The launch monitor is the brain of your golf simulator. It tracks what happens when club meets ball and translates that into data your software can use. Choosing the right launch monitor involves understanding two fundamental technology types (radar and photometric), accuracy tiers (entry, mid, professional), and how your room constraints affect compatibility. This decision typically consumes 40–60% of your hardware budget for good reason: a more accurate launch monitor provides better feedback, which leads to faster improvement. But accuracy alone doesn't determine the right choice—room depth, budget, and whether you need club data all factor into the decision.
If You Only Remember 3 Things
- Radar works in tight spaces, photometric needs depth — Radar systems function at 12'+ depth; camera-based need 15'+
- Club data requires photometric or hybrid systems — Radar alone tracks only the ball, not your swing
- Accuracy tiers matter for improvement goals — Entry-level is fine for fun; mid-tier is needed for serious practice
Radar Systems
Track ball flight using doppler radar. Work in tight spaces (12' depth minimum). More affordable. Don't track club data.
How they work: Radar systems measure ball speed, launch angle, and spin by analyzing the doppler shift of radar waves bouncing off the moving ball. They're positioned behind or beside the hitting area.
Best for:
- Tight spaces (shallow rooms)
- Budget-conscious builds
- Players focused on ball flight data only
Limitations:
- No club path, face angle, or swing data
- Some models require specific ball markings
- May have accuracy variation in very cold environments
Photometric (Camera-Based) Systems
Use cameras to track ball and club. Need 15'+ depth. Provide club path, face angle, and swing data. Higher cost.
How they work: High-speed cameras capture thousands of images per second, tracking both the ball and club through impact. Software analyzes these images to calculate club speed, path, face angle, and ball metrics.
Best for:
- Instruction and coaching (need club data)
- Serious practice (want to improve swing mechanics)
- Rooms with adequate depth (15'+ recommended)
Limitations:
- Require proper lighting (inconsistent light causes tracking errors)
- Need more room depth for camera positioning
- Generally higher cost than radar
Hybrid Systems
Some modern systems combine radar and camera technology, offering the best of both worlds: compact footprint with comprehensive data.
These systems typically use radar for ball tracking and cameras for club data. They can work in smaller spaces than pure photometric systems while still providing swing metrics.
Accuracy Tiers
Entry-level: Good for practice. Reliable ball flight data, limited or no club metrics. Typical accuracy ±2–3% on distance.
Mid-tier: Tournament-ready accuracy. Ball and club data on most systems. Typical accuracy ±1–2% on distance.
Professional: Tour-level precision with full club data. Used by professionals for fitting and instruction. Accuracy within ±1% across all metrics.
Decision Checklist
Before choosing a launch monitor:
- [ ] Measure room depth precisely (determines radar vs photometric)
- [ ] Decide if you need club data (swing improvement vs. ball flight only)
- [ ] Set your launch monitor budget (typically 40–60% of total)
- [ ] Check software compatibility with your preferred platform
- [ ] Verify lighting requirements for camera-based systems
- [ ] Research return policies (test before committing)
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Buying photometric for a 12' depth room Why it matters: The system won't track accurately without proper distance How to avoid: Measure room depth first; choose radar for rooms under 14'
Mistake: Expecting radar to provide club data Why it matters: Radar tracks the ball only; you won't see swing path or face angle How to avoid: If swing improvement is your goal, budget for photometric or hybrid
Mistake: Ignoring lighting requirements Why it matters: Camera systems need consistent, adequate lighting to function properly How to avoid: Budget for LED shop lights if choosing a photometric system
Advanced: Technical Specifications
Key metrics to understand:
Ball data:
- Ball speed: velocity at launch (mph)
- Launch angle: vertical angle at departure (degrees)
- Spin rate: revolutions per minute (rpm)
- Spin axis: tilt of spin (determines curve)
Club data (photometric only):
- Club speed: head velocity at impact (mph)
- Club path: direction of swing through impact (degrees)
- Face angle: clubface orientation at impact (degrees)
- Attack angle: vertical approach to ball (degrees)
- Dynamic loft: actual loft at impact (degrees)
Accuracy considerations:
- Outdoor conditions affect radar systems (wind, temperature)
- Indoor lighting affects photometric systems
- Ball condition matters (clean, marked balls for some systems)
- Calibration frequency varies by model
Software integration:
- Some launch monitors work only with proprietary software
- Open API systems connect to multiple platforms
- Check connection type: USB, WiFi, Bluetooth all have tradeoffs
- Verify computer requirements for your chosen software
How This Affects Your Build
Your launch monitor choice drives your room depth requirements and budget. Radar systems let you build in tighter spaces but limit swing analysis capabilities. Photometric systems require more room but provide the data needed for serious improvement. Use the Builder tool to see which options fit your specific constraints.