5 Reasons to Buy the Garmin Approach R50 (and Some Reasons You Might Want to Pump the Brakes)
Trying to build a case for investing in the Garmin Approach R50? We've got 5 solid arguments for you right here. But it's not the golf launch monitor for everyone. We'll tell you all about that, too.
In a golf launch monitor landscape full of copycats and incremental upgrades, the Garmin Approach R50 is a full-blown, category-redefining swing for the fences.
And make no mistake: Garmin connected.
What the R50 represents is nothing short of a new way to think about golf simulators. It’s a fully self-contained, all-in-one golf launch monitor and simulator that delivers shockingly good data, full simulator play, a massive built-in screen, and plug-and-play convenience. All with no computer, no tablet, and no additional software required.
But it’s not perfect. And at $4,999.99, it’s not exactly entry-level. In other words, it’s definitely not for everyone.
But if you’re someone who’s ever dreamed of a full simulator experience without the setup hassle, technical know-how, or mountains of gear, the R50 might just be the product you’ve been waiting for.
What makes the R50 such a standout in 2025? Let’s break it down with five reasons to buy.
And to underscore the point that no launch monitor is right for every launch monitor shopper, we’ll throw in a few reasons why you may want to consider something other than the Garmin Approach R50.
It’s the First Truly Self-Contained Golf Simulator You Can Use Anywhere
Alright, this is the coolest part and the one that really floored me when I first pulled the R50 out of the box. What Garmin has done here is, frankly, astonishing. With the R50, you can play full rounds of simulated golf with no PC, no tablet, no phone, no software downloads, and no Wi-Fi. And you can get a round started in less than a minute.
This thing has a 10-inch full-color touchscreen display that not only shows your data, but actually runs Garmin’s Home Tee Hero simulator software right on the device itself. You hit the power button, swipe through the menus, and you’re ready to tee it up on one of more than 43,000 golf courses from around the world.
And when you want a bigger view, all you have to do is plug in a single HDMI cable to a TV or projector, and you’ve got a full simulator setup that travels wherever you do.
I’ll also say that Garmin majorly upgraded their Home Tee Hero software for the R50. It’s vastly superior to the version you get with their much-less-expensive Approach R10 launch monitor.
The new Home Tee Hero features far better graphics and detail. It’s still not as realistic as some of the higher-end software packages, but the good news is that the R50 is compatible with most third-party simulator software solutions.
You will need to interface with another device to run any third-party software, but when you just want the total simplicity of a full sim experience in a single box, the R50/Home Tee Hero combo is the only such option on the market.
Excellent Accuracy with Ball AND Club Data Included
The R50 isn’t just a gimmick with a big screen. This is a legit, three-camera photometric launch monitor capable of delivering premium-level data.
We’re talking full measured ball data: ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, spin axis, apex height, carry and total distance, and more.
But what really sets the R50 apart is that it also includes club data without any add-on fees or subscriptions. Face angle, face to path, club path, angle of attack, clubhead speed, it’s all there. Right out of the box.
Better yet, it’s accurate. Testing against industry gold standards like the Foresight GC3 shows the R50 is impressively tight on numbers. Ball data is nearly spot on. Club data is reliable. And because it measures spin directly (not calculated), you get realistic shot shapes and curvature.
Is it perfect? No. But at this price, with this feature set, it’s pushing into a new level of value.
The Built-In Display Is a Game-Changer
A 10-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels might not sound like a big deal. But it is. No more squinting at numbers on your phone. No more clunky apps that crash or lose signal.
The R50 gives you a big, bright, intuitive display that you can easily read even from several feet away. It’s the best display ever put on a launch monitor.
Even better, you can fully customize your layout. Want split-screen with shot tracer and data tiles? Done. Want clubface impact video and aerial maps? Easy. Want to mirror the screen on your TV while showing different data on the R50 itself? You can do that too.
And because it stores your shot history, you can review sessions without needing to connect to anything else.
It’s the touchscreen you never knew you needed until you used it. And I’ll warn you, once you try it, it’s not easy to go back to playing and practicing without it.
It Makes Golf Sim Setup Effortless
This is a big one. Setup hassles are what kill so many home sim dreams before they even get started.
With the R50, you don’t need to align radar behind you. You don’t need to connect devices. You don’t need to download anything. You don’t even need Wi-Fi.
Just set it down beside your hitting area, power it on, and go. There’s a built-in alignment screen to make setup foolproof. And once it’s ready, you can swipe into practice mode, target games, or Home Tee Hero simulated golf in seconds.
If you want to upgrade to third-party simulator software like GSPro or E6, you can do that too via Wi-Fi and a PC. But the point is: You don’t have to.
For the first time ever, there’s a full simulator experience that truly travels with you. And that opens up a world of possibilities.
It’s Not Just a Launch Monitor. It’s a System.
The more you use the R50, the more you realize it’s not just a piece of hardware. It’s a whole new way of thinking about golf launch monitors.
You’ve got the ability to play simulator golf anywhere, anytime, with nothing more than the unit itself. You’ve got access to 43,000-plus courses via Home Tee Hero. You’ve got multiple practice ranges and customizable visualizations. You’ve got built-in impact video. You’ve got one of the best user interfaces in all of golf tech.
And the whole thing works right out of the box.
It’s self-contained. It’s full-featured. And while $5K is far from cheap, when you add up what it would take to replicate the R50’s features with other products, it starts to look like a genuinely strong value.
Now, a Few Reasons Why the R50 Might Not Be Right for You
No golf product is perfect. And the R50 is no exception. Here are a few reasons why this might not be your best fit.
It’s Big
Let’s be honest. The R50 is a bit of a behemoth. At 17 inches tall, 12 inches wide, and 7 inches deep, it dwarfs every other portable launch monitor.
It’s portable, yes. But it’s not throw-it-in-your-bag-and-go portable. If you’re expecting something the size of the Garmin R10, you’re going to be shocked.
The Club Stickers Are… Big Too
Photometric launch monitors need fiducials (aka club stickers) to read club data. That’s normal. But the R50’s stickers are huge compared to what you find with products like the Foresight Sports, Bushnell, or Uneekor launch monitors.
You’ll need to use Garmin’s stickers to get consistent reads, and they’re not subtle. Some golfers are going to hate that look.
The Practice Ranges Are a Bit Basic
The R50 gives you multiple practice ranges, but they’re a little repetitive. There’s room for more creativity and shot-specific training options. It’s a minor quibble, but one that stands out when compared to more advanced sim training platforms like the one that accompanies the SkyTrak+.
It’s Not a Data Junkie’s Dream… Yet
There’s no club impact location, no dynamic loft, no spin loft, no lie angle. These are advanced metrics more common in units like the GCQuad or Uneekor Eye XO2. For most golfers, they’re non-essential. But if you’re a serious gearhead, just know this isn’t a GCQuad replacement.
It’s Not Inexpensive
This one’s obvious, but it bears repeating. The R50 is $4,999.99. That’s real money. For some, that price is going to feel like a deal considering everything that’s included. For others, it’s just out of reach. Especially when you consider that in 2025, we’ve got a number of really solid, less-expensive options.
So, Is the Garmin R50 Worth It?
For the right golfer, the Garmin Approach R50 is going to be a game-changer.
It’s not just another launch monitor. It’s an entirely new category of product: The all-in-one, self-contained, high-accuracy, portable simulator.
It gives you freedom. It gives you simplicity. It gives you accuracy. It gives you simulator golf in your garage, basement, backyard, buddy’s house, at the range, or anywhere else you’ve got enough room to swing.
Should you buy one?
If you’re looking for a launch monitor that delivers premium data, includes simulator play, works right out of the box, and travels anywhere, then hell yes! Buy with confidence.
The R50 isn’t just an upgrade. It’s a whole new game.
About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen
Marc "Shef" Sheforgen is a golf writer whose passion for the game far exceeds his ability to play it well. Marc covers all things golf, from product reviews and equipment recommendations to event coverage and tournament analysis. When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about golf, he enjoys traveling (often golf-related), youth sports coaching, volunteering, and record collecting.