Golf Simulators 101: The 3 Types of Launch Monitors — and Which One Is Right for You
Radar, camera-based, and hybrid launch monitors aren’t interchangeable — and choosing the wrong one for your space and budget can create problems from day one.
If you’re building a home golf simulator, the launch monitor is where you want to start.
It’s the key piece to the whole setup.
It’s the device that tracks your shot, measures what happened, and tells the simulator software where the ball went. If your launch monitor is bad, your simulator will be bad. It does not matter how nice your mat is, how big your screen is, or how cool your setup looks.
However, there are so many launch monitor brands and models — and so much confusion about how they actually work — that it can be hard to know what you should even be looking for. The best place to start is with a basic understanding of the technology, so you can make simple comparisons and know what actually matters.
Some launch monitors sit behind you. Some sit beside you. Some mount overhead. Some need more space to track the ball. Some are much better indoors than outdoors. Some are great for budget setups and provide all of the data and feedback needed for a great simulator without the extra bells and whistles. Others are simply built for high-end simulator rooms, and have a price tag to match.
So before you start looking at specific models, it helps to understand the three main types of launch monitor technology:
radar-based
camera-based
hybrid
The 3 kinds of launch monitors
At a basic level, launch monitors all do the same job: they track your shot and turn it into data.
But they do not all do it the same way.
Radar-based launch monitors
Use radar to follow the golf ball and sometimes the club as they move through space.
Camera-based launch monitors
Use high-speed cameras to capture pictures of the ball and club through impact, and calculate ball flight data based on impact.
Hybrid launch monitors
Use a mix of both. Usually that means some type of radar plus cameras or other sensors working together.
That may sound technical, but the important part is simple:
Different technology works better in different situations.
That’s why the “best” launch monitor for one person can be the wrong choice for someone else.
Radar-based launch monitors
Radar-based launch monitors usually sit behind the golfer, pointed toward the ball and down the target line.
They work by sending out radar signals and that track movement as your club and then the ball travel through space. They can measure things like ball speed, launch angle, carry distance, and direction with a high degree of accuracy, assuming there is a long enough ball flight to capture the required data.
How they work
Instead of taking pictures, thousands of radar waves are sent and received by the launch monitor to track how the ball moves after impact. That makes radar especially useful when it has enough room to see the ball fly.
That last part is important.
Radar needs space.
The more room it has to track the ball, the better it tends to work. That is one reason radar systems often shine outdoors and in large rooms, where it can track the flight of the ball longer.
Pros of radar-based launch monitors
The biggest benefit of radar is that it is highly accurate when it can track the ball long enough. Its using real ball flight data, rather than making calculations (or assumptions) based on impact. This also makes it great for outdoor practice.
If you like going to the range, a radar-based launch monitor can be a very good fit. It can track the ball through a larger part of its flight, which can be really useful.
They are also often easy to understand from a setup standpoint. Most sit behind the golfer, pointed straight ahead. Easy to set up, connect, and start swinging.
Common benefits:
easy to set up and use
good choice for players who split time between simulator use and range use
usually works well for righties and lefties without moving the unit much, depending on the model
entry level models are generally available at a cheaper price point
Cons of radar-based launch monitors
The biggest drawback is that radar can be harder to use in tight indoor spaces.
If your room is short, narrow, or cramped, radar may not be the ideal fit. Some radar units need more distance from the ball to the screen, and more distance from the unit to the ball, in order to work their best.
That does not mean radar cannot work indoors. It can. But you absolutely need to meet the minimum distance requirements or it will not give you accurate results.
Common drawbacks:
unreliable with limited ball flight
sometimes require a specific type of ball
When radar is the best fit
Radar-based launch monitors are often the best fit when:
you want to use the unit outdoors a lot
you have enough depth in your simulator space
there are issues with lighting in your setup area
If your setup is going in a deep garage, a barn, a commercial space, or a room with plenty of length, radar deserves a serious look.
If your room is tight, it may not be your best option.
Camera-based (Photometric) launch monitors
Camera-based launch monitors use high-speed cameras to measure what happens at impact.
These are often called photometric launch monitors.
Instead of tracking the ball flight, they focus heavily on what the ball and club are doing in the moments just before and after the strike.
That makes them especially popular for home golf simulators.
How they work
A camera-based unit takes high-speed images of the golf ball and club at impact - from those images, the device calculates the outcome of the shot – launch angle, ball speed, spin, and all kind of other shot data.
In simple terms, it analyzes the impact, and is able to calculate what happened based on what it saw (using a lot of data).
Side-sitting vs overhead models
Camera-based launch monitors are split into two common styles.
Side-sitting models sit on the floor next to the ball, usually a little ahead or beside the hitting area.
These are common because they can work very well indoors and often provide strong data, and there are solid options that fit most budgets. But depending on the model, you may need to move them if both right-handed and left-handed players are using the simulator.
Overhead models mount above the hitting area.
These are popular in more permanent simulator builds because they keep the floor area clean, stay out of the way, and are usually convenient for both righties and lefties. Once installed, they can feel very seamless. They are, however, generally more expensive than side sitting models.
Pros of camera-based launch monitors
Camera-based units are often excellent for indoor simulator use.
They are especially appealing if you are building in a room where you do not have tons of depth.
Their biggest strengths often include:
very good for indoor use
usually works well in tighter spaces
strong ball data right off the clubface
overhead models can be very clean and convenient
Cons of camera-based launch monitors
The biggest downside is that camera-based units are not always the best all-around choice for people who mainly want a portable range companion.
Some are also more expensive, especially premium models. And side-sitting units can be a little annoying if you have both left- and right-handed golfers using the space.
Common drawbacks:
some models are less convenient for frequent outdoor use
side-mounted units may need repositioning for opposite-handed players
premium camera-based units can get expensive
some models are finicky with where they are placed beside the ball
require strong lighting around the ball
When camera-based is the best fit
Camera-based launch monitors are often the best fit when:
you are building an indoor golf simulator first
your room is a little tight on depth
you want reliable ball data in a home setup
you don’t plan to have a frequent mix of righty and lefty golfers playing at the same time
For many home simulator buyers, camera-based technology is the safest starting point to consider.
Hybrid launch monitors
Hybrid launch monitors use a mix of technologies.
That usually means radar plus cameras, or radar plus other sensors, all working together.
The goal is simple: take the strengths of both systems and combine them.
How they work
A hybrid unit does not rely on just one way of measuring the shot.
Instead, it uses multiple tracking methods to build a more complete picture. One part of the system may focus on the club and ball at impact, while another tracks the ball moving away.
In theory, that gives you the best of both worlds.
In practice, hybrid systems are often found more in premium simulator products, not entry-level ones. This means they are out of budget for a lot of people.
Pros and Cons of a hybrid launch monitor
It’s pretty simple - in a perfect world, the pro is that it it combines two types of technology to provide better data. However, because they are using both technologies, you’ll have to deal with the limitations of both to get the best performance - so you need proper space for the radar aspect to work AND proper lighting for the camera aspect to work.
Budget launch monitors vs premium launch monitors
This is where a lot of people get confused.
They assume the difference between a cheap launch monitor and an expensive one is just “better accuracy.”
That is part of it, but not the whole story. And its a little bit out-dated. The technology advancements in recent years have made the same technology available for $2,000 (or less) that cost $20,000 a few years ago.
The bigger difference is often how much the device actually measures versus how much it estimates.
A budget launch monitor may use simpler sensors, fewer cameras, less processing power, or a smaller tracking window. Because of that, it may directly measure some data points but estimate others.
For example, it might measure ball speed but estimate spin based on other data points.
For most golfers, especially beginners, a budget launch monitor can still give you everything you need. If your goal is to practice more, have fun, and build a simulator without spending a fortune, a lower-cost unit may be perfect for you. You can play as much as you want, and you’d probably never be able to tell the difference between your $1,000 model, and the $20,000 option.
Premium launch monitors are different.
They usually have more advanced hardware, more powerful processing, and a better ability to directly measure more pieces of the shot. That often means better accuracy, better consistency, and better club data.
If you are an average or casual golfer with a home setup, spending a huge amount on a launch monitor may not make sense. On the other hand, if you are an advanced player that cares deeply about data and want to be able to fine-tune your game, premium can be worth it.
The key is making sure your expectations match your budget.
Do not buy a budget unit and expect tour-level data. And do not buy a premium unit if your real goal is just to have fun and play simulator golf a few nights a week.
Conclusion
When people first shop for a launch monitor, they usually ask, “Which brand is the best? Is it worth it for me to buy a Trackman?”
But the better question is:
What type of launch monitor technology makes the most sense for my space, budget, and goals?
That is the real starting point.
If you want a unit that can shine outdoors and you have enough room indoors, radar-based might be a great fit.
If you are building a home simulator and want something that works well in a tighter space, camera-based is often the safest bet.
And if you are shopping on a budget, remember this: you do not need the fanciest launch monitor on earth. You need the one that works well for your setup.
Take time to assess what technology each option uses, and how well it would fit in your space.
