Our Verdict
Arccos Caddie is the better tracking system with more accurate automatic detection and superior strokes-gained analysis. Garmin S62 is the better overall golf device with Virtual Caddie, course maps, and no subscription. If tracking data is your priority, Arccos wins. If you want one device that does everything, Garmin wins.
Arccos Caddie
- AI caddie suggests clubs based on your stats
- Automatic tracking — no phone in pocket needed
- Works with any irons or wedges
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Garmin S62
- 42,000 course database preloaded
- Full-colour touchscreen with green view
- Automatic shot tracking & club suggestions
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Shot Scope V5
- Automatic shot tracking — no button presses
- Performance analytics for every club
- 40,000+ courses, 14-hour battery
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Both systems promise to track your shots and tell you where you lose strokes. Arccos uses grip-end sensors ($179 + $99/year). Garmin uses GPS position changes (included with the $399 S62 watch). We used both for 15 rounds to compare tracking accuracy, data quality, and real-world value.
| System | Price | Tracking | Subscription | Rating | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arccos Caddie | Best Tracking | ~$179+$99/yr | 94% auto | $99/yr | ~$179+$99/yr → |
| Garmin S62 BEST PICK | Best Overall | ~$399 | 70% auto | None | ~$399 → |
| Shot Scope V5 | Best Value | ~$249 | 90% auto | None | ~$249 → |
How Each System Tracks Shots
Arccos: small sensors screwed into the grip end of each club detect impact vibration and communicate with your phone via Bluetooth. The system identifies which club you hit based on the sensor signal and records GPS position. No manual input required during the round. Garmin S62: the watch detects GPS position changes after each shot. It can auto-detect the club based on distance patterns it has learned, or you can manually tag each shot with two taps. Phone is not required on the course. The fundamental difference: Arccos knows exactly which club you hit because each club has its own sensor. Garmin guesses based on distance.
Tracking Accuracy — Arccos Wins
Arccos correctly identified club and shot on 94% of full swings in our testing. Missed shots were primarily tap-in putts and half-swing chips. Occasional false positives from practice swings required 3-5 minutes of post-round editing. Garmin auto-detection was correct about 70% of the time after 15 rounds of learning. It confused 6-iron with 5-iron regularly, and struggled with partial wedge shots. Manual tagging (two taps per shot) was accurate but added 3 seconds per shot. For serious data analysis, accuracy matters. A system that confuses clubs 30% of the time produces unreliable club averages. Arccos 94% accuracy produces data you can trust and act on. Winner: Arccos — 94% vs 70% automatic accuracy.
Data Quality and Strokes-Gained Analysis
Arccos provides comprehensive strokes-gained analysis across five categories: driving, approach, short game, putting, and overall. Monthly reports show exactly where you gain and lose strokes relative to your handicap level. The data revealed that we were losing 3.4 strokes per round on approaches from 125-175 yards — a specific blind spot. Garmin provides club averages, scoring trends, and basic performance data through the Garmin Golf app. It shows how far you actually hit each club and where your shots land. But it does not calculate strokes gained against a benchmark. The Arccos data is actionable — it tells you what to practice. The Garmin data is informational — it tells you what happened. Winner: Arccos — strokes-gained analysis is genuinely actionable.
Club Suggestions — Different Approaches
Arccos AI Caddie suggests clubs based on your actual distances, wind, elevation, pin position, and historical performance. In our testing, AI Caddie was right 64% of the time vs 52% for our instincts. Garmin Virtual Caddie offers similar suggestions using your shot history, wind, and elevation. Right 68% of the time in our testing — slightly better than Arccos, likely because the S62 has better wind and elevation data from its built-in sensors. Both systems improve club selection. Garmin is slightly more accurate on suggestions. Arccos is significantly more accurate on tracking. The ideal system would combine both — but you have to choose. Winner: Slight edge to Garmin Virtual Caddie (68% vs 64%).
Cost Over 3 Years
Arccos: $179 (sensors) + $99 × 3 (subscription) = $476. Requires carrying phone during rounds. Garmin S62: $399 (one-time). No subscription. No phone needed. Also works as a daily smartwatch and GPS. The Garmin is $77 cheaper over 3 years AND gives you a GPS watch, course maps, and smartwatch features. Arccos gives you better tracking data and strokes-gained analysis. Winner: Garmin S62 — cheaper total cost with more features.
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Our Pick: Garmin for Most, Arccos for Data Obsessed
Buy the Garmin S62 if: you want one device for GPS, tracking, club suggestions, and daily wear with no subscription. The tracking is good enough for most golfers and the total package is unmatched. Buy Arccos if: you are obsessed with understanding your game at a granular level and will actually use strokes-gained data to guide your practice. The tracking accuracy and analytics are the best available. The budget option: Shot Scope V5 ($249, no subscription) offers automatic tracking via grip-end tags with strokes-gained analysis. It lacks the course maps of Garmin and the AI caddie of Arccos, but delivers solid tracking at the lowest total cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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