Frustrated with Best Golf Launch Monitor Option Overload? Find What’s Right for You in the Next 15 Minutes

There are A LOT of best golf launch monitor candidates in 2024. And, for the frustrated shopper, frankly, there are too many.

It’s certainly great to have options, however. Remember, it was only a few short years ago that most accurate golf launch monitor choices were cost prohibitive for many golfers.

Now, it’s flipped. The affordable golf launch monitor class is the main driver of all of this overall golf launch monitor growth.

So, we’ve arrived at something of a catch-22. We love having choices. But how do we know which one is right?

Fear not. That’s where this, our best golf launch monitor buyer’s guide, comes in.

We’re still going to hit you with a lot of options. But, we’re going to do it in a way that narrows the focus so that it, hopefully, becomes more obvious to you which of these is right for your situation.

I’ve personally done a lot of golf launch monitor reviews. I’ve tested all of these products extensively. As I always say, you don’t have to take my opinions as the definitive word. But just know that I’m coming to you from a place of experience. And I’m going to share my honest thoughts.

If that sounds useful to you, you’ve only got about 14 more minutes of reading before you should know what truly is your best golf launch monitor.

First Step in Finding the Best Golf Launch Monitor 2024: What Kind of Golfer Are You?

This is a very important fork in the road. In my experience, golfers who’ve got serious game will generally be dissatisfied with golf launch monitors that either aren’t quite accurate enough or that don’t provide enough golf simulator functionality.

On the other hand, beginner golfers may be satisfied with what you might term “good enough” when it comes to accuracy.

And when I say “good enough,” I mean exactly that. I don’t mean it in a bad way. Nothing in this guide is going to be something I wouldn't recommend to someone. Meaning, every launch monitor here is pretty darn accurate.

But not all of them are dead-on, down-to-the-yard perfectly accurate.

Also, not all of these golf launch monitors are great options if you want to play simulator golf.

So, my first recommendation is for the beginner-to-average level golfer who wants to keep cost under control, is satisfied with reasonably good accuracy, and who isn’t as interested in playing simulator golf.

And that is the Swing Caddie SC4.

Among the reasons I love the SC4:

• It only costs $599.98.
• It’s got a built-in screen, meaning you can get data without even having to interface with an app.
• As a radar golf launch monitor, it performs especially well outdoors where there is plenty of room for the launch monitor to read the flight of the ball.
• It’s incredibly simple to set up.
• There are no subscriptions.

If there’s a downside, it’s that accuracy, especially indoors, can become questionable as you move up your golf bag. By the time you get to your woods and driver, the numbers can get a bit iffy.

The other downside is that simulator software compatibility is limited. It only works with E6 Connect. And you only get one free E6 course with the purchase of the SC4.

However, for the right golfer, I believe the Swing Caddie SC4 fits very nicely in that “good enough” category. And the especially beautiful thing about the SC4 is that there are no annual subscriptions.

If you don’t want to spend more than $599.98, you don’t have to.

Next Up: Where Are You Going To Use Your Golf Launch Monitor?

Every product on this list can be used either indoors or outdoors. But some are definitely better either-or options.

So, are you looking for a golf launch monitor that you can take out to the driving range or even out onto the golf course?

Or are you looking for a golf simulator launch monitor that you’re going to use primarily indoors in your sim studio or garage golf setup?

Or are you looking for a little bit of both—something portable that you can take back and forth between your indoor and outdoor spaces, or even over to a friend’s house?

I’m going to give you my favorites for each of those scenarios. There will be some overlap between categories, but I’ll try to make this as straightforward as possible.

Best Outdoor Golf Launch Monitor: Top Radar Options

Here’s a rule of thumb though certainly not an ironclad absolute: Radar-based golf launch monitors perform better outdoors where there is enough space for them to read the flight of the ball. They often struggle indoors where there’s only several feet or a handful of revolutions of the ball for them to collect their data.

When radar launch monitors are used outdoors, they can be among the most accurate of all devices.

So, when you think outdoors, like at the driving range, radar becomes a great option. Making it even better is that this is where you’re likely to find the best affordable golf launch monitor.

I mentioned the Swing Caddie SC4, but if you want something that costs only a bit more and is more accurate and includes considerably more golf simulator opportunities, I’d look at the Rapsodo MLM2PRO and the Garmin Approach R10. 

The MLM2PRO is my favorite of the sub-$1,000 radar golf launch monitors. With two swing cameras (one impact and one full swing) to go along with radar, super-simple setup, a great carrying case that makes it fully portable, and incredible accuracy for $699.99, it’s a great golf launch monitor, especially for outdoors!

With the Garmin golf launch monitor, you get almost as good of accuracy and portability as with the MLM2PRO, but you also get a more complete golf simulator experience.

And the R10 only costs $599.99, the same as a Swing Caddie SC4. The reason I rate the SC4 as the best budget golf launch monitor is that it does not include any subscription fees. So, owning the R10 is a bit more expensive. But the R10 is also a better golf launch monitor than the SC4.

The Garmin Approach R10 is compatible with E6 Connect, Awesome Golf, the Golf Club 2019, and Creative Golf 3D. That’s a great lineup of software compatibility that gives you access to a huge variety of simulated courses, ranges, and other games. Of course, any third-party simulator software is going to require a subscription. But with the purchase of an R10, you do get five free E6 courses, limited to iOS-only use.

So, I mentioned that the Swing Caddie SC4 was my choice for the best budget golf launch monitor, suitable for beginner-to-average players.

I’d say that for average-to-decent players, the Rapsodo golf launch monitor and Garmin Approach R10 are the best options.

And if you want to stay in the radar camp, which again is a great option for accuracy outdoors, and you’re a fairly serious player or at least one that wants utmost accuracy, I’d look at one of two choices:

• The FlightScope Mevo+
• The Full Swing KIT

The advantage of the Full Swing KIT is that it’s got a built-in display and it’s really, really easy to set up. It’s also very accurate outdoors. It even has the endorsement of one Eldrick “Tiger” Woods.

But the Full Swing KIT is $4,999. And golf simulator compatibility is limited unless you want to spend a lot more.

As an alternative, I like the FlightScope Mevo+, which retails for just $3,299 and features more ball and club data than any golf launch monitor under $5,000.

The only real drawbacks for the Mevo+ are that the build quality of the unit isn’t quite as robust as the Full Swing KIT, and setup is a lot more cumbersome.

If you want simple and sturdy, go with the Full Swing KIT.

If you want to save a few bucks, don’t mind a bit more fuss, and want something that you know if you set it up right is going to deliver really accurate readouts, get the FlightScope Mevo+. 

Best Outdoor Golf Launch Monitor: Top Camera Options

While it’s true that radar golf launch monitors work especially well outdoors, that doesn’t mean that certain camera or photometric devices don’t make for great options.

But, to me, the choices for outdoor use with a camera golf launch monitor really come down to either one of the Foresight Sports golf launch monitors or the new Garmin Approach R50. Each of those choices are universally incredible when it comes to accuracy and ease of use either indoors or outdoors.

So, if you’re serious about improvement, are a teaching pro, a clubfitter, a competitive player, or you just want the best, I’d look at the Foresight line no matter where you’re going to use the launch monitor.

Their top-of-the-line GCQuad and QuadMAX products are the choice of the majority of tour pros, and those players aren’t sponsored and don’t get the devices for free. They could choose whatever technology they want. But when you turn on the Golf Channel or one of the networks and watch the pros warm up on the range, pay close attention and you’ll notice a lot of Foresight Sports.

Both the Quad and QuadMAX feature the same industry-leading ball and club data accuracy. The MAX goes further with a refined touchscreen, unlimited onboard shot storage, speed training, and more.

If I could spend what it took to get the best golf launch monitor, I’d buy the QuadMAX. And if I had to hold back just a bit, next up would easily be the GCQuad.

Admittedly, those devices are expensive and are generally reserved for serious players, teaching pros, and club fitters.

The more accessible options are the Foresight GC3 and the Bushnell Launch Pro. Rather than four cameras like with the Quad and QuadMAX, the GC3 and Launch Pro feature just three cameras. But accuracy is still as good as you can get anywhere near this price point.

Vista Outdoors, the parent company of Bushnell, acquired Foresight Sports about three years ago and not long after Foresight had debuted the GC3.

But rather than just selling their new launch monitor design under one name, the decision was made to keep the GC3 under the Foresight brand while additionally releasing a Launch Pro model under the Bushnell brand.

It seems the decision makers viewed Foresight as a brand that resonated more with a professional audience while Bushnell was more familiar to the everyday consumer. The company wanted a way to reach both audiences, and this was their solution.

So we’re left with two golf launch monitors that are the exact same device. The difference comes down to how they are priced.

The GC3 starts at $5,999. But there are no ongoing subscriptions, meaning you can get all of the features, including the really sweet Foresight Sports golf simulator software compatibility, for life for just one price.

The Launch Pro starts at just $1,999.99, but to use it as a golf simulator or to get virtual driving ranges and other features, you’ll have to pay $499 per year.

So, it really comes down to how long you plan to own the golf launch monitor. Once you do that math, just buy either the GC3 or the BLP launch monitor with full confidence.

Now, about the Garmin Approach R50. Simply put, if you want what is unquestionably the most exciting, most popular, most newsworthy golf launch monitor of 2024, you want the Garmin Approach R50.

Here’s a golf launch monitor that includes the nicest built-in display we’ve ever seen. It’s 10 inches, it’s full color, it’s touchscreen and responsive—it’s freaking gorgeous!

But what makes the R50 so unique is that with that built-in screen, you can actually play Garmin’s Home Tee Hero simulator golf right on the launch monitor itself. That’s never been done with any other product.

You can also hook the $4,999.99 R50 directly to a projector or TV via HDMI, which makes it an outstanding option for either outdoor or indoor use.

Best Indoor Golf Launch Monitor

When it comes to choosing the best golf launch monitor for indoors, there are two main considerations:

• How large is your room?
• Will you be playing with both right- and left-handed golfers

Here’s the deal: Camera golf launch monitors are great indoors because they take up a lot less space and because they don’t need a lot of room in front of the ball to accurately record all of the shot data.

But the problem with camera or photometric golf launch monitors is that, because they read the shot from the side of the ball rather than from behind, you’ll have to move the golf launch monitor back and forth if you’re playing with both righties and lefties at the same time.

I mentioned earlier that many radar golf launch monitors struggle with consistent accuracy indoors because there’s just not enough room for them to track the ball using their Doppler radar system.

For some radar golf launch monitors, you’ll need a room that is at least 21 feet long. Not everybody has that kind of space. With a camera-based golf launch monitor, you may only need 10 feet of room depth.

But because the radar golf launch monitor reads the shots from behind the ball, they have the advantage of being a lot more convenient when you want to have different-handed golfers sharing the space. And, as we discussed earlier, this is where the most affordable options are found.

A radar golf launch monitor definitely can work well indoors. Especially if you’re in the “good enough” mindset that I talked about at the outset. All of the radar options detailed in the best outdoor golf launch monitor sections can work indoors. Those include:

• Swing Caddie SC4
• Rapsodo MLM2PRO
• Garmin Approach R10
• Full Swing KIT
• FlightScope Mevo+

But just as I offered the rule of the thumb that radar is a great choice for outdoors, I think the best indoor golf launch monitor is going to come from one of two camera-based launch monitor camps:

• Foresight Sports/Bushnell Golf
• SkyTrak+

Foresight Golf Launch Monitor

First, the best indoor golf launch monitor is also the number one overhead golf launch monitor. And that is the Foresight Falcon.

An overhead type of golf launch monitor is mounted to the ceiling and measures the shots using multiple cameras. While it may require higher ceiling height, it won’t require near as much room depth as a radar system and won’t have the disadvantage of having to move the launch monitor for righties and lefties like a floor-standing camera system.

Priced at $14,999, the Falcon offers exceptional value, coming in at $5,000 less and at half the size of the GCHawk. Yet it maintains the same industry-leading accuracy and lifelike simulator software options.

One of the Falcon’s standout features is its larger hitting area, which provides more flexibility and comfort during play, including with righties and lefties at the same time.

So long as you don’t have ceiling height for golf simulator issues, this is perfect for a dedicated, indoor sim studio option.

I mentioned earlier that the very best cost-no-object golf launch monitor accuracy is with the Foresight GCQuad and QuadMAX. That holds just as true indoors as it does outdoors. If you want what the pros are using, these are the golf launch monitors you need to look at.

And, as I noted earlier, if you want tremendous value and incredible accuracy for the price, you don’t have to look further than either the Foresight GC3 or Bushnell Launch Pro.

In addition to all of the ball and club data options and unmatched accuracy, additional advantages of choosing a Foresight golf launch monitor for your indoor space is that there are no annual subscription fees and the simulator software that’s included is some of the very best in the industry.

Any one of the Foresight golf launch monitors could qualify as a best launch monitor for golf simulator option.

Garmin Golf Launch Monitor

The Garmin Approach R50 belongs in its own category. It’s the only golf launch monitor with built-in golf simulator capabilities.

Another thing that makes this product such a standout is that you can use it without needing to connect to any other software or hardware. And you get all of the ball and club data you could ever want right out of the box, included in the $4,499.99 purchase price.

Setup is super, super simple. Accuracy is absolutely outstanding. The built-in touchscreen is as responsive and easy to operate as an iPad. I mean, there’s just a lot to love about the Garmin Approach R50. There’s a reason it’s running away with all of the best of 2024 accolades.

SkyTrak Golf Launch Monitor

Another outstanding affordable golf launch monitor that’s perfect for indoor use is the SkyTrak+, which combines cameras and radar for a highly-accurate launch monitor that’s also incredibly fun to use.

I don’t recommend the SkyTrak+ for consistent outdoor use because the unit does not read shots reliably off of natural turf.

But indoors, the SkyTrak+ works wonderfully. The software platform is modern, intuitive, well designed, and just really fun to use. You get a variety of game-improvement challenges, games, and virtual driving ranges.

And, earlier in 2024, SkyTrak announced the addition of 30 of their own, proprietary in-app golf simulator courses, including Pebble Beach.

If you’re looking for a camera golf launch monitor for indoor use, one that is loaded with fun and game-improvement features, but you don’t need the utmost accuracy of something from the Foresight Sports line, the SkyTrak+, which starts at $2,995, is an outstanding golf launch monitor.

Best Portable Golf Launch Monitor

Finally, we’ve got the best portable golf launch monitor, something that you can take on the go.

Here are my top eight choices, along with a brief reason for why each one is easy to bring wherever you plan to play:

1. GolfJoy Golf Waver. We haven’t talked about this one yet. It’s a radar launch monitor that’s simple to set up, weighs just a half a pound, and fits in your pocket. It delivers comprehensive data and is great for outdoor range sessions. While not ideal for indoor use or longer clubs, it’s highly portable, user-friendly, and costs just $499.
2. Rapsodo MLM2PRO. Not only do the built-in radar and two impact vision cameras allow for great accuracy and really unique features, the MLM2PRO is also a great on-the-go option because it comes with one of the very best carrying cases on the market.
3. Full Swing KIT. Another launch monitor that’s so easy to set up and also includes a built-in display and an extremely nice carrying case is the Full Swing KIT. If you want to up your accuracy game considerably over something like the Waver or MLM2PRO but still want a great portable option, here it is!
4. FlightScope Mevo+. Yet another best golf launch monitor that includes the type of carrying case that makes it super simple to bring wherever is the FlightScope Mevo Plus. It’s also very small and lightweight, meaning it’s easy to stash in your golf bag.
5. Foresight GC3 or Bushnell Launch Pro. Because of the built-in screen, you don’t even need to connect to an app to get golf shot data. That makes either the GC3 or Launch Pro outstanding choices when you want to bring your launch monitor for quick warm-up sessions or just to confirm your numbers. The built-in handle makes practical portability a big selling point.
6. Foresight GCQuad. If you’ve got the budget, why not go for the unmatched accuracy of four cameras? Again, the built-in display and handle make it great for on the go.
7. Foresight QuadMAX. Same as above but with everything maxed out. With the QuadMAX, not only do you get the built-in display but you can actually store shot data right on the device itself. That makes it the ultimate portable solution.
8. GolfJoy GDS Plus. Finally, we’ve got another golf launch monitor I haven’t mentioned before now. While I don’t consider the GDS Plus to be quite as accurate as anything you’ll find in the Foresight lineup, what I really love about it is that it comes with a full-blown, highly useful backpack. Talk about portability! Add in the incredibly easy setup, and the GDS Plus was meant for moving between wherever you want to get your shot data.

Have You Found the Best Golf Launch Monitor for You?

While I know I’ve still hit you with a lot of choices over these past 15 minutes of reading, I hope that by identifying which scenarios fit best with which products that I’ve helped to eliminate some of the option overload frustrations.

Let’s tie it all together with a bit of a recap.

1. If you want the most affordable golf launch monitor, get the Swing Caddie SC4.
2. If you can spend just a tiny bit more but want better accuracy and more golf simulator functionality, ideally for outdoor use, buy either the Rapsodo MLM2PRO or Garmin Approach R10.
3. If you want to stay in the radar golf launch monitor camp, maybe for reasons of righties and lefties playing together, and you want excellent accuracy and a wider range of data, pick up either the FlightScope Mevo+ or the Full Swing KIT.
4. If you’re a top-level player, a teaching pro, a clubfitter, or just someone who wants the same golf launch monitors that the pros use and something that works equally well indoors or outdoors, buy the Foresight QuadMAX, GCQuad, GC3 or Bushnell Launch Pro. You can’t go wrong with any of those choices, and you’ll get appreciable returns the further up the line you go.
5. If you want the golf launch monitor that is taking the world by storm with features and technology no other product delivers, there’s only one choice: Buy the Garmin Approach R50. It’s the hottest thing going—and for very good reason!
6. If you know you plan to use your best golf launch monitors mostly indoors, you don’t want to spend more than $3,000 and you want a really fun and intuitive software platform, check out the SkyTrak+.
7. And if you’re looking for the best portable golf launch monitor, depending on your budget, consider the GolfJoy Waver, Rapsodo MLM2PRO, Full Swing KIT, FlightScope Mevo+, Foresight GC3, Bushnell Launch Pro, Foresight GCQuad, Foresight QuadMAX, or GolfJoy GDS Plus.

Carefully review those six criteria and find what best resonates with your situation. After that, you’ll at least have considerably narrowed your focus. From there, it’s just a matter of adding it to your cart, completing your transaction, and waiting on PlayBetter.com’s Free 2-Day Shipping!

What are you waiting for?

About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen

Marc Sheforgen is a golf writer whose passion for the game far exceeds his ability to play it well. Marc covers all things golf, from product reviews and equipment recommendations to event coverage and tournament analysis. When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about golf, he enjoys traveling (often golf-related), youth sports coaching, volunteering, and record collecting.