This $200 Device Could Prove Invaluable To Lowering Your Handicap
Conor Keenan tests a new entry to the cheaper end of the portable launch monitor market to if it is worth adding to your setup
A well-executed launch monitor that can prove an influential practice companion without putting too big a dent in your wallet. The GolfBuddy Shot Mate is easy to use, easier to carry around and can become an invaluable accessory to your range sessions or speed training.
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Very affordable
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Easy to use
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No companion app needed - just set it down and start swinging
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Doesn't match the accuracy of high-ticket models, particularly with longer clubs
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Now this… this is a product I would have died for roughly five years ago. A launch monitor that doesn’t cost over $300, rejoice!
The GolfBuddy Shot Mate has a simple selling point - it wants to be the best value golf launch monitor on the market, delivering accurate data at an affordable price. The best golf launch monitors can cost thousands, so how does this $230/£150 device stack up to some of the big hitters on the market? I tested it over multiple range sessions and compared it to some of the leading competition to find out.
Beginning with first impressions, nothing should surprise you with the Shot Mate. The body of the monitor is made of plastic and doesn’t feel overly premium, but that is fine; we aren’t shopping near the top end of the price scale. I must add it doesn’t feel like a cheap plastic, rather something that isn’t 'top end'.
The size of the Shot Mate is pleasingly compact.
In terms of both look and feel, this thing looks great. The red and black color scheme is neat and the kickstand on the back is a welcome design feature. Much like the best portable launch monitors, the Shot Mate takes up very little room in your bag and can be easily transported about due to the lack of weight.
As you can imagine given the price, the screen layout isn’t fancy, but it is dead simple and easy to use. With no app to connect to, you can simply set it down and begin swinging, albeit it must be placed in a slightly raised position a couple of meters behind where you are hitting.
The kickstand is a clever design feature.
The radar-based system delivers four key metrics; club speed, ball speed, smash factor and total carry/total distance. Clubhead speed here is the key metric for me, meaning this is the perfect companion if you fancy starting some speed training and need something to measure your progress.
A fair amount of manual input is needed for a full range session, but that is fine considering how easy it is to use. You’ll have to manually select each club you are hitting, which is done with a few simple button clicks. There is also a backlight to the screen which can swiftly be turned on and off depending on where you are practising, whilst you can also toggle between MPH and KMH depending on your preferences.
Numbers are calculated by combining spin and launch angle, which can lead to a few wonky numbers from time to time, but you have to expect this from a more affordable device.
The device must be slightly elevated behind you during your shots.
During my testing, it tended to be the longer clubs in which some numbers seemed inaccurate. Particularly with the driver and my fairway metals, I had the odd shot (maybe one in ten) where I could tell the number I was fed did not meet reality.
I directly compared the Shot Mate to the Garmin Approach G82, a device over three times the price, to see if it could keep up - and it largely did.
The shorter the club, the greater the accuracy, but the aforementioned longer clubs led to more discrepancies compared to the Garmin. Most yardages were within a yard or two of the Garmin, which was pleasing to see, but the gap widened with the longer clubs.
The accuracy of the shot mate dips when using the longer clubs.
Nevertheless, this is still an incredibly impressive device that can be used by players of all abilities - it is without doubt one of the best cheap launch monitors you can buy. Single-digit players who have a greater understanding of their distance might want to opt for something more feature-packed, but for the mid-to-high handicappers, regular use of this launch monitor can help shave multiple shots off your handicap.
Having a better idea of how far you hit each club is invaluable to shooting a good score, and buying a device that will help you achieve this has never been more affordable.
The Shot Mate works well for lefties as well as right-handers.
This is also the perfect companion for those undertaking speed training - the equipment for such training is already expensive before buying a unit to help to track your speeds. If I were to start and was in need of a device for speed training, this is what I would buy.
So, to conclude, this is a great little launch monitor. Cheap, largely accurate, well-made, easy to use and even easier to transport around. It can be used indoors and outdoors, and you can bring it onto the course with you if you'd like. Apart from the odd outlier number (to be expected at this price point), particularly at the top end of the bag, I find it very hard to find fault with the GolfBuddy Shot Mate.
