Golfstead is reader-supported. When you buy through links on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Our affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network and Amazon Associates.
In this review, we’ll take a look at the Garmin Approach R10 portable golf launch monitor & simulator.
The R10 has already made big waves in the industry — many people consider it to have revolutionized golf tech like the SkyTrak did back in 2014.
Released in 2021, the R10 was the first launch monitor to measure detailed club path parameters that you could previously only get in $1800+ units. It was also the first launch monitor in its price range to have golf simulation capabilities.
In this Garmin Approach R10 review, I’ll take an in-depth look at the launch monitor. I’ll look not only at how well it measures ball and swing data, but also at its usability, golf simulation features, and how it stacks up against similarly priced products.
How does the R10 perform? How does it compare to other sub-$2000 launch monitors like the SkyTrak and Rapsodo MLM? Is it worth getting if you’re looking for a portable golf launch monitor?
Here’s what I’m going to be covering in the review:
- What is the Garmin Approach R10?
- Setting Up & Using The R10
- Data Parameters & Accuracy
- Golf Simulation
- Other Features
- Pricing
- Where To Buy The R10
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Ready to try the Garmin Approach R10 right now? Click the button below or scroll down to the bottom of my review to see my final verdict!
Note: In the majority of cases, launch monitors tested on Golfstead are acquired temporarily and are not purchased. The review that follows is based on personal experience and research. Although the author makes every effort to ensure proper setup of the device and do direct comparisons with other launch monitors when possible, there are many variables that can affect data readings and performance. Therefore, exact results with a particular launch monitor may differ from person to person.
What is the Garmin Approach R10?
You probably know Garmin as the company behind many of the best golf GPS units on the market. And although they’ve come out with models like the G80 that have integrated club and ball tracking, they never actually had a dedicated launch monitor offering.
That is, until now. Garmin has thrown its hat into the launch monitor and golf simulator ring with a bombshell of an offer, the R10.
The R10, at its core, is a launch monitor that tracks various club and ball data parameters so that you can improve your swing consistency. It describes itself as “a portable launch monitor that brings the course to you”.
But the R10 does much more than just track shot metrics. Not only does it measure data points that you could previously only access with higher-end launch monitors like the SkyTrak and Mevo+, but it can also record video clips of each shot and provide golf simulation with an array of software solutions.
This is the R10’s biggest selling point. Until it came into existence, you were never able to get this level of data measurement and golf simulation for less than $1000.
The portable R10 is designed to be easy to move from the home to the driving range, and it’s held with a convenient magnetic tripod mount. A smartphone and the Garmin Golf App are required to use it.
Setting Up & Using The R10
The first thing you should do is familiarize yourself with the R10 unit.
The front side of the R10 has the logo and one LED that indicates the status of the unit. This will let you know whether or not the R10 is ready to take a shot. White, green, purple, red or blue lights may be displayed.
The back of the device contains the USB port with weather cap, alignment line, power button, and battery status LED indicator. Solid red here indicates that the battery is fully charged.
Note: The R10 uses a built-in lithium-ion battery that should last around ten hours on a full charge. Ensure that the LED indicator on the unit is not rapidly flashing red (indicates low battery) before first use.
Basic setup is straightforward and requires these steps:
1. Install the Garmin Golf App and pair your smartphone.
Install the Garmin Golf App on your smartphone through the App Store or Google Play Store depending on if you’re using iOS or Android.
Then, bring your phone near the R10 unit and press the power button to turn on the R10.
The R10 will automatically enter Bluetooth pairing mode, indicated by a solid blue LED light. Go to the settings in the Garmin Golf App, add the new device, and follow the on-screen instructions.
2. Install the tripod mount.
The included tripod stand is secured to the R10 unit magnetically. Be careful to not put the magnet in the stand in close proximity to electronic devices such as computers and tablets.
The tripod mount can only be installed one way. Insert the top part (with the Garmin Logo) into the back of the R10 unit, and then open the three tripod legs so that they are fully extended.
3. Prepare to hit a shot.
First, place your ball in the tee area. If playing indoors, ensure that it’s at least eight feet away from the net.
Then place the R10, mounted on the tripod stand, 6-8 feet behind the tee location and orient it so that the front of the R10 is facing the ball.
For best results, the R10 should be level with the hitting surface. For example, if using a mat that puts the ball 1-2 inches off the ground, the R10 on its tripod stand should be elevated to match. This can be done with a piece of plywood or a small piece of the same hitting turf that’s being used.
Next, make sure the R10 is positioned such that the red alignment line is aligned with the location of the ball and with the intended target line. You can use a golf club or alignment stick to check this.
The tee location can be safely shifted up to one foot on either side of the target line if necessary. Note that incorrect positioning will negatively impact the ability of the R10 to provide accurate measurements.
Once the positioning is taken care of, press the button to turn on the R10, start a game mode in the Garmin Golf app on your phone, wait for the LED indicator to start flashing green, and hit your shot.
Additional Tips
- the battery can be charged in a standard wall outlet or on a computer USB port
- you can use the included phone mount to attach your phone to your golf bag for easy viewing
- before an extended period of non-use, make sure the R10 has at least 50% battery charge
- always protect the USB port with the weather cap
- the R10 should be stored in a cool, dry place
For more detailed setup instructions, information, and tips, consult the Garmin Approach R10 owner’s manual.
Data Parameters & Accuracy
The Approach R10 measures four data parameters directly:
- Ball speed: the speed of the ball immediately after impact.
- Club head speed: the speed of the club head at impact.
- Launch angle: of the ball relative to the ground.
- Launch direction: right or left of the target.
An array of additional metrics are derived through calculations:
- spin rate
- spin axis
- carry distance
- apex height
- club face angle
- club path angle
- angle of attack
- observed ball flight range
- total distance
- carry distance
- smash factor
- apex height
- deviation distance
Some have claimed that the R10 also measured backswing and downswing times. However, I have not seen that in any official documentation nor have I seen it in my own R10 session data, so I cannot confirm it.
But of course, everyone wants to know about accuracy. It doesn’t matter how many parameters there are; if the measurements are way off, it doesn’t do you any good.
Just how accurate is the R10? After extensive testing, I can definitively say that the accuracy is within range of the $2000 “next-level” launch monitors like the SkyTrak and Mevo+, particularly outdoors where the radar technology can really shine.
For practical purposes, when it comes to distance, you can assume that the R10 would be off by a few yards at worst. Indoors, however, I find that distance readings are less accurate.
When it comes to other metrics, Garmin gives the accuracies as:
The margin or error for club data does seem to be on the high side. The path and face angles, in particular, could give readings that are substantially different from reality, although the accuracy of many parameters has improved over time with firmware updates.
All things considered, the R10 does an amazing job for a $600 unit, but it’s reasonable to say that the accuracy isn’t as reliable as more expensive units. But for many golfers, it’s something they can accept given the very affordable price point.
In any case, the Approach R10 has been lauded by pretty much every major golf publication and critic in the industry, and that should tell you something.
A Note On Spin Calculation
The ball spin rate reading of the Approach R10 has several conditions attached to it, and this was updated in version 3.80 of the software.
The first thing is that in order for spin to be measured directly by the radar, the ball flight must be seen for more than 20 meters and the ball must be going faster than 90 mph. Otherwise, spin will be calculated.
Indoors, the R10 calculates spin by using a machine-learned model that uses measured radar data as inputs. Outdoors, the R10 calculates spin by observing the trajectory of the ball.
You should avoid marking balls (with stickers, etc.) as this will result in less accurate spin readings; however, you can use the special marked Titleist RCT golf balls to enhance the accuracy of indoor spin readings. Headwinds and tailwinds can also affect the accuracy of the measurement.
Golf Simulation
One of the things that really sets the Approach R10 apart from other launch monitors in its price range is its support for golf simulation.
With the R10, there are currently six ways to get a virtual golf simulator experience:
1. Use the driving range.
Through the Garmin Golf app, you can access the Driving Range Mode which simulates your shot on a virtual driving range and provides the full set of data metrics after every shot.
You can do other things in Driving Range Mode, including:
- use your phone’s camera to record swings during a range session (Swing Capture)
- view driving range session statistics for each shot and club
- enable audio metrics that are spoken after each shot
- toggle to an overhead camera view with distance markers
- view advanced swing metrics
2. Play on Home Tee Hero.
Home Tee Hero is a golf simulation software solution that requires an active Garmin Golf Premium Subscription costing $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
Home Tee Hero contains over 42,000 courses for you to play (with up to four players), from local courses around you to the world’s most prestigious courses.
The graphics of Home Tee Hero are quite cartoonish, but the recreations are impressively accurate for something so compact.
Note that you can try out a Garmin Golf membership and enjoy all the benefits that come with it for free for 30 days. Another one of these benefits is being able to participate in weekly tournaments with other golfers around the world.
3. Use the E6 CONNECT software.
If you want a more realistic simulation environment than what Home Tee Hero has to offer, the R10 is also compatible with the powerful, world-renowned E6 CONNECT software.
E6 CONNECT is highly customizable and has some of the most photo-realistic graphics on the market. It offers various course simulations, minigames, training aids, tournaments, multiplayer formats, and more.
A separate subscription will need to be purchased in order to use E6 CONNECT on PC or iOS devices. It’s not cheap, but the R10 does come bundled with a basic subscription to E6 CONNECT that allows you to play five courses.
You will need to connect your mobile device (with the Garmin Golf app installed) to the E6 CONNECT desktop application or mobile app before you can play the software.
4. Play on Awesome Golf.
Awesome Golf is a third-party golf simulator software that is heavily focused on fun and entertainment with friends, family and children.
There are four main modes in the software:
- Range: informative practice sessions and an in-depth analysis of every shot.
- Challenges: closest to the pin, long drive, target golf, and skills challenge.
- Shootouts: kid-friendly minigames including Super Splash and Boat Blast.
- Virtual Golf: full course play at fictional Spring Park Hills, Island Beach, Desert Canyon, and Valley Pines.
Awesome Golf is packed with fun simulation features that will keep you busy for hours on end.
The software is currently available for PC, iOS and Android, and licenses are multi-platform.
5. Use The Golf Club 2019.
Another software integration for the R10 is The Golf Club 2019.
At one point, this was our #1 software pick for golf simulation in general because it offers 170,000+ courses to play, has plenty of features, has great graphics and sound effects, and is very affordable considering what you get.
The graphics of TGC 2019 have a realistic style like E6 CONNECT. With TGC 2019, you can:
- play online (with strangers, friends or family) and compete in live worldwide tournaments
- play multiplayer locally
- access the TGC library of over 170,000 courses
- do range, chipping or putting practice
- design your own course with a few clicks
Play formats include stroke play, match play, stableford, four ball, skins, and alternate shot. TGC has a cool feature that allows up to four players in a multiplayer setting to hit their shots at the same time.
6. Play Creative Golf.
Creative Golf is a software that is focused not so much on realism (although the graphics are good), but more on family-friendly entertainment.
The base version of Creative Golf contains 15 reproduced golf courses from around the world. For extra cost, you can get over 130 additional courses to play.
The modes of Creative Golf are:
- Practice: Practice on a driving range or chip and putt on a course of your choice.
- Course Play: Choose the course, game type (stroke, match play, etc.), number of players, and play a full round of golf.
- Challenges: Participate in competitions locally (with friends or family) including closest-to-the-pin and long drive.
- Mini Games: Play fairy tale golf (altered environment, larger holes, etc.), mini golf (putting), and demolition golf (hit windows of old buildings).
- Online Game: Play a game type and course of your choice with anyone in the world. A Discord community is available to join.
- Tournaments: Join tournaments listed on the tournament server and compete with players around the world.
Creative Golf is a great money-saving alternative that is more affordable than E6 CONNECT and TGC 2019. You can also supercharge it with Golfisimo, an add-on software focuses on a family-friendly, fun-for-everyone experience with games for every age and skill level.
Other Features
Thanks to the power of the Garmin Golf app (which, by the way, has very high ratings, which is frankly very difficult to achieve with phone apps), the Approach R10 can do more than just measure swing parameters and provide a golf simulation experience.
This includes:
Swing Capture
With the R10, you can set up your phone’s camera behind the hitting area and capture video of your shot. Your stats including ball speed, carry distance and total distance are overlaid on top of each clip. The club you were using is also specified.
Each clip can be paused and skipped to different points as desired. And with a Garmin Golf Premium Subscription, you can store these video clips in the cloud for convenient access.
Note that unlike the Rapsodo MLM, the R10’s video capture feature does not have a shot tracer.
Club Performance
Closely tying in with video capture is the ability to monitor how each club is performing during a driving range session.
When viewing your club performance, you get:
- a top-down dispersion map of all your shots
- your total shot count
- the number of shots hit with each club
- the max, min, and average distances for each club
- average carry distances for each club
This feature will really help you understand your numbers. In fact, if you’re using the R10, I would recommend hitting at least ten shots with each club in your bag so that you learn your average distances and can make better club selection choices during rounds.
Tournaments & Sharing
Another thing the Garmin Golf app allows you to do is upload scorecards and review stats & leaderboards.
You can view global weekly leaderboards for any of the 42,000+ courses contained in Home Tee Hero and view stats in real time.
You can also create your own tournaments and invite your friends to compete.
PinSeeker App Compatibility
The unique PinSeeker app runs closest-to-the-pin tournaments through E6 CONNECT that reward participants with prizes. The two types of tournaments in PinSeeker are currently:
- Free Tournaments: held multiple times every day, these allow you to practice your game stress-free and win swag or bragging rights
- Cash Tournaments: held multiple times a week, these have an entry fee and pay out cash prizes that are also matched and sent to charity
The app is available for download on both iOS and Android devices. Tournaments are open to not just R10 users, but also anyone using a compatible simulator.
The latest full version of E6 CONNECT is required to play PinSeeker tournaments. You can also use PinSeeker on the demo version of E6 CONNECT but you will only have access for a limited time.
PinSeeker is an interesting way to possibly recoup some or all of the cost of your R10 unit and the E6 CONNECT software, depending on how good of a golfer you are!
Titleist RCT Compatibility
The R10 is also now compatible with Titleist Pro V1 and V1x RCT (radar capture technology) golf balls.
These balls provide all the same benefits as the world-renowned Pro V1 and V1x balls, but are specially manufactured by Titleist with an internal reflective marker. This embedded marker is designed so that radar-based launch monitors can provide the most accurate indoor spin readings possible.
In the case of the R10, Titleist RCT balls enable spin rate readings that are up to 30 times more accurate that normal, and carry distance readings that are up to 50% more accurate.
These balls are pricey at around $70/dozen but you can find great deals for them on eBay.
Pricing
The Approach R10 launch monitor unit costs $599.99 USD. This includes the R10, tripod stand, phone mount, carrying case, and Micro USB cable.
The companion Garmin Golf app, which is required to use the R10, is free. However, Garmin offers a membership for the app, exclusive for R10 users, that costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. The membership gives you:
- access to Home Tee Hero golf simulation
- green contour data
- the ability to store video clips in the cloud
A 30-day free trial for the Garmin Golf membership is provided, which I think is a very generous amount of time to try it out.
As for the E6 CONNECT software, it’s quite expensive. A basic 1-year subscription costs $300, an expanded 1-year subscription costs $600, and a permanent license costs $2,500.
The Golf Club 2019 costs $950 as a one-time purchase. Awesome Golf costs $199.99+$9.99 per month or $349.99 one time. Creative Golf costs $240 per year or $600 one time.
The majority of R10 customers will likely find the simulation capabilities of Home Tee Hero sufficient, and others will be happy with the Awesome Golf integration. I recommend getting TGC 2019 over E6 CONNECT unless you really like E6’s gameplay and graphics.
Where To Buy The Approach R10 Online
There are many places where you can buy the Approach R10. If you’re looking online, the best places I would recommend are PlayBetter, The Indoor Golf Shop, and Top Shelf Golf.
You can choose any of these vendors based on your preferences. They all have excellent support teams that will help you with any questions or concerns you may have.
PlayBetter, in particular, offers a special bundle that packs the R10 in a cool gift box and includes their own branded car and wall USB charging adapters.
If you’re looking for a discount on a used R10, you may be able to find a good deal on eBay.
Another thing that’s worth considering if you plan to use the R10 indoors is a good net and hitting mat setup. You can even take it to the next level and have a full simulator screen & enclosure, with the Garmin Golf app or E6 desktop software connected to a projector.
The buttons below open in new tabs, so go ahead and click on all of them to compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Garmin Golf app be viewed on a larger display?
Yes, and there are two elements to this.
The first is viewing your smartphone’s Garmin Golf app image on a larger tablet. Android-to-Android or iPhone-to-iPad mirroring, with technologies like AirPlay or Screen Share, makes this possible.
Using the screen mirroring function on your smartphone, you can also mirror the Garmin Golf app to a compatible smart TV.
Can I use the Approach R10 without a subscription?
Yes, you can. As long as you have a smartphone that can run the Garmin Golf app, you’ll be able to view data parameters, watch video clips of your swing, analyze your performance, and access all other free features of the app.
For a full list of the free features provided by the Garmin Golf app, go here. You can also use third-party simulator software without signing up for a subscription plan.
Is Garmin updating the Approach R10?
Absolutely. Their 3.30 update, for example, improved club path and angle of attack estimations outdoors, indoor launch angle, outdoor side spin estimation, and adjacent shot rejection outside the hitting area.
Their 4.30 update improved chip shot detection and added support for Titleist RCT golf balls.
Firmware updates for the R10 should be installed using Garmin Express, which is an exclusive application designed to manage Garmin devices. A PC or Mac is needed to install Garmin Express.
Why are my data readings way off?
With the R10, you will very rarely have situations where a data point here or there is a little wonky. This is normal and to be expected for a sub-$1000 launch monitor. There are many variables at play, and sometimes they don’t all line up perfectly.
But beyond this, inaccurate readings are most likely due to incorrect alignment. As I mentioned in the Setup section above, the R10 should be level with the hitting surface, and the red line on the top of the device should be aligned with the ball and the target line.
To avoid confusion if you’re hitting draws and fades, the target line is the straight line from the ball to your intended target.
One of the best ways to check your alignment is to hit a short, straight shot with a wedge, and compare the ball flight to what is displayed in the Garmin Golf app. If the R10 is facing too far in one direction, the simulated launch will tend to be too far in the other direction.
Final Thoughts
For a portable $600 unit, there’s really no other way to put it: the Garmin Approach R10 launch monitor is excellent.
Not only does it measure an impressive amount of data points that you would normally only get at the $2500 SkyTrak/Mevo+ level and above, but along with the Rapsodo MLM2PRO, it’s also one of the only launch monitors under $1000 that has golf simulation capability.
That doesn’t mean the R10 is better than these systems. Assuming you were financially indifferent to spending $2500 or spending $600, I would still go for the $2500 system (SkyTrak+ for indoors or Mevo+ for outdoors) because you’ll get more reliability and more direct measurements.
But if you want to stay at that three-figure price level, the R10 is definitely what you should go for except in one case: when you need shot tracing for your recorded swings. In that case, you should look at the Rapsodo MLM or MLM2PRO, although you’ll need an mobile device for those.
Moreover, if you have an even tighter budget of $500 or less and still want spin measurements, you should look at the FlightScope Mevo which is usable with both Android and iOS devices.
The Approach R10 is simply loaded with value. For the most part it has excellent accuracy, and although there is room for improvement in a few areas including indoor performance, Garmin is building on the R10 with updates and will likely continue to do so for years to come.
Thanks for reading my Garmin Approach R10 review. Are you interested in the R10? Have you tried it already? What’s your experience? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Will this work with a tablet or only on a phone.
Good question. It seems that the Garmin Golf app isn’t optimized for iPads and tablets. What this means is that depending on the specific device, the app will be enlarged from the smartphone interface or not work properly. You could always try installing the app with your tablet and see what happens.
As far as I know, creating a version of the Garmin Golf app that is native to iPads and tablets is something that the dev team is reviewing. It is unfortunate that it isn’t the case now, especially since it would provide a better visual experience for Home Tee Hero.
Both Ipad-9th edition and Iphone-8 for me with no problems.
So Home tee hero works on the iPad 9th generation? or do you still need to mirror to the ipad 9th edition?
Thanks for the in depth review! Does it work indoors with soft balls, such as foam or plastic?
Yes, but it won’t be ideal. There will be some major limitations associated with the ball data, because how a foam or plastic ball reacts to the impact with the clubface will be very different from a real ball. Club data, however, should be more or less the same. If you want to go that route, you might consider getting almostGOLF balls which fly one third of the distance but more closely mimic the behaviour of real balls.
Did you actually test against another LM (Quad etc) or just assume it is on the level of Skytrak? I can’t see how it can be with calculated spin.
You’re right, the Approach R10 does estimate spin, while the SkyTrak directly measures it. It’s one of the advantages of camera-based systems. I believe the original Mevo measures spin rate as well, but you’ll need to apply a ball marker for that.
What’s it like with shorter distances, say up to 75 yds? I had a voicecaddie but it couldn’t even pick up short shots, let alone give an accurate distance.
In general, accuracy in the 30-100 yard range is extremely good — better than pretty much any other launch monitor in this price range. It’s actually one of the R10’s biggest strengths, in my view. Although, I have found that the R10 sometimes won’t pick up very short shots like some chips and pitches if the backswing is too short or too slow. As long as the LED turns red and the R10 is detecting the shot, it should be very accurate.
Says that GR10 does not have facility for user to change club…does it mean that the GR10 detect the club automatically? I.e. iron 7 vs iron 8?
No, the R10 doesn’t automatically detect the club. You have to select it manually in the app.
Thanks for the review. I received mine today and only looked at a glance – I have seen from a few sources that it comes with a basic subscription with 5 courses. Would it be possible to guide me through the process of getting that licence connected with e6 and the garmin?
Thank you in advance!
Hope you enjoy it. Yes, the R10 comes bundled with a basic subscription to E6 CONNECT, but only on iOS devices. All you really need to do is install the E6 app on your iOS device and make sure it’s picking up your R10 with the license. You can connect to E6 via the Garmin Golf app, but I don’t even think that’s necessary.
I’ve seen a few places say, like you do, that the r10 is more accurate outside where the radar can shine. My question is if that depends on a long ball flight at the range or if outside in the yard into a net will perform better than inside?
Thanks for the review
As long as the net is at least 8 feet from the strike point, you’ll be able to get maximum performance outside. In that case, it would be as good as hitting on the range. But I would bump up the distance by a couple feet (10+) just in case. I’m not exactly sure why radar tends to be more reliable outdoors, but I’m sure it comes down to how the technology works. In many cases, radar works equally well indoor or outdoors. Thanks for checking out the review!
Is there any plan to make the basic 5 courses available for PC? It sounds like it is available for purchase for the PC. Also it sounds like using the RCT balls dramatically increases the accuracy of the machine, is there a reason they don’t automatically use these balls?
The basic 5-course version that is included is only available for iOS and I don’t expect that to change. The version of E6 CONNECT you can purchase for PC is different (better) — 27 courses for a standard one-time license or full features for an annual subscription.
The R10 doesn’t come with any golf balls. It’ll be up to you to use whatever ball you want. If you have a preference for a particular golf ball, you can definitely use it, but if getting the most accurate indoor spin readings possible is important to you, the RCT balls might be the way to go. The RCT balls only improve the accuracy of spin readings.
If I already have the Garmin Golf app from one of my other Garmin devices (I have an Approach S42), do I still need to pay the $99 subscription to get the Garmin Golf app, and if not, would that still include Golf Hero?
Thanks for the review.
The Garmin Golf app offers many useful free features. However, the subscription is needed to access Home Tee Hero, weekly tournaments, and cloud storage, so if you want these things, you’ll need to get it.
Hi, great review. I don’t understand how you could possibly use this on a driving range? Most ranges wouldn’t have the space to set the thing up 8ft behind the ball?
My question is this though, if I used it in my garden with a net, would different light levels affect it? Ie. If it was dusk?
I would think most driving ranges do have at least 8 feet of clearance behind the ball, especially if you’re in the grassy area. It does depend on the driving range, though, so check your local range and see. Often times, though, this would put the R10 in the path of foot traffic from other people at the range; in that case, you could use some kind of temporary barrier or marker behind the unit to let people know to stay clear. If in doubt, have a chat with the management of the range or course to discuss your options.
Regarding the light levels, nope. That’s one of the main benefits of a radar-based launch monitor — it uses waves that aren’t affected by lighting conditions, unlike photometric systems.
Do you need internet / wifi to be able to play the home tee hero, we are looking at getting one for onboard our ship but donot have wifi where the driving range net is located on the vessel
You need internet to download the courses, but you don’t need a connection to play. You should be good to go.
Thanks Paul, Sorry but a few more questions from some of the guys.
In home Tee hero will they be able to play each like on the G80 other or do they play individually against the computer.
Do they all need an account or could we set up one for the vessel and let different people use it while onboard.
I assume you will need internet access to compete or does the unit save the info to your mobile via bluetooth and then download it to your cloud account once you have a wifi connection.
You can add up to 4 players in Home Tee Hero, and once you choose a course, you would all take turns hitting your shots. There is no computer, so if you’re playing alone, you would just hit one shot after another. There’s no putting, though, so once you hit the green, the app will add a certain number of strokes to your score depending on how far away you are from the hole.
Nope, they don’t need separate accounts or Garmin Golf subscriptions. All you need is one subscription and one account from the owner of the unit, and you can add up to four players.
You don’t need internet access to play; you just need it to download courses. But as long as you have an active Garmin Golf membership, yes, once you reconnect to the internet, your data will be uploaded.
Hope this helps!
Will there be putting in the near future with the garmin r10?
Not likely. There are only so many things you can expect from a $600 launch monitor, even one as great as the R10, and good putting simulation is hard enough to come by as it is. I would think that the R10 just doesn’t have the power and technology of a higher-end unit that would allow it to accurately read putts. If you’re desperate for simulated putting along with full-shot simulation, you’ll need to start at the price level of the SkyTrak. There is also something like the Exputt EX300 that is designed solely for putting. Otherwise, you can derive a lot of benefit from practicing putting in real life on an indoor putting green or on the practice green at your local course.
Thanks for the review! I am interested in this for the golf simulation with the ability to virtually play golf courses from my garden! But, if it doesn’t measure putting – how can you get a score?
Once you’re on the green, you automatically putt out and move on to the next hole. The R10 adds a certain number of strokes to the score depending on how far away from the hole you were:
– inside the smallest circle: +1 stroke
– between the smaller and larger circles: +2 strokes
– outside the circles but still on the green: +3 strokes
Thanks for reading!
Hi good review. A question: If I don’t subscribe to Premium Golf subscription, can I then save videos on iPhone or iCloud space that I have? thanks
You should be able to do that, yes. You just have to create a free account with Garmin. The advantage of the Garmin Golf membership is having a dedicated, convenient cloud space for those clips and not having to worry about storage space.
Got an R10 and I love it. However, I use Awesome Golf as the main app (which seems to require Garmin Golf App to be open whilst I’m using it). The 30 day free trial, on Garmin is due to come to an end. In order to continue using Awesome Golf (which I’ve subscribed to), do I need to also pay for the Garmin golf app?
Hi Shane. No, that shouldn’t be the case. A Garmin Golf Membership is only needed to play Home Tee Hero and have access to the cloud. I do believe you need an active internet connection to use Awesome Golf though.
Hello, this is one of the most complete and clear review I’ve read about GR10. Thank you for that.
To be certain, because I am french and I don’t trust my english understanding. Could you please just resume the cost for using the R10 as a home simulator?
What I understood is : GR10 : 600$ + 100$ per year for Hero Golf Simulation + OPTIONAL E6 access (300$/year) so : 700$ the first year then 100$/year the next ones with Hero app and 1000$ the first year then 400$ a year the next ones with E6 Basics.
Could you confirm that?
Last question : Can we use the Hero Golf Simulation APP on a PC?
Thank you
Hi Pierrick. Yes, that sounds right. The expanded E6 CONNECT subscription would cost $600/year.
Since Home Tee Hero is accessed through the Garmin Golf app which is available only for Android and iOS mobile devices, you can’t install it on a PC. However, you should theoretically be able to use it on PC if you mirror your phone to it or use an Android or iOS emulator. There are guides online you can research if you want to go down this route.
Hope this helps!
Hi Paul — terrific review. A couple of questions.
Re the video capture, your review talks about putting an iPhone behind the ball so that you have a down-the-line review, but I assume you could also position the iPhone so that it takes a face on view of the swing and that would work as well with the R10? (I currently have the basic Mevo device and it allows you to put the iPhone wherever you want, so I assume the R10 similarly allows that.). Also, your negatives about mention that the R10 has issues with certain pre-shot routines — what exactly are those issues?
Also, does the R10 have any issues tracking the ball if the range ball is yellow rather than white? I’ve had issues in this regard with other swing monitors.
Thanks. Larry
Hi Larry, thanks for reading.
Yes, you should be able to place your phone camera in different locations as long as it’s close enough to the R10 unit to stay connected. I was told this by a Garmin rep too. Just make sure that it’s not in a position where it could get struck by the golf ball.
Regarding the pre-shot routines, what was happening was if you did a waggle or some other club movement before hitting the shot, the R10 would sometimes treat it like it was part of the shot and stop tracking immediately after that. This was much more likely to happen indoors or when hitting into a net. However, Garmin later came out with a firmware update that addressed this issue, and now it’s much better. If you find that this ever happens, you should look back at the unit to make sure there’s a flashing green light before hitting your shot.
No, using a yellow ball shouldn’t be a problem. The R10 uses Doppler radar that bounces wave signals off the golf ball, in contrast to a camera-based system. I talked to a Garmin rep as well and they said that the ball colour doesn’t matter. I have heard reports from a couple of people saying it wouldn’t track their yellow balls, but I can’t verify these claims. If you have problems, you may have to switch to white balls.
Hope this helps!
Do you ever do a demo day at golf courses? I’m putting an event together for charity and looking for some fun on the driving range. My name is Roger Gilliam and the event will be in June at Recreation Park in Long Beach. One of the oldest courses in the nation. Thanks Rog
Hi Rog. We’re not the manufacturer of the Approach R10 nor are we a golf retailer. But I hope your event turns out great!
Hi,
Thanks for the detailed review.
Few questions:
1) I really like the shot tracer that rapsodo has. I am assuming that at some point Garmin will also have the feature – if it is a software only feature. Any idea if Garmin is considering that?
2) I also want to use it on the course – rather than just on the driving range. I didn’t see an option for that in the menu. Any idea how well it will work, especially the shot dispersion if I keep moving the R10 from one hole to another?
3) I have the Garmin Approach S62 watch. Do you know if the Garmin Golf app will be able to combine the data from the S62 and R10 and provide a comprehensive view in the Garmin Golf app?
1) No, you don’t get a shot tracer overlaid on top of a video clip of your swing. I doubt they will add this. You do, however, get 3D shot tracers within the various simulation softwares that integrate with the R10. You could also use something like the Shot Tracer app to produce the desired effect.
2) I don’t think the R10 is meant to be used this way, but it can work and the accuracy is decent. The problem is that you’ll need to set up and realign the R10 for every shot, and it can often be difficult to achieve the proper positioning depending on if there is uneven terrain, a tree in the way, etc. You’re right that dispersion data wouldn’t be particularly useful in this case.
3) I reached out to Garmin to confirm this, and the answer is no. The data will be separate.
I hope this helps, and thanks for reading!
Hi Paul
Great product review. Very detailed.
Am I correct that the LED light is situated on the rear of the device. So if I wanted to check to make sure it was ready, I’d have to walk ard the back each time to check this?
Nope, the status LED indicator is on the front. It’s the battery LED that’s located on the back. You don’t have to walk away from your shot.
Thanks Paul. That makes sense then. One more question, can you change the unit of measure i.e. yards to meters and mph to kmh?
Yes, you can change distance, elevation and speed units of measurement in the Garmin Golf app settings. No problem!
1) I use foam ball, but Garmin can’t read it
8 feet space in front of the net. Placed 8 feet behind the ball
What’s the problem?
2) I read the wavelength, but is it okay if there is something like iron behind the net?
3) I have to align the red line on the main body exactly, so do I have to align the line every time I change the golf club?
First of all, my biggest worry is that I don’t read the form ball well.
When I play the game, it automatically reads the stick, so why do I have to set it up in practice?
1) I don’t recommend using regular foam balls at all; the R10 is not designed to be used with them. However, as I mentioned in a previous comment, you can use almostGOLF balls, but distance readings will be much lower and other ball data parameters may be off. Setup is minimum 8 feet from the net to the ball, and 6-8 feet from the ball to the R10.
3) No, because the R10 is aligned with the ball position, not the club. When you do change clubs though, make sure to select it in the app.
I don’t understand your second question or your last comment, so if you could clarify those, that would be great.
If the sound is loud on the roof of a building, it will harm the locals, so I have to use a foam golf ball.
Is there a problem if there is a metal in the direction the ball flies in front of the r10? I have an iron gate in the direction the ball flies
My problem is that r10 doesn’t work well
The red light on r10 comes on during backswing, but it doesn’t work after swinging
When changing irons to drivers, do I have to move the r10 to realign the red line?
In that case, you can use something like the almostGOLF ball (you can buy some here). There is a bit of impact noise but it shouldn’t be an issue. You will have to live with the altered distance readings.
As long as the iron gate is far enough away from the net that the ball can’t actually make contact with it, you’re good to go. There will need to be some clearance behind the net since it gets pushed back a bit by the ball.
I’m not sure why the R10 isn’t working properly for you. It could be a setup issue, and the R10 has also had issues with not detecting a shot after a pre-shot club waggle. Make sure the firmware is fully upgraded to the latest version and that the unit is properly set up according to the user manual. If you’re still having issues, reach out to Garmin customer support.
You shouldn’t have to move the R10 when switching from irons to drivers. As I said, the R10 is aligned with the ball, not the club, and the ball position should not change.
Have you reviewed the golf caddie 300i?
I have one and am not convinced the clubbed speed is accurate.
We feature it in several of our launch monitor buying guides. It’s a great device. I’m not aware of any particular issue with it reading club head speed, but these kinds of launch monitors will never be bang on accurate.
Awesome review, my questions is for the driving range on the garmin golf app. My numbers are showing that the ball should draw but when the flight shows up it starts right and end right of line but dosnt show the draw flight. Swing path is to the right, face open slightly and face to path read out to to the left.
I’m honestly not sure exactly what you mean. If the face is closed relative to the swing path, it will draw, but it may still end up right of the target line. A straight shot to the right means the face is square to the swing path which is to the right.
Hi there, great review! I just got mine and had a lot off false data in the first range session. My club head speed with an i7 is between 78-80. The R10 gave me two 5W with 130mph; a shanked i9 with 21 mph although it was a full swing. Are you sure it measures clubhead speed? Seems to me the R10 calculates it based on ball flight. Another point: Every draw ball flight with driver was shown in the Garmin App as a push. Session setup was outside on the range with a little rain. After all there were 6 false measurements out of 25. This is an error rate of 24%.
Yes, Garmin even states on their website that club head speed is measured. Face angle, carry distance and apex height are calculated.
It’s difficult for me to say if there’s some kind of issue there. I would point you to the section in the FAQ about inaccurate data readings; it sounds like your alignment of the device could have been off, so make sure that the red line on the device lines up with the ball and the target line. Beyond that, it’s normal for the R10 to occasionally have a “brain fart” with a bad shot such as a shank. Another factor is the rain; you know, I’m not entirely sure if rain could affect the accuracy of the device. It’s possible, but I’ve never used it out in the rain myself. If you’ve made sure the alignment setup is correct, I would definitely try using it when it’s not raining and see if it makes a difference. I think using it in the rain is a bit risky in any event. Hope this helps!
Hi Paul,
Great review mate. I’m new to golf but have picked it up reasonably well and playing off 12/13. I am still learning how far I hit each club and pretty much just guesstimating at the moment. If I took this to the practice field and hit say 20 balls with each club, would this give me my average distances etc? Would it matter if the field terrain was massively uphill/downhill etc? So basically , my understanding is that I would set the monitor up behind myself as you have suggested and then hit balls , looking at,, for example my IPad to see the data of the shots I have hit?
Thanks in advance
Hey Stevie. Yes, you would be able to view your average distances with each club in the Garmin Golf app.
It doesn’t matter what the terrain looks like down the line as long as the R10 unit is level with the tee position. Naturally, when the R10 calculates carry and total distance, it assumes a flat elevation.
Yes, exactly, you would view the data on a smartphone or tablet.
Hope this helps!
Hi, is it possible to get the R 10 paired with a MARQ watch, so that I can see the data/results on my watch? If not, is it planned for the future?
Thanks in advance
Tom
Hi Tom. No, and I don’t know if they would ever do this. You’ll have to ask Garmin.
Simply a piece of junk. Extremely inaccurate and a small small small screen. Customer beware!
Well, I can assure you that it’s not a piece of junk. You may have a serious setup issue. What do you mean by “small screen”?
Thanks for the review. I am considering purchasing a used R10. If I did this would I be able to use the free 5 E6 courses or is it a licensing deal where it the previous owner used E6 I wouldn’t be able to unless I bought a subscription. Thanks!
Hi Jason. Yes, the free software deal would be tied to the previous owner. How it works is that the R10 unit’s serial number is tied to their E6 account. If you could somehow gain access to their E6 account, you’d be able to use it.
Thanks for this in depth review. Is Awesome Golf the only Golf Sim compatible with the R10 without a subscription ($349.99 one time)?
Nope. E6 CONNECT and The Golf Club 2019 have one-time purchase options as well!
Hi Paul, your review is very helpful thanks
My concern is the reliability and usability of the app on Android. I have a completely different type of golf app which is reportedly great on iPhone but is pants on Android (excruciatingly slow, unresponsive and lots of crashes). It seems that there are a few recent poor reviews of the Garmin Golf App on the Android Google Play Store in relation to the R10 which mention crashes which is a bit off putting. It’s not completely clear in what situations those crashes occur; some reviews mention Home Tee Hero and simulation but not all. I can’t find any reviews on the iPhone App Store that mention R10.
Do you use the R10 with Android Paul or have you witnessed or heard of Android experiences? Do you know or would you expect it to perform equally well on Android as ios?
My intention would be to use it on my Android Huawei P30 Lite and use a cast app to cast to my Macbook Pro.
Thank you for your help
Pete
Hi Pete,
I don’t know how you intend to use the Garmin Golf app, but it’s true that the Android version has a lower average rating than the iOS version. I have noticed that brands of launch monitor and golf simulator apps tend to favour iOS, and some (like the Rapsodo MLM) don’t even have Android versions. I don’t know what it is exactly but I suspect Android devices have certain limitations (such as the camera) that make developing these kinds of apps more difficult.
My experience with the Garmin Golf app on Android is limited. I would say that the iOS app is probably more reliable and less prone to issues, but at the same time, a lot of people have screwed up phones yet blame the app for their problems. I can’t say whether or not you’ll have major issues on the Huawei P30 Lite, but that is a fairly recent model which is good. You should definitely give it a shot and see how it goes. If you run into problems, there’s always the option of returning it or even using an emulator or getting a cheap iOS device if you really want to run the iOS version.
Just keep in mind that it doesn’t necessarily mean much if an app has negative reviews because the hardware, phone model and other factors differ from person to person.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the prompt reply Paul, I checked out your ios emulator idea but I couldn’t find anything that would let me install the ios app using the emulator – seemed to be just emulating the iphone looks or for developers to test their ios apps by uploading the file containing the app code.
So looking at ‘cheap’ reconditioned iphones as I really don’t want another bad android golf app experience – the minimum ios is v13 for the Garmin app so that means iphone 6S as a minimum, iphone 8 is the minimum to get the latest ios v16. If you have any opinions on iphone 6, 7 or 8 or ios versions running the Garmin App I would be interested to hear. I would use the range option to help improve, particularly launch direction to hopefully fix my pull and push shots and the simulator to enjoy some golf when at home.
Also I would use the R10 in my sloping garden with a net. The slope means the ball is above my feet, The R10 would be positioned behind the ball on the same slope. I know the R10 has to be at the same height or above the ball and aligned to target but nobody seems to mention if it has to be positioned on flat ground or do you think it would be accurate with being sloped (about 10 degrees)?
Thanks again for your help
Pete
No problem. As I said, I wouldn’t assume you’ll have a bad experience with the app on Android. It’s very possible that you will not have any issues. Try installing the app right now on your phone, create an account, and see how it runs without connecting an R10. Connectivity is another thing — if the data/internet connection is dodgy, it could cause problems with the app. I don’t have experience with the app on those iPhones, but I have heard a lot of people complain about how the iOS version presents data, so I wouldn’t act too hastily in that regard.
As for the slope, that’s a good question. I’ve never dealt with that situation myself, but I would assume that if the R10 unit isn’t oriented in a normal way relative to the ball, readings like spin, launch and attack angle would be skewed. I’m not 100% on that, but I know of at least one person who was hitting on a downslope and may have had accuracy issues. I would ask Garmin support to confirm.
Sorry I can’t be of more help. But I think the best thing to do is to get the R10 and try it out with the phone you have now. If you have problems, reach out to Garmin support, and if it’s just not working out, you can always return it.
Cheers Paul, Garmin support confirmed “Yes needs to be flat ground” so something else for me to overcome.
Hi Paul, thanks for a great in-depth review of the Garmin R10 and for answering all questions. My question could be a silly one, but the option to Play Courses where one selects a local course and records scores per hole, is that related in any way to the R10 radar shot tracking or is it purely for recording scores of your regular weekly golf game?
Hey there. It’s just for recording scores. To get that data and extended swing information, you’ll need to use the driving range.
Hi Paul. Looking at purchasing this as a first launch monitor, and I’d really like to use it indoors in the winter. My net is going to be RIGHT AT 8 feet – maybe a little closer for driver due to a ceiling height issue and the shape of the roof in my space. Is that going to give me slightly less reliable numbers or completely terrible numbers? Normally I’d hit into a net that was more like 6 feet out.
Hi Mark. It’s possible that you could have accuracy issues if the distance is slightly less than 8 feet. 8 feet is really the minimum, and 10-12 feet is a safer bet. I don’t think the numbers would be extremely off, but it’s hard to say what the result will be without trying it.
Thanks for a great review, Paul. If using the Garmin R10 indoors just to work on certain aspects of your golf swing, could you assume you would still get accurate numbers for the following metrics if using a foam or plastic ball?
Club head speed
Club face angle
Club path angle
Angle of attack
Launch angle?
Launch direction?
Hi Jim. From a logical point of view, the first four parameters you listed are not relevant to the behaviour of the ball and should be ok. However, the last two (launch angle and direction) are related to the behaviour of the ball and so they should not be relied on for accurate data.
First off: nice and succinct review. UPDATE-
as of now the unit is on software version 4.3x and Garmin golf app accuracy has definitely improved since I purchased the R10 back in June.
20 plus range sessions, after the 4.1 update My DRIVER and Long clubs have been seemingly better gapped. At first my 7 iron club speed would be like 60-68mph and carry only 110 115 yards. DRIVER carry was only about 140 and showed a SwingSpeed of 70-72 tops!
Since the last 2 updates the gapping between clubs has been largely resolved- today I hit 10 SHOTS with 7I 9I 58°GW, 3W, AND DRIVER.
AVERAGES WERE – 7i SS 69 127 carry
9i SS 64 109 carry Gapwedge SS 61 101 carry. 3W ss 83 168 carry. Driver 88 189 carry.
So my numbers aren’t going to win a long drive contest but the point is it’s doing a much better job of making the distinction between long and short clubs, whereas before every club was between 60-72 mph.
Also in my yard into the net the numbers tend to be nearly identical to the range if not a little longer since it’s using algorithms for distance. INSIDE same story went into Dick’s in the demo room (they have a Gcquad) I setup my r10 at the same time. the GC4 WAS SHOWING ABOUT 8-12 MORE YARDS. Otherwise nearly identical.
I hope this info is useful to everyone who is on the fence, but honestly if you have considered this device for a while, and have $600 you can’t get anything better IMHO.
I do wonder if this will work on my PRIVATE SUBMARINE? Possibly the double hull and nuclear reactors along with….. Lol jk
Hi Paul,
Great review! Might be stupid question but does the ball have to be on a tee or can it be on the mat? Or both? Wasn’t sure since it sits on a tripod.
No worries! Either way works; as long as the R10 has a clear view of the ball, you should be good. However, if you want to raise the level of the mat entirely (instead of it just lying on the floor), you’ll need to raise the R10 as well with something like a book or wooden block.
I can’t justify any buying any subscriptions what will the r10 do out of the box with the garmin app installed and no payed form memberships? Is it just the driving range or are there any other courses or holes that can be played for free. BTW intend using android app
Yep, out of the box you can access the driving range on the Garmin Golf app. The R10 also comes bundled with a basic (free) version of E6 CONNECT with five courses.
Thank you for all of your information!!
So the free 5 courses on e6 that come with r10 purchase will not work on a pc and therefore i can’t play them projected onto my screen since I only have a pc. Is this correct?
No problem Phil. The bundled version is iOS only, but you can purchase a feature-rich version of E6 CONNECT for PC separately. If you ever had access to an iPad, that could also be hooked up to your projector.
my skytrak is out for repair and I’m out of the US so looking at a turn around time that has me itching for some golf. I want to try the r10 in my sim space to tide me over then use at the range in the summer but I’m looking at 7 feet of ball flight and not 8. have you tried any closer than the 8feet? I’m ok with a slight drop in accuracy but needs to be reasonable. I’d try it and return it if not working but my local shop doesn’t allow returns on open and registered tech. can’t make a mistake here.
8 feet is the minimum (the higher the better), and anything under that could produce accuracy issues. There are people who have it at 7 feet and have no problems, but I can’t say you’ll be one of them. Distance readings may be skewed by 20+ yards. Sorry I can’t provide more assurance for you, but I suggest getting your R10 from a vendor that has a better return policy if possible.
thanks for your input and quick reply. the only way to know for sure is to try it out. 20 plus yards definitely wouldn’t be acceptable. 10 I could probably love with as a temp solution until my skytrak returns.
Is it possible to download the data from the app to a PC for analysis?
Yes. You can export the data from a session into a CSV file, which can then be transferred to a PC and viewed with a program like Excel.
I just got my Garmin R10, last week and immediately able to test it in our local golf range. I did not have any problem on setup. However, once I am back at the house, I could not figure out on how to see thru my iMAC, my data in Garmin Connect? I can see it thru my android phone device though. Any help?
Hi Albert. If you want to view the R10 data on your iMac, you’ll have to mirror to it from your Android device. There are several ways to do Android -> Mac mirroring (USB, Wi-Fi) and you can find instruction on this with a Google search.
Instruction Manuel is hopeless. Causes untold wasted hours googling!
Great review! I used it on the driving range and thought it was mostly accurate. I assume the data numbers (carry, total distance) are accurate to the balls you’re hitting, correct? IE – hitting sh**ty pinnacle range balls vs a ProV1X.
Thanks!
Thanks Pat. Yes, that’s generally correct. Launch monitors like the R10 measure things like ball speed, launch angle and spin and then use an algorithm to calculate carry distance — range balls will tend to read lower ball speed, higher spin, and lower launch which will translate to a lower carry reading. Total distance is estimated and depends on the course conditions and turf settings inputted into the launch monitor.