Meet the Garmin Approach R50, the only portable golf launch monitor with a built-in simulator

Rhea-AI Summary

Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) has launched the Approach R50, a premium launch monitor and golf simulator featuring a 10-inch color touchscreen display and over 43,000 preloaded golf courses worldwide. The device utilizes three cameras to track more than 15 ball and club metrics, including spin rate and spin axis. The R50 offers indoor virtual golfing capabilities with enhanced Home Tee Hero simulator, allowing up to four players to participate and compete in weekly tournaments. The device provides high-speed impact videos, comprehensive stat tracking, and compatibility with third-party simulators like GSPro and E6 Connect. Priced at $4,999.99, it features built-in Wi-Fi, four-hour battery life, and comes with a carrying case.

Positive

• Premium pricing at $4,999.99 suggests strong profit margins
• Expansion of product portfolio in golf simulation market
• Multiple revenue streams through required Garmin Golf membership
• Integration with third-party simulators expands market reach

Negative

• None.

Insights

Tech Product Analyst

The Approach R50 represents a significant product launch for Garmin, entering the premium golf simulator market at $4,999.99. This device combines advanced features like three high-speed cameras, a 10-inch touchscreen and comprehensive ball/club metrics tracking with over 43,000 preloaded courses. The product's positioning in the high-end golf simulation market shows Garmin's strategic expansion beyond basic golf GPS devices.

The device's compatibility with popular third-party simulators (GSPro, E6 Connect/Apex, Awesome Golf) and built-in Wi-Fi creates a strong ecosystem play. The recurring revenue potential through required Garmin Golf memberships adds a valuable subscription component to Garmin's traditional hardware-based revenue model.

Market timing is strategic, launching ahead of winter season when indoor golf practice becomes essential. This product diversifies Garmin's golf portfolio and targets both consumer and potential commercial markets like indoor golf facilities.

Market Research Analyst

This launch positions Garmin competitively in the growing indoor golf simulation market, estimated to reach $3.4 billion by 2030. The $4,999.99 price point places it between consumer-grade launch monitors ($500-2,000) and professional systems ($10,000+), targeting serious golfers and home entertainment enthusiasts.

The product's comprehensive features address key market demands: accuracy through triple camera system, convenience with built-in display and versatility with simulator integration. The subscription model through Garmin Golf membership creates recurring revenue opportunities beyond hardware sales.

New launch monitor with color touchscreen and three high-speed cameras offers more accurate club and ball measurements so golfers can tee up for a full round, rain or shine

OLATHE, Kan., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced the all-new Approach^® R50 premium launch monitor and golf simulator, allowing golfers the luxury of teeing it up 365 days a year on their home setup or at any driving range. The Approach R50 features a 10" built-in, color touchscreen display and more than 43,000 preloaded golf courses worldwide with an improved version of Home Tee Hero¹. Utilizing three different cameras, the launch monitor can track more than 15 ball and club metrics², including measured spin rate and spin axis. It can also provide precision analytics for every club – from the driver to the putter – and deliver high-speed impact videos so players can review a close-up look at their contact for each shot.

"Leveraging our most advanced technology with an elaborate three-camera system, our Approach R50 can provide golfers of all levels with the cutting-edge metrics and analytics they need to help improve their game. Whether you want to see specific shot metrics, see how and where the ball comes off your club, or just want to play a round on a rainy day, we've got your game." 
–Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales

See the Approach R50 in action on Garmin's YouTube channel.

Get a tee time anytime

A cold, rainy day often results in a canceled tee time. But with the Approach R50 and an indoor setup, golfers don't need to take a day off due to bad weather. Play a full virtual round – from drive to putt – on more than 43,000 courses around the world from the comforts of the garage, basement or driving range. Through the enhanced Home Tee Hero simulator, golfers can play virtual rounds with up to four players and participate in weekly tournaments with scores posted on a global leaderboard¹, all viewable from the Approach R50 display.

For the ultimate simulator experience, the Approach R50 can easily be connected to a monitor or a projector, allowing users to turn their garage or basement into their favorite virtual course. Players can simply mirror the display on their Approach R50 to a projector or external monitor – or customize the setup to their needs. For example, golfers can experience immersive virtual rounds with Home Tee Hero on a displayed projector and then can choose to see their launch monitor data or impact videos on the Approach R50 display. Or for golfers who want to simplify their setup, the portable Approach R50 can serve as a simulator all on its own.  

Elevate your game

Golfers looking to better themselves between rounds or during the offseason can utilize the training mode feature on the Approach R50, which records sessions and saves stats for each club, allowing players to see and understand improvements over time. High-speed impact videos provide immediate visual feedback on each shot, so anyone, from beginner level to club champion, can analyze their swing and work on ironing out weaknesses in their game.

Whether indoors or outside, the Approach R50 can help golfers fine-tune their game all year long. The device provides stat tracking for each club in the bag², and 15 advanced measurements to help users dial in their swing, including ball speed, launch angle and face-to-path. With cutting-edge, high-speed cameras, every movement of the ball is captured from frame to frame allowing the Approach R50 to measure all aspects of the ball launch parameters, including spin rate and spin axis.

Bring dream courses home

Using Home Tee Hero, golfers can tee it up at their favorite courses from around the world. The simulator allows up to four players to play on any of its 43,000 golf courses, giving users the opportunity play full rounds in the comforts of their home setup. Home Tee Hero has upgraded its course maps for the Approach R50, providing much greater detail and a more realistic playing experience. Whether users want to play realistic rounds on their home links, get in a practice round before an upcoming trip or try out bucket list courses, golfers can play on the best in the world without paying airfare, lodging and green fees.

With built-in Wi-Fi^® connectivity, players can also utilize their favorite third-party simulators wherever a connection is available. Along with Home Tee Hero, golfers can also play rounds on top third-party simulators GSPro, E6 Connect/Apex (coming soon) and Awesome Golf which are all compatible with the Approach R50.

Take your game anywhere

In addition to providing comprehensive and precise metrics, the Approach R50 offers users the versatility to play just about anywhere with adequate space. The premium launch monitor is simple to set up, features up to four hours of battery life and includes a handy carrying case.Available now, the Approach R50 premium launch monitor has a suggested retail price starting at $4,999.99. To learn more, visit garmin.com/golf.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin outdoor recreation products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences and enrich lives, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garmingolf on social, or follow our blog.

¹Requires an active Garmin Golf membership.
²Included tracking stickers required.

About Garmin: Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN) is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and Approach are registered trademarks and Garmin Golf, is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0001-411180). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at https://www.garmin.com/en-US/company/investors/earnings/. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mike Cummings & Griffin Schaetzle
913-397-8200
media.relations@garmin.com

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SOURCE Garmin International, Inc.

FAQ

What is the price of the new Garmin Approach R50 (GRMN)?

The Garmin Approach R50 launch monitor has a suggested retail price of $4,999.99.

How many golf courses are preloaded in the Garmin Approach R50 (GRMN)?

The Approach R50 comes with more than 43,000 preloaded golf courses worldwide.

What is the battery life of the Garmin Approach R50 (GRMN)?

The Approach R50 features up to four hours of battery life.

How many metrics can the Garmin Approach R50 (GRMN) track?

The Approach R50 can track more than 15 ball and club metrics, including measured spin rate and spin axis.