What are the Benefits of Using a Launch Monitor (And Should You Buy One)?

It’s no secret that golf has entered the high-tech age. Even in a game that has traditions that run back centuries, modern technology has made its presence felt.

One of the most impactful pieces of technology to make itself known in golf is the launch monitor. This device can help players in a number of ways, and all golfers from professionals to complete beginners stand to benefit.

What Does a Golf Launch Monitor Do?

A golf launch monitor will capture just about every imaginable piece of data related to the impact and launch of the golf ball for a given swing. There is an incredible amount of technology packed into these machines, and they are capable of capturing incredibly detailed information about how the club strikes the ball and how the ball takes off into the distance.

Despite the high-speeds at play when a golfer strikes the ball, launch monitors are effectively able to slow down reality and measure what is taking place.

Some of the important measurements that can be taken by a launch monitor include the following –

• Clubhead speed: This is the speed that the club is traveling when it strikes the ball.
• Ball speed: This is a measurement of the speed of the ball just as it leaves the face of the club.
• Spin rate: There is spin on every golf shot, and a launch monitor can measure that spin and use the information to accurately predict what would happen with the shot.
• Swing path: The direction that the club is traveling through the hitting area is known as the swing path.
• Face angle: Where is the face pointed at impact? You’ll know when you use a launch monitor that can report back on how close to square you managed to get.
• Attack angle: The vertical angle in which club head as moving at impact.

How You Can Benefit from Using a Launch Monitor

It’s one thing to be impressed by a technology – and a launch monitor is certainly an impressive device – but it’s another thing entirely to see how that technology can benefit you personally. So, how can you actually improve what you do on the course by using a launch monitor?

First, one of the biggest ways you stand to gain is by working your way into the right equipment for your game. If you aren’t using the right gear, you are making this game harder than it needs to be – and it’s pretty darn hard already.

For instance, you might be using a shaft that is too stiff (or too soft) for the dynamics of your swing. Or, perhaps you could benefit from a different shaft weight, club length, lie angle, or any of a number of other variables. Hitting balls in front of a launch monitor, and working with a professional club fitter, could lead you to the perfect set of clubs for your needs.

Beyond equipment, it’s also possible to use a launch monitor to assess areas where your swing needs to improve. This aspect is a bit overlooked in some circles, but it is a huge opportunity to improve.

For instance, you might already know that you struggle with a slice, but do you know why? The launch monitor will accurately measure the dynamics of your swing and help you figure out what it is that’s causing the ball to curve so dramatically.

Too many golfers guess as to the problems they are having in their games, and they wind up with the wrong ‘solutions’ as a result. There is no need to guess in this high-tech age – you can just utilize a launch monitor and figure out exactly what is going on.

It’s possible to waste a lot of time trying to fix swing problems that simply don’t exist or aren’t really the underlying cause of your issues. Set that concern to the side by working with a launch monitor so you can get an accurate evaluation of your current swing before making any changes.

Should You Buy a Launch Monitor?

By this point, it should be clear that we are big fans of what can be done with a launch monitor. With that said, it’s a no-brainer that you should run out and buy one – right?

Not exactly…in fact it’s a bit hard to say. We can’t offer a blanket recommendation because everyone is so different.

For one thing, most launch monitors are expensive, with some professional launch monitors costing upwards of $25,000. So you need to be a committed golfer (or instructor) who is serious about your game to justify the cost of one of these devices. 

In recent years there have been a number of relatively inexpensive portable launch monitors breaking in to the market. For example, the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor and the FlightScope Mevo both offer basic swing data like launch angle, ball speed, and carry distance for a price tag that’s much more buyer-friendly (usually less than $500). And as technology continues to advance, we hope to see even more affordable launch monitors coming out in the near future.

However, another option if you would like to leverage the power of the launch monitor without making such a big commitment, simply book an appointment with a professional at your local golf course or driving range. Most golf facilities have at least one launch monitor these days, and a few of the staff members have likely been trained on how to use the technology properly. So, for the cost of a golf lesson, you can obtain a wealth of important data and you can work with a pro who will help you interpret that data and use it to your benefit.

Is a launch monitor all that’s standing between you and membership on the PGA Tour? Probably not, but it could help you take a step forward with your game.

The key to successful launch monitor use is the same as when you are using any other tool – you need to have a plan in mind for what you are trying to accomplish. If you just hit some shots and aimlessly look at the numbers produced, you won’t get anywhere. Use the launch monitor in a pointed, intentional manner and it can help you shoot lower scores in the long run.