Shot Scope have long been known for their quality output in the GPS and rangefinder market, but, with LM1, the company is looking to provide a complete data experience to golfers without the expected costs
Launch monitors are no longer the rarity that they used to be. Once limited to the elite levels of the professional tour golfer, these high tech ball trackers are now found in the hands of every serious coach and more than a few dedicated amateurs. They’re becoming a near-essential piece of equipment in developing your game but, for most of us, there’s still one problem: the cost is more than a little prohibitive. The Shot Scope LM1, however, is looking to flip this script.
Coming in an easy-to-carry, ultra-compact body, the LM1, and its lightweight carry case are designed to be as convenient as possible to the modern golfer, with a focus on providing simple and clear feedback on the user’s performance, regardless of how and where you choose to practice your game.
Portable launch monitor with quick and easy setup
The LM1 delivers instant, reliable performance at an exceptional price and can be set up in under 20 seconds. Track ball speed, club speed, smash factor, carry and total distance in real time on the bright 3.5” colour screen.
Featuring a dedicated speed training mode and indoor/outdoor functionality, it’s perfect for range sessions, home practice or on-course use. Sync to the Shot Scope app for lifetime session history with no additional fees.
Competing in more than just cost
Before we get into the details of how the Shot Scope LM1 is going to help make a difference in your game, let’s talk about the biggest reason that most golfers will have taken notice of this particular launch monitor.
With no subscriptions fees, and at only $/£200, Shot Scope’s entry into the distance-tracking market is less than a hundredth the cost of some of the most recognisable devices in the game, so surely there must be something that’s been given up to produce the LM1 at such a ridiculous price?
This is where the engineers at Shot Scope have earned their money (and saved you yours).
The team responsible for the design have been incredibly clever in how they’ve approached the challenge, by looking at the needs of the player who they know will be considering the LM1.
What this means in reality, is that the often overwhelming options and data, built to benefit the professionals that use them but not necessarily the everyday golfer, have been streamlined into a simple but effective display of the core focuses that matter.
Deliberately limiting the displayed data means that you, the player, can simplify your practice around the key areas that matter in improving your game. Those key areas are all essential to working on performance consistency, helping you, in turn, to take a more repeatable swing and delivery onto the golf course.
So what data is offered from the Shot Scope LM1, and why is it important for you?
Simplified setup, easy practice
While the Shot Scope LM1 tracks data outside of what’s displayed to maintain accuracy in the readings it does deliver, the available data covers five main criteria through the powerful Doppler radar technology:
Club Head Speed
Often touted as a bragging right amongst golfers, the inclusion of CHS (Club Head Speed) is significant for both helping to increase your power output as well as keeping a check on your ability to deliver the club in a consistent way. The golfer that is able to deliver tight numbers here is able to show they have control over their tempo.
That, and being able to see real results for those developing their speed means that CHS is an essential metric for the modern golfer.
Ball Speed
While CHS is a great indicator of control of the club head, Ball Speed is what you need to be considering to help improve your precision ball-striking, as well as making sure those speed training sessions are paying off. Consistent Ball Speed is a key indicator of a reliable strike location, with advanced players using the factor to see if their feel and feedback matches the reality.
Smash Factor
Smash might be the most obscure of the five metrics, but it’s one that simplifies the process of figuring out how efficient you’re being with your energy. Smash Factor is a simple equation of Ball Speed divided by Club Head Speed, and is relevant to knowing if you’re delivering ‘effortless power’ or ‘powerless effort.’
Smash Factor increases as lofts lower, with a traditionally lofted 7-iron producing a 1.36 smash, at peak efficiency, and drivers sitting around 1.5 smash, as a rough guide.
Carry Distance
The ultimate indicator of how your clubs are performing, and ideal for anyone with concerns about their gapping between clubs, Carry Distance is how far the ball travels through the air before it hits the ground.
You can use carry to work out if the clubs in your bag are efficiently matched to your needs: lower club speeds should be expecting 8-10 yards between clubs, and higher speeds will be closer to 12-15 yards in a well-gapped set.
Total Distance
Total Distance can be split into two categories of golf club-tracking, although they both pair with Carry and a hidden number known as ‘Descent Angle.’ Descent Angle is used by pros to determine how steeply the ball is coming into the target, but all it really boils down to the difference between Carry and Total Distances.
Is the club you’re using being hit into a green and needing control? Closer Carry and Total numbers means the ball will be stopping closer to where it lands. Conversely, using a driver means you want Carry to be higher but Total to be higher to show you’re maximising your run-out to get even closer to the green.
So we’ve got the metrics nailed down, but how quickly can you start using your new LM1 and learning more about your game?
As it turns out, the Shot Scope LM1 is super easy to use, right from the very first session. All that’s needed is to place the launch monitor down on a direct line behind the ball at 55-inches away, choose your mode (from Practice, On-Course, and Speed Training), select which club you’ll be using, and that’s it: you’re ready to go!
(And if you’re not sure what 55-inches should look like, just place your driver down behind the ball and add another 10-inches, or roughly the length of a grip, to the end of the club – it’s barely an inconvenience)
As a self-sufficient device, that can be used indoors and outdoors thanks to 5+ hours of battery life and IPX3-rated rain protection, that’s all you need to know to make use of your LM1. However, if you’re interested in tracking stats over multiple sessions, Shot Scope also have an accompanying app to match, with satisfyingly simple user interfaces and phone connectivity, allowing for long-term management of your goals and results throughout the season.
Overall, the Shot Scope LM1 is a devilishly easy unit to operate at any age or handicap standard, with a price point that makes the LM1 hard to ignore, and a performance quality that will provides more than enough justification for your $/£200 spend!
Shot Scope: beyond the LM1
If you weren’t already familiar with Shot Scope, the company has become one of the biggest names on the market over the last few generations of product, with impressive, reliable quality across a range of technology.
Most notably associated with top of the range laser rangefinders, GPS, and even shot-tracking options, Shot Scope offer a complete package of easy-to-use performance technology for you to build the perfect game around.
These are the best Shot Scope devices worth exploring, outside of the LM1 launch monitor.
Laser Rangefinders
Laser rangfinder with slope and cart magnet
The PRO L2 delivers fast, accurate yardages with precision clear optics and 6x magnification with a 700-yard range. Adaptive slope technology calculates adjusted distances for elevation changes and can be disabled for tournament play.
With rapid-fire detection and Target-lock vibration, you’ll know exactly when you’ve locked onto the flag. A powerful built-in cart magnet and compact, anti-slip design complete a rangefinder that proves great value doesn’t mean compromising on quality.
OLED display laser rangefinder with slope and cart magnet
The PRO L5 delivers ultra-clear distance readings through a vivid OLED display, helping you find your target faster. Lock onto the flag instantly with Rapid-fire detection and enhanced Target-lock vibration.
Adaptive slope technology provides compensated yardages for elevation changes and can be switched off for tournament play. With an extra strong built-in cart magnet, 1300-yard range and 7x magnification, it’s quality, compact performance for any golfer.
Handheld GPS
Large GPS handheld with detailed hole maps
The H50 delivers premium GPS performance on a vibrant 4.3” AMOLED touchscreen. Featuring detailed hole maps, green contour data and “plays like” distances, it provides precise yardages to any point on the course.
Dual-band GPS ensures fast, accurate front, middle and back distances on 42,000+ preloaded courses worldwide. With an extra-strong cart magnet and 15+ hour battery life, the H50 is a powerful, pocket-sized caddie built for serious course management.
Wearable GPS
GPS Watch with full hole maps and interchangeable straps
The G6 is a lightweight, easy-to-use GPS watch designed to simplify course management. Featuring Full hole maps with an adjustable distance line, it allows golfers to measure yardages to hazards, layups and doglegs with precision.
Preloaded with 42,000+ courses, it provides dynamic front, middle and back green distances with no subscription fees. Large digits, interchangeable straps and 2+ round battery life give you effortless performance straight out of the box.
GPS Watch with automatic performance tracking
The V5 combines full-colour GPS yardages with seamless automatic shot tracking to deliver complete on-course performance insight. Preloaded with 42,000+ courses, it provides dynamic front, middle and back distances, hazard yardages, hole maps and green view with pin placement.
Supplied with 16 shot tracking tags, the V5 records every shot automatically and unlocks over 100 statistics including Strokes Gained, all with no subscription fees. Lightweight, powerful and built to lower your handicap.
Premium GPS watch with automatic performance tracking
The X5 combines luxury design with tour-level performance insight. Featuring a bright full-colour touchscreen and scratch-resistant ceramic bezel, it delivers dynamic GPS yardages, personalised hole maps and Green View on 42,000+ courses worldwide.
Supplied with 16 tracking tags, the X5 automatically records every shot and unlocks 100+ statistics including Strokes Gained, all with no subscription fees. Premium performance, on and off the course.