Here’s a truth that golf needs to reckon with: nothing divides golfers quite like music on the course. Not slow play. Not mulligans. Not even the proper interpretation of Rule 18-2b.
Music.
For some golfers, a Bluetooth speaker has become as essential as tees and a ball marker. It’s the soundtrack to a casual Saturday round with friends, a way to keep energy up during a five-hour slog or simply how they’ve always enjoyed recreational golf.
For others, it’s the audio equivalent of showing up to a wine tasting in jorts and a Monster Energy hat. It’s proof that golf’s traditional values have been overrun by the same crowds who turned the Bethpage Ryder Cup into what looked like a tailgate party that accidentally wandered onto a golf course. These golfers would rather play 18 holes in complete silence than endure a single bar of “Hit Em Up” echoing from three fairways over.
There is no middle ground on this topic. You either think music belongs on the course or you’re pretty sure it signals the end of civilization as we know it.
Bushnell Golf is firmly in the first camp. With the new Wingman HD, the company is doubling down on what has become a surprisingly successful category: GPS-enabled Bluetooth speakers.
What is the Wingman HD?
The Wingman HD is Bushnell’s latest GPS golf speaker and it represents a significant upgrade over previous models in the lineup. The standout feature is a 3.5-inch color HD touchscreen that displays visual distances (front, center, back), plus up to six hazards per hole. You also get access to GreenView and HoleView through the Bushnell Golf mobile app.
On the audio side, the Wingman HD packs two 15-watt speakers with passive radiators for what Bushnell describes as “clear and immersive sound” with 360-degree coverage. There’s also a dynamic audio adjustment feature that automatically increases volume as your cart speeds up—because apparently someone at Bushnell was tired of their music getting drowned out by wind noise. This will prove particularly useful when you’re trying to ensure your entire group can properly sing along to “Cotton Eye Joe.”
Other notable features include:
- Audible GPS distances (if you’d rather not look at the screen)
- Custom audio features like first-tee intros and personal soundbites (for when you want to feel like a tour pro)
- “Concert Links” pairing that lets you connect up to 100 Wingman HD units (for when your regular foursome becomes a full-scale golf festival)
- IPX67 waterproof and dustproof rating
- Bushnell’s BITE magnetic cart mount
- Indoor/Outdoor EQ modes for range, simulator or backyard use
- On-device scoring when connected to the app
The GPS you didn’t know you needed
For golfers who embrace music on the course, the Wingman HD does something surprisingly practical: it eliminates the need for a standalone handheld GPS device.
Yes, handheld GPS devices still exist. I was as shocked as you are.
We recently tested handheld GPS units and, while they work perfectly fine, it’s hard to argue they’re not a bit of a relic. Why carry a separate device that does one thing when you could carry a speaker that does the same thing plus keeps you entertained between shots?
The Wingman HD displays all the essential distance information you’d get from a dedicated handheld GPS—front, center, back, hazards—right on that 3.5-inch color touchscreen. And unlike those chunky handheld units that live in your bag until you need them, the Wingman HD sits on your cart, always visible, always accessible, always playing whatever questionable playlist your playing partner insisted on cueing up.
The sleeper feature: Bushnell’s GPS app
Here’s something most golfers don’t know: every Bushnell device, including the Wingman HD, gives you free access to Bushnell’s GPS mobile app.
And honestly? It’s lowkey one of the best GPS apps on the market.
For basic GPS and scorekeeping, it’s probably my favorite. The interface is clean, the distances are reliable, and it doesn’t try to upsell you on premium features you don’t need every time you open it. It’s the kind of app that just works without making a fuss about it.
With the Wingman HD connected to the app, you get access to GreenView (for pin placement visualization), HoleView (full hole flyovers), shot distance tracking and scoring—all without needing a watch or carrying your phone in your pocket.
The bottom line
The Wingman HD is for a specific type of golfer. You know who you are.
If you’re the type who thinks music enhances the golf experience, this is arguably the best-equipped GPS speaker on the market. The touchscreen is a legitimate upgrade over previous models, the audio quality appears to be solid and the feature set is comprehensive.
If you’re the type who believes music on the course is a sign of society’s decline, well, the Wingman HD isn’t going to change your mind. But at least now you’ll know exactly what technological monstrosity is responsible for ruining your Sunday morning.
The Wingman HD will be available in mid-October at select golf retailers and BushnellGolf.com for $199.99.
For more information, visit BushnellGolf.com.
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