After seeing all the chatter online, I finally got my hands on the Square Golf Launch Monitor and gave it a full test. At $699 , I honestly wasn’t expecting much. But by the time I finished my first range session, I had to admit. This thing is doing more than just showing up. It’s challenging a lot of assumptions about what a launch monitor under a thousand bucks can do.
Right out of the box, it’s clean. Small, light, and well built. No clunky setup. No extra pieces I didn’t need. You get the launch monitor itself, a few special golf balls (more on those later), a rechargeable battery, remote, calibration tools, and even a swing stick if you’re in a tight space. I was up and running in about five minutes. That setup speed matters, especially if you’re not trying to build a full simulator studio but still want a good practice tool.
I went with the Windows PC software so I could see everything on a bigger screen. The app worked fast and found the unit immediately. From there, I had options to start a full range session, closest to the pin contests, putting games, and even full course simulator play. No extra fees. No hidden subscriptions. Ten courses are included right out of the gate, and if you want to integrate E6 or GS Pro, you can.
First session was a basic range setup using an 8 iron. I usually carry it around 155, and the Square had me at 151 on a decent strike that I pushed slightly to the right. Ball speed, spin, and carry were all on point. What stood out right away was the instant feedback. I wasn’t waiting around for results. Hit the shot, and the screen gave me data within seconds. Launch direction, backspin, club speed, carry, total distance. Every metric I needed.
I switched to a 5 iron and then a driver just to see how it handled changes. The results tracked really close to what I’ve seen with my GCQuad, which I’ve used in coaching setups. Now obviously with a twenty thousand dollar monitor, you’re going to get more precise reads and maybe tighter dispersion maps. But with the Square, the difference was minimal. Especially on irons and wedges.
Driver was where I saw the most variation. Carry numbers were occasionally five to seven yards off compared to the GCQuad. Spin was a little more inconsistent with longer clubs too. But for the average player or even someone trying to dial in yardages at home, it’s close enough to be useful without feeling like you’re just guessing.
What impressed me even more was the club data. You attach a small sticker on the shaft. Takes a few seconds. And boom, you’re getting club path, face angle, dynamic loft, and more. That feature alone usually costs extra or comes with higher end monitors, so to see it work at this price was honestly surprising.
The range visuals and data mode are both simple, but that’s what makes them good. Nothing flashy. Just clean graphics, accurate numbers, and a system that doesn’t distract from the work you’re trying to do. I liked how the shot shapes made sense. Draws curved realistically. Mishits flew short with lower spin. It’s not a toy, even if the price makes you think it might be.
Now to be fair, there are a few things to know.
One. It’s designed for indoor use only. You probably can’t take it out to the range unless you’re really careful about light and setup. Square themselves say it’s not rated for outdoor use.
Two. You have to use their included high visibility balls for the best results. Not a big deal since you get three with the unit, and replacements are cheap, but it’s worth noting. If you’re a player who insists on hitting your gamer ball every time, this might bug you.
Three. The swing stick is more of a bonus than a necessity. You can simulate swings if you’re in an apartment or small space, but I didn’t get much use out of it. Cool to have, but not essential.
Now let’s talk simulator golf. Playing a few holes was smoother than I expected. The included courses were fun and actually looked pretty good. Ball behavior was believable. Chips reacted how they should. Putts rolled realistically.
I was honestly surprised how much I enjoyed it. I’ve tested other budget options like the R10 and Rapsodo, and while they’re solid for what they are, the Square Golf launch monitor felt like a step ahead in terms of both feedback and in game experience.
After using it for a few full sessions, here’s where I landed. The Square Golf Launch Monitor is probably the best sub $1000 launch monitor I’ve used. If you want data that’s actually useful, an easy to use system, and simulator play without hidden costs, this one delivers. It’s not trying to compete with Trackman or GCQuad. It’s carving out its own lane in the budget category and doing it well.
If you’re building a home setup and don’t have space or budget for a full sim but still want real feedback on your swing, I’d recommend this in a heartbeat. I didn’t expect it to impress me as much as it did, but here we are.
Square Golf nailed it . A cool 8.9/10.