I am sure many have heard about launch monitors and the great benefits of owning one.
If you flip on the television or head to a local PGA Tour event, you will see launch monitors scattered throughout the driving range as golfers prepare for their round or try to work on their swing post round.
You may think it would be awesome to have one, but you find out that the Trackman runs around $16,000.
However, there is hope for many amateurs as the entry level launch monitors can be purchased for somewhere around $500 and $2,000 and they are actually pretty accurate and helpful in improving your swing and scoring lower.
From my own experience, it has been a game changer.
I am able to practice golf 365 days a year and not let the rain, snow or cold weather stop me from enjoying and practicing the game so many of us love to play.
Where Can I Use A Launch Monitor?
Launch monitors can be used indoors and outdoors. A launch monitor is a piece of technology that is typically portable that provides many different pieces of data of the ball or club interaction throughout the swing. Most common information includes ball speed, club speed, launch angle, spin rate and spin axis. This information can be utilized to improve your swing.
Most Popular Uses of The Launch Monitor?
The three most popular places you will see golfers utilizing golf launch monitors is either at the driving range, on the golf course or in a golf simulator space.
I will break down where to utilize your golf launch monitor below
Here are three launch monitors that I would recommend (Between 500 and 2000 dollars):
Where to Use A Launch Monitor: Driving Range (1st Option)
The driving range is the most popular place to use a launch monitor. Many launch monitors are designed and built to be portable to take from course to course, range to range or from home to course or range.
The driving range is the ideal place to not only get a baseline on key numbers within your golf swing, but to also work on getting to the ideal numbers you are striving for.
Many golfers will setup their launch monitor and pair with their smart phone for quick, reliable data. This data can also be shared with a golf instructor that might not be on-sight, but if a video of the swing is shared along with the key data, the golf instructor can help grow a swing or fix the issues the golfer is facing.
Golfers may be working on ball speed, launch angle, spin rate or the many different key data points. Understanding the importance of these numbers doesn’t take long as your can see a quality shot and compare the numbers of your good shots and poor shots.
The driving range allows a golfer to set up their hitting station. This might include some alignment sticks on the ground, a video camera to the side or behind you and any other swing tools needed to improve or fix your swing.
It is pretty impressive the options that golfers have at a price that is rather affordable. For as low as $500 a golfer could purchase a mevo, set up their device behind them and have instant data along with a shot tracer feature that provides some excellent feedback.
Can I finance a lunch monitor or golf simulator? Learn more here
Where To Use A Launch Monitor: Golf Course (2nd Option)
Some golfers might head right from the driving range to the golf course. Comparing data both in a driving range setting and a golf course setting can help a golfer compare what may happen to their swing under the pressure of a certain shot.
For example, if you always struggle with the 3rd tee shot on your home course, maybe take your launch monitor and hit 5 balls and see what might go wrong with your swing in that setting.
Golfers will utilize their launch monitors at the golf course to get actual data of their swing under pressure and to try to understand what is taking place.
Collecting data and utilizing it wisely can help you grow your game. Oftentimes, many of the golf instructors have been trained and understand how to analyze the numbers and make corrections based on the numbers.
SkyTrak vs Trackman – Learn more here.
The key here is to ensure you aren’t holding up others on the course as your work on you swing and analyze your numbers. It may not be something you use on every hole, but using it at key times when the data is most important.
Where To Use A Launch Monitor: Golf Simulator Setup (3rd Option)
Golf simulator setups in garages, basements or an extra room in a house are becoming more and more popular. As the competitive nature of the market and technology improves, the overall price of the options continues to decrease, putting the golfer in the market for a golf simulator in a great position.
Learn more about the price you can expect to spend on a golf simulator, here.
I spent several years researching and analyzing what was the best setup for my golf simulator. I ended up with a SkyTrak and paired it with The Golf Club (TGC) software and I couldn’t be more pleased with the opportunity to play, the quality of the graphics and the accuracy of the results.
The Golf Club Software Review!
I can now play courses like Augusta, Whistling Straits, Pebble Beach, St. Andrews and many of the top rated courses across the world.
Utilizing your golf launch monitor as part of a golf simulator can help take your game to the next level as you now have the space and setup to play 365 days a year and gain valuable feedback and experience from shots you can practice daily as you strive to enjoy your journey and improve your swing.
Overall, I have experienced a 4-6 shot reduction in my average score and now find myself scoring between 68 and 74 on most of my rounds.
Of course I have the occasional round in the mid to upper 70s, but the consistency within my swing and the ball striking I now play the game with has improved dramatically in the time I have owned my golf simulator through my SkyTrak Launch Monitor.
Helpful Resources on Building a Golf Simulator!
Who Should Buy A Launch Monitor?
If you are someone ready to take your game to the next level and can utilize the feedback provided, then you should buy a launch monitor. Figure out your exact needs and determine what is the best price point for your budget. Understand where you want to use your launch monitor and if a golf simulator is something you can make happen.
Are Launch Monitors Worth It? Learn more here.
The overall feedback on ball speed, launch angle, spin rate and spin axis are the four keys that I focus on the most. I understand the importance of improving my ball speed, maintaining a quality launch angle with all clubs, and maximizing a quality spin rate with the driver.
Golf is an amazing game and many of us find ourselves on a journey with the game that we love and enjoy.
If you are someone that wants to play golf 365 days a year, but find yourself lacking the time or the proper weather to make this happen then you should seriously consider a launch monitor that you can utilize with a golf simulator setup.
It is truly a game changer and one worth exploring. The ability to play a round of golf in 40 minutes on a simulator on a weekday after work has been a blessing to my game and my overall mindset when dealing with the stresses of life.
The amount of time spent with family and friends enjoying the thrills of playing golf in the month of January when there may be a foot of snow outside has been priceless. The 700 plus rounds of golf have been greatly enjoyed by many!
I have seen an increase in driver speed from different training programs.
How To Gain More Distance With Your Driver?
I would highly recommend overspeed training. Over the past year I have spent time working with SuperSpeed Training system. Their their club system where the golfer follows protocols is a game changer. There are different speed training systems on the market.
Check out the price on Amazon here:
Another option if this won’t fit into your game is Swing Man Golf (see link below)
Gain 30-40 yards in 30 Days – Swing Man Golf
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:
Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:
3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:
We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.
4 – Practice Frequently
Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:
- Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator?
- What is the Best Golf Simulator?
- Golf Simulator Accessories?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for under $7000
- Top 11 Reasons to Buy a SkyTrak
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for Under $1000
- Why Build A Golf Simulator?
- What Space is Needed?
- Can A Golf Simulator Improve My Game?
- How Much Does A Golf Simulator Cost?
- Don’t Forget to Check out our 15 best golf swings of all time.