5 Reasons to Buy the Square Launch Monitor (Plus a Few Reasons Why It Might Not Be a Good Idea)

If you spend enough time researching affordable golf launch monitors, one thing becomes pretty clear: Most of the models under $1,000 are built on tradeoffs.

You give up accuracy to get a better price. You give up simulator access to avoid subscription fees. You give up space-saving photometric tech and settle for radar. You might even give up putting altogether.

Enter the Square.

For the first time in this product category, we’ve got a legitimate camera-based launch monitor, complete with club and ball data, simulator play, short-game tracking, and seamless GSPro connectivity, all for $699.

No subscriptions. No paywall for core features. Just a simple, photometric launch monitor that works well indoors, costs far less than its peers, and even gives you ways to play without hitting a real ball.

There are so many compelling reasons to buy this product. And I’m going to share what I think might be the five most important.

But… As we all should know by now, there is no such thing as a free lunch. The Square isn’t perfect. And if you think a $699 launch monitor is as good as something that costs several times more, you’re just not in touch with the reality of the golf launch monitor market.

So, what are those Square limitations? And are they the red flags that are going to be dealbreakers for you?

Let’s get to it. Five reasons to buy the Square launch monitor. And a few things that, for some people, could be nonstarters.

You Finally Get Camera-Based Accuracy and Convenience Without the Price Tag

Until now, every camera-based launch monitor (aka photometric launch monitor) has cost well into the four figures. Think SkyTrak+. Think Uneekor. Think Foresight. Think Garmin.

With the Square, you finally get the precision of a side-mounted camera-based setup at a radar price. And in many indoor environments — especially tight garages or basement spaces — a camera-based launch monitor just makes more sense.

You don’t need 8 feet of ball flight. You don’t need 10 feet of room behind you. And with the Square, you don’t need $2,000-plus to get in the game.

Accuracy-wise, this device holds up shockingly well. That’s why it’s all the rage on a number of golf simulator forums.

You do need to use marked balls and club shaft stickers to unlock that full accuracy, but that’s a small price to pay for legit photometric performance at this level.

So if there’s one over-arching reason to buy the Square it’s because it’s the only photometric launch monitor under $1,000. That reason alone has made this device unbelievably popular.

Square Golf Connects with GSPro and E6 Connect Without an Extra Charge

The Square is one of the only launch monitors on the market that doesn’t require a subscription to unlock third-party simulator access.

Want to plug into GSPro? You can. Want to play E6 Connect? You can. Want to do both and not pay Square an extra dime? That’s baked in. No add-on fees. No compatibility upcharges. Beyond what you’ll pay for the third-party software, you won’t owe anything extra.

Considering most camera-based competitors charge hundreds per year just to open the door (on top of already higher hardware costs), this is a genuinely massive value-add. Especially if you’re a serious sim head already eyeing GSPro.

Putting That Actually Works

If you’ve used launch monitors in this affordable category, you already know that putting is usually an afterthought. Some units ignore it entirely. Others make it optional. And very few get it right.

The Square? It tracks putts beautifully.

With dedicated putting modes, realistic rollouts, and precise feedback on launch direction and speed, this thing brings putting practice into the simulator world in a way few products do.

The company behind the Square is also responsible for Exputt, a putting simulator that’s not just fun but actually really useful. And you can see that some of that technology is part of the Square design.

The Pay-As-You-Go Simulator Model Just Makes Sense

If you don’t want to subscribe to yet another monthly golf platform, the Square’s credit-based sim golf model is a refreshing change.

Here’s how it works: You get 1,000 credits included with purchase. That covers about 55 solo rounds of 18-hole simulator golf. After that, you can reload credits at a cost that breaks down to roughly 2 cents per hole.

So if you don’t use it much in a given month, you don’t pay. If you want to play 100-plus rounds one winter? It’s still cheaper than a subscription. It’s scalable, straightforward, and in a world full of bloated monthly fees, it’s pretty easy to appreciate.

For golfers who only dabble in simulator rounds but still want the option, this model is perfect. It puts control back in your hands.

You Can Even Play Without a Ball

Not every Square user is going to fall in love with the included Swing Stick, but we have to mention it here because it’s a very real point of difference.

The Swing Stick is a short, club-like training tool that allows you to play virtual golf without hitting a ball. Seriously. Swing it in a small space with a ball placed in the launch monitor’s hitting zone, and the Square tracks your motion and gives you a simulated shot.

It’s not ultra-realistic, and the distances are arguably a little generous, but it’s extremely fun and genuinely useful in tight spaces. For kids, families, and travelers, it’s a very cool value-add.

I’d argue that this accessory should be optional rather than bundled, but there’s still a lot of charm in having a no-net-or-screen-needed option included out of the box.

And Now, a Few Reasons to Think Twice

The Square Golf Launch Monitor Is Indoor Only

This is the big limiter. You can’t take the Square with you to the driving range. Some golfers won’t care. For others, this will make the Square useless.

No Shot Storage or Session Tracking

As of now, there’s no way to save your sessions, track progress, or review shot history inside the Square Golf app. You hit a shot, see the data, and then it’s gone. For some golfers, this is a total dealbreaker.

It’s not a hardware limitation, so here’s hoping a future software update fills that gap. But for now, you’ll need to look elsewhere if long-term stat tracking is essential to your practice.

The Build Quality Isn’t Premium

The Square isn’t poorly built. But it is light, plastic, and a little cheap-feeling compared to some of the other units on the market. There’s also no included case and no real protection against accidental shanks.

Missing Metrics Like Smash Factor Could Matter

For golfers who lean heavily on club efficiency stats, it’s worth noting that the Square doesn’t give you clubhead speed or smash factor. That’s not a problem for every player, especially if you’re more interested in ball data or simulator play. But for grinders who track the details, absence of these metrics may feel like a blind spot.

Final Verdict: Is the Square Worth It?

If your budget is under $1,000 and you’re looking for an accurate, space-saving, indoor golf launch monitor, the Square should be at the very top of your list.

It’s not perfect. There are real limitations. And if you need outdoor use or session storage, this is definitely not your match.

But for what it costs? For what it includes? For how good it is at the things that probably matter most?

It’s one of the most compelling golf technology products we’ve seen in years.

So, is it worth it? Um, yeah! Are you kidding?! But don’t expect it to outperform the launch monitors that cost thousands of dollars. That’s not what this is.

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.