Dialed vs Arccos vs Circles: Golf Analytics Compared
Golf analytics apps turn raw performance data into insights that help you practice smarter and score lower. The category has grown quickly, but these three platforms take fundamentally different approaches - different data sources, different use cases, and different target golfers.
Dave Levine
Founder of Dialed. A golfer who got tired of spreadsheets and built the tool he wanted.
Quick Comparison
| Dialed | Arccos | Circles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data source | TrackMan launch monitor | GPS grip sensors | Manual entry + integrations |
| Primary use | Practice analysis | On-course tracking | Tour-level analytics |
| Strokes gained | Yes (5 practice areas) | Yes (4 on-course areas) | Yes (comprehensive) |
| AI features | Session debriefs, pattern detection | AI caddie, club recommendations | Performance modeling |
| Price | Free tier + Pro | $149.99/yr (sensors extra) | Custom pricing |
| Best for | Golfers with TrackMan access | Recreational golfers | Tour players and coaches |
Dialed: Practice Analytics from Launch Monitor Data
Dialed connects to TrackMan Performance Studio and converts raw launch monitor data into strokes gained analysis. It evaluates every shot across five performance areas - Direction, Low Point, Contact, Speed, and Launch - and ranks them by stroke impact so you know exactly where to focus.
The free tier includes 3 sessions per month and 1 AI debrief. Pro unlocks unlimited sessions, AI pattern detection, and progress tracking. Dialed does not track on-course play - it is specifically designed for analyzing practice sessions.
Arccos: On-Course GPS Shot Tracking
Arccos uses small sensors embedded in your club grips to automatically detect and track every shot during a round. Combined with GPS, it builds a detailed map of your on-course performance. The platform processes over 1 billion data points across its user base, according to Arccos.
Its AI caddie feature recommends clubs and targets based on your historical performance and course conditions. Strokes gained breakdowns cover putting, short game, approach, and off-the-tee. The subscription runs $149.99 per year, with sensor sets sold separately. Arccos is best for golfers who want detailed round-by-round tracking and on-course decision support.
Circles: Tour-Level Golf Analytics
Circles is built for professional golfers, college programs, and elite coaches. It integrates data from multiple sources - launch monitors, GPS trackers, and manual entry - into a comprehensive analytics platform. The depth of analysis goes beyond what most recreational golfers need.
Pricing is custom and typically involves team or organizational licenses. Circles is the right choice if you are a tour player, a college golf program, or a coach managing multiple elite-level athletes. For recreational golfers, the platform may be more than necessary.
How They Complement Each Other
These platforms are not mutually exclusive. They solve different problems:
- Dialed + Arccos is the most common pairing. Dialed tells you what to work on in practice, Arccos shows you how it plays out on the course. Together they close the loop between practice and performance.
- Circles + a launch monitor tool is typical for tour players who need deep analytics across all aspects of their game.
Which One is Right for You?
You hit balls on a TrackMan regularly
Start with Dialed. It turns those practice sessions into ranked priorities instead of raw data. Add Arccos later if you want on-course tracking too.
You mainly play rounds and want to track scores
Start with Arccos. The GPS sensors and AI caddie are built for on-course play. Add Dialed if you start practicing on a launch monitor.
You are a tour player or college program
Look at Circles for comprehensive analytics. The depth and team features are designed for that level of play.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use more than one golf analytics app?
Yes, and many serious golfers do. Dialed and Arccos complement each other well - Dialed analyzes your practice sessions from a launch monitor while Arccos tracks your on-course rounds. Using both gives you a complete picture of practice quality and playing performance.
Which golf analytics app is best for practice?
Dialed is purpose-built for practice analysis using launch monitor data. It connects to TrackMan, runs strokes gained calculations on every shot, and ranks your performance areas by stroke impact. Arccos and Circles are primarily designed for on-course play rather than range sessions.
Which golf analytics app is best for on-course play?
Arccos is the strongest option for recreational golfers tracking on-course performance. It uses GPS sensors in your grips to automatically track every shot, then provides strokes gained breakdowns and AI caddie suggestions. Circles offers deeper on-course analytics but is designed for tour-level players.
Do any of these apps replace a golf coach?
None of these apps replace a coach, and none claim to. They provide data and analysis that make coaching more efficient. A coach can look at your Dialed strokes gained breakdown or Arccos round data and immediately see where to focus, rather than spending lesson time on diagnosis.
Free to start. No credit card required.