Welcome to I Tried It, a GOLF.com series about golf items — apparel, gear, accessories, etc. — that we’ve recently taken out for a spin. We’re here to give our honest, no-frills takes on the latest and greatest golf or golf-adjacent items. So, scroll down to read about what we love about golf’s newest (or new to us) products.

It took me a while to board the golf speaker bandwagon, but as anyone who uses one knows, once you start, there’s no going back.

My house is currently filled with multiple portable Bluetooth speakers. I have one that doubles as a tumbler, a standard “house speaker” and even one that my kids can connect to a microphone for impromptu karaoke performances. Do I really need another one? The answer is yes.

The reason? Because the Bushnell Wingman Mini isn’t just a speaker — it’s also a distance-measuring device that can audibly deliver distances when you’re connected to the Bushnell app.

The audible distance call-out isn’t something I thought I would use much but the truth is, it’s nice to not have to pull out your phone in between shots. Instead, you can just push the “B” button on the speaker to hear accurate front, center and back of green distances straight from the app. If there’s a penalty area in the way, like a water hazard, the Wingman Mini will report the carry distances for those obstacles too.

The Bushnell app also deserves a special shout-out. There are more than 38,000 courses worldwide in its library, nearby courses will populate automatically once the app is opened. While using the app, you can view the entire hole layout and explore intermediate distance measurements to layup points, as well as track and store your rounds and statistics. In short, it’s a useful tool with or without the speaker.

Some may think of a portable speaker as just another accessory they have to remember to bring — and charge! — for every round. Bushnell makes the bringing part easy with a simple clip. Walkers will appreciate the ability to attach the speaker directly to a golf bag, while riders can utilize Bushnell’s “BITE” magnetic mount to attach the speaker to the cart.

And on the battery front, it’s true, it must be re-charged, but the Wingman Mini will last for 36 holes — up to 10 hours — before needing a boost. Another fun option to consider: you can combine two Wingman Minis to create a simultaneous surround-sound effect — something that’s sure to delight your playing partners. The speaker itself is durable and fully waterproof, and you can even incorporate first tee introductions and custom soundbites into the Wingman Mini’s repertoire.

Want to check one out for yourself? Click on the link below to learn more — and order yours today.

Shop Bushnell’s Wingman Mini

Bushnell Wingman Mini GPS Golf Speaker

Listen to your favorite tunes and get audible distances around the course. Ideal for both walkers and riders!

$99.99 from Fairway Jockey

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