4.2 Update - distances maybe even worse than before?

Received the latest R10 update and was excited to test it out so I used my standard outdoor setup that has a golf net 10' from the shot area and the R10 7' behind it. I've use this exact setup since spring and am familiar with my distances and stats.

The release notes indicate better head speed measurements with this update, so I figured it would give more accurate distances. Shockingly, the numbers are possibly worse than before.

On the course, my driver gives 210-230 carry, with most drives rolling out 230-260. Using the Garmin Golf sim with the 4.2 update, not a single drive carried 200yds. Most were 180-195.

I also use E6 golf and increase my altitude setting to give better distances, and even it was coming up short compared to previous E6 sessions. 

I also looked at the head speed numbers for various clubs and they were all down 10%. Driver was showing in the mid to high 80's and ball speed never getting above 130mph. A MeVo device and a cheap head speed radar show head speeds in the 95-100 range with ball speeds in the high 130's to 140's. 

So basically, everything with 4.2 is as it was before. Maybe worse because previously with Garmin Golf, it would sometimes show a drives with up to about 210 carry.

Garmin - you've really got to give us an option to calibrate to our real playing conditions. Numerous others have requested this. At the simplest level, let us set a % change for the head speed. This simple option would eliminate our biggest complaint in a manner that's trivially easy to implement and use.

Until then, I'll just keep using E6 and setting my altitude to 4,000 to 6,000 feet. That seems to give me simulations that closely match my playing experience where I am, near sea level.

  • FYI Updated to 4.2 distance down 10 plus yards on everything. GSPro, Awesome golf and Garmin driving range. Had to set altitude to 2000 ft in GSPro to get the same results as 4.0. This is unbelievable doesn't Garmin ever test these updates or are they just using the users to do the testing.

  • I guess that Garmin reads what the users are writing and suggesting.

    And then one clever guy gets the idea of ignoring this and try the opposite.

    And then they have a good laugh?

  • Confirmed 4.2 is worse than 4.0. 1.0 smash on most shots. 88yd PW. Lol. This is getting old. Mevo ordered. 

  • I kinda call *** on some of these posts. Wonder how many actually are Garmin users and not competitor posts. Garmins brilliant, used with third party software it’s works better. Why, this is Garmin’s first crack at this space. It’s always easier and better to bring across software that’s been proven for a long time. The software will improve or they will buy software that is better. The hardware is solid and is the best value for money by a very long way. None of you would even be using it if you didn’t think the same deep down. You’d be in debt on your credit cards buying $5 or $10k devises. Or just not playing all of winter and starting all over again at the range and course, come summer. Sooo, yeah there’s that.. 

  • Are you getting any good shots or anything 1.3 smash factor or better?

    Please post an image of this if possible.

  • Surely there is some fud here. But personally I’m an actual user who found earlier FW builds spot on to those bigger/more expensive devices. I’m a huge Garmin fan. I wear a Garmin Tactix delta solar ballistic watch daily that is best of breed. Yes, agree the hardware is solid but the dev team needs to address these issues or at least confirm there are some. Don’t just reply with check your setup, calibrate, raise your device, align, etc. Issue a field impact notice, address the problem, and be transparent.

    I just feel depressed because I built out my sim and it’s unusable. A bit dramatic I know. But, I love golf. Lol.  

  • No, unless I long drive distance swing and almost break my back will I see smash above 1.2. I’ll post some images. 

  • Just updated the Garmin Golf app and it's a game changer. You can set altitude in the driving range and HTH so just tweak it until your yardages are spot on.

  • Based on youtube video I've seen, this looks very promising.

    I like that altitude of approx 4000 ft is sufficient to correct distance for normal golf balls.

    This actually gives me hope that 10.000 ft will be sufficient to give me good lengths with almostgolf practice balls.

    I can also increase temp to hot summer to add more if needed Slight smile

    My almostgolf balls have arrived, no rain today, so really looking forward to test this out tonight.

    I will be back with my findings

  • Did a quick and brutal test with my old Callaway driver.

    Initial set up: Weather local, Almostgolf practice ball. No optimizing, approx 6-7 ft from net to tee, and same from tee to R10. No levelling, no calibration.

    Did the R10 pick up the Almostgolf practice ball? YES!

    Club speed around 80, ball speed around 95, carry distance around 110 with 125 total.

    Not sure what to expect with practice balls, as this is my first try.

    Changed altitude to max.

    Club speed same, around 80. Slightly improved ball speed (95-100), not sure if this is me hitting better or not.

    Carry improved to approx 145 yds, with total around 160 yds.

    Changed humidity to zero and temp to max, and appears I gained a few yards extra on next shots.

    Conclusion: 165 yds with 80 club head speed is maybe a few yards shorter than real life with real golf balls.

    But cant be by much, and taking into consideration that nothing nere was optimized, I'm actually thrilled. I now believe it is possible to play hth indoor with practice balls, and get near real life results.

    So winter may come with rain or snow. I' m ready Slight smile