I recently listened to long drive legend Kyle Berkshire discuss the importance of swing speed training.
Berkshire suggests that aspiring long-drive golfers gain muscle and consistently work on accelerating clubhead speed. I am not a personal trainer, so I will leave the gym out of this. However, I will review my best swing speed radar products for 2022.
The devices on this list are affordable, portable, and easy to set up. While most of them are one-trick ponies, I have included some premium models which measure ball speed, tempo, and smash factor. Besides helping you train, swing radars are an excellent way for players of all ages to enjoy the game.
1. Sport Sensors Swing Speed Radar Tempo Trainer
Top pick
Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar with Tempo Timer
Measures clubhead swing speed and tempo time to help golfers optimize their swing to increase distance and improve swing consistency. No need to hit an actual golf ball – you can use a wiffle ball, Birdie Ball, sponge ball or equivalent to simulate a real ball, but swing at a ball replica to release the club properly.
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The Sport Sensors Swing Speed Radar Tempo Trainer is our best overall pick for 2022. This radar records your clubhead speed and tempo time for improved swing consistency. Plus, it is light and portable.
Sport Sensors constructed the radar to work with sponge golf balls, which is ideal for inside use if you are without a golf simulator.
The biggest downside of this device is that it does not measure any shots under 40 mph. Obviously, your core objective is to improve the velocity of golf swings. However, this restriction prevents you from working on your short game tempo.
On the positive side, it records speeds of up to 200 mph, which is 50 mph faster than Berkshire’s ceiling. My point is you do not need to worry about breaking the speed barrier of this radar.
Pros
- Measures speed up to 200 mph
- Includes a tempo timer
- Lightweight
- Works when you hit sponge golf balls
- You can use it inside and outdoors
Cons
- Expensive for a swing speed and tempo trainer
- It does not record shots below 40 mph
2. PRGR Pocket Launch Monitor
PRGR Black Pocket Launch Monitor
Uses Doppler Radar and precise algorithms to show your swing speed, ball speed, carry distance, total distance and smash factor for each club. Turn it on, put it down, and hit. No WiFi, no downloads, no apps needed. Captures nearly 100% of shots without “fiddling” with placement.
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The PRGR Pocket Launch Monitor provides robust feedback on your swing mechanics. It is better suited to high handicappers looking to take their game seriously.
The combination of doppler radar technology and precise algorithms enhances the accuracy of each measurement for more detailed insight. The device records your clubhead speed, ball speed, smash factor, and total and carry distance.
Granted, it is a launch monitor than a straight swing speed radar, which is why it provides exceptional value for money. It sits in the same price range as a velocity radar, but it measures more than the swing speed of golfers.
Pros
- Records clubhead speed
- Measures ball speed
- Affordable for a launch monitor
- Provides smash factor
- Calculates carry and
Cons
- Unlike other launch monitors, it does not measure spin
- Do not expect the accuracy of premium launch monitors
3. Sport Sensors Swing Speed Radar
The Sports Sensors swing edition is the entry-level version of our best overall pick for 2022. It is ideal for golfers on a budget looking for an entry-level device to measure the speed of their golf swings.
This device employs microwave doppler radar sensors to measure clubhead speeds between 20 and 200 mph. Unlike the premium version, it records lower impact shots. However, it does not include the swing tempo feature.
Sports Sensors recommends setting the device up 8 to 10 inches from the impact zone for improved accuracy. The device is powered by 3 AA batteries, which the manufacturer suggests will last for 2 years.
Pros
- Affordable
- Measures swing speeds between 20 and 200 mph
- Pocket size
- Also functions for baseball hitting and pitching
- Excellent customer service
Cons
- No swing tempo feature
- The radar focuses on the toe of the club, which provides a higher than normal reading
4. Ryp Radar
Rypstick RypRadar
Measure your swing speed without a ball. After each swing, the RypRadar will display your swing speed, and has an optional voice feedback setting. RypRadar automatically saves the data from your last 10 swings, giving you instant feedback on your progress.
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The Ryp Radar device is another affordable golf swing speed radar designed to measure clubhead velocity. Directly after each swing, the pace of your clubhead reflects on the LCD screen, and there is an option to set up voice feedback. That saves you from looking over at the device between shots and breaking your focus.
In addition, the radar records your last ten strikes to analyze your swing performance. This helps you understand your optimum swing speed, allowing you to set a target to beat during your next training session.
A neat addition to the Ryp Radar is its ability to measure clubhead speed without striking a golf ball. Therefore, you can operate it indoors without hitting a golf shot. Finally, this model measures speed up to 200 mph, which is even excessive for Bryson DeChambeau.
Pros
- Affordable
- You can measure clubhead speed without ball impact
- Detects velocity up to 200 mph
- Voice feedback option
- Stores data of last 10 shots
Cons
- Inaccurate data
- It requires 5 AA batteries
5. DRM Speed Radar
DRM Swing Shoot Pitch Speed Radar
RM speed radar measures and reads club speed and ball speed instantly. Measures speeds up to 199 Km/h (or 150 mph). The bright LED display is easy to read from a distance. Speaker with a voice announces the speed of your shot. Stores the speed of your last 10 shots.
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Sticking with affordable speed radar products, we move to the DRM. I like this device because it measures slower swings up to 150 mph. That is still ample range for the average golfer to cover every club in the bag.
To help you measure slow and rapid velocity, the manufacturer installed two modes, still and move. Still mode enables the radar to follow slower swing speeds, common on wedge strikes. While this may not impact the average golfer, it makes a difference to seniors. Still mode detects zip between 3 and 150 mph.
The move function follows an accelerated speed between 25 and 150 mph. Even with this mode, the device still measures lower velocity compared to most of its competitors. The final feature worthy of a mention is the voice feedback setting which calls out your speed after every shot.
Pros
- Low price point
- Measures between 3 and 150 mph
- Two modes
- Voice feedback
- It stores the feedback from your last ten shots
Cons
- Accuracy
- It needs 5 AA batteries to run
6. Swing Caddie SC200 Plus
Swing Caddie SC200 Plus
Can measure and practice swing speed without hitting the ball. Loft angle selectable. Measures carry distance, swing speed, ball speed, and smash factor. Measuring range: 30-320 Yds.
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The final pick on this list is a launch monitor, but it does calculate clubhead speed among a host of data points. The Swing Caddie SC200 does fetch a higher price than swing speed radars, but it dives deep into various aspects of your swing to boost velocity, rhythm, and tempo.
Swing Caddie enabled the SC 200 Plus to detect carry distance, swing speed, ball speed, and smash factor. It provides a detailed overview of your swing mechanics to improve your launch angle, ball distance, and accuracy.
Besides its data measuring capabilities, the SC200 Plus offers voice distance output, eliminating the need to look at the device after every strike. Finally, this launch monitor is light and portable, enabling you to use it at home or on the range.
Pros
- Measures carry distance
- Detects swing speed and ball velocity
- Detects smash factory
- Voice distance output
- Portable
Cons
- It does not calculate spin or launch
- Expensive compared to a basic speed radar.