding the Speed Bump to a regular hole adds a small amount of challenge, but stacking it with the To Go Cup was really demanding.

Finally, the Center Cup can be added to a regular cup or the To Go Cup to shrink the target.  Per PutterCup, the Center Cup makes the target 25% smaller than a regulation hole.  The company touts this as their most challenging trainer, though I found the Speed Bump added more difficulty for me.  What I like about this trainer is that it doesn’t ask you to do anything with your stroke – it simply demands more focus and precision.

Having spent time with all three PutterCup training aids, I think they are all effective.  The To Go Cup allows you to practice anywhere and raises the bar slightly.  The Center Cup gives you a mental edge, making the real cup seem larger, and the Speed Bump forces you to putt with a confident pace and precise line.

Longevity

PutterCups check several longevity boxes: they’re portable, easy to use, and they work indoors and outdoors.  Additionally, with the full kit, you have the ability to ramp up the difficulty to levels that will challenge a skilled player.  Poor putters may find the To Go Cup a bit frustrating at first, but you can always reduce the difficulty by getting closer.

There’s nothing inherently gamified about PutterCup trainers, but the different difficulty levels give you plenty of opportunities to create games or personal challenges to add more interest to your putting practice.

Value

PutterCup sells their three trainers individually or as a kit.  The Pressure Putt Pack, which includes all three trainers, retails for $35 at the time of this writing.  Individually, the To Go Cup is $17, Speed Bump is $14, and the Center Cup is $11.  You can support Plugged In Golf by buying them HERE.

Individually or as a kit, they are far below the cost of the average training aid.  Given the low price and solid effectiveness and longevity, this is a very strong value.

Each of the training aids comes with a 30 day guarantee.  If you don’t sink more putts, you can get a full refund.

Conclusion

Whether you’re practicing indoors or on real grass, the trio of PutterCup putting aids gives you a quick, easy way to ramp up the difficulty and improve your focus.  Spend enough time with them, and the holes on the course will seem bigger than ever.

Visit PutterCup HERE

The post PutterCup Training Aid Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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The SuperSpeed Force Board Pro allows players to train their balance and improve their swing in a variety of ways.  Best for serious, committed players.  Scalable difficulty makes it useful for all handicap levels.

Introduction

Close your eyes and imagine the driver swing of Rory McIlroy.  Despite swinging his driver well over 120 MPH, he never looks off balance or out of control.  Now think of your 30 handicap buddy who hits it nowhere.  Does his finish look picture perfect, or is he flailing and stumbling?

The folks at SuperSpeed know that it isn’t a coincidence that fast, skilled drivers look balanced, athletic, and under control, while poor drivers…don’t.  To help more golfers develop that body awareness, they’ve developed the SuperSpeed Force Board Pro.  I tested one to see how much this trainer can help a recreational player look more like a pro on the tee.

Set Up & Ease of Use

When you unbox the SuperSpeed Force Board Pro, you’ll find the board, three pairs of attachments, eight yellow pegs, and a carrying bag.  Notably, there are no printed instructions: you need to download the SuperSpeed App to get the training protocols.  Level 1 Protocols are included with your purchase, but you need the premium app subscription to get full access (more details on this later).

Setting up the Force Board Pro is very easy.  Each attachment has a rubber nub that fits securely into the holes on the board.  The SuperSpeed App is also reasonably easy to use.  When you create your profile, you input which SuperSpeed products you have, and the app puts those training protocols at the top of the Training tab.  Once you select a training plan, you’re walked through it move by move with written explanations and videos.

Effectiveness

I think it’s important to start with a discussion of what the SuperSpeed Force Board Pro is designed for.  Unlike the SuperSpeed training clubs [review HERE], the Force Board Pro isn’t really meant to give you big, “immediate” gains in club head speed; it’s meant to allow your body to swing faster.  Our bodies are self-limiting because they don’t want us to hurt ourselves.  For example, you may have the strength to swing the club 100 MPH, but you don’t have the balance or coordination, so your body limits you to 90 MPH.

The Force Board Pro is meant to help you develop the balance, body awareness, and coordination to maximize your speed.  It can also teach you to use the ground more effectively, which is a potential source of big, short term speed gains.

There are two types of workouts for the Force Board Pro: balance exercise and golf swings.  The balance workouts are quick and fun.  Set the board to your chosen difficulty level and run through three or four movements.  You’ll be done in ten minutes or less, and you can do them anywhere.  As with any type of exercise, you aren’t going to see huge changes overnight, but you will see improvement with consistent effort.  There are four levels of protocols, so you get a nice amount of variety.

The golf swing exercises require a bit more set up and are geared more toward learning, enhancing awareness, and improving your swing.  There are four protocols: Lateral Force, Torque, Vertical Force, and Ground Force Training.  Each one has a video that walks you through different board set ups and exercises.  If you’re that player who is consistently unbalanced after a swing or if you feel like you have a ton of latent speed, these are the videos for you.  These exercises are best done in a place where you can make a full swing, but you can do them with a shortened club, too.

Overall, I think the SuperSpeed Force Board Pro offers a unique combination of exercise and learning.  This is an excellent complement or precursor to SuperSpeed training.  Regardless of your fitness level, swing speed, or handicap, you’ll find things in this program that will challenge and teach you.

Longevity

As I’ve said about many fitness or speed trainers, the SuperSpeed Force Board Pro is not something you’re ever going to outgrow.  Just as no one outgrows going to the gym, you’ll never be done working on your balance and coordination.  The Force Board Pro takes that even further because every exercise can be scaled.  Using the red attachments makes every exercise fairly easy.  Using a single grey oval will challenge anyone who doesn’t work for Cirque du Soleil.  Additionally, you can use the Force Board Pro just about anywhere, and the workouts are quick.

The longevity negatives are that there’s nothing fun or gamified about using the SuperSpeed Force Board Pro.  There are leaderboards in the app that can help you stay motivated, but you need to be serious about your golf and fitness to use this regularly.

Value

The SuperSpeed Force Board Pro retails for $180 HERE.  This is a bit above average in terms of price, and it’s not the first tool I’d recommend for speed training [that would be the SuperSpeed training clubs HERE].  I think that for a coach, this is a no-brainer to buy.  The other target customer is the very serious player.

Also, to get the most out of the Force Board Pro, you will need the SuperSpeed App.  The Premium membership is $10/month or $100/year.  This unlocks all of the training protocols, the physical assessment, and much more.  If you’re going to invest in the Force Board Pro, you need to have the Premium version of the app for at least a short time to learn all its functionality.

Conclusion

A complete speed training regimen needs to include balance, coordination, and golf swing improvements, and all of those elements are unlocked with the SuperSpeed Force Board Pro.  If you’re serious about fully maximizing your potential on the course, this is a worthy addition to your practice set up.

Buy SuperSpeed Force Board Pro HERE

The post SuperSpeed Force Board Pro Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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The Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor raises the bar on fun and ease of use with a built-in color touchscreen.  An unrivaled amount of simulator courses.  Pro-level ball data.

Buy the Garmin Approach R50 Launch Monitor HERE

Introduction

In 2021, Garmin completely changed the conversation around launch monitors with their Approach R10 [review HERE].  By bringing the price down to the consumer level, they made launch monitors something everyone can own.

They’re aiming to change the game again with the new Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor.  With a giant, built-in, color touchscreen, the R50 can do things no other launch monitor or golf simulator can.  I tested one to see if this should be your next major golf purchase.

Set Up & Ease of Use

Launch monitor companies are waking up to the fact that connecting a device to your LM can be a hassle by offering more onboard displays.  The Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor takes this to a whole new level with a 10″ full-color touchscreen.  This is a major boost for the ease of use because, with the exception of turning on the R50, everything is done through the touchscreen.

There are three ports on the back of the Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor – HDMI, USB-C, and a charging port.  Garmin has included a clever sliding door to keep all of them clean and protected when they’re not in use.  You can also connect the R50 via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth which is great for updating the R50’s software without plugging it in.

Per Garmin, the R50 can go up to 4 hours between charges.  I saw similar battery life during my testing, but I will note that there is a fairly small window between getting a low battery warning and the R50 shutting itself off.  If you’re going to take the Approach R50 outdoors, make sure it has a solid charge.

Using the Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor is incredibly easy.  Power it up, choose your options from the touchscreen, and hit away.  The screen shows you whether or not the ball is in the hitting area, and there is a green light (above) when you’re approved to hit, a red light if you’re not.

My one major complaint with the R50 is that the hitting area is fairly small.  Garmin does not provide the exact size, but I’d guess it’s around 70 square inches like the Bushnell Launch Pro.  This will likely require you to move the R50 to accommodate tee shots and shots off the turf.  While not a deal breaker, this is annoying when you’re playing simulator golf.

Finally, a cool feature of the Garmin R50 that boosts ease of use is the ability to create profiles.  Each profile has its own name, handedness, and preferred units of measurement.  This also keeps each players’ data separate, which is great if you have multiple serious golfers sharing one device.

Accuracy

To test the accuracy of the Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor, I ran it head to head with my Foresight GCQuad [review HERE].  As an aside, the R50 dwarfs the GCQuad, as you can see above.

The ball data from the Garmin R50 was outstanding.  The ball metrics that the R50 offers are ball speed, launch angle, spin, spin axis, launch direction, carry and total distance, apex, and distance offline.  Across the board, I found these to be almost perfectly in line with my GCQuad.

Moving to the club data, the Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor requires users to put a reflective sticker on their club face, just like the GCQuad.  The data that this produces is club speed, face angle, club path, angle of attack, and smash factor.  I found the club data to be hit and miss.  There were numerous shots where the club data was not captured and many more where it was far from the numbers produced by the GCQuad.  Angle of attack, in particular, was a problem for the R50.  If club data is a high priority for you, the Full Swing KIT [review HERE] is a better choice in this price range.

Features

The Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor has two modes of operation: Practice and Play.  In Practice mode, you can choose from several different driving ranges.  Garmin also gives you a wealth of options for customizing the data display.

You can set your screen with graphics, data, or a mix of the two.  Being able to pick the data that’s displayed is a feature that I think is essential.  Especially now that almost all launch monitors produce 10+ data points, golfers need to see only what they’re focused on, lest they go chasing every squirrelly number that pops up.

While not a “feature,” I want to reiterate that one of the greatest strengths of the Garmin Approach R50 is the fact that you will be seeing “ball flight” within seconds of turning it on.  This makes it so much more pleasant to use which makes it more likely that you will use it.

Golf Simulation

Now we get to the headline feature, the thing that sets the Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor apart in this category: standalone golf simulation.  By selecting the Play mode, you’ll open Garmin’s Home Tee Hero simulator.  This gives you the ability to play over 43,000 real golf courses.  I want to stay on that number for a minute.  A lot of simulators have five or ten courses.  The R50 has over 43,000 real courses. You can play your home course, prep for an upcoming trip, or play dream courses like Cypress Point.  When it comes to offering golfers variety, no one else comes close.

The simulator golf experience on the R50 is very good.  It accurately captures data from the driver through the putter, though I will again note that the small hitting area can be annoying.  There are also numerous ways to customize the simulator experience, including setting the Gimme Distance or turning off putting altogether.  You can even connect a Bluetooth speaker to get in-game sounds.

Finally, if you’re wedded to another golf simulation system, the Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor can power that, too.  The R50 is compatible with E6 Connect, E6 Apex, Awesome Golf, and GSPro.  The Garmin Home Tee Hero is all I want in a simulator, but if you already have a home sim setup with a screen, projector, and computer, you may feel different.

Value

The Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor retails for $4,999.  Please consider supporting Plugged In Golf sponsor Play Better by buying it HERE.  Included with your purchase is the excellent carrying case (above), a charging cable, and the stickers required to get club data.

This price tag puts the R50 in the vast middle space between the $500 consumer launch monitors and the likes of Trackman and Foresight at closer to $20,000.  The R50 shares this space with the Bushnell Launch Pro [review HERE] and the Full Swing KIT [review HERE].  These three devices cover a fairly wide price range and are diverse in terms of what they offer, so there’s no easy apples-to-apples comparison.  All three offer good value for the right player.  I’m happy to answer specific questions in the comments section.

Finally, the Garmin Approach R50 does have an annual fee for the simulator feature.  A subscription to Garmin Golf costs $10 per month or $100 per year.  This is comparable to the annual fees of other launch monitors above and below the R50 in price.

Conclusion

The Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor is the most fun-to-use launch monitor I’ve ever tested, but that fun doesn’t come at the expense of accuracy.  This launch monitor has pro-level accuracy when it comes to ball data.  If you want to enjoy golf simulation without the headache of connecting other devices and screens, the Garmin Approach R50 is perfect for you.

Buy the Garmin Approach R50 Launch Monitor HERE

The post Garmin Approach R50 Launch Monitor Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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The WhyGolf Putting Thing is an effective putting trainer that allows you to dial in your start line and putter path.  Wide range of difficulty settings.  Intuitive.  Alignment rail is a smart addition and a built-in Stimpmeter.

Buy the WhyGolf Putting Thing HERE

Introduction

Winter has fully set in for much of the country, meaning that many golfers are reduced to rolling putts indoors.  And while any golf is better than no golf, you should be aiming to get the most out of your practice time so you can putt better than ever in the spring.  The WhyGolf Putting Thing is an intuitive, easy to use trainer that can help you do just that.

Check out our other Blue Ribbon Gear putting trainers HERE

Set Up & Ease of Use

Right out of the box, the WhyGolf Putting Thing is ready to use.  There is no assembly required, and this is one of the more intuitive trainers, so the instructional videos are not essential*.  Adjusting the difficulty and adding or removing the alignment rail are easily accomplished without any tools.  The WhyGolf Putting Thing sets up as fast or faster than any of its peers.

*The instructional videos are useful for fully understanding the purpose of the alignment rail and its Stimpmeter function.  These videos are clear and right to the point – very well done.

Effectiveness

The purpose behind the WhyGolf Putting Thing is simple: passing the putter head and golf ball through the gates.  As you can see above, the putter head gates have six levels of difficulty.  The highest difficulty is actually too tight for my LAB Mezz.1 Max [review HERE], so you can get really stringent with yourself.

There are four settings of difficulty for the ball gate.  Above, you can see them on their tightest setting.  There is virtually no room for error.  If you can consistently succeed on this setting, you are an unbelievable putter.  Below is the zero setting (which WhyGolf doesn’t even count).  This gives you a pretty wide margin for error, but that may be enough for new players.

Both gates are highly effective trainers because they provide clear, instant feedback.  If your putter or golf ball hits one of the gates, you know immediately that you need to do better.

The WhyGolf Putting Thing could have stopped there and earned my seal of approval, but it has more up its sleeve.  Included is the alignment rail, which snaps on top of the Putting Thing (below).  This forces the ball onto a perfect path which allows you to see exactly where you’re aimed.  This has value for at least three reasons.  First, passing the ball through the gate is a lot more fun if the ball also goes in the cup, which you can guarantee with the alignment rail.  Second, it can help you work on your reads if you use the Putting Thing on a breaking putt.  Third, it can help you work on speed control, especially if your putt has some break in it.

WhyGolf has also made the alignment rail into a Stimpmeter.  You can gently roll the ball out of the notch on the backside, then use the built-in ruler to get the green’s speed.  For serious, competitive players, knowing the exact speed of the green can be a competitive advantage.

Finally, the construction of the WhyGolf Putting Thing tells me that this was designed by real golfers.  It’s only 1/16″ thick, so you feel like you’re making a natural putting motion.  There are several alignment aids around the ball to help you see your line and square your putter face.  Finally, four holes around the edges allow you to secure the Putting Thing to the ground with tees so you don’t need to adjust it after every mistake.

Longevity

With indoor and outdoor usability, a wide range of difficulty settings, and compact size, the WhyGolf Putting Thing gets very high marks on longevity.  As always, you need to be honest with yourself about whether or not you actually want to practice, but, if you do, the Putting Thing will become a regular part of your routine.

Value

The WhyGolf Putting Thing retails for $99, though it’s on sale for $79 at the time of this writing.  You can buy it HERE.

Stacking the high effectiveness, longevity, and ease of use against the average price shows us that the Putting Thing is an excellent training aid value.

Conclusion

If you’re ready to switch from “just rolling some putts” to “dialing in my putting to lower my handicap,” you should seriously consider adding the WhyGolf Putting Thing to your kit.  This trainer can go anywhere, works for golfers of all levels, and takes virtually no time to set up.

Buy the WhyGolf Putting Thing HERE

The post WhyGolf Putting Thing Training Aid Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

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The Swing Caddie SC4 Pro launch monitor is an upgraded version of our favorite personal launch monitor.  Unparalleled ease of use and strong accuracy.  SC4 Pro adds new metrics and a new and improved app.

Save $100 on the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro HERE

Introduction

Since it’s release last summer, the Swing Caddie SC4 [review HERE] has been my recommendation for most golfers in search of a personal launch monitor.  It’s easy to use, works well in a wide variety of settings, and it supports simulated golf.  Just in time for the 2024 holiday season, Swing Caddie is releasing the upgraded version, the SC4 Pro.  In this review, I’ll explain what’s new and whether this model lives up to the high standard of the original.

Set Up & Ease of Use

One of the major selling points for the SC4 was its ease of use, and that remains true with the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro launch monitor.  Charge it up, turn it on, drop it five feet behind your hitting area, and you’re ready to go.  The comprehensive onboard display means you don’t need to connect a device, which removes a major point of friction.

The remote control is tucked into a magnetic compartment behind the kickstand (above), so there’s never any concern about not having it available.  With the remote, you can change the club you’re hitting and adjust the club’s loft, speaker’s volume, and target distance.  The remote is slim and light, so it can stay in your pocket while you practice for quick and easy adjustments.

There are two great accessories for the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro that can help improve the accuracy of your numbers.  First, there’s a carrying case with an alignment plate.  You can place the plate on the ground or in the case to elevate the SC4 Pro and use the lines to more precisely align the launch monitor.  Another option for supreme accuracy is the alignment stand (above).  The stand has three long screws that let you elevate the SC4 to the height of your hitting platform and get it perfectly level.  There’s also a place for an alignment rod to dial in your aim.  These accessories are $50 each HERE.

Accuracy & Features

On the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro’s display, you’ll see eight metrics: carry distance, launch direction, swing speed, ball speed, smash factor, launch angle, apex, and spin.  This mirrors the SC4.  Where the SC4 Pro goes further is in the app, where it adds back spin, side spin, spin axis, and dispersion.  It gets all these metrics without the use of specially marked golf balls.

To test its accuracy, I ran the SC4 Pro head to head with my Foresight GCQuad [review HERE].  Due to the change in weather, all of my testing was done indoors with premium golf balls.  The Swing Caddie SC4 Pro lived up to its predecessor with accuracy that’s as good or better than anything else at the consumer level.

On virtually every shot, the numbers were in line with the GCQuad.  With the original SC4, I found launch direction to occasionally get out of line, but that’s been improved with the SC4 Pro.  The only number that was ever significantly off was spin, but, to me, that’s to be expected in this price range.  As I said about the SC4, this is not something I would use for a professional club fitting, but it’s more than good enough for practice for players at any level.

If you find that your data is not matching your expectations, Swing Caddie has a solution.  Within the Voice Caddie S driving range, you can use the equalizer to adjust your swing speed, carry distance, launch angle, and/or ball speed.

Another thing that the SC4 Pro has added is the ability to measure swing speed without hitting a ball.  This seems like a simple function, but it’s not ubiquitous at any price level despite being very important for players who take their game seriously.

One thing that makes the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro stand out from its competitors is that I did not see it miss a single shot in my testing.  All launch monitors in this price range are getting better in this regard, but the SC4 Pro was perfect.  That’s not to say it can’t miss a shot, but it didn’t happen in my testing.  This is a big deal if you plan to use the SC4 Pro for simulated golf, because you never want the launch monitor to miss your best swing of the day.

Finally, the display on the Swing Caddie SC4 is extremely bright and easy to read.  Indoors or out, I didn’t have to squint, bend over, or walk back to the unit to read my numbers.  The display is packed with data, which can be a bit overwhelming at first, but I got used to the layout quickly.

Voice Caddie S App

Another upgrade for the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro is the new Voice Caddie S app.  While I was a big fan of My Swing Caddie, the new app is streamlined for ease of use and features upgraded graphics.

When you open the app, you get three options: Practice, Swing Speed, and Statistics.  Statistics tracks all of your stats from all of your practice, including your swing speed training, so you can see your progress over time.

Swing Speed mode, as the name suggests, is where you go to train for speed without hitting a ball.  The main display looks like a speedometer, with your total number of swings, daily average, daily best, and all-time best displayed, too.  This is a really well-curated set of numbers that will push you to do your best on every swing.

Most important, of course, if Practice mode.  This is a beautiful 3D driving range that has numerous ways to view your data and ball flight.

You can trade the blue skies and green grass for a stark white background.

There’s a visualization of the club, the ball with spin axis, and a pure data table.  The app also allows you to choose which metrics are displayed on the bottom of the driving range screen.

For those that were really in love with the old app, you’ll need to keep your original SC4 – the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro will not connect to the old My Swing Caddie app.

E6 Golf Simulation

Like its predecessor, the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro launch monitor is able to power golf simulation through E6 Connect.  E6 Connect is one of the most popular golf simulation platforms, and the graphics are outstanding.  Connecting your SC4 Pro to E6 takes just a couple taps, and the connection remains strong throughout the round.  I didn’t have any of those frustrating tech issues that can derail a great round.

With the purchase of the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro, you get one golf course and the driving range for life.  Unlocking more courses requires an E6 subscription, which you can learn about HERE.

Value

The Swing Caddie SC4 Pro launch monitors retails for $599, but Plugged In Golf readers can buy it for $499 HERE.

Given the competitive purchase price and lack of annual fees, this puts the SC4 Pro firmly at the top of the class when it comes to value.  Other units like the Garmin R10 [review HERE] and Rapsodo MLM2Pro [review HERE] have the same or greater purchase price and add annual fees of at least $99 to access their full suite of features.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a way to improve your practice or play simulated golf during the winter, the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro launch monitor is a great choice.  In this price range, I don’t think there’s anything better when you consider the ease of use, strong app, and the accuracy and range of the data.

Save $100 on the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro HERE

The post Swing Caddie SC4 Pro Launch Monitor Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

50 Words or Less

The Performance Golf Click Stick aims to improve your release with an audible feedback device.  Adjustability gives it increased longevity.  Hittable.  Molded grip is too short.

Introduction

Performance Golf has exploded onto the scene with a wide array of training aids and golf clubs promoted by some of the top instructors in golf.  I’ve previously reviewed the ONE Wedge, a short game tool developed by Martin Check [check it out HERE].  Today, I’m evaluating one of their trainers, the Click Stick, which promises to improve your swing and help you hit longer, more accurate shots.

Set Up & Ease of Use

There is no assembly required for the Performance Golf Click Stick – it comes out of the box ready to swing.  The only adjustment is the Compression Clicker which can be set anywhere from 0 to 10.  Making this adjustment requires loosening the nut, sliding it to your preferred level, and tightening the nut again.

The Click Stick is also very light on instructions.  There is one drill on the website and one video that gives a very general overview of the features and benefits.  In short, you’re told, “Go swing it, make it click, repeat.”  If you can make the Compression Clicker click, you can slide it to a higher number.  If you can’t make it click, go toward a lower number.

Effectiveness

The claims around the Performance Golf Click Stick are bold, though most are a bit nebulous.  “Build your speed and core mechanics,” “develop a perfect release,” and add “15-20 yards” are the highlights.  It seeks to achieve these goals through the Compression Clicker – a metal ring that gets flung down the shaft with a well-timed release.

Unlike other similar trainers, the Click Stick does not purport to care about when you hear the cue.  As long as you’re hearing the click, that’s a successful rep.  This is good because it’s very difficult to know exactly when the click happens.  If you’re able to create the click, you can keep moving the setting back until you find it challenging.

Starting on a medium setting, I had immediate “success” with the Click Stick.  Every swing created a click without any particular focus or effort.  I dialed the difficulty all the way up and had the same results.  Since I wouldn’t consider my release “perfect,” this left me a bit concerned, so I found another tester.

I handed the Performance Golf Click Stick to my wife, who is a good athlete but not a seasoned golfer.  She plays – and plays well – but doesn’t practice, think about her swing, or work on her technique.  Starting on a low setting, her swing didn’t produce a click.  I showed her what “should” happen, and she immediately made it work.  Within three swings, with the difficulty maxed out, she was making it click every time.

Overall, I see the value in the Click Stick – it intuitively taught my wife to make a more aggressive swing – but the difficulty is quite low.

Moving to the other aspects of the Click Stick, I had a major issue with the molded grip – it is too short.  I don’t have enormous hands – my golf gloves are size large – but my upper hand was off the grip.  This made the club painful to use as the grip slid around near the heel of my hand.  I hope this is something they remedy in future iterations because I think there’s a lot of benefit to using a molded grip, particularly on a training aid.

Finally, I’ll note that if your primary goal is adding distance, the Performance Golf Click Stick is not the best training aid.  The best way to add speed is with a dedicated speed training system like Rypstick [review HERE].

Longevity

The obvious knock on the Click Stick’s longevity is the lack of challenge.  While being “successful” with a training aid is fun, players won’t use something regularly if it isn’t challenging them in some way.  The adjustable difficulty should help with this, but I did not see that in my testing.  Additionally, the Performance Golf Click Stick isn’t gamified, and it’s a unitasker.

On the positive side, you can practice with or without hitting balls.  This opens up opportunities for practice where you have space but not a net or mat.

Overall, I would rate the Click Stick below average for longevity.

Value

The Performance Golf Click Stick retails for $139 HERE.  This is roughly average for a training aid.  It is worth noting that it comes with a lot of extras from Performance Golf.  There’s a training video from Rocco Mediate as well as access to a live stream with him.  You also get access to Scratch Club, Performance Golf’s instructional platform with score tracking.

If you’re going to take advantage of all these extras, I think the Click Stick is a solid value.  For the training club on its own, I think the price is a little high.

Conclusion

With a 100% money back guarantee that lasts for 365 days, there’s no risk in trying the Performance Golf Click Stick.  This isn’t a training aid that fits all golfers, but some players will see good results if they’re struggling to “release” the club through impact.

Buy the Performance Golf Click Stick HERE

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50 Words or Less

The Mustard Golf app analyzes your swing and creates personalized lesson plans from a library of drills and videos.  A solid way for golfers to focus their practice.  Not a perfect substitute for a real coach.

Introduction

AI is everywhere, from smarter search engines to ChatGPT.  We’ve already seen AI in golf club design, and Mustard Golf is bringing it to golf instruction.  This app has “trained using tens of thousands of 3D motion analyses” so it can watch a video of your swing and deliver a customized lesson plan.  I tested it to see if it can compete with an in-person lesson.

Set Up & Ease of Use

Using the Mustard Golf app is as easy as filming your swing.  You can record your swing directly in the app, or you can film your swing with your phone’s camera and import it.

Once your swing video is in the app, the AI spends a few minutes analyzing it.  As you can see above, the app puts virtual markers on your body to get a clearer idea of how you’re moving.

After the AI has done its magic, you get a report with several scores.  The app gives you an Overall Score, a Swing Path Score, and rates your body and hands in the backswing and downswing.  It also lays our priorities for improvement, tells you what you do well, and then recommends an improvement plan.

Effectiveness

In the Mustard Golf app, your improvement plan starts with a video defining the issue.  This is a really good first step because it eliminates a lot of the jargon and misconceptions.  The instruction comes from Mark Blackburn, a top-rated instructor who is pretty good on camera.

The next step is identifying potential causes of your issue.  This is a nice piece for those that want to understand the swing better.  Also, all the videos are short and to the point – 90 seconds or less.

Finally, you get to the meat of the plan: the drills.  These drills are explained in short videos and written descriptions.  I found the drills to be solid and well-aligned with the problems.  After spending some time with the drills – days or weeks – you upload a new swing to check your progress.

In my testing, Mustard Golf helped to uncover an issue in my swing that I had not been thinking about.  Working on the drills helped me to address it, and I saw really nice results in a short time.  To be fair, the issue and fix are things I’ve worked on in the past, so my results came more quickly than average.

While I think that the Mustard Golf app is a good way to focus your practice and build a swing that is closer toward the neutral, Platonic ideal, it is not a complete substitute for in person instruction.  Nowhere in the app are you able to input your major issue – hitting it fat, slicing, etc.  If you have one troublesome club, there’s not an obvious way to address it.  There’s nothing here for the short game.  The Mustard Golf app is good at what it does, but it has its limitations.

Need help finding a real coach?  Read THIS

Value

The Mustard Golf app is a subscription service that costs $25 per month or $150 per year (50% off).  In person lessons vary wildly in cost, but you’re likely to spend at least $100/hour in my area.  While Mustard is not going to give you the personal interaction and “customization” of face-to-face instruction, it is much more affordable and accessible to every golfer with a smart phone.

Longevity

As I often say about training aids, the longevity of this app is going to depend on the type of golfer you are.  Theoretically, Mustard has an unlimited shelf life (pun intended).  You can upload a new swing every day or every week and keep refining your mechanics.  If you are on a lifelong quest for the perfect swing, sign up for the full year and get to work.  For most golfers, I’d take it month by month, at least to start, to see how you feel about your progress.

Conclusion

It’s unlikely that there will ever be a perfect substitute for a qualified human coach helping you with your golf game, but the Mustard Golf app is an impressive first step in that direction.  If you’re looking to improve your swing and focus your practice rather than bouncing between random golf tips, this app is worth trying.

Visit Mustard Golf HERE

The post Mustard Golf App Review appeared first on Plugged In Golf.

50 Words or Less

The Square Golf launch monitor is fun, easy to use, and has strong accuracy.  Swing Stick adds the ability to use this anywhere.  Fun simulation.  Good value.

Save 10% with code PLUGGEDINGOLF.  Shop HERE

Introduction

After an explosive 2023, the personal launch monitor category has taken a breath in 2024.  But as we start to look to 2025, we have received one exciting new entry: the Square Golf launch monitor.  Thanks to the innovative Swing Stick, this is a launch monitor that you can use anywhere and anytime.  In this review, I’ll explain whether or not that’s enough to vault Square Golf to the top of the list of personal launch monitors.

Set Up & Ease of Use

The Square Golf launch monitor is a fairly small device with minimal buttons and no screen.  After charging the launch monitor and downloading the app, getting it up and running is very simple.  The connection from device to app is strong and is established quickly.  Additionally, the app – which I will discuss more shortly – is responsive and intuitive.  One thing I particularly like is that you can use your Square Golf LM without creating an account or logging in.

The one complaint I have about this device is that it can be difficult to get your ball into the hitting area.  The hitting area is fairly small – not quite 6″ X 6″ – and there’s no indication on the device as to whether you’re too close, too far, etc.  There is a small indicator on the bottom of the app, but this isn’t explained in the manual – I found it on my own.  On the positive, there is a light and an auditory cue that let you know when you’ve positioned the ball correctly.  Once you’ve found the right spot, it’s easy enough to find it again.

The Square Golf App

The Square Golf app is wonderfully inclusive, working on PC, tablets, and smart phones and with Apple’s App Store, Google Play, and Windows.  My testing was done on an iPhone, and I found the app to be excellent.  The menus are clear and easy to understand.  There are a nice array of customizations and settings, but it’s not overwhelming.  You can get up and running in just a couple taps.

The Square Golf launch monitor app offers several modes of play.  In Graphic Mode, you’re on a seaside driving range, watching your shots fly through the air with a shot tracer.  Ball data is displayed along the bottom: ball speed, direction, spins, and distances.  You can customize this mode with multiple camera angles.

Data Mode is similar, but it trades the shot tracer graphics for an image of impact and club metrics.  You get the same ball data, but this mode adds club data: swing path, face angle, dynamic loft, and angle of attack.

Closest to the Pin Mode gamifies your practice with a challenge.  You can set the distance from 30 to 150 yards, and you can select the green speed.  To make your practice more realistic, you can have the app randomize the distance after each shot.  Dynamic camera angles makes this feel like a video game, in a good way.

Finally, there’s a Putting Mode, which is somewhat unusual in launch monitors at this price.  As with Closest to the Pin, you can choose the distance (5 to 50 feet) and the green speed (8 to 13).  You can also opt for fixed, increasing, or random distances.

Square Golf Simulation

At the time of this writing, the Square Golf launch monitor offers ten simulated golf courses with ten more on the way.  In the app, you can choose your green speed and play with up to four players.  The graphics are good, and there’s nice variety among the ten courses.  More importantly, play moves along quickly thanks to the simple controls – you select your club, tap the screen left or right to adjust your aim, and swing.

That brisk pace of play makes this some of the most fun simulated golf I’ve played.  One piece of advice: I would strongly recommend getting a stand for your phone or tablet if you’re going to play a lot.  Bending over before every shot to change clubs, adjust your aim, or take a closer look at your numbers isn’t much fun.

When it comes to cost, the Square Golf launch monitor takes a unique approach, charging by the hole.  Each hole costs 1 credit, and you get 1,000 credits with your purchase.  Credits cost between 4 cents and 2.6 cents, depending on the amount you buy.  While I’d prefer an upfront cost or that simulation simply be included, the cost of less than $1 per round seems negligible.

Square Golf Swing Stick

Perhaps the most unusual thing about the Square Golf launch monitor is the inclusion of the Swing Stick.  The Swing Stick is roughly 27 inches long with a proper golf grip and a rectangular, mirrored device on the other end.  The purpose of the Swing Stick is to allow you to use this launch monitor in conventional indoor settings – those without nets or the ceiling height to swing a full club.

You can use the Swing Stick in any mode – driving range, putting, or simulated golf.  Swinging it is a little jarring at first due to the unusual length, weighting, and the “click” of impact, but I got used to it fairly quickly.

In putting mode, I found the Swing Stick very accurate.  For full swings, I think the Swing Stick is accurate with regard to dispersion, but the distances simply are what they are.  It does seem to accurately measure your swing speed, but most of the distance equation is what club you select.  I would advise you spend some time on the range with the Swing Stick before you take it into golf simulation.

Overall, I think the Swing Stick is a fantastic addition to the Square Golf launch monitor.  There are loads of people who would love to play simulator golf but don’t have the space.  This is a solution to that problem.  For those who really want to get serious, I could even see having two Swing Sticks – one with a putter grip, one with a swing grip.

Value

The Square Golf launch monitor retails for $700.  You can save 10% with code PLUGGEDINGOLF.  Shop HERE

This is a good price.  It’s well above the value king, the SwingCaddie SC4, at $390 [review HERE], but it’s on par with favorites like the Garmin R10 [review HERE] at $600 and the MLM2PRO [review HERE] at $700.  On the other hand, it’s a fraction of the cost of the SkyTrak+ [review HERE] at $2,700 and the Full Swing KIT [review HERE] at $5000.

If you have a great indoor practice set up where you can hit balls, the Square Golf deserves to be considered among the others mentioned above.  If you don’t, the Square Golf stands alone for its ability to unlock indoor golf.

Conclusion

It would have been easy for Square Golf to design a strong app and roll out another basic launch monitor.  Instead, they’re offering something genuinely novel with the inclusion of the Swing Stick.  If you want to unlock the ability to play simulated golf anywhere and upgrade your practice with strong performance data, check out the Square Golf launch monitor.

Save 10% with code PLUGGEDINGOLF

Buy the Square Golf Launch Monitor HERE

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50 Words or Less

The Tour Aim+ adds significant value to the Tour Aim but can also stand on its own.  A major upgrade to the Tour Aim’s putting feature.  Adds ball position and club face awareness to any alignment stick.

Save 15% with the code PLUGGEDIN15 HERE

Introduction

The Tour Aim was one of the best things I saw at the 2024 PGA Show, and it did not disappoint when I got it in for review [read the review HERE].  It’s become a practice necessity for me due to its ease of use and versatility.  Tour Aim has recently added a new trainer to their line up, the aptly named Tour Aim+.  This add-on to the Tour Aim seeks to enhance an already great training aid, and I tested it to find out if it’s another must-have.

Set Up & Ease of Use

Like most training aids, the Tour Aim+ comes with a QR code instead of a printed instructional book.  The instructions aren’t really necessary as the three uses of the Tour Aim+ are easily discerned from the photos on the website and the descriptions on the box.

Adding the Tour Aim+ to your Tour Aim set up takes a couple seconds.  It consists of little more than snapping one of your alignment sticks into the clips on the Tour Aim+ and moving it into your preferred position.  If you’re using the Tour Aim+ for putting, it actually speeds the set-up by holding the two sticks in perfect parallel.

Effectiveness

The Tour Aim+ adds three functions to the Tour Aim.  First, it promotes consistent ball position and a square club face.

Second, the Tour Aim+ allows you to use a tee on any surface.  For players who practice on mats, this is a major upgrade.

The third function relates to the Tour Aim’s putting drill.  The Tour Aim+ holds the alignment sticks in perfect parallel while giving you a place to start your ball.  It also gives you a reference for squaring the putter face.

All three of these functions work as advertised and add significant value to an already great training aid.  For me, the putting feature is the best.  I get pretty OCD about my putting practice, so having the ball perfectly centered and my putter face square is a huge plus.

While I think the Tour Aim+ is great, I will throw in a couple small caveats.  First, the ball position feature works best on a mat.  If you’re hitting irons or wedges, you’re likely taking a divot.  This means you’ll want a fresh piece of grass for each shot, which would mean moving your entire Tour Aim set up.  If you’re more concerned with ball position that the full alignment package, you can solve this issue by using the Tour Aim+ with just one alignment stick (below).

The other thing to be aware of is that you’ll need shorter tees to use the Tour Aim+.  The tee holder works very well, but, of course, you can’t push your tee through the mat.  Figure out how high above the ground you like to tee the ball and buy tees that height, or break some wooden tees to length.

Longevity

Everything that gives the Tour Aim great longevity is true for the Tour Aim+ as well.  It’s small and light, it’s versatile, it sets up quickly, and you can use it anywhere.  This is a training aid that can and should live in your bag so that you use it every time you practice.  Even if you’re just using a single alignment stick, the Tour Aim+ can add a couple more layers of precision to your practice.

Value

The Tour Aim+ costs $60.

You can save 15% by using the code PLUGGEDIN15 HERE

Like the Tour Aim, this training aid is a must-buy in my book.  With the 15% off code, you can get the Tour Aim and Tour Aim+ for a total of $115, which is below average for one training aid.  These are both multi-function tools that are as valuable to a Tour player as they are for a novice.

Conclusion

It’s not often that I give any product, let alone a training aid, an unconditional endorsement, but I think the Tour Aim and Tour Aim+ are trainers that every serious golfer should own.  Together, they will help you dial in every element of your game and make your practice more precise and productive.

Buy Tour Aim+ HERE

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