Golf has experienced significant growth in the launch monitor market. While some units can cost over $20,000, there are also many affordable options available for under $1,000. In 2023, Voice Caddie released the SC4 launch monitor, followed by the highly anticipated SC4 Pro in late 2024. When it launched, THP provided an overview of what to expect. After spending more time with the device, we’re ready to share a deeper look at our experience with the SC4 Pro.
Take the SC4 Pro outside!
Driving range sessions can become monotonous, but one way to enhance those practices is to incorporate a personal launch monitor to provide instant feedback. With the SC4 Pro, Voice Caddie is vying to be that companion, providing audible feedback on how good, or not so good, your range session is going.
Setting up the SC4 Pro at the range is relatively easy. First, use the built-in kickstand to position the device about 5 feet behind the ball, ensuring it is aligned with the direction you plan to hit. A helpful feature for alignment is the red line on the top of the unit.
It’s also important to ensure that the SC4 Pro is the same height as the ball. While this isn’t much of an issue when hitting off the grass, using driving range mats can create some challenges. To address this, Voice Caddie offers a height-adjustable tray that can be purchased separately. Although it may not be the most visually appealing accessory, it effectively serves its purpose.
Once everything is set up correctly, it’s time to decide how you want to practice. The simplest way to begin is to power on the device and switch it to practice mode. Grab the remote control, which allows you to change the club selection, adjust the loft, and start hitting balls. After each shot, you’ll hear an audible readout of the distance(yes, there is volume control). Hopefully, the shot was good because once it starts announcing your numbers, you’ll likely draw some attention from other members at the range.
If you’re looking for more detailed data, check out the 4.8-inch LCD screen. It displays additional metrics such as launch angle, launch direction, swing speed, ball speed, apex height, smash factor, and spin rate. This LCD screen provides a significant advantage for the SC4 Pro compared to some of its competitors and comes in handy for those days when connecting to an iPad isn’t in the cards.
For a more focused practice session, Voice Caddie features a target mode, which is one of my favorites. Using the remote, you can switch to target mode and select your desired distance for upcoming shots. This mode is particularly enjoyable when at the range with a practice partner, allowing for a competition to see who can get closest to the target yardage.
Moving Inside
When setting up the SC4 Pro indoors, there are several recommended procedures to follow. Like with an outdoor range, it is best to position the launch monitor approximately five feet behind the ball. To ensure accurate data collection, maintain a distance of at least ten feet between the ball and the net or screen. Once again, ensure the SC4 Pro is level with the ball and appropriately aligned with your target.
Our testing found that using a setup closer to the net produced inconsistent results, so allowing for the necessary space is crucial. When we increased the distance between the ball and the net, the data we collected aligned more closely with the readings from our SkyTrak+ launch monitor.
Among all the data points collected, the backspin showed the most variation between the two devices. Generally, the backspin numbers from the SC4 Pro were higher than those from the SkyTrak+. However, despite this difference, the carry yardages were consistently similar.
The SC4 Pro has an additional feature for indoor play: it connects to the E6 golf simulator software. When you purchase the SC4 Pro, you’ll receive a registration card granting access to five courses on the E6 platform. Those included courses are Aviara Golf Club, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Sanctuary Golf Course, Stone Canyon Golf Club, and Wade Hampton Golf Course.
We tested the connection between the SC4 and E6 on both an iPad and a Windows PC, and it connected quickly in both cases. However, it’s worth noting that E6 employs a bind and unbind license process. This means that if you plan to switch devices, you’ll need to go through a somewhat cumbersome process, which is more of an issue with E6 than with Voice Caddie.
Once in the app, golfers can choose to play an 18-hole round on one of the available courses or set up a specific hole to practice. The gameplay experience while connected to the SC4 is smooth and fast, making it a great option for those looking for an introduction to indoor golf.
VoiceCaddie S App
Regardless of where the SC4 Pro is set, golfers will want to download the VoiceCaddie S app. Here, we see all of the new additional data metrics that put the Pro in SC4 Pro. These additional data points include spin axis, side spin, backspin, and dispersion. Once you’ve downloaded the app, the entire SC4 Pro experience significantly changes.
Graphically, the new 3D driving range impresses on an iPad. There is a slight delay from the moment the ball is hit until it shows up on the screen, but the playback is smooth as the users will see the entire ball flight come to life. Other driving range features include the ability to set a target, switch between top and side views, and customize the data points that are of particular interest to you.
One often overlooked feature of the app is the ability to revisit shots taken during previous sessions and to view the replay of specific shots. While this may not resonate with every golfer, as a club reviewer, it is valuable. It’s helpful to go back and analyze not just the data but also the visual representation of the ball flight. This is just one example of how Voice Caddie has made a strong effort to create a useful and informative app for golfers. The best part? No subscription fees are required for the app, which is a notable factor to consider when comparing it to other personal launch monitors.
Swing Speed Mode
The Voice Caddie S app also features a swing speed mode that performs well both indoors and outdoors. This mode is ideal for golfers looking to increase their swing speed or those wanting a better understanding of their clubhead speed.
During our experience with the SC4 Pro, we tested this mode by taking dry swings with a driver. The app records the current speed during each swing and also tracks your daily average, best daily performance, and your fastest overall swing ever recorded. All of this data is clearly displayed within the Voice Caddie S app, allowing users to easily monitor their progress over time.
It’s important to note that you do not need to hit a golf ball while in swing speed mode. You can also use any club or speed training product, such as the weighted clubs from SuperSpeed Golf.
Final Thoughts – Voice Caddie SC4 Pro
With the SC4 Pro, Voice Caddie is bringing a lot to the table to help golfers improve and understand their game at a price that doesn’t break the bank. Is it perfect? No, but when talking about any launch monitor in this price range, there will inevitably be some trade-offs. That said, the SC4 Pro is a very capable and competitive unit when looking at others in the market in this price bracket. Those looking for a device that can bring some extra enjoyment to a range session or serve as an entry point into indoor golf would be wise to take a serious look at what this device offers.
Voice Caddie lists the SSC4 Pro on their website for $599.99, but at the time of this writing, they are knocking $50 off, making it $549.99. Truth be told, it would be wise to take that $50 savings and invest it in the case. Not only will the case keep it safe, but it can also help level the device when hitting off a range mat sans the height-adjustable stand.
More information on the Voice Caddie SC4 Pro launch monitor is available at www.voicecaddie.com.
