Garmin Approach R10 Portable Golf Launch Monitor

[JMathews]

3 hours ago, kiwihacker said:

It's good with backspin, especially if you are using the RCT ball it has proven to be as accurate as more expensive launch monitors. But it doesn't measure spin axis so doesn't accurately predict shot shape. 

Thanks.  Shot shape is my main concern when using it with a net.

[jjschafe]

12 minutes ago, JMathews said:

Thanks.  Shot shape is my main concern when using it with a net.

 

I wouldn't say shot shape isn't accurate, it is just very susceptible to setup error, eg, small error in L/R angle of the unit could make shot shape incorrect.  

[DocBrown3887]

On 5/25/2024 at 7:28 PM, AZstu324 said:

So I actually flipped the position of my net so that when I'm hitting I can look directly up at the TV screen and it's actually added an extra 6" or so to my hitting area. From the ball to the net it's roughly 8' and from the ball to the R10 it's about 9'. I too had to set up on one side and after trial and error AND completely chain thrashing my hybrid by hitting the garage door chain, I found that hitting into the garage set up on the left side is the way to go. In this pic you can see the line in the cement directly below the garage chain line. 

 

 

 

Oh sweet thanks for the update. Indeed as a right hander just today I have moved everything to the left side of the garage...I originally didn't want to do that because the house came with wooden built in shelves but I can basically get under the door motor since it isn't in club path. With mini driver I'm still a bit hesitant with the ceiling on follow through may have to limit to 5 wood as longest but will take some videos to see where I'm at. 

 

On 5/26/2024 at 9:35 AM, jjschafe said:

 

My experience (and Garmin recommendation), I'd recommend reducing you're ball to R10 down to 7'. Adding a foot from ball to net would help too.  YMMV and if your setup is working well... Then maybe don't fix what's not broken 🙂 Just wanted to point out what a more "standard" setup is.

 

 

 

Yeah I am at 7' for the R10 to hitting zone and 9' to net. Awesome golf claims to be measuring spin (on trial) with regular balls and they seem reasonable but I'm not sure. 

[JMathews]

9 hours ago, jjschafe said:

 

I wouldn't say shot shape isn't accurate, it is just very susceptible to setup error, eg, small error in L/R angle of the unit could make shot shape incorrect.  

I'm assuming the only way you would notice the error is just knowing what a hook etc feels like, or perhaps using it on a range and comparing?

[jjschafe]

11 hours ago, JMathews said:

I'm assuming the only way you would notice the error is just knowing what a hook etc feels like, or perhaps using it on a range and comparing?

 

Every time I set mine up, I like to start with a few chips that I "know" are going straight, and make sure they're not varying from the line much.  Move the monitor towards the miss (if everything is going right of center, angle the device more right).  Next I go to 3/4 wedges, again knowing that they should basically be straight and adjust based on obvious trends.  Past that, yeah, it is just based on feel.

[JMathews]

7 hours ago, jjschafe said:

 

Every time I set mine up, I like to start with a few chips that I "know" are going straight, and make sure they're not varying from the line much.  Move the monitor towards the miss (if everything is going right of center, angle the device more right).  Next I go to 3/4 wedges, again knowing that they should basically be straight and adjust based on obvious trends.  Past that, yeah, it is just based on feel.

Appreciate it.  I'm likely going to get the Garmin as the Rapsodo subscription fee is a turn off for me.  As long as it can tell me within a few yards the carry numbers most times and tell me when I really hook, pull, or push, then I'm happy.  Range is 30 minutes from my house so it's worth the investment for me.

[Floris]

I'm looking to build a sim-room with the R10 as I want to start budget 🙂

I have about 27 by 12.5 feet or 8,55 by 3,8 meters available space. Height isn't an issue as I have up to 13-14' (4m) available. 

 

Am I correct in assuming that further from the impactscreen is better for the R10? Say I hit about 12' from the screen and have the R10 set back another 7-8' from that.. That'd give me quite good readings right?

 

[LeftDot]

21 hours ago, Floris said:

I'm looking to build a sim-room with the R10 as I want to start budget 🙂

I have about 27 by 12.5 feet or 8,55 by 3,8 meters available space. Height isn't an issue as I have up to 13-14' (4m) available. 

 

Am I correct in assuming that further from the impactscreen is better for the R10? Say I hit about 12' from the screen and have the R10 set back another 7-8' from that.. That'd give me quite good readings right?

 

 

More distance between the ball and the impact screen is better, yes. Distance between the R10 and the ball is actually prescribed by Garmin in their help info somewhere - I believe it's approx 6ft/2m. 

[Floris]

3 hours ago, LeftDot said:

 

More distance between the ball and the impact screen is better, yes. Distance between the R10 and the ball is actually prescribed by Garmin in their help info somewhere - I believe it's approx 6ft/2m. 

Thanks for the confirmation 🙂

 

Been doing some measurements just now as I've just arrived home 😛 (it's like 0:45AM) I was somewhat nervous about some beams that support the roof and if they'd be in the way. Well they won't and I'm also happy to say that the roof is about 3m60 (12') where we'll be swinging.

I have some freedom in where to put the ball, I can go back another two feet or so before I need to rethink the placement of the R10 🙂

Edited May 31, 2024 by Floris

[jjschafe]

On 5/28/2024 at 3:54 PM, JMathews said:

Appreciate it.  I'm likely going to get the Garmin as the Rapsodo subscription fee is a turn off for me.  As long as it can tell me within a few yards the carry numbers most times and tell me when I really hook, pull, or push, then I'm happy.  Range is 30 minutes from my house so it's worth the investment for me.

 

I think the Garmin will be perfect for those needs, that is exactly what I use mine for.  I'd recommend the RCT balls, they made a huge difference for me.

[JMathews]

On 6/4/2024 at 8:29 AM, jjschafe said:

 

I think the Garmin will be perfect for those needs, that is exactly what I use mine for.  I'd recommend the RCT balls, they made a huge difference for me.

Thanks for the info!

[DocBrown3887]

On 5/31/2024 at 6:47 PM, Floris said:

Thanks for the confirmation 🙂

 

Been doing some measurements just now as I've just arrived home 😛 (it's like 0:45AM) I was somewhat nervous about some beams that support the roof and if they'd be in the way. Well they won't and I'm also happy to say that the roof is about 3m60 (12') where we'll be swinging.

I have some freedom in where to put the ball, I can go back another two feet or so before I need to rethink the placement of the R10 🙂

 

That is a sick setup, assuming if you get a nice projector it doubles as your television. At first I thought it was a flat but then I saw "guest bedroom." Update us when you finish it!

[Floris]

On 6/8/2024 at 2:26 PM, DocBrown3887 said:

 

That is a sick setup, assuming if you get a nice projector it doubles as your television. At first I thought it was a flat but then I saw "guest bedroom." Update us when you finish it!

Thanks, this is actually the guest house I’m remodeling 😉 It never gets used anyway. 

Currently, at about 2m80 from the left outside wall there’s an interior wall with a kitchen in what is now the small living room. I’m taking out the kitchen, the wall, the ceiling, gas, water (for the kitchen) and renew the central heating. Redo electrical, lighting and add a few outlets on the ceiling for the beamer, a spotlight and some other lamps. 
Then put rubber tiles on the floor, put artificial grass on it that’s made for (outside) putting greens, running at approx stimp 11. There will be a strip of about 0,4x1m as a hitting zone.

Build the stuff needed for the beamer and impactscreen, put an old TV on the wall above the laptop and add some speakers somewhere while I’m at it.

 

Total budget is actually fairly doable as I’m doing almost everything myself. Currently I’m at about €8k, including the laptop (i7, RTX4070, 16GB/1TB), beamer (Optoma UHD35STx 4K), electrical work, new lighting, flooring, 4x6m putting grass and everything you might think of. But knowing myself I’m probably upgrading some stuff and end up closer to €11k 🤣

Edited June 10, 2024 by Floris

[DKgolfAZ]

Anyone have any tips for the Garmin reading short on distances? It’s on concrete in my garage into a net, 10’ from net, 7’ from ball, aligned using a laser and rod on the leveling stand, and using rct v1s. I may just need to clean the space up a bit more, add additional “grass” carpet to combat any radar interference, and put a impact screen up for a future projector… maybe modify my mat to be perfectly level as well… 

 

any other tips or tricks if you’ve run into readings significantly short while everything else seems accurate? My 7i carries about 165-70 and it’s reading 135-40 or so on shots I filmed and felt would play my normal range on a course. 9i 105-10, when it plays 135-40. Etc. Shot shapes look to be spot on. 
 

I’m fine with 5-10 yards, I’d just chalk that up to a simism… 20-30 is a bit much.

[DocBrown3887]

I'm actually getting pretty fed up with how finicky the Garmin is with alignment. Ruined an entire indoor session the other day for whatever reason I just couldn't get it right. I usually use outdoors though so I am really considering looking into Full Swing Kit.

 

Anyone here make that switch or thinking about it too?

[LeftDot]

12 hours ago, DocBrown3887 said:

I'm actually getting pretty fed up with how finicky the Garmin is with alignment. Ruined an entire indoor session the other day for whatever reason I just couldn't get it right. I usually use outdoors though so I am really considering looking into Full Swing Kit.

 

Anyone here make that switch or thinking about it too?

 

 

Do you have an aftermarket leveling stand and the Ryobi cube to help you? Or are you eyeballing?

 

Maybe the Full Swing is more forgiving, I dunno, but a quick look shows that it still needs to be aligned and level. Indoor use might also be an issue as it needs 10 ft behind the ball, not 6-7. For 10x the price of an R10 I would hope it's more forgiving with alignment 😉

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

Looking to get some updated information on how the R10 performs outside? I have a studio close to me that I go to now and then over the winter, so my main use will be outdoors on the range at the home course.

Thanks in advance.

[jjschafe]

56 minutes ago, LeftDot said:

 

 

Do you have an aftermarket leveling stand and the Ryobi cube to help you? Or are you eyeballing?

 

Maybe the Full Swing is more forgiving, I dunno, but a quick look shows that it still needs to be aligned and level. Indoor use might also be an issue as it needs 10 ft behind the ball, not 6-7. For 10x the price of an R10 I would hope it's more forgiving with alignment 😉

 

It needs 6-7' behind the ball, 9-10' from ball to net.

[jjschafe]

On 6/12/2024 at 1:23 AM, DKgolfAZ said:

Anyone have any tips for the Garmin reading short on distances? It’s on concrete in my garage into a net, 10’ from net, 7’ from ball, aligned using a laser and rod on the leveling stand, and using rct v1s. I may just need to clean the space up a bit more, add additional “grass” carpet to combat any radar interference, and put a impact screen up for a future projector… maybe modify my mat to be perfectly level as well… 

 

any other tips or tricks if you’ve run into readings significantly short while everything else seems accurate? My 7i carries about 165-70 and it’s reading 135-40 or so on shots I filmed and felt would play my normal range on a course. 9i 105-10, when it plays 135-40. Etc. Shot shapes look to be spot on. 
 

I’m fine with 5-10 yards, I’d just chalk that up to a simism… 20-30 is a bit much.

 

Can you post the data from a few of your short 7 irons? Might give us a clue of what might be misread.

[DocBrown3887]

2 hours ago, LeftDot said:

 

 

Do you have an aftermarket leveling stand and the Ryobi cube to help you? Or are you eyeballing?

 

Maybe the Full Swing is more forgiving, I dunno, but a quick look shows that it still needs to be aligned and level. Indoor use might also be an issue as it needs 10 ft behind the ball, not 6-7. For 10x the price of an R10 I would hope it's more forgiving with alignment 😉

 

I have a stand with adjustable legs and I use a laser leveled AND alignment rods. I have 10' in front and 7' behind currently for the Garmin, I could generate another foot or two for the FS Kit if I go that route. I kept getting hooks register (I have a normal pull fade...) the other day after setting it up and calibrating and basically the entire session was ruined. When it did register straight on obviously good strikes it was 20 yards short, which normally it does not do and I don't have issues with outside. EDIT: not inside swing syndrome with my irons, when it works good it is bang on. I was using Awesome Golf though, I may just use the Garmin app next time like I do on the range.

 

It is easier outside for eyeballing and I place on the ground and use a level to adjust the legs slightly.

 

Anyways, the price is certainly the hangup in moving to FSKit, will be looking for used if I go that route. Thanks for the reply.

Edited June 13, 2024 by DocBrown3887

[kiwihacker]

On 6/14/2024 at 12:52 AM, CHRISTOPHER DESANA said:

Looking to get some updated information on how the R10 performs outside? I have a studio close to me that I go to now and then over the winter, so my main use will be outdoors on the range at the home course.

Thanks in advance.

I think it performs great. I use mine mainly at outdoor ranges. The only question mark is the quality of the range balls. At one range the balls are great and the distances are perfect. At the other range the balls are crap and the distances are really short but I have found increasing the altitude settings can get the correct distances. The extra time to see the ball direction means it usually gets the shot shape and direction right. I mainly use Awesome Golf for range sessions and E6 for sim golf. Don't really use the native Garmin app. 

[stratgolf]

So frustrated that it won't capture the speed of non contact swings. Considering downgrading to a swing caddy just to let me do some speed training.

[T626G]

Still continues to be one of my best golf purchases. Anyone else literally use only the distance section of the Garmin app just to practice your swing and get your distances down? That's the only thing I've used all year. I save every session then go back and review my good and bad shots but sometimes I do review them in real time if I'm tracking multiple settings outside of the 3 I have as the default view. 

This winter I'm adding a screen, already have a gaming PC. I'm probably just going to forgo the putting portion for now and work on getting onto fairways and greens reliably. Putting I can work on in the house on my putting mat. I'd rather just pick up and move on to the next hole than to add more gadgets just to putt

[bradz1810]

On 6/4/2024 at 8:29 AM, jjschafe said:

 

I think the Garmin will be perfect for those needs, that is exactly what I use mine for.  I'd recommend the RCT balls, they made a huge difference for me.

Thanks for the info- with the r10 at an outdoor range....do normal range balls work well? 

[Walkerdb7]

2 hours ago, bradz1810 said:

Thanks for the info- with the r10 at an outdoor range....do normal range balls work well? 

Yes, but not as accurately as RCT balls

[bradz1810]

12 minutes ago, Walkerdb7 said:

Yes, but not as accurately as RCT balls

thank you. 

[sniper]

On 8/12/2024 at 1:36 PM, Walkerdb7 said:

Yes, but not as accurately as RCT balls

Do you think the RCT balls are much better for outdoors into a net?

[jjschafe]

13 hours ago, sniper said:

Do you think the RCT balls are much better for outdoors into a net?

 

 I think it is highly dependent person to person.  For me, the Garmin seems to really hate the way I deliver the club.  Without the RCT balls, it thinks I hit major knuckleballs with my irons, which results in flyers.  7i with 3500rpm spin flying 10+ yards farther than reality.  RCT balls measuring spin directly cures that.  Overall, they are a must for me.  But, I've read others on the internet that didn't see much difference in normal to RCT.  My hypothesis is that for whatever reason, their impact conditions jive with what most of the softwares are looking for, so they wind up pretty accurate either way.

[VincentV]

It's a fun little unit but you need to already know your numbers to dial it in. Also not great at reading fades and draws

[GolferPerson1]

How hard is it or how much time does it take to set one of these up each time on a grass range?