Bushnell Wingman HD GPS Speaker

The Wingman HD is a cart speaker with a 3.5-inch color touchscreen that shows hole layouts and yardages while it plays your music.

Why it made the list

Most golf GPS speakers call out yardages but give you little to look at. The Wingman HD adds a 3.5-inch color touchscreen with HoleView layouts and GreenView images, so you see the shape of the hole, hazard icons and layup points along with the numbers. On the audio side, it uses two 15-watt speakers with two passive radiators for 360 degree sound and solid bass.

That pairing replaces a separate handheld GPS and a separate speaker on the cart. One device sits on the bar, gives you front, center and back distances by sight or by voice, and keeps the music going for the group.

What it does well

• Distances to the front, center and back of the green come through on screen and as audible callouts, so you don’t have to look down if you’d rather listen.
• Shot distance measurement and live scoring live on the device, and you can enter scores as you go.
• Personalized club settings and a Today’s Distances feature based on your MyBag data help you pick a club from the yardage.
• Through the Bushnell Golf app you can move the pin position, and the speaker can link with up to 100 speakers for a group outing.

The touchscreen is what separates it from voice-only models, since a quick look shows you where trouble sits before you hit.

Who it’s for

This is built for golfers who ride. The BITE magnetic mount grips a metal cart bar, and the speaker’s size suits a cart where it can sit in view of both players. It’s a good fit for weekend groups that like music on the course and want GPS without pulling out a phone.

Who should skip it

Walkers will find a speaker that stands 8.25 inches tall awkward on a push cart or bag. If you want the smallest Bushnell option, the Wingman Mini clips to a bag instead. Golfers who refuse any subscription should note that some of the headline features sit behind one.

Key specs, explained

IP67 means the unit is dustproof and can handle being submerged briefly, so rain and wet grass aren’t a worry. Bluetooth 5.2 handles the phone link for music and the app. The rechargeable battery is rated for 8 hours, which covers a typical round with room to spare, and charging runs through USB-C, with a USB-A to USB-C cable in the box. The case measures 3.5 x 2.75 x 8.25 inches.

How it compares

The Bushnell Wingman View GPS Speaker costs less and shows distances on a simple LCD, but it has no hole maps or touchscreen. The Blue Tees Player Go GPS Speaker is a lower-cost, voice-led option. Choose the HD if you want to see the hole as well as hear the numbers.

Good to know

Green heat maps, wind speed and direction, slope compensation, and the Elements and PlayAs weather and altitude features need Bushnell Golf Plus, at $19 a month or $99 a year, with the first 9 holes free. Wind and slope readings aren’t allowed in competition under the Rules of Golf, so keep them off in events. The box has the speaker, USB cable, lanyard or carabiner clip, cleaning cloth and quick start guide, and it carries a one-year limited warranty.

Questions about the Bushnell Wingman HD

Does the Wingman HD need a subscription?

No, the basic GPS distances, music and scoring work without one. Bushnell Golf Plus adds green heat maps, wind, slope and the weather features.

Do I need my phone for the Wingman HD?

You need the Bushnell Golf app for setup, updates and the moveable pin. Bushnell says the app is required for updating its GPS devices from 2021 onward.

Can the Wingman HD charge my phone?

Bushnell lists USB-C in and out on the HD. The product page doesn’t describe it as a power bank, so check the manual before relying on it.