Garmin Approach R50. All-in-one optical LM @ $5K.

[vanderputts]

2 hours ago, JCP22 said:

Just took a look and yes much more detailed. Maybe they can upgrade all the courses to look like that in the future. 

 

I may need to fire up Kapalua then. I've been enamored with the GS Pro connection, been playing 18h on different courses with friends all week while the weather is terrible. The random hole builder with KP tracking has been awesome for warming up.

 

Excited to see if they come out with some graphics enhancements on the built-in HTH courses - that would be pretty sweet. The local courses we've played all look fine as they are and are accurate but even a modest increase in graphics quality would be awesome.

[Golfaces]

Not sure if this question has been answered but can the r50 be connected to mobile or an tablet to see the data and navigate options? 

[Streuner]

12 hours ago, JCP22 said:

Just took a look and yes much more detailed. Maybe they can upgrade all the courses to look like that in the future. 

At the Garmin Forum a member suggested that there are a few more courses like Kapalua. But I have no idea how to find them. He did not specify this until now. I guess those courses need more Memory, but there is no way to see the storage size. 

Edited March 24 by Streuner

[JRS1939]

On 3/23/2025 at 5:27 PM, vanderputts said:

 

I may need to fire up Kapalua then. I've been enamored with the GS Pro connection, been playing 18h on different courses with friends all week while the weather is terrible. The random hole builder with KP tracking has been awesome for warming up.

 

Excited to see if they come out with some graphics enhancements on the built-in HTH courses - that would be pretty sweet. The local courses we've played all look fine as they are and are accurate but even a modest increase in graphics quality would be awesome.

The 3.8v update last week dramatically changed the AZ courses.  Previously they didn't have a "desert" feel they just had trees and grass everywhere.  They now have full desert mountain looks.   Check into Quintero Golf Club. Its arguably the top public course in the metro phoenix area.  Also, Wickenburg Ranch.  

[Streuner]

You Are Right, there are differences in some course I did download before. Some of them are looking a bit more realistic Right now.

[JanKo]

15 hours ago, Streuner said:

You Are Right, there are differences in some course I did download before. Some of them are looking a bit more realistic Right now.

Could you please share the names of the courses where you have seen upgraded graphics ?

[Streuner]

I use to spend in the Winterseason some time in Turkey because of the mild climate and the very good maintained golf courses. Since I got the R50 I did play a lot of the courses that I am playing in real at the vacation there.

the earlier versions had no variences in the plantation from Turkey to Switzerland. right now some of those courses look a bit more realistic with trees that are looking like orignal. But waste areas are still completely green rough. so it is mostly the design of the trees that has changed. elevated fairways look more elevated as well.

 

Gloria Golf Club Belek for example is looking more realistic right now.

 

Because I did not watch the Arizona courses from @JRS1939 before he mentioned those, I can not tell you if this is looking like a desert course since the update or if it was the same before. But Kapalua in Maui was looking like this before the update if I read the original posts at Garmin User Forum correctly

Edited March 26 by Streuner

[biglefthander]

Any longer term users who frequently swap from lh to rh? I am a lefty but my kids are righties - how much of a pita would it be to flip this around every shot when playing a round?

[JCP22]

12 hours ago, biglefthander said:

Any longer term users who frequently swap from lh to rh? I am a lefty but my kids are righties - how much of a pita would it be to flip this around every shot when playing a round?

I think theres a mode where the righties finish their hole, then the lefties go and finish theirs so less switching configurations. 

[true8]

I'm ready to buy one but before I do, I'd like to get more recent reviews. Any reliability issues? How accurate is the data, as I've read some people saying club path numbers are off. Does using range balls affect the numbers?

 

My plan is to use this in my basement to get my wedges and shorter iron distances dialed in. I can only swing up to a 7 iron. I will also take it to the range at times to play courses before trips.

[JCP22]

14 hours ago, true8 said:

I'm ready to buy one but before I do, I'd like to get more recent reviews. Any reliability issues? How accurate is the data, as I've read some people saying club path numbers are off. Does using range balls affect the numbers?

 

My plan is to use this in my basement to get my wedges and shorter iron distances dialed in. I can only swing up to a 7 iron. I will also take it to the range at times to play courses before trips.

Coming from the GC3 I have noticed no meaningful differences. And the ease of this thing to just fire up and take some swings and be on your way is game changing at least for me. Never used the GC3 as much as I use this. 

[Streuner]

 I am using my R50 mainly indoor at my garage. And the cailing is not very high, so I also can only swing up to 40“ shafted clubs. For getting the distances dail in for your scoring irons, it is perfect.
 

the R50 was replaicing my MEVO+ and indoor I do not miss the MEVO at all. Outdoor the MEVO was nice, because such a small device. But the hassle with the setup I do not miss ether. I do bring the R50 to the range sometimes, but this Maschine is huge, I only do it on days, when the range ususal is very empty and only a 1/4 of the MEVO usage Outdoor before. 
 

range balls are absolute not a problem, just they spin different depending on their quality. 

[enfuego]

2 hours ago, Streuner said:

 I am using my R50 mainly indoor at my garage. And the cailing is not very high, so I also can only swing up to 40“ shafted clubs. For getting the distances dail in for your scoring irons, it is perfect.
 

the R50 was replaicing my MEVO+ and indoor I do not miss the MEVO at all. Outdoor the MEVO was nice, because such a small device. But the hassle with the setup I do not miss ether. I do bring the R50 to the range sometimes, but this Maschine is huge, I only do it on days, when the range ususal is very empty and only a 1/4 of the MEVO usage Outdoor before. 
 

range balls are absolute not a problem, just they spin different depending on their quality. 

Any issues with sun light outdoors?

[Streuner]

38 minutes ago, enfuego said:

Any issues with sun light outdoors?

Not at all, but our range has a roof, mostly i am at the covered part of the range. 

[vanderputts]

On 3/23/2025 at 6:24 PM, Golfaces said:

Not sure if this question has been answered but can the r50 be connected to mobile or an tablet to see the data and navigate options? 

 

Everything is on the touch screen / Garmin app.

You can connect it to Awesome golf if you like for range/etc but I haven't really found that to be useful other than the games for the kids.

 

 

On 4/19/2025 at 3:48 PM, true8 said:

I'm ready to buy one but before I do, I'd like to get more recent reviews. Any reliability issues? How accurate is the data, as I've read some people saying club path numbers are off. Does using range balls affect the numbers?

 

My plan is to use this in my basement to get my wedges and shorter iron distances dialed in. I can only swing up to a 7 iron. I will also take it to the range at times to play courses before trips.

 

I've been using mine extensively (basically every day since launch) and haven't had any issues. 

 

I wrote on accuracy earlier next to a Trackman with nearly 1:1 results.

 

If the path is off, then its more likely user error in not calibrating the alignment direction. I keep mine mostly in a single spot so I don't really run the alignment calibration very often. 

 

If using at the range or with range balls, whatever device you use is still going to read whatever speed/spin/trajectory. Range balls are likely less than normal.

 

In my sim setup, I hit far more wedges and irons than anything else focusing on mechanics.

 

 

On 4/3/2025 at 6:42 AM, JCP22 said:

I think theres a mode where the righties finish their hole, then the lefties go and finish theirs so less switching configurations. 

 

I don't know any lefties so haven't had to try that, but will take a look.

 

 

On 4/21/2025 at 12:22 PM, enfuego said:

Any issues with sun light outdoors?

 

None. We take it on the course often too.

 

 

[vanderputts]

Here's my Garmin R50 setup. I'll do a more lengthy write up at some point but basically rebuilt my unfinished garage into a sim/office over 14 months.

 

The Garmin has been awesome. 

 

 

[true8]

Has anyone gotten the R50 with a discount since it has come out?

 

Also, how much improvement have you guys made having a launch monitor? Did you see your handicap drop after practicing with one? do the distances translate to the course?

[vanderputts]

On 5/4/2025 at 3:31 PM, true8 said:

Has anyone gotten the R50 with a discount since it has come out?

 

Also, how much improvement have you guys made having a launch monitor? Did you see your handicap drop after practicing with one? do the distances translate to the course?

I haven’t seen any discounts. It’s still relatively new.
 

I’m hitting more fairways and greens consistently thanks to the amount of training and drills I can do whenever I feel like it which has dropped my scores and handicap. 
 

Using the data to focus on working on the areas you need to improve, whether it be swing/contact/path/face/distance control/shape/situational/etc, is a big help.
 

If you go to the gym, you might get in better shape. If you have a plan and do it, you will.

[LHGolf4]

On 5/4/2025 at 5:31 PM, true8 said:

Has anyone gotten the R50 with a discount since it has come out?

 

Also, how much improvement have you guys made having a launch monitor? Did you see your handicap drop after practicing with one? do the distances translate to the course?

Look up up for Brands Cycle and Fitness. Sign up for emails (and then text messages). They will email you a 10% coupon, but then text you a 15% coupon that will work. That is how I got mine.

Edited May 8 by LHGolf4

[Lantrino]

On 5/3/2025 at 9:49 AM, vanderputts said:

Here's my Garmin R50 setup. I'll do a more lengthy write up at some point but basically rebuilt my unfinished garage into a sim/office over 14 months.

 

The Garmin has been awesome. 

 

 

 

Mate that set-up is class! Love it

[PowerCobra98]

On 5/8/2025 at 7:10 PM, LHGolf4 said:

Look up up for Brands Cycle and Fitness. Sign up for emails (and then text messages). They will email you a 10% coupon, but then text you a 15% coupon that will work. That is how I got mine.

 

How is the code used?  I don't even see the R50 on their website to purchase but perhaps I'm missing it since it's a bicycle website?

[true8]

Ordered the R50 and now just waiting for it to get shipped. I have a fiberbuilt mat that sits above the ground, what did you guys use to have the unit sitting even to the mat and so it doesn't move?

[Afternoon Spray]

After pining after a GC3 for years but not being able to afford one, I was lucky enough to snag this at a discount. I ordered a cheap mat and net from Costco to get started until I can slowly build a full sim setup in my garage. I cannot wait. 

[true8]

I just received my R50 today and am very impressed with it so far. Really easy to set up and I was hitting balls within 5 minutes. It is very responsive and the data shows up instantly on the screen. I wish I got a launch monitor sooner as I feel like I'll be using this a lot.

[JRS1939]

The biggest update to date, is rolling out daily now!  🔥 

[enfuego]

They needed to add the offset for projectors, glad they finally did. The Garmin forum had a ton of requests for it and it took a few months.

[LHGolf4]

On 5/23/2025 at 10:48 AM, PowerCobra98 said:

 

How is the code used?  I don't even see the R50 on their website to purchase but perhaps I'm missing it since it's a bicycle website?

Sorry been traveling and missed this.  Just search R50 on their website and it comes up.

[Ajgaguy83]

Does anyone have a shield recommendation for the R50? Full disclosure, I have t searched yet, but I’d appreciate any recommendation from current users (if they’re even needed).

[Streuner]

18 hours ago, Ajgaguy83 said:

Does anyone have a shield recommendation for the R50? Full disclosure, I have t searched yet, but I’d appreciate any recommendation from current users (if they’re even needed).

i have used the R50 the whole winter season, my screen and the net behind let the ball rebound about 2yards, i never had the situation that a ball hit the device with some kind of speed. 2-3 it bounced back and hit the concrete and jumped at the case, thats all. 

[Afternoon Spray]

Got this thing set up with GSPro streaming from my PC to a SteamLink on a TV outside and played a ton of virtual golf the past two days. I am so happy with this thing for the price. I have wanted to get a Foresight GC3 for years but the pricetag always held me up. I considered the BLP but being locked into a subscription always turned me away. when this undercut the price by several thousand (I was able to get 20% off), and the ability to plop it down and play Home Tee Hero right on the unit if I'm feeling too lazy to set up my TV and PC is insane value. 

 

Ball speed and spin numbers are all spot on from what I've gotten on trackman. Even when chipping for me. The only issue I've noticed is when using club data stickers, the face angle data seems to be off pretty frequently. Hopefully that can be fixed with software updates in the future, but that is my only complaint and I am super happy with this launch monitor. 

Next step, setting up an indoor hitting space by next fall with an impact screen and projector.