Is the Square Golf Launch Monitor accurate? Square Golf VS Foresight GC3

[@Spikesbluecollargolf]

I have compared mine side by side in GSPro and in raw data mode Garmin against it and native app. The numbers on ball speed, all angles match very close. Side by side testing gives true numbers comparing same ball. That is how I tested it! Did a big test on balls, it just looses spin with regular balls. But is playable in the sim at 1/10 the price. You are correct on spin being an issue, was told adjusting again in next update later this month.

[@SeeEssPerez]

Appreciate the review. Although very promising, I may wait for another firmware update on the Square before making a purchase decision. Thanks for publishing this.

[@JLagGOLF]

That is for that mate! Yes I believe they will come out with updates that will tighten the gap between them 👍👍

[@jonmerritt6092]

Thanks Joe, apreciate the video. I have probably hit a couple of thousand balls with my Square LM so far and have seen maybe 5 or 6 obvious mis reads, (I think all with the driver). Everything else has been solid :)

[@JLagGOLF]

Nice! Good to hear mate. I even wonder if this unit is really picky with different lighting situations. Maybe that can also cause misreads as well.. I'll be asking Square that question. Cheers

[@jameslee9944]

great video! I felt the same thing that beside SQ sometimes does not read the sidespin, the side spins it provides are sometimes too much, so the ball flight shows more curvature than I see on the actual course. But still I am happy with it given the price and short game ability

[@JLagGOLF]

Spot on mate! There is a firmware update coming out in the next few days to hopefully address this. 🤞🤞

[@MattyRedPants]

Hey Joe, and other viewers. I've had a couple issues with GS pro and the bluetooth connection. I am using an amazon 12$ TP link bluetooth adaptor and it's been solid. I've also put a USB extension cable on my bluetooth reciever and I put it within about 2 meters of my Square golf unit. Also, I would have preferred this test against a radar based unit, where there should have been no itnerference. There's a whole lot of "take your word for it". I take your word over most joe, but y'know what they say... "trust but verify" :)

[@Nxla-92751]

I have the square LM and the carry algorithm on anything above 9 iron is so abysmally off. Now it might be it being in my garage with no black walls or anything, but I switched to it from a Trackman membership facility and it often spits out 10-20 yards short of carry than I was getting on Trackman. It gets worse the longer the club.

[@JLagGOLF]

Hmmmm this is a big fan of worms.. were you using RCT balls everytime you used the trackman? Trackman indoors is notoriously bad at spin and spin axis indoors so unless you were using RCT balls spin would have been estimated. I do think the square needs to be improved with backspin and spin axis and there is an update coming out soon that will apparently address this issue. When the back spin numbers get better (lowers) your carry numbers will go back up. I have found the algorithm to actually be really good for the metrics it's reporting the carry seems spot on. The issue I have is currently with the back spin numbers jumping around a bit too much and when it's reporting high the carry numbers are really short because of it.

[@robertdudgeon9232]

Thank you Joe. I actually have a Square on the way. I hope that Square will tighten up the metrics with their updates over the next few months. The problem with the Gspro connector could just be corrupted. Thanks again

[@JLagGOLF]

I agree! And I think I've fixed the connection I got a 3rd party Bluetooth dongle and a UBS cable and run it to the unit. 👍👍 Fingers crossed I'll have a GS Pro video out soon 🤞🤞

[@robertdudgeon9232]

@JLagGOLF I had to do exactly that for my Garmin R10. The PC was about 20' away and kept disconnecting. Glad yours works.

[@LlewelynJames-l8s]

​@@JLagGOLFI have seen a number of folks talking about bad reads with white shoes...would love to see you test with black shoes no reflective strips on the shoes.

[@ignaciogonzalezdominguez5968]

Are you planning to do a test with the sci-core balls?

[@mikethomas9555]

I would be curious to see how this unit compares with the OG SkyTrak since they are comparable in price. Most higher handicappers are really not that concerned about some of the spin numbers, we just want it somewhat accurate in ball speed and distance and have fun playing sim golf! My biggest issue with OG SkyTrak is the no reads and disconnects. ⛳️

[@ben1ben2ben1]

Spin axis is by far the most important thing for high handicap players. And if you don't get accurate spin, you don't get accurate distance

[@mr.celebre6533]

U shouldn't get many mis or no reads something in your setup. SkyTrak let's u use your own ball and has accurate spin readings. For accuracy I'd say OG SkyTrak for sure. Square suffers a bit on accuracy but probably gives u a better user experience with faster shot to show and bigger hitting zone. Just depends what u are looking for

[@mickeyfarren3803]

Joe, looking at other KZbin video's on the Square Golf the no reads are less if you have the club stickers on, could you try that, thanks. Mickey

[@URAZKIVANER]

Great effort Joe without any actual comparison tool. Maybe you could find a friend or rent a trackman to compare it to so that we can all actually believe that this monitor needs urgent updates . Not that we do not trust you but it is usually more convenient to see a measured comparison for evidence based belief ;)

[@JLagGOLF]

Thanks mate I appreciate that. Honestly I don't think Trakman is a very good device to use indoors. Even with RCT balls it struggles with spin axis. I have used it quite a lot and have seen this and experienced it. It's a really tough thing to do compare the photometric devices like this. With the Eye mini and gc3 I could test them side by side and not have any interference but this one was different the square just gets overwhelmed by the IR light from other devices. I'll have a think again about how I can test and get more evidence based results.

[@zacharymilos392]

Thanks for taking the time for this review. I probably missed it - did you use the "square" balls and the club & shaft stickers when testing that unit?

[@frankpapaleo357]

Found a website that you can purchase squar golf patterned stickers to use on any ball you want. Maybe that will work & give better results

[@JLagGOLF]

I already have some 👍👍 working with Sean now to perfect the stickers

[@frankpapaleo357]

@@JLagGOLF awesome! Looking forward to seeing some reviews!

[@Overswinggolf]

I’ve heard it works better with the club stickers and the dotted balls to tighten up the numbers.

[@ElVerdeVida]

a 700 vs a 7000, theres nothing to think about, square is the future of launch monitors, their value and their credit system, and for indoor.. its a no brainer.

[@ben1ben2ben1]

If you can't get accurate spin axis and spin, whats the point? Those are the two most important things on a monitor. Really high handicap golfers like yourself will think you are hitting a completely different shot than you are

[@dallenlee4773]

Did you even watch the video? So many miss reads. Brutal. Going to need some serious updates, unless there was some kind of setup issue

[@ElVerdeVida]

@@ben1ben2ben1 great, then go take the 7k one. But in the next updaye, spin it's coming

[@ElVerdeVida]

@@dallenlee4773 then go Buy the 7k one ..

[@ben1ben2ben1]

@@ElVerdeVida Based on what? There has never been a LM that cheap that has handled spin axis very well. Its unlikely to be any different with the Square. The camera's just are not good enough to get accurate spin. If you don't have accurate spin, you are better off just not using one

[@mickeyfarren3803]

Joe, thanks for the video, its still a very good unit for the price

[@brandonkeith67]

Sooooo... are you feeling like the MLM2Pro is the better unit in comparing these 2? The $200/year subscription is what's really getting me on the Rapsodo, but I want real data that's accurate and the draws and slices are what I'm wanting to tighten up. I love the tokens on this instead of the subscription and I'm happy with most of the options with this unit. That back spin and side spin I've seen on a lot of other reviews.

[@theaveragegamer6710]

lm finding the driving range gives me weirder reads than the golf courses on the square. able to hit the fairway on courses but the driving range i was in the water on some drives. Strange things goin on, to comment on the price we pay so they should be precise. The square is tenth of anything we are measuring against it, sometime more. lm hoping one more update corrects some misreads.

[@ianwhite5265]

Joe how do you get the light like a spotlight on your hitting mat what type of light do you use as I'm in the process of building a simulator

[@philtrick123]

Hi Joe, your testing matched up with mine. Ball speed, VLA and HLA are all good. Spin/Axis is not so accurate. It has improved with the latest firmware. You need to create a RPT/Square ball using ball dots so then you can test without interference Vs the MLM2Pro. Get the RPT ball dots on all sides of a ball apart from the one facing the Square. On the face towards the Square create the Square 5 dot pattern. You have to position the ball each time before hitting. It works. The Square needs to show when spin is measured and when calculated. Its a great new product for average golfers (most of us). Hopefully we'll get a Square V2.0 hardware next year with unmarked balls.

[@nickneale2237]

Noticed that in the data mode it shows spin axis, rather than side spin. We're you able to check this against the gc3.

[@MrThongLover]

If you think that there are so many missreads .. would you recommand and OG Skytrak over the Square Golf?

[@Spikesbluecollargolf]

He is not using GSPro for the Square testing, not sure why it would be a more equal playing field, it he can’t run them at the side time like I did with the Garmin. Comparing software mostly here!

[@JLagGOLF]

Absolutely not a true comment here mate. The only difference here would be carry distance. The raw metrics are going to be the same whichever software you use.. those being ball speed, HLA, VLA, Spin and Side spin. GS Pro will take those metrics and project the shot in the world however it is using those exact same RAW metrics no matter what software you are using. No point in testing against the Garmin as the Garmin estimates spin axis so the test is flawed.

[@ZnOxide]

Great review! Square needs some more work

[@Porterplex]

I assume you're using the new direct GS Pro connect from Square golf and not a third party one

[@3o1Golf]

i think the spin axis is calculated if you nor using the dotted balls but i might bre wrong :) also cant you have the protee on at the same time? or does the units interfer with eachother?

[@felixshmak]

Correct

[@musicandsound2574]

What is your favorite launch monitor to use?

[@JLagGOLF]

Out of everything I've had.... The Protee VX. The overhead unit is incredible. The video replay you get is just so valuable and it's so easy to turn on and use.

[@musicandsound2574]

@@JLagGOLF Awesome, thanks!

[@albie9999]

Sorry Joe, I usually have all good to say about your vids, but unless you are a robot ....how can you compare your shots (and the LM's), when you do not have both launch monitors recording the shot at the same time ... that is the comparison that other YT's have done .. and what I feel you need to do

[@JLagGOLF]

Hey mate yeah I get that and I will definitely try but I have seen a lot of misreads with spin axis when I tried to do this unfortunately. There were some very obvious misreads there that I can clearly see. I can do what I can do at the end of the day mate its just my opinion as always 👍

[@1234sunnny]

If it took you 45 minutes to connect the unit to your PC it would take me several weeks. That seems to be a problem with all of these devices . I have already installed a heater in my garage and made renovations to make room for a golf simulator. However, I have read many comments and reviews from people with more technical knowledge than I have, and they are having major problems. Any advice on what the most fool proof, easy to use system on the market is?

[@JLagGOLF]

I have now resolved the issues. I just had to get a 3rd party Bluetooth receiver and extension cable. I'll have a video showing how I resolved the issue but it's really simple to do and now it connects easily. Honestly one of the easiest launch monitors in terms of connection.

[@1234sunnny]

@@JLagGOLF thank you for your prompt response. I don’t know what a third-party Bluetooth receiver is, but I will watch your upcoming video. I was planning on buying a complete package. Now I think I will just purchase the launch monitor. I already have a mat and net net set up in my garage. If I can get the launch monitor to work with my PC or iPad without too much trouble , then I will go ahead and get the screen and projector. I will stay tuned to your channel.

[@JLagGOLF]

@@1234sunnny​​⁠ Ill get something out in it mate 👍👍 now I have the receiver it's extremely simple. The issue is with tech it doesn't matter what launch monitor you get there might be issues with connections. The good thing is we have an amazing group of people here in the community that can and will help you out getting connected. If you are on Facebook then join the Joe Lagowski Golf group on there and if you have any problems post in the group 👍

[@burgewood1]

Any problems connecting to iPad or iPhone?

[@johnathanwetherill456]

Looks like junk to me . Sticking to my MLM2 .

[@UnrealGolfSandro]

Same. $700 camera based is too good to be true. Otherwise it wouldn’t be $700. Maybe the next model but mlm2pro is making big strides and I’m not about to ruin a good thing

[@JLagGOLF]

I wouldn't discount it too quickly mate. Give it a chance with a few firmware updates..

[@aleckimmelman2568]

Hey Joe Apparently company is aware of backspin and sidespin issues and new firmware will be released this week. Let’s see….

[@KevinManeschyn]

Unless you are a pro, with a pro budget, and absolutly need the MOST accurate data in order to improve your game I don't understand the intense focus on the intermitnant deviation in spin numbers. You are comparing a $6000 unit, against a $700 unit. Yes you are getting misreads, but even if they were not going to provide any futher spin tuning, the Square LM is insane value. 15% of the cost for 95% of the performance of a GC3 lets bogey golfers improve theit game in the winter months, without breaking the bank.

[@dialup56k]

most golfers with handicaps in the15-28 range will have an attenuated shot shape (slice/fade) due to poor technique. Practicing with a LM that doesn't adequately capture ball movement though spin axis will not help you improve. Your sim golf will look vastly different to your on course golf and you will be just frustrated eventually. I have first hand experience with this and the R10.

[@caseyaltorf2317]

He's just comparing the two and giving his opinion on Squares accuracy...... He never once said that the square was a bad unit or that it wasn't useful to the target market. I for one think this is extremely useful info in that you shouldn't rely on or trust it completely and then be disappointed when it doesn't transfer onto the course. It is what it is.... a budget monitor. Thanks Joe and please give us more comparisons.

[@KevinManeschyn]

@@dialup56k I agree with the issue of using invalid data to try and better your game, but in the case of random bad reads that data can just be discarded while you practice should you encounter them. The unit appears to be reasonably accurate on most data with a few misreads on spin, and I'm not sure that isn't to be expected on a sub $1000 device.

[@dialup56k]

@@KevinManeschyn 100%, but I have seen several videos with small-to-no side spin reported and people just think they piped it (when clearly they didn't). Don't get me wrong, I can only hit outside with my current setup,MLM2, but I am seriously considering getting this unit for chipping/approach and putting. It looks incredible for this.

[@UnrealGolfSandro]

Spin and side spin are arguably the 2 most important metrics. Without accurate spin numbers, you might as well buy a launch monitor that only reads ball speed. You cannot improve if your feedback is telling you in accurate results. Square is good for what it is but it’s not much more than a camera based garmin r10 at this point. Good for fun but it’s not going to take a 20 handicap down to a single digit