UPDATED FOR 2019
Our Review for The Best Golf Launch Monitors for 2019 is done!Click the link above to see the new version of this article
There are launch monitors that range in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. For those of us who are serious about our game, the information that a launch monitor gives us invaluable.
A golfer has to train his swing on the practice tee, then trust it on the court.Dr. Bob Rotella
What is a Golf Launch Monitor?
Golf is a game of physics. In reality, the combination of the speed of the clb head when it hits the balls, the dimpling on the ball, the angle of the head face, and about 50 other factors all come together to create a golf swing and a ball launch.
If you really want to see someone go though much of the physics, this article from Real World Physics problems is informative. Bear in mind, that the author has a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Unless you’re Roger Penrose, you probably can’t calculate your own golf swing.
A golf launch monitor can. Since it’s all physics and works with formulas, a golf launch monitor looks at your swing and analyzes a ton of data that would impossible to do in real life.
The monitor looks at each swing and calculates:
If you really want to see someone go though much of the physics, this article from Real World Physics problems is informative. Bear in mind, that the author has a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Unless you’re Roger Penrose, you probably can’t calculate your own golf swing.
A golf launch monitor can. Since it’s all physics and works with formulas, a golf launch monitor looks at your swing and analyzes a ton of data that would impossible to do in real life.
The monitor looks at each swing and calculates:
These devices are that same ones that instructors use to fit you for clubs in a pro shop. This technology lets a pro fit you for the right shaft and the exact perfect clubs.
While your on the green or on the driving range, you can use your own portable golf launch monitor to adjust your game to accomplish what you set out to. If you’re hitting it too far, you can adjust your smash or even vary your spin.
While your on the green or on the driving range, you can use your own portable golf launch monitor to adjust your game to accomplish what you set out to. If you’re hitting it too far, you can adjust your smash or even vary your spin.
Which Device to Choose?
These are the best items on the market and most are within reach of most golfers. Choosing the right one might simply be a matter of how seriously do you (and your wallet) take your game.
The Record Golf Swing might seem too simple, but if you’ve never looked at your swing on video, you’re missing the most fundamental part of learning.
If, however, you’re looking to make subtle adjustments to your swing that will all for accuracy within a yard, you need a device that can factor in as many variables as possible.
As we said at the beginning, golf is a game of physics. Letting one of these amazing devices help you with your swing can mean the difference between a good game and a great one.
The Record Golf Swing might seem too simple, but if you’ve never looked at your swing on video, you’re missing the most fundamental part of learning.
If, however, you’re looking to make subtle adjustments to your swing that will all for accuracy within a yard, you need a device that can factor in as many variables as possible.
As we said at the beginning, golf is a game of physics. Letting one of these amazing devices help you with your swing can mean the difference between a good game and a great one.
Golf Launch Monitor Buying Guide
Like most things in life, the more you pay, the better the bells and whistles are.
Much of what you want to look at has to do with what you want it to do.
The most basic models will measure ball speed, swing speed, launch angle, smash factor, and total distance. More expensive models will look at the rate of ball spin and more.
If you are simply trying to improve your game, a basic model is great. If you are going pro or are a pro, and you want to fine tune the subtleties of your swing, you will need more expensive model to see all of those little nuances.
The more expensive models account for more factors in your game, like barometric pressure, wind speed, and more. The more data the device collects, the more accurately it can gauge your swing.
Much of what you want to look at has to do with what you want it to do.
The most basic models will measure ball speed, swing speed, launch angle, smash factor, and total distance. More expensive models will look at the rate of ball spin and more.
If you are simply trying to improve your game, a basic model is great. If you are going pro or are a pro, and you want to fine tune the subtleties of your swing, you will need more expensive model to see all of those little nuances.
The more expensive models account for more factors in your game, like barometric pressure, wind speed, and more. The more data the device collects, the more accurately it can gauge your swing.
Look at the different features that you truly need. More features mean more costs and vice versa. Depending on your handicap and ambitions you have to decide for yourself what features you are looking for. If you plan to improve your club head speed and launch angle you are good to go with a basic launch monitor for a medium price for example.
Adjustability is very important, you might need a hybrid that has an adjustable element. Plus, these might be suitable for windy conditions or if you play a lot of different courses.
Always try them before you buy if possible so you can check for yourself if you like the features or not.
Check the warranty of the launch monitors. All the different companies have different warranties on them. Especially if you get an expensive one make sure to read it!
Every Launch Monitor in this list is also on Amazon to make it easy for you to get them from a trusted seller.
7 Best Golf Launch Monitors 2018
The Record Golf Swing simply lets you record your swing with your smartphone. Later, you can watch your swing on a computer or television and look for form mistakes.
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In truth, this isn’t a golf swing monitor, but a very inexpensive way to see and correct your swing. This simple device, which was a PGA Best New Product for 2017, is a smartphone holder that will allow you to video record your swing. As any golf pro will tell, you can see a lot in your swing if you can see your swing. Most of us aren’t able to see our swing unless someone is holding a phone. The movement of the camera operator can throw off your estimates of your swing.
PRO
- Very inexpensive
- Gives you the most fundamental data, the look of your swing
- Allows you to make small adjustments on your swing in near real time
CON
- Doesn’t analyze anything, just records it
- Requires a bit of attentive setup and might be easier with two people
Overall Rating
This little device is a great beginning. It uses radar to sense your swing speed and tempo. By measuring the club head speed from club takeaway to ball impact, it allows you see if your swing is consistent throughout.
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That consistency is at the core of a reliable, successful game. The instant feedback allows you to adjust with each swing. Use it in a cage, at the driving range or in the backyard.
While it’s basic, it’s a lot more than most golfers knew even a decade ago.
A friend of mine who bought this monitor a long time ago put it this way: "I had problems with my swing and luckily I found this small but great radar. I fits in my bag and helped me with my flaws and power leaks. A few hours later I had already increased my swing speed thanks to this inexpensive launch monitor!"
A friend of mine who bought this monitor a long time ago put it this way: "I had problems with my swing and luckily I found this small but great radar. I fits in my bag and helped me with my flaws and power leaks. A few hours later I had already increased my swing speed thanks to this inexpensive launch monitor!"
PRO
- Inexpensive and easy to carry
- Provides you with two of the most basic pieces of information, swing speed and tempo
- Toggles between the two figures or will show only one at a time
- Works even without a ball
CON
- It doesn’t include any of the bells and whistles of the more expensive brands (but mastering the basics is at the heart of greatness)
- Doesn’t measure distance, but an accompanying chart will give you approximates
Overall Rating
The ES14 is an affordable product for golfers with every handicap and professionals teaching all kind of players.
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This launch monitor gives you all the data of your distance, ball speed, launch angle and even the smash factor and of course the amount of spin. That is very important if you want to understand how much energy is actually transferred from your club head to the ball.
The ES14 Golf Launch Monitor comes with a small screen on the top and control buttons on the side. It's pretty heavy compared to the other launch monitors so keep in mind that you can't keep this one in your pocket but in your bag.
I personally like when my launch monitor has a nice look. That’s why I like this one since it comes in two different colors. We tested the black one and it looks quite nice with its clean design.
The ES14 Golf Launch Monitor comes with a small screen on the top and control buttons on the side. It's pretty heavy compared to the other launch monitors so keep in mind that you can't keep this one in your pocket but in your bag.
I personally like when my launch monitor has a nice look. That’s why I like this one since it comes in two different colors. We tested the black one and it looks quite nice with its clean design.
PRO
- Clean design
- Good accuracy on all data
- Easy and simple button layout
- Works even without a ball
CON
- Very heavy in your pocket
Overall Rating
This launch monitor comes with a big modern touch screen on the front and a very robust feel. You can connect the ES12 to your smartphone and check all the statistics from your latest swing.
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It also comes with some extra features that invite you to a skill challenge. It works with a doppler radar and is quite accurate especially for a device in that price range. The setup is pretty simple to get you started in a few minutes and brings a lot of fun to the range or wherever you are using your golf launch monitor 2018. For me this has been one of the best golf launch monitors 2017 and it still is this year 2018 because of the combination of price and features. It has everything a good golfer needs and is not as expensive as thousands of dollar monitors.
Like all launch monitors form Ernest Sports it comes with an amazing customer service which replies very fast and according to many other people that had problems with the launch monitor they are happy to take it back for repairing. Keep in mind that the launch angle is predetermined by the club you entered. It's not the lightest but not the heaviest golf launch monitor I have seen but comes with a nice rubber case saving it from damage while travelling. It's also one of the smallest items on our list of the 5 best golf launch monitors 2018 and fits well pretty much everywhere. In short, if you hit a clean ball with this cheap launch monitor you will get very exact numbers while misshits can be completely wrong.
Like all launch monitors form Ernest Sports it comes with an amazing customer service which replies very fast and according to many other people that had problems with the launch monitor they are happy to take it back for repairing. Keep in mind that the launch angle is predetermined by the club you entered. It's not the lightest but not the heaviest golf launch monitor I have seen but comes with a nice rubber case saving it from damage while travelling. It's also one of the smallest items on our list of the 5 best golf launch monitors 2018 and fits well pretty much everywhere. In short, if you hit a clean ball with this cheap launch monitor you will get very exact numbers while misshits can be completely wrong.
PRO
- No precision on misshits
- Nice durability due to the rubber case
- Blue!
CON
- Very heavy in your pocket
Overall Rating
The next one is a beast. The Skytrak Launch Monitor has it all and is a high end launch monitor, GPS system and golf simulator at the same time.
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This launch monitor tries to compete with the ones that cost $5000 - $10000. And he can! It's the most expensive one on our list of the 5 best golf launch monitors 2018 but it's also the one with the most features and best quality!
As expected from a professional launch monitor it is photometric and uses cameras to determine your shot statistics. Right after that your shot is simulated in its software so you get a nice animation of your golf ball.
The SkyTrak has to be recharged via mini-usb and runs long enough for some sessions on the range. The simulation and statistics can be seen after downloading their app to you tablet. It is very intuitive to use and really nice. You get what you pay for and you pay a lot!
As expected from a professional launch monitor it is photometric and uses cameras to determine your shot statistics. Right after that your shot is simulated in its software so you get a nice animation of your golf ball.
The SkyTrak has to be recharged via mini-usb and runs long enough for some sessions on the range. The simulation and statistics can be seen after downloading their app to you tablet. It is very intuitive to use and really nice. You get what you pay for and you pay a lot!
PRO
- Amazing 3D Visualization of every shot
- Every feature you can think of
- Many famour courts included
- Overall high quality
CON
- Expensive (compared to the other launch monitors on this list)
Overall Rating
The newest, the best looking, and the cheapest of our list of the best golf launch monitors 2018!
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The Game Golf is funded via Indiegogo and a huge success. It automatically records and tracks every shot you make and creates visually appealing statistics for you. It comes with over 32000 (thirty-two-thousand!) courses allowing you to practice pretty much everywhere.
The Game Golf Digital Shot Tracking System is definitely one of the modernest launch monitors 2018. You can challenge your friends and benchmark everything. After a successful shot the device vibrates to confirm your swing and you can go on with your next shot.
The Game Golf Digital Shot Tracking System is definitely one of the modernest launch monitors 2018. You can challenge your friends and benchmark everything. After a successful shot the device vibrates to confirm your swing and you can go on with your next shot.
PRO
- The head is compact and you have a very small offset
- The face thickness is variable
- Minimal drag, cuts through the turf without a problem
- The center of gravity is kept low
CON
- none
Overall Rating
Which Device to Choose?
These are the best items on the market and most are within reach of most golfers. Choosing the right one might simply be a matter of how seriously do you (and your wallet) take your game.
The Record Golf Swing might seem too simple, but if you’ve never looked at your swing on video, you’re missing the most fundamental part of learning.
If, however, you’re looking to make subtle adjustments to your swing that will all for accuracy within a yard, you need a device that can factor in as many variables as possible.
As we said at the beginning, golf is a game of physics. Letting one of these amazing devices help you with your swing can mean the difference between a good game and a great one.🏌️⛳
The Record Golf Swing might seem too simple, but if you’ve never looked at your swing on video, you’re missing the most fundamental part of learning.
If, however, you’re looking to make subtle adjustments to your swing that will all for accuracy within a yard, you need a device that can factor in as many variables as possible.
As we said at the beginning, golf is a game of physics. Letting one of these amazing devices help you with your swing can mean the difference between a good game and a great one.🏌️⛳