How do I know which golf launch monitor is right for me?

This is an important question to ask, and the fact you're asking it means you're on the right track! Just buying the first one you see or the lowest price could result in a negative user experience and more cost down the road with upgrading it or buying a different one to suit your needs.

There are a lot of different options to choose from all with different features / Set up requirements / budgets / subscriptions. This guide is going to help save you time (and money!) by taking you through all the options and making recommendations for each option.

If you have any further questions or something is not covered below then please don't hesitate to get in touch with us at sales@miasportstechnology.com

Full Swing KIT Golf Simulator Bundle | MIA Golf Technology

1) How would you like to use it?

How you intend to use your golf launch monitor is a critical decision point in the buying process. Do you want to use it indoors, outdoors or both? Does it need to have simulator functionality?

For indoor use you should consider the space you need as well - see the next section for a breakdown of minimum space requirements.

Indoor only launch monitor = Square Golf

Indoor & Outdoor use = Any others

Launch monitors

2) Space Requirements

The minimum room size for your golf simulator will depend on which launch monitor you want to go with. Camera based launch monitors (photometric) will need slightly less space as they setup next to the ball. Radar based launch monitors set up behind the ball so they will need more space.

Don't forget to account for the 1ft of space needed behind the impact screen in your measurements otherwise the ball will hit the wall behind and bounce back at you!

We would recommend Next to the Ball launch monitors minimum dimensions (length x width x height) :

4 x 2.8 x 2.8 m

Square Golf only

and for Behind the Ball launch monitors minimum dimensions:

5 x 2.8 x 2.8 m

FlightScope Mevo+, Rapsodo MLM, Rapsodo MLM2PRO, Voice Caddie SC4 Pro, Full Swing Kit

TruGolf E6 Connect – Course Bundle For iOS and PC | MIA Golf Technology

3) Simulator Use

Most golf launch monitors can be used as a simulator, but not all will work as simulators.

Typically the smaller launch monitors do not have simulator functionality, for example PRGR and the Rapsodo MLM, because that's not what they were deigned for.

The larger launch monitors will likely have simulator functionality and will be compatible with multiple simulator software packages. So if you want to use a particular software then be sure to take it into consideration before buying:

FlightScope Mevo+ = E6 Connect, Awesome Golf, TGC 2019, GS Pro

Square Golf = E6 Connect, GS Pro, and more soon!

Rapsodo MLM2PRO = E6 Connect, Awesome Golf, GS Pro

Voice Caddie SC4 Pro = E6 Connect

Full Swing KIT = E6 Connect, GS Pro

FlightScope X3 = E6 Connect, GS Pro, TGC 2019, Awesome Golf

See our Simulator Bundles

4) Which data metrics?

Depending on your data needs, it may sway your decision to one golf launch monitor over another. Different launch monitors come with different levels of included or optional upgrade data measures.

We group into Basic Ball Data, Basic Club Data andAdvanced Ball & Club Data

Basic Ball Data includes Ball Speed, Carry Distance, Total Distance, Launch Angle. Basic Club Data would include Swing Speed, Clubhead Speed, Smash Factor. For these measures only you would be looking at Rapsodo MLM, PRGR, Voice Caddie SC4 Pro, Square, or potentially a basic level Mevo+

Advanced Ball & Club Data would also include Spin Data, Club Path, Face to Target, Face to Path, Angle of Attack, Shot Type, and more! For this data set you would need a Mevo+ with Pro Package or Face Impact Location as well, Rapsodo MLM2Pro (not all), Square Golf (not all), Voice Caddie SC4 Pro (not all), Full Swing Kit, or FlightScope X3

Read our Driven By Data Series
Full Swing KIT Launch Monitor | MIA Golf Technology

5) How much budget do you have

In most cases this is the usually the limiting factor. Golfers want more insights into their swing than they ever have done before, and manufacturers are trying to cater to the increasing thirst for golf swing analysis.

Out and about on the course - for the best portable devices we would recommend the PRGR or Rapsodo MLM, available for around £200-300

Under £1,000 - Rapsodo MLM2PRO, Square Golf, Voice Caddie SC4 Pro

Around £3,000 - FlightScope Mevo+ (we would definitely recommend the Pro Package and Face Impact Location upgrades)

Around £5,000 - Full Swing KIT - train like Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm!

Around £15,000 - FlightScope X3 for a professional level requirement

The golf launch monitor is usually the largest expense of a golf simulator setup, but it's not the only cost so remember to factor in other costs for example software packages, simulator enclosures, impact screen, gaming PC (not always needed)

Full Swing KIT Launch Monitor | MIA Golf Technology

6) Your Preferences

How you want to use your golf launch monitor is key to making it a great simulator setup that you will want to use all the time.

Do you prefer a launch monitor that goes next to the ball, would you like it behind the ball, or even hanging from the ceiling (not available at MIA yet).

What device would yo like to use? Most launch monitors can operate on iOS or PC, but not all set ups can be used with Android so make sure you double check before buying.

Are you okay with paying annual / monthly subscription fees? Some golf launch monitors, like the Full Swing KIT or Rapsodo MLM2PRO, can be used with no subscriptions but to access all the data on offer or all the courses you may need to upgrade to subscription. FlightScope Mevo+ has no subscriptions, so the price you see is the price you pay. Square Golf operates a pay-as-you-play model with credits available to buy as you need them.

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