LINK-Enabled Technology

Last month, I headed to Bushnell Foresight's San Diego headquarters where they gave me a behind-the-scenes look at their latest tech. I didn't just get to hang out with their amazing team - I also got my hands on their brand-new Foresight GC3, GC3S, and the Bushnell LPi Personal Launch Monitor. The highlight was trying out their Link-Enabled Technology both in the simulator and on the course. It's been a while since I've seen golf tech this innovative, and I came away seriously impressed.

Foresight's been dominating the launch monitor game for decades - you'll see their GC Quad units everywhere on tour event driving ranges. Golf nerds like us love using them for indoor simulation, and club fitters can't stop raving about how accurate their data is. Now, with their new LINK-Enabled technology, you can connect data from any Foresight or Bushnell launch monitor straight to your Bushnell rangefinder or GPS app - making it easier than ever to manage your game and shave strokes off your score out on the course.

Getting started with Foresight's LINK-Enabled Technology is a breeze, and it all begins with the MyBag golf assessment. When you're using a Foresight or Bushnell launch monitor, just hit three shots with each club in your bag while running the MyBag assessment in the Foresight app. MyBag will analyze your shot data to figure out your carry distance and shot shape. Don't like one of your shots? No worries - just delete it and take another one. Once you're happy with all three shots, you're done. MyBag automatically uploads your data to your Foresight account, which connects with the Bushnell Golf app. That's where things get really cool, especially when you're out on the course using a Bushnell LINK-Enabled laser rangefinder or the Bushnell GPS app (currently working with Pro X3 and Pro X3+ models).

When you look through the rangefinder, you'll see two new features: a personalized "Play As" distance on the right side and a "Club Recommendation" on the left. The "Play As" distances aren't just based on your launch monitor data - they also factor in things like slope, wind, and temperature to give you the most accurate reading possible. For "Club Recommendations," you'll see two options (marked with +/-), letting you pick between playing it safe or going for it.

The Bushnell app shows you "Today's Distances" based on current weather conditions, and my personal favorite, the "Club Dispersion Patterns," which show where you typically land shots with each club. This LINK-Enabled system is so precise that it'll even tell you which club to use whether you're aiming for the front or back of the green.

Foresight didn't just stop at LINK-Enabled Technology - they've also updated their personal launch monitor lines. But not to worry, the outgoing GC3 and Bushnell Launch Pro are also compatible with this software upgrade, which is something I love about Foresight. 

Foresight GC3: The new GC3 couldn't be simpler - it's now one complete golf launch monitor package that gives you both ball and club data. Everything comes in a single box, including FSX simulator software, a convenient sling bag, and a two-year warranty. They've even included a year of GSPro access and a Bushnell Pro X3 LINK rangefinder. At $6,999, you'll get a straightforward package that's easy to understand. Best of all, it includes all the gaming and performance software you need for your dream home golf setup - without any pesky subscription fees to worry about.

Foresight GC3S: The GC3S is Foresight's first launch monitor that uses a subscription model (that's where the "S" comes from). It's packed with all the same features as the GC3, tracking both ball and club data, but you'll pay less upfront in exchange for a $499 yearly subscription - and your first year's on the house. If you've heard of the Bushnell Launch Pro, it's pretty similar. They've sweetened the deal by throwing in a Bushnell Pro X3 LINK rangefinder, and you'll get full ball and club data tracking right out of the box. Plus, they're including a year of GSPro access. You can pick up the GC3S for $3,799.

Bushnell LPi: The "i" in Launch Pro LPi means "indoors" - and that makes perfect sense since they've designed this golf launch monitor specifically for indoor use. Unlike its other Foresight/Bushnell siblings, you won't find a built-in display or battery on the LPi. It's a stripped-down, indoor-only unit that'll save you money if that's how you plan to use it.

You'll get both ball and club data with the LPi, but here's the catch: while your first year of FSX software is free, you'll need to shell out $499 yearly for the Gold subscription after that. Want to get your hands on one? The LPi costs $2,799.

I played a round at La Costa in San Diego with my new Pro X3+ Link rangefinder and Bushnell app after doing the MyBag assessment. I've got to say, I'm really impressed. The MyBag setup was a breeze - I loved that I could scratch any bad shots and keep three good ones that showed what each club can really do. What amazed me most was how spot-on the recommendations were on the course, especially when I needed to club up for shots over the lake, elevated greens, and those huge bunkers. The whole system just works perfectly and couldn't be simpler to use.