Reviewing the Garmin Approach R50

Garmin has thrown its hat deeper into the launch monitor arena with the new Approach R50 — a premium device designed for golfers who want a mix of virtual play and game improvement without heading to the course. Here’s a rundown of the R50’s highlights, quirks, and what you can realistically expect from this launch monitor.

First Impressions: A Fully-Loaded Touchscreen Device

The standout feature of the R50 is a 10-inch built-in color touchscreen, something we haven’t seen yet in the golf simulator industry. It’s a significant upgrade for golfers looking for an all-in-one setup. Unlike many launch monitors that rely on external displays, the R50 lets you view key metrics and simulator visuals right on the device.

Pros:

• Large, clear display
• Convenient, no-need-for-phone setup
• Access to over 43,000 golf courses for virtual rounds via Home Tee Hero simulator (though this requires an active Garmin Golf™ membership)

Cons:

• Display only functions as a built-in monitor for the simulator, with no external apps or flexibility in display options

Detailed Metrics with 3 High-Speed Cameras

The R50 is armed with three high-speed cameras that capture more than 15 ball and club metrics, which should meet the needs of golfers serious about improvement. However, keep in mind that Garmin requires tracking stickers (250 included) for more accurate club metrics.

Key Metrics Tracked:

• Club head speed
• Club face angle    
• Club path angle    
• Angle of attack    
• Ball speed    
• Launch angle    
• Launch direction    
• Spin axis    
• Spin rate    
• Apex height    
• Smash factor    
• Carry distance    
• Total distance    
• Deviation distance

Garmin’s use of high-speed cameras allows the R50 to capture impact videos, giving immediate feedback on swing dynamics. 

Virtual Play: 43,000+ Courses and Tournament Features

The Home Tee Hero simulator provides access to a huge course library, letting you play rounds with up to four players. Garmin has improved the graphics for this feature on the R50, so courses feel relatively realistic on the R50 screen or on an extended display.

Virtual Play Highlights:

• Extensive course library: 43,000+ courses worldwide
• Improved graphics for more lifelike courses
• Weekly tournaments on a global leaderboard for competitive play

Compatibility and Subscription Requirements

Garmin has made the R50 compatible with popular third-party simulators like GSPro, Awesome Golf, E6 Connect, and E6 Apex. This flexibility is ideal for golfers who want to try out different simulator platforms.

However, note that Garmin Golf™ membership (either $9.99/month or $99.99/year) is required for Home Tee Hero access, as well as for the tournament features and premium app options. 

Added Training Features for Game Improvement

The R50 isn’t just for virtual rounds. Its training mode tracks stats for each club and even offers shot dispersion charts based on advanced ball flight modeling. Whether you’re working on driver distance or honing your putting, the R50 provides enough data to help you train across all aspects of your game.

Additional Training Features:

• Impact videos for shot feedback
• Shot dispersion charting for each club
• Putting mode
• Built-in barometer for adjusting carry distances based on location

Battery Life and Portability

With up to four hours of battery life, the R50 is portable enough to take to a driving range or set up in the backyard for a session. The included carrying case is a nice touch, making setup and storage relatively easy.

The Bottom Line

Our Favorite Part:

Easy: it's the color touch screen because it's something the industry hasn't seen yet. It's nice to not have to fumble around with another device if you're not tech saavy. Oh yeah, and it reads putting (unlike the Garmin R10) and has third-party compatibility without subscription fees.

Our Least Favorite Part:

It would be nice if you could use third-party software on the built-in color screen, but we understand how that would be hard to make happen.

Conclusion

The Garmin R50 is great for golfers who are serious about game improvement and want a quality, screen-integrated monitor that doesn’t require external devices. The R50’s high-speed cameras, course options, and compatibility with third-party simulators make it versatile enough to grow with you.

If you're looking for an all-in-one simulator and practice tool, the Garmin Approach R50 is a solid choice that combines premium features with the Garmin reputation.