7 Best Golf Launch Monitors (2023 Pro Picks)

Golf launch monitors are a fantastic technology that can provide in-depth data and enable you to track your ball, improve your game, and even use it to play virtual golf (here’s looking at you, golf simulators). There are two types of monitors: some use cameras, while others use radar technology. So which is the best golf launch monitor type for you?

Though they all differ and have different strengths and weaknesses, the best personal golf launch monitors available include the following:

• Full Swing Kit 
• FlightScope Mevo
• Foresight Sport GC3
• SkyTrak Launch Monitor
• Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor
• Garmin Approach R10
• Swing Caddie SC200 Plus

Honest Golfers Tip: Don’t leave…you haven’t even read about the Garmin yet!

Though it’s easy to find the top golf launch monitors, it may be tricky to find out what they excel at and what you need to consider before buying one.

Every launch monitor has its strengths and weaknesses, and we will discuss all of the best launch monitors and what you need to know about them in detail below.

1. Full Swing Kit Launch Monitor

If we’re talking about launch monitors, there is no way we can go without mentioning the launch monitor endorsed and used by golfing legend Tiger Woods.

And with the number of features packed into this radar-using golf launch monitor, it’s easy to see why he’s so passionate about the brand.

The Full Swing Kit offers you up to 16 different data ranges, and though it can get connected to your iPhone or other IOS devices, you can use it without a smart device, though to a limited capacity.

If you want to use this launch monitor without a connected device, you can choose which numbers you want to see on the monitor display after every shot.

While you may think recording this much data would sacrifice some of the device’s ease of use, the KIT is one of the most straightforward launch monitors on the market, and the app is just as easy to use.

The setup time for this device is also a fraction of the time you may expect, requiring only a few moments and a few taps to get it ready for your game. 

Though the Full Swing Kit uses machine-learning radar technology, a camera allows you to look at and analyze your shots after the fact. Though the Full Swing Kit didn’t come with much use of the app unless you paid a subscription.

For new buyers, there is now a unique package that includes additional features, including a virtual golf experience.

Another benefit of using the Full Swing Kit is that the software the company loads onto its devices is constantly being updated and improved. At the same time, Full Swing also offers a warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Though this launch monitor seems to hold everything you could ever want, there are a few setbacks you should consider.

One of the most significant negatives is that, at the moment, there is no support for Android devices, and you can only use Apple products with this monitor. 

There may be some discrepancies with some of the measurements, and if you’re playing in a low cell signal area, you may not be able to upload or review some of your shots. There is also the possible problem that the battery only lasts up to 5 hours, which isn’t great but isn’t the worst.

Pros:

• The Full Swing Kit is Tiger Woods approved
• The range of measurements it can take is impressive
• Though not the cheapest, the price is good for what you get
• The monitor is straightforward to set up and use

Cons:

• The Full Swing app is only available on IOS devices
• The cell signal can get lost at times which may cause unwanted behavior
• Some of the measurements aren’t always accurate

2. FlightScope Mevo

The FlightScope Mevo, though smaller and a little less all-inclusive, is another brilliant doppler radar gold launch monitor you can use to analyze your golf game and improve your skills.

At a small portion of the price you’d pay for a Full Swing Kit, the Mevo still has a decent amount of data it can collect. The eight data parameters include carry distance, spin rate, ball speed, and flight time.

The size of the FlightScope Mevo makes it an ideal companion when you go golfing since it is small enough to get carried around easily. Though the Mevo has no built-in camera, with the easy-to-use app, you can take any of the videos you want by pairing your Apple Or Android phone with the Mevo through the FlightScope app.

The Mevo is also reasonably simple to set up and start using, and the data is recorded almost instantly and mirrors to your Apple watch or your chosen phone in a flash.

After signing up for a FlightScope account, the setup process takes only a few seconds, including the pairing and placement of the launch monitor.

The Mevo is a decently accurate, easy-to-use, and easy-to-carry device that will help you level up your gameplay with the option to record video on an additional camera if you want to. However, as brilliant as the device may be, there are always some drawbacks we need to mention.

The first and maybe the most critical drawback is the lack of data parameters like lateral data and flight path analysis that may help you figure out what you’re doing wrong if you’re repeatedly making shots that aren’t great.

Since the device is quite simplistic, it doesn’t include much visual data, such as 3D charts, and is more focused on the numbers.

Pros:

• The Mevo is small and easy to carry around
• There is a minimal learning curve since everything is relatively straightforward
• You won’t pay thousands for your Mevo since it is much more affordable

Cons:

• There are no visual representations of your game except for the videos you can take
• There is a lack of lateral data, which can be helpful for flight analysis and improvement

3. Foresight Sport GC3

By combining the previous generation, the GC2, and the current flagship, the GCQuad, Foresight has brought golf players the best of both in a package that, though still pricey, is closer to affordable.

The Foresight Sport GC3 is a photometric launch monitor with three high-speed cameras to give accurate data on your club and golf ball.

Though the price may make you wonder if it’s worth it, with the number of features and the quality of the product, there is no doubt. The measurements the GC3 takes include six ball data categories and four club data categories.

Though it doesn’t feature the same putting analysis as the GCQuad, there is a sticker you can put on the face to give you more basic putting data.

In addition to the aspects that already make this launch monitor one of the best on the market, it also includes a barometric sensor which will improve the accuracy of the readings it takes when you’re playing in different places.

The GC3 also has nearly unrivaled precision and comes relatively close to the quality you see in the GCQuad, which costs much more.

However, this is not where it ends; included in the purchase of your Foresight Sport GC3 comes some other tech you can use to level up your game, including access to the app and platform you can use to play golf inside via simulation.

With this in mind, a screen on the GC3 shows you some of the data you may want, but when paired with a phone or tablet, it can offer you all the data.

It is also good to note that the GC3, though not as much as the GCQuad, still has impressive battery life allowing you to use it for up to 7 hours on a full charge, though the battery isn’t removable.

Now we must look at the downsides you may face with the GC3. Though it is a brilliant piece of analytics equipment, it is pretty costly, and you can get the same thing for much less if you choose to use a subscription and the Bushnell Launch pro, though the subscription may add up in a few years. 

There is also the fact that there is still some loss between the GC3 and GCQuad, though you would expect there to be, considering the price difference. Though you may not miss all of the GCQuad features, some metrics that the GC3 does not measure may leave you a little wanting.

Pros:

• The accuracy of the GC3 is fantastic
• The GC3 provides a lot of the GCQuad features at less than half of the price
• The battery can last for up to 7 hours
• The included software alone may make it worth a buy for some

Cons:

• The GC3 is by no means a cheap launch monitor
• There are some missing metrics that you may want to have

4. SkyTrak Launch Monitor

If you’re willing to spend some extra money on an annual basis to level up your golfing game, the SkyTrak may be a good option. The SkyTrak launch monitor uses a photometric system to give you all the data you need to analyze and improve your game.

One of its most notable selling points is that it is just as easy to use in a virtual setup as on the course.

The SkyTrak is not just easy to set up but also has built-in features to help you ensure that it is level, and it also uses a laser to help you see where you should place the ball to get an accurate reading on your next swing. With this in mind, the SkyTrak launch monitor also seems reasonably precise regarding its measurements and is often in the accuracy range of around 1 yard, give or take.

With its portability and advertised uses of being excellent for both indoor and outdoor use, it is easy to see why this golfing companion can become one of the best tools you have.

If you want to play a simulation, there are hundreds of options to choose from, and you can easily pair the SkyTrak with a mobile device, tablet, or computer to set everything up in no time.

All of these things considered you may have a few struggles with this monitor and some other points we need to discuss.

Firstly, to use this launch monitor and all of its features, you will need to add a yearly subscription to get all the data about where you can improve and receive access to the challenges and proper simulation.

Though the SkyTrak can work with outdoor use, there are some problems with its readings, and it may not pick up your swings when you play on grass or in very sunny areas, which can be troublesome to some.

It seems like the SkyTrak focuses on the indoor, which is fine if you are willing to pay for this monitor’s extra capabilities. 

Pros:

• The SkyTrak launch monitor is accurate
• The golf launch monitor is easy to set up and use
• It can get used inside or out

Cons:

• The monitor can be inaccurate in sunlight or on grass
• You require a subscription to have full use of the monitor’s capabilities

5. Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor

Though you may not think a mobile launch monitor that uses your phone’s cameras may work well when you include doppler radar technology, the Rabsodo Mobile Launch Monitor can impress even the biggest skeptics.

Costing a fraction of the price of some other launch monitors and with the ability to get used inside or on the range, you’ll be surprised at how accurate this little launch monitor is when used correctly.

The Rapsodo MLM is also straightforward to set up, requiring very little after pairing it with your device.

Some of the Rapsodo MLM’s key features are its portability, surprising accuracy, and ability to use it both inside and outside.

Though you may think the small package and lower price mean less quality, it measures eight different data parameters, has an active ball tracker with visuals, and is very accurate for being so small. 

The app is straightforward to use, and even without a premium subscription, you have access to most, and the most important features this launch monitor provides. However, there are also some issues with the monitor, such as having accuracy troubles when there isn’t enough light and the app is unavailable on Android devices.

Another issue you may face when using the Rapsodo MLM is that getting it level and lined up perfectly to do accurate measurements can be tricky. There may also be some issues with the app and battery life from time to time, though Rapsodo does its best to keep everything updated and fixed.

Pros:

• The Rapsodo MLM is very portable and can fit in your golf bag
• The price makes it affordable for most golf enthusiasts
• The functionality it offers is easy to use and set up most of the time

Cons:

• There is no Android app or compatibility
• It may miss shots if there is not enough light

6. Garmin Approach R10

Easily seen as one of the best golf launch monitors in recent years, the Garmin Approach R10 is hard to beat when looking for the best personal golf launch monitors.

Being one of the top brands in golfing and other sports, Garmin has gone out of its way to make a launch monitor that is easy to use and accurate.

The Garmin R10 is relatively simple to set up, though you may need a few minutes the first time; after that, the pairing is usually a breeze, and the placement is reasonably convenient because of the included tripod.

The R10 is also fairly accurate, though not as precise as other high-end launch monitors; the accuracy is decent for the price you have to pay.

However, where the Garmin R10 shines is in its features, build quality and the amount of data metrics you can measure. With a whopping 14 points of data the R10 can measure, you can analyze anything from your launch direction to your club path.

If you use the premium features you can get with the R10, you can play on up to 42 thousand different course simulations, take part in online tournaments, and even win some money if you do well enough in one of the competitions. The Approach R10 can get used both inside and outside, making it very versatile.

With this in mind, some common issues with the R10 include trouble with alignment or inaccurate data on a driving range. There are also some problems with the spin measurements the Garmin Approach R10 shows.

If you want your measurements to be accurate, Garmin suggests buying Titleist Pro V1 balls if you want more accurate measurements for indoor use.

This Garmin golf launch monitor provides you with a lot of data and is easy to carry and set up, but it can leave you wanting more with some somewhat lacking features. 

Pros:

• The R10 is easy to set up 
• The device is light and easy to carry around
• You can use it indoors or on a course
• You have a wide range of data metrics and measurements

Cons:

• The launch monitor can be inaccurate at times
• The alignment can cause some issues
• For full functionality, you need to pay a subscription fee

7. Swing Caddie SC200 Plus

On the more simplistic side, and if you are on a tighter budget, the Swing Caddie SC200 Plus is another excellent option for a personal golf launch monitor.

Though not the exact same as the SC200 that came before it, it still holds the same features as the once best-seller and now has the addition of a swing speed mode, which allows you to measure the speed of your swing without hitting a ball.

In keeping with the ease of use and setup of the original SC200, the PLUS is just as simple to use, requiring only some batteries and its placement behind your balls to give you accurate readings in an instant.

Switching between data and modes is also hassle-free with the included remote, which means you don’t have to touch the launch monitor to have full functionality once it’s ready.

Though the Swing Caddie SC200 Plus does not give you the most significant amount of data, like some other monitors, it provides you with everything you need while allowing the process to be straightforward. 

Some of the other great features of the SC200 Plus are the built-in barometric pressure calibrator that allows you to have even greater accuracy when using it and the ability to use it both indoors and on the course with excellent accuracy for its price.

However, there are some negatives to buying this personal launch monitor, one of the most significant being that you may not have all the data parameters you would like.

Because of its simplicity, the launch monitor does not allow you to connect to an app or record your swings as a built-in feature, which is another feature some golfers enjoy having. 

Some other complaints you may have with this model are that the remote can be a bit finicky sometimes, and you can’t be too far away from the monitor, though you shouldn’t need to be far enough away from the monitor for this to be a problem.

Pros: 

• The SC200 Plus is affordable
• It is reasonably accurate for the price
• It is effortless to use and has an included remote

Cons:

• It doesn’t have the most comprehensive array of measurable metrics
• There is no app functionality

Key Takeaways: Best Launch Monitors for Golf

There are many excellent golf launch monitors to choose from if you want to improve your golf game.

Whether you have the money to buy a professional-level monitor, there will be many options available, though you may have to choose what you want to measure and buy the best monitor for your uses.

With their niches, pros, and cons, there is sure to be a launch monitor perfect for you.