Swing Caddie SC100 Golf Launch Monitor
For several years launch monitor technology has been very expensive, and launch data only available to golfers willing to spend a fair amount of dough for monitor time or analysis. As technology advances and become less expensive, we will start to see more and more “affordable” swing analyzers, stand alone or in mobile phone/tablet form.
The Swing Caddie SC100 by Voice Caddie is the first truly affordable golf launch monitor, available currently at $269. That beats $8,000 to $40,000! Let us take a look at the SC100’s features.
Practice Mode
We all need more practice. But bad practice does not help. With the help of the Swing Caddie SC100 we can view shot distance, swing speed, ball speed, and smash factor. The unit also tracks the time and number of balls hit during the practice session.
What’s great about this mode is that the golfer can work on technique and changes to setup, then see how they translate to ball speed, swing speed, and distance. Perhaps moving the ball more toward the middle of the stance produces more ball speed because the shaft is releasing better at that position?
Target Mode
Target Mode is great. The golfer punches in yardage, picks a club, then the unit records 10 shots or a “round.” Statistics are displayed and graded for distance accuracy. This is a great way of fine tuning distances for every club. The benefits in short game are huge. Think about how hard those half lob wedge shots are. With the SC100 you can groove the exact swing for those pesky distances and bring that muscle memory to the course.
Random Mode
One problem and rut golfers fall into on the practice range is hitting the same shot over and over. 20 drivers. 20 wedges. 20 7-irons… We don’t hit 20 drivers in a row on the course. We may use half the bag in the first couple of holes.
Random mode produces random yardages for each shot, asking you to change to the proper club for that distance. The unit measures shot length for each swing and gives immediate feedback as to the accuracy of the club selection and shot.
Killed it! Glad I don’t play at sea level!
Remote Control
The SC100 comes with a remote control which fits very comfortably in a shirt or pant pocket. The remote allows the golfer to conveniently change settings/modes without having to bend down and use the more difficult buttons on the unit.
Critiques
At $269, the feature set of the SC100 is not going to be the same as an expensive launch monitor like a FlightScope or Trackman.
Missing launch monitor features in the SC100 include ball spin, launch angle, and an ability to change altitude. In the photo to the right you can see I produced a driver swing of 102 miles per hour and the total distance was 245. At altitude here in my home that swing would have produced a 280-290 yard drive. Boy am I glad I don’t play at sea level very often!
Conclusion
I really love having the SC100 at my disposal to check how I’m hitting my clubs and confirm my distances. The unit is portable and easily fits in any golf bag. I have it with me all the time. Though the unit doesn’t show sidespin, I can certainly see the ball curving on the range.
At $269 the SC100 is worth its weight in gold.
HOGWire – Golf Industry News
