Best Golf Launch Monitor

My best buy golf launch monitor for sale in the UK (August 2020).

#1 Pick: Overall Review Score = 92%

#2: Best Rated Runner-Up

#3: Best User Review Scores

Golf Launch Monitors: A Buyer’s Guide

Golf is a sport which is more precise and intense than many give it credit for. While it is still incredibly relaxing to head out on the links for a quiet spot of pitching and putting, many people take the game very seriously! Professional golf is, of course, notoriously competitive. To be able to get that tiny little ball up the fairway and into the hole, you’re going to need incredible precision and nerve. It’s not as easy as it looks! Therefore, it’s always a good idea to have a few pieces of tech, and a few accessories, to hand.

Golf launch monitors are relatively new pieces of technology which help avid golfers refine their swings. Launch monitors are assets to players just getting started with the game, as well as to those who have been playing for several years. A monitor can help you to analyse how powerful your shots are, where you need to tighten up, and what you need to do to lower your handicap. The tighter and more powerful your swing, the fewer strokes you’ll need to get to the hole. That’s the goal – however, you will also need to keep your swing precise as you get closer to pin.

If all this talk of golf is confusing you a little, don’t worry! We’ve put together this buyer’s guide to make sure you understand what you’re getting into when it comes to measuring your swings and shots. Take a good look through, and do wait for the end of the guide, where we will answer a few common questions buyers ask while shopping around.

What Do Golf Launch Monitors Do?
Golf launch monitors are handy little gadgets which work to measure how your golf ball travels once you have struck it with a club. While golf requires a lot of precision, it is often very imprecise when you first get started. Who’s to say where that ball is going to go once you’ve hit it? How do you know how hard your swing actually is? That’s why launch monitors exist – to, funnily enough, measure your launch.
Launch monitors work through a handful of simple technologies which will track your ball as it travels through the air. Some use cameras, while others use doppler radars. Radars using the doppler effect will pick up on your ball as you hit it, as the object will break a harmless signal that they emit. This allows launch monitors to carefully analyse when a ball was struck, how hard it was hit, and how fast it is travelling through the air.
Cameras, meanwhile, work through advanced capture technology, meaning that placed on the course, they will pick up the location of flying balls, and will take down specific data for you to analyse. In either case, you’ll be able to tell where you’re at in terms of honing your skills.

Can Launch Monitors Actually Help Me?
Many professional golfers rely on launch monitors when they are honing their strokes and strikes for big tournaments. What’s more, they are frequently used by rookie golfers at driving ranges, as knowing your strength is a fantastic asset when ensuring your game is tight and precise. Otherwise, you could be striking the ball with a complete guess each and every time. If you really want to pull down that handicap, you’re going to need to tighten up.
Launch monitors have minor margins of error. Some of the bigger and better monitors can actually tune with your club, meaning that it already sets data based on what you’re using. For example, a monitor will know the difference between a heavy strike on a low wood as opposed to a skim shot on a high iron. It’s a great way to make sure your monitor knows your profile before it starts capturing any general data. Anyone worrying about monitor data being too generic can therefore look into more precise systems.

What Do Launch Monitors Actually Capture?
It’s all well and good saying that launch monitors analyse ball speed and stroke strength, but what sort of data do they actually capture? This can vary from system to system, but you can generally expect monitors to split data between that which relates to your club, and that which relates to your ball.
For example, a monitor will not only capture the speed and height of your ball, but many will also capture the direction of launch and the angle at which you strike it. It may also help you to analyse how a ball lands, and what the spin rate is. This data is all helpful when you are trying to change the way you stand, and when you want to tighten up your stroke with specific clubs.
Speaking of clubs, some monitors will also let you know the direction of your swing, the angle of your strike, and where you are facing. This data is all useful when you are trying to tweak and fine-tune the way you send balls flying. It’s a game of trial and error, but with monitors, you have more data available to take out a lot of the guesswork.

Other Things to Look For
Of course, there is always going to be a little more for you to bear in mind when looking at this type of technology. For one thing, you need to consider which works better for you – a radar system, or a camera? You may not know from the off, which is why it’s a good idea to see what verified buyers have to say online. Alternatively, if you can try before you buy at a driving range, for example, you can tighten up your choice.
However, you should also look for accuracy and features that go in-depth. Some monitors measure flight paths, for example, which are hard to account for with the naked eye. A monitor that says it will monitor flight paths is one that is likely to be on the high end of accuracy, meaning that you may want to invest in it. It doesn’t always follow that it will be the best tech of its kind, however, so make sure to compare what people are saying before you purchase.
Finally, think about ease of use. Some of the most complex launch monitors out there may be fantastic at offering a wealth of data and some seriously precise figures, but if they aren’t easy to use, you’re going to likely waste a lot of money in the bargain. Consider looking for systems that have minimal controls, or those which are designed for one-touch adjustment. Again, a good way to account for this will be through looking at verified reviews, or by trying a few systems out for yourself, if you can.

Frequently Asked Questions
Just starting to sharpen up your strokes? Let’s take a look at a few commonly asked queries and clear a few more things up for you.

What Exactly Does a Launch Monitor Tell You?
Launch monitors will tell you how hard you strike a ball, how fast it travels, and how it lands. This data will help you to adjust the way you stand and swing when you approach a ball both at the tee and on the course. A monitor will compile reports for you to look through and use to fine-tune your game. It can take out a lot of guesswork.

How Much Do launch Monitors Cost?
Professional launch monitors can be a fair investment. For example, a good launch monitor may cost you anywhere between £300 and £500. For many golfers, the investment is more than worth it, especially if the system is precise and is likely to last a long time. However, there are cheaper models on the market, though you will risk less accuracy and getting less longevity in the bargain. It doesn’t always follow that you can’t get a great deal, though, so keep open-minded.

What’s Better – Radar or Camera?
The jury is very much out on what makes for the better launch monitor. Some people prefer cameras because they can be extraordinarily precise. However, doppler radar technology is a tried-and-tested standard, which means you should be guaranteed a good amount of flexibility and precision from stroke to stroke. It’s worth comparing between models, of course, and seeing what verified buyers have to say. Try and compare between the two at a driving range if you can, and get a feel for how either system works.

Golf launch monitors are fantastic assets when it comes to improving your game. Golf isn’t just a game where you hit a ball and see where it goes. You’re going to need to get to that pin quickly, and precisely. Therefore, make sure to invest in tech which will support you from stroke to stroke. Check out what verified buyers are saying, and trust the opinions of seasoned golfers. It takes time and effort to get truly great at golf – but a little assistance never hurt anybody!

Helpful Links

Here’s The 4 Best Golf Launch Monitors (2020 Buying Guide)

Updated Guides