The Garmin Approach G80 is the newest handheld device from Garmin that was released in January 2019. The Garmin Approach G80 is an upgrade over the Garmin G8. One of the differences between the Garmin G80 and G8 is that the Garmin G80 has a bigger display than the G8 and the Garmin G80 is the first golf GPS handheld with a launch monitor that tracks ball speed and clubhead speed. Read this article to learn about the differences between the Garmin G80, Swing Caddie SC300, Mevo and Rapsodo: Swing Caddie SC300 vs Garmin G80 vs Mevo vs Rapsodo.
The launch monitor is the feature that separates the Garmin Approach G80 from other handheld devices. This is the first time a handheld device contained both a GPS and launch monitor in one unit. The launch monitor uses the radar (which is an acronym for radio detection and ranging) in the Garmin G80. There are many benefits to using a golf launch monitor including measuring the ball flight and club data after ball impact.
There are two types of launch monitors: radar-based systems that use doppler technology to track the ball after impact in order to measure ball flight data and camera-based systems that use photometric technology to track the ball at impact in order to calculate the ball-flight data.
The most popular launch monitors are radar based golf launch monitors like the Garmin G80. The radar of the Garmin G80 can be utilized to use any of the four practice modes and games that the G80 comes with including Warm Up, Tempo Training, Target Practice, and Virtual Round.
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Practice Modes and Games
1. Warm Up mode will enable you to calculate the ball speed, club head speed, smash factor, estimated carry and roll, and swing tempo. Unfortunately, you cannot use it to measure ball spin, spin rate, launch angle, club face angle, and club path angle. If you want to measure those metrics, you will have to buy the radar-based Swing Caddie SC300 or Flightscope Mevo.
If you take a swing without hitting a golf ball, the internal radar will only measure the club head speed and swing tempo.
2. Tempo Training mode will measure the timing of your backswing and downswing and tell you if your swing has achieved the ideal swing tempo.
3. Target Practice mode will allow you and a friend to participate in a competition of trying to get a shot as close to a target as possible. You can adjust the target to any distance. The closer you get your shot to the target, the more points you get.
4. Virtual Round mode allows you to play a simulated round of golf on any of the 41,000 worldwide courses that are already downloaded to the device. You can play by yourself or against your friend. There is even a weekly virtual tournament that you can participate in.
The Warm Up and Tempo Training modes are great for hitting balls at the driving range or into a hitting net but that can get pretty boring really fast. The Target Practice and Virtual Round modes will add some fun to your hitting sessions by breaking up the monotony of hitting into the net all day.
Practice Indoors or Outdoors
You can use these practice modes and games at the driving range or hit the ball into a hitting net that you set up in your garage, basement, or backyard. If you are practicing indoors, you should hit your shots off a hitting mat instead of concrete or your carpet because it will reduce the stress on the joints, muscles, and tendons in your wrists and reduce the damage to concrete or carpet. These hitting mats are made using non-slip foam padding to simulate real turf which will maximize stability on concrete and reduce the stress on your wrists. These hitting mats have a gel cushion layer right below the surface which absorbs the impact of your swing. This gel makes it seem like you are hitting off of real grass which will minimize the strain on your wrists.
How to Use the Radar-based Launch Monitor
Before you can use any of these practice modes and games, you have to turn the internal device radar on. You can do that by pressing the button right below the power button on the right-hand side of the device.
Most radar-based golf launch monitors require that you place the launch monitor approximately 5 feet behind the golf ball and tee and on the same level. The placement of the Garmin G80 is a little different. The Garmin G80 requires that you position the device on the ground within 1 foot of the ball in line with and on the same level as the golf ball. Also make certain that the bottom of the device is pointed toward the ball.
Tips for using the Garmin G80 launch monitor
1. You cannot use practice balls with the Garmin G80 because it won’t detect them. If you are worried about using a regulation golf ball with the G80, just buy a hitting net and it will protect your garage and basement walls from any damage from a golf ball.
2. Fortunately, you can get a clear view of your device after you hit a shot without bending over to look at the screen. There is a divot in the rear case of the device that allows you to rest the device on a golf ball so that you get a clear view of the screen so that you do not have to bend over to see how you did.
3. The Garmin G80 does not have settings for elevation and wind conditions. So if you are playing above sea level like you would if you played on a golf course in Denver, Colorado, you need to change the clubs you use because the ball will travel further.
4. Make certain that no other players are taking swings near the radar while you are swinging because that can affect the measurements.
5. Don’t take any practice swings near the radar because it will attempt to take measurements of your swing.
