Golfers come in all shapes, sizes and abilities, including their interest and use of golf technology. Likewise, golf gadgets have evolved from telescoping ball retrievers to GPS smartwatches that can tell you the distance to the green while also counting your steps during a round of golf. Below is a list of ten cool golf gadgets that fit into various categories to help you play better, practice better, and just have more fun on the golf course.
1. Best Golf GPS Smartwatch for Golf Geeks
Garmin Approach S62 Watch
Wearable technology is now far more commonplace. Dedicated trackers lead the way, but now golf tech has also made its way into golf GPS smartwatches. These golf GPS watches combine location data for more than 40,000 courses worldwide, with fitness tracking (steps, elevation, etc.) to help golfers play better and live healthier. A Garmin GPS smartwatch checks all those boxes while featuring clean and clear displays with accurate yardages to hazards and front/middle/back green distances.
2. Ultra-Compact Nikon Golf Rangefinder for the Photography Fan
Nikon Coolshot 20I G2 Rangefinder
Nikon is known to make some of the best cameras on the market, so it stands to reason the Nikon rangefinder would deliver great optics. That is exactly what golfers get with the Nikon Coolshot. Having a good rangefinder is no longer a luxury but a necessity for recreational golfers. Even though the technology and optics have improved in recent years, the prices have come down significantly. Enter the Nikon Coolshot 20I G2 golf laser rangefinder, which provides fast, accurate distance measurements for every shot, including slope calculation.
3. Best Rangefinder for Not Running out of Batteries
Precision Pro NX9 HD Rangefinder
Another cool golf rangefinder is from a somewhat new direct-to-consumer company called Precision Pro. They’ve been making solid rangefinders with their eye-catching signature green color scheme for a few years now. What sets Precision Pro apart are their newly launched companion app to track your round and free battery replacements for the life of the rangefinder. This perk can save you up to $60 over the life of your rangefinder. Additionally, the rangefinder + app combination is the best of both worlds making it truly must-have golf tech.
4. Best Back-to-Basics Golf GPS Watch
Shot Scope V3 GPS Watch
If you’re looking for a GPS smartwatch without extra bells and whistles, look no further than the Shot Scope V3 GPS watch. While the Shot Scope V3 does not have an advanced display, it’s easy to set up and get going on the course. This GPS smartwatch gives any golfer the basic data they need for every shot.
5. Bushnell Portable Speaker for On-the-Course Tunes
Bushnell Wingman GPS Portable Speaker
Whether you’re a party time golfer or just want the perfect modern golf gift, look no further than the Bushnell Wingman. This bluetooth golf cart speaker doubles as a talking GPS device to help you navigate the course while enjoying some favorite jams.
6. Pro Play Towels Keep Your Grips and Clubs Clean During and After Rounds
ProPlay Club Grip Cleaning Wipes
Keeping your clubs clean and covered from grip to clubhead is important not only for getting a good, tacky grip, but because a dirty clubface impacts how the ball spins and the distance it can travel. One of the best ways to keep your clubs looking new is with a good golf towel. And one way to make your grips last even longer is by keeping them clean with Pro Play towel wipes. Just wipe your grips down after each round and they'll keep their tackiness for many rounds to come.
7. Best Ultra-Portable Mobile Launch Monitor is from Rapsodo
Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor
As we’ve described before, it’s really important to know how far you hit every club in the bag. That goes for you or any golfer in your life. It helps you make better choices on the course as well as track improvements and changes in distances over time. So, while the Rapsodo launch monitor is only for outdoor use and cannot be used when hitting into a net, the device works seamlessly with your iPhone (no Android use yet). Using Bluetooth, the Rapsodo launch monitor app connects with an iPhone and provides accurate distances, ball and club speed.
8. Personal Launch Monitor with Enough Data for Golf Geeks
Swing Caddie SC300 Portable Launch Monitor
Similar to the Rapsodo MLM, the Swing Caddie launch monitor is a cool piece of portable golf technology. With every golf swing, this golf launch monitor spits out a wider range of data for golfers to tinker with, analyze and do their best Bryson DeChambeau impersonation. This data includes spin rate, club speed and carry distance.
9. Best Practice Putting Mat for Sinking More Putts
Wellputt Pro Speed Putting Matt
As winter descends over much of the country and many golfers put their golf bags away for the year, reconsider at least keeping your putter handy. Practicing your putting is one of the best ways you can quickly improve your score. Think about if you made a couple more of those ticklish 5-footers per round. One of the best practice putting mats is from Wellputt. Today’s putting mats more closely mimic real grass putting greens with smooth rolls for precision practice.
10. Bag Boy Cart Provides Stress-Free Pushing While Playing Golf
Bag Boy EZ Walk Pull Cart
This year, we learned that using a golf push cart wasn’t just good exercise but one of the best ways to practice social distancing on the golf course. One of the most popular options is the Bag Boy push cart. They’re sturdy, easy to maneuver and simple to fold and unfold while not taking up too much space. The EZ Walk push cart is made from lightweight aluminum, so you can keep your energy focused on your swing, not pushing your cart up a hill.
These are just a few of the coolest golf gadget gifts for 2020. If you’re thinking about buying other golf clubs for the golfers in your lives, check out our guide with some helpful questions. To explore even more golf gift options for every type of golfer, check out these other gift guides from GlobalGolf: