50 Words or Less
The 3Bays GSA Zone is an easy-to-use, accurate swing analyzer. May require professional help to get the most out of the data.
Introduction
A few years ago, on-club swing analyzers were the hottest gadgets in golf. New devices were popping up left and right, constantly adding new features and improving accuracy. While they’re no longer the subject of as much chatter, these devices can still provide important feedback to help golfers improve their swings.
The latest such device is the 3Bays GSA Zone. This is an update on the popular 3Bays GSA, the lightest and smallest sensor on the market. In this review, I’ll let you know if this is a worthwhile tool for improving your game.
Set-Up & Ease of Use
Setting up the 3Bays GSA Zone is quite simple: download the free app (available for iOS and Android devices), pair the sensor with your phone, and get to work.
When you turn on the sensor, your phone will automatically prompt you to open the 3Bays app. The instructions say that the device needs to be held still before swinging, but I found this isn’t really true – as long as you don’t go directly from an exaggerated waggle to your swing, you’ll be fine.
The data from each shot is uploaded and displayed on your phone within 2-3 seconds. The app itself is easy to use, but not totally seamless. I spent a couple minutes poking each of the buttons to figure out what they did before I felt like I could easily and effectively navigate to the things that I wanted.
Effectiveness
The 3Bays GSA Zone provides a good amount of data. As you can see in the screen captures below, the stats are: Top of Backswing position, Shaft Lean (at impact), Face Angle, Club Head Speed, Consistency, Tempo, Swing Path, Carry Distance, Back Swing Time, and Down Swing Time. In my opinion, it’s neither too much nor too little, and the stats are pretty accurate. Face Angle and Club Path are displayed not as specific values but on a continuum from Closed to Square to Open. I think that’s a smart move because it avoids the question of perfect accuracy, which is nearly impossible for such devices to achieve, and instead focuses the golfer on the broader concept of keeping the face and path within certain ranges.
One issue these devices always have to wrestle with is how much instruction to provide. On one extreme would be a device that says, “Your swing is wrong, it should look like this.” The other extreme would be a device that gives you data without any instruction about whether your numbers are good or bad. The 3Bays GSA Zone is much closer to the latter extreme. With the exception of one set of PGA Tour numbers, there are no suggestions about what your numbers should be. I do tend to prefer this approach- not everyone should swing the same way – but it does bear mentioning that players without a strong understanding of the swing may want to use this device in conjunction with lessons.
In addition to the stats, 3Bays GSA Zone gives you a 3D image of your swing that can be viewed from any angle. For most players, this is the most powerful piece of information. If, for example, you have a severely “over the top” swing, you can see that and easily work on changing it. On every swing, you can see whether or not you were successful in making your change.
All in all, I think 3Bays GSA Zone provides enough quality data that it can help you to make a swing change or dial in your swing.
Longevity
There are a number of elements that work in favor of the 3Bays GSA Zone having good longevity. First, it’s tiny and easy to use, meaning that you can keep it in your bag and set it up quickly when you want to use it. I think that the 3D image is a powerful tool, and I can see players checking out their image and stats when things start to go awry.
On the other hand, there’s nothing particularly “sticky” or addictive about using 3Bays GSA Zone. It’s a good device, but there’s no inherent feeling of success or failure on each rep as there is with some other training aids.
Ultimately, the life span of the 3Bays GSA Zone will depend on what you’re using it for and your practice preferences.
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for an on-club swing analyzer, I think the 3Bays GSA Zone deserves to be one that you consider. It’s light, small, and easy to use, and the data that it provides is accurate. The key in purchasing this or any other sensor is making sure that it provides the information you want and that you understand the data.
3Bays GSA Zone
3Bays GSA Zone1
3Bays GSA Zone2
3Bays GSA Zone3
3Bays GSA Zone4
3Bays GSA Zone6
3Bays GSA Zone7
3Bays GSA Zone8
3Bays GSA Zone9
Matt Saternus
Latest posts by Matt Saternus (see all)
- Oraimo Trcker 100 E-Bike Review - September 27, 2023
- Podcast Episode 199 – L.A.B. Golf Putters - September 27, 2023
- PXG 0317 T Irons Review - September 26, 2023
Looking at the stats your ball should have been left of target was this accurate, what is the warrenty on this? Can you leave it on your driver when you put your driver back in the bag and it’s bouncing up and down ?
Pete,
The face and path data did mesh with what I saw in terms of ball flight.
I’m not sure about warranty.
It does connect securely to the club, but I’m not sure I would want to test how secure it is by leaving it on my club permanently.
Best,
Matt
I just purchased the new 3 bays gsa zone. Question I have is if your laptop has blue tooth technology can you use it instead of my iPhone? Also can you save and review data in a cloud format?
Thanks,
Jim
Jim,
I’m not 100% certain, but I don’t believe the GSA can be synced to a computer. As far as reviewing data, I believe that can only be done in the app. I hope that answers your question.
Best,
Matt
Hello,
Could you tell me where could i buy the 3bays GSA ZONE?
I’m living in france
Thank’s
Gilles
Gilles,
Click any of the links in this article and you’ll be directed to their site to purchase it.
Best,
Matt
Hello
Thanks for your help, but i look carefuly to http://www.gsazone.com/
and really i can’t find any link to oder the product.
Maybe because i’m connected from europe ?
could you give me the link?
Thanks again for you help
Best
Gilles
Gilles,
That’s the link I have. The product is still new, so they may be working on web sales still. You might also want to email them or contact them through Twitter for more info.
-Matt
What is Top of Backswing and Shaft Lean? What is a somewhat normal number to shoot for?
Walter,
Those numbers refer to the position of the shaft at those two points in the swing, relative to parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the ground, respectively. The GSA deems parallel – 0 degrees – to be ideal for top of the back swing, but you don’t need to look at too many Tour swings to realize that’s a VERY rough guideline at best. As for shaft lean, there are people who think more is better, but unless you have a lot of club head speed, you can certainly overdo it in that area. The question to ask is, “What shaft lean number do I produce when I hit a good shot?” Then try to repeat that.
-Matt
If you want this newest version then you can get on eBay here the link:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201386272129?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Matt, do you know what this device is measuring for path of the club? Is it relative to your backswing or to the target? Ie you can have an extreme inside take away then come over a little but be outside of your original backswing but still be inside the target line. Did that make sense?
Thanks for the review.
Ken,
Great question. My understanding is that all these devices measure path relative to the face angle at address. They assume your club face is aimed at the target at address, and base everything off that.
Best,
Matt
The inside/outside stat is a comparison of the downswing path to the back swing path. It is not the swing path relative to the target line or club face at address. You can however study the swing path line shown and determine if your swing path at impact is inside out OR outside in because the swing path line drawn is relative to the starting position of the club head.
Hi,
There are some analyzers which help analyzing swing as well as putt. Does this allows analyzing putting too?
If not why?
And do you have the technical spec sheet for the same? Like the battery used, current consumption, charging time, no. of swings it can save?
Rahul,
The 3Bays GSA Zone is full swing only. I do not have the technical specs; I would suggest looking at their website.
-Matt
I’ve read your reviews about the different swing analyzers, and was wondering a couple things:
1. What is the difference in the 3Bays GSA zone vs GSA pro? (Did you try putting with the GSA zone/pro? Are the differences in the GSA zone worth the extra cost compared to the GSA pro?)
2. You wrote a write-up stating the SwingSmart Duo was the “best in class” etc albeit years ago, I was wondering if you could update your comments now having reviewed the GSA Zone as to your thoughts on these two and your current “best in class” add-on swing analyzer.
Thanks in advance,
Dustin
Dustin,
I tested the original GSA a long time ago, so I can’t realistically comment on the differences between the old and new models. I still think that Swing Smart is the best in class, primarily due to consistency and ease of use.
Best,
Matt
What is the difference between PRO and ZONE? I did not saw any answer on that qustion
I don’t have any recent experience with the Pro, so I can’t speak knowledgeably about that comparison.
-Matt
I purchased the first 3Bays a year and half ago. I used it primarily for swinging in my backyard. After taking it to the golf range, the stem broke off right at the bottom of unit after hitting about 30 balls. It worked great until it broke. The only conclusion is the shock on hitting the golfs balls as I checked after each hit to assure it was in place. Is this unit any sturdier. I cannot tell from the pictures if it is the same plastic stem as previous unit.
Levi,
Yes, it’s the same type of plastic stem. Sorry to hear about your issue. Did you contat 3Bays? Did they offer a warranty?
Best,
Matt
Levi i had the same problem thouth mine lasted only 9 swings .i contacted 3bays the said to send back the sensor unit and it should be replaced under warranty .I only sent back last week so not sure who long replacement will take to receive
I just got this device but I must be stupid because I can’t figure the direction in which this device is supposed to face when inserted. I have no mark on my club that I can see so which is the correct position for the device? The directions say align the mark on the device with the mark on the club which I don’t have on my club. Is the arrow on the device supposed to be facing forward as the club is held in the normal address position?
Has anyone had problems getting one replaced under warranty . I have sent mine back , followed by 2 – 3 emails trying to find out if it will be replaced but nobody has returned my email . Aftersales service does not appear to be good .
What do the different symbols on the swing path mean. I didn’t see any explanations. Also the blue path before the bottom of the swing ?
Don,
It’s been a while since I’ve used the 3Bays – what symbols are you referring to? My recollection is that the blue path is the downswing – the color change just makes it easier to tell the difference between back swing and down swing.
Best,
Matt
I think Don is referring to 1) the blue section of the downswing (from shaft parallel to the ground to impact), and 2) the 3 red circles at different points of the downswing (you can see these on your image above). I have had no success from 3Bays or anywhere finding out what these mean and how I use them to improve my swing.
Referring back to August 7-10th 2015 on a question of swing path asked by Ken and answered by both Matt and Glen. I agree with Glen. Today 11/15/21, I made 30 swings with my 7 iron, and it was perfectly clear the head position at address had nothing to do with how the 3bays pro swing analyzer recorded the shots. First let me say, I never changed the club face at address, but made dramatically different back and down swings at times forcing myself to come inside. I’ve been using this device for a month and never had it recorded an inside swing path for me. Today it recorded “inside” on numerous swings. Then just to make sure Glen was correct, I went back to a forced “outside” club delivery and the device got it correct. Remember each time I set up at address with a the club face towards the target. Another question I have is, what comprises the consistency percentage data point as compared to the best swing? is it all of the data points or just the left side of the screen data points which are tempo, back swing time, down swing time, and face angle?