How beneficial is a Launch Monitor?

[Nayrrenrag]

I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a launch monitor for a while and the Rapsodo is part of Prime Day so I’m thinking it’s a sign. Have any of you used the Rapsodo, and if so was it beneficial? Just trying to justify the purchase as with anything golf related

[mynerds]

Recent Rapsodo purchaser here (2022 father's day sale) and I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, its immensely helpful for learning distances when hitting indoors into a net, and for recognizing when I'm mis-hitting when I otherwise may not realize it. On the other hand, the lack of analysis on spin also gives me a lack of insight on some of my mis-hits where the ball launches relatively straight but spins wildly off to the side (push slice/pull hook? I don't know shot shape names).

It works well enough for my skill level right now, but I have to imagine I will eventually upgrade to a mevo or mevo+ in the future.

[GolfSpy_APH]

I was a Rapsodo tester and altho i felt it was good not great, I've put a lot more use with it this season and with it's added insight features found it to be even more beneficial.

https://forum.mygolfspy.com/tests/17-rapsodo-mlm-launch-monitor/

[null]

Pretty useless if you are using range balls (as are pretty much all launch monitors).

Where and how would you intend on using it?

[edingc]

I've had some sort of launch monitor since late 2018 now. Started with the SwingCaddie SC200, went to the FlightScope Mevo, and then now the FS Mevo+ with the Pro Pack.

Honestly, your mileage will vary. I found being able to record automated clips with the Mevo the most beneficial thing about it. The SC200 was great if you just wanted to get some idea of distance at the range/on course or have a long drive competition with your friends. But personally I always had to see ball flight because you can certainly lace some hooks/slices out there that the LM will say went a long ways.

Personally, I'd save the $400 and put it toward the Mevo+ at $2,000 (or cheaper on sales) or save up longer for something like a GC3/Bushnell. The ability to hit indoors and see shot shape is invaluable to my winter practice. I went from being able to take 150-200 swings once a week at the heated range in the winter (if weather cooperated), to being about to take that same about 3-4 times per week at home.

I rarely use the Mevo+ on the range or on course, but more power to people who want to do that. Just not my use case - I'd evaluate yours wisely before making a decision.

[Nayrrenrag]

16 minutes ago, jlukes said:

Pretty useless if you are using range balls (as are pretty much all launch monitors).

Where and how would you intend on using it?

Mostly indoors as I’m pretty far from a local range for practice. Figured this would help keep me less rusty and keep my numbers more consistent. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, Nayrrenrag said:

Mostly indoors as I’m pretty far from a local range for practice. Figured this would help keep me less rusty and keep my numbers more consistent. 

What numbers are you talking about? 
 

If it’s something other than distance do you know how to interpret the numbers and what you need to do to fix the swing to change them to more optimal?

Whats your practice routine?

[tony@CIC]

Several years ago I absolutely had to have a launch monitor - to focus on swing speed rather than dialing in distances. Had a SC 200 and most recently a PRGR for SuperSpeed training. Today I rarely use either one, and consider it another golf item of limited value.  I'm mostly concerned about distances and therefore rely heavily on my Shotscope V3 for real data. Given limited dollars I buy either ARRCOS or Shotscope (my preferred shot tracking system) instead of a LM. 

[goaliedad30]

8 hours ago, jlukes said:

Pretty useless if you are using range balls (as are pretty much all launch monitors).

Our range uses Titleist AVX as range balls, so I get pretty good data from my Garmin R10.

[Pandaman]

I have a Skytrak and find it very useful.

I do mostly use it outdoors into a net (not enough space for a radar device), so do get more misreads than indoors, but it's great to actually see the ball flight and not just distance.  

[Hello World]

Never used a Rapsodo but did a bunch of research when trying to decide whether I was going to buy one. It's worth it if you just want to get a very general idea of what your shots are doing. After all, it's a sub $500 device and you get what you pay for. If you want to do an in depth analysis of your golf swing it's just not going to cut it. 

Launch monitors are just like smart phones, you don't really need one, but once you use one, it's difficult not to. As someone who grew up without launch monitors, it was quite a surprise when I saw some kid, maybe 14 years at most, using his own Trackman. Love it!

[stephenmatt]

If you are hitting indoors and into a net/screen you need one. If you are hitting outdoors and can use markers for distances it isn't as important but would still be very beneficial.

[Angry Birdies]

After a 15 year hiatus from the sport I decided to buy the Rapsodo last Black Friday. It has helped tremendously because it has allowed me to know my average distances on all clubs. 

[jjrule23]

Looking buy a entry level launch monitor.  Thinking the Garmin R10 has the features I am looking for. Thoughts 

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, jjrule23 said:

Looking buy a entry level launch monitor.  Thinking the Garmin R10 has the features I am looking for. Thoughts 

Just like in response to the op, what are you using the launch monitor for?

[jjrule23]

Want use indoors mainly this winter.  The Garmin seems to have everything I need.  

[RickyBobby_PR]

11 minutes ago, jjrule23 said:

Want use indoors mainly this winter.  The Garmin seems to have everything I need.  

Want to use it do what? 

[jjrule23]

Working on my swing and getting distance correct on my clubs

[Popeye64]

I guess I'm in the minority here is saying they are very useful. Being able to see improvements or drop offset instantly to me is very beneficial.

I'm testing on almost a daily basis so my need for data is different than most. But the ability to know set distances of every iron to me helps scoring. Being able to drop a ball pin high will drip scores quickly. Also knowing distances on 1/4 and 1/2 swing chips has really helped my up and down game. 

There are certainly more frugal ways to spend your money to improve. But if used on a regular basis I don't know of a better tool. 

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, Popeye64 said:

I guess I'm in the minority here is saying they are very useful. Being able to see improvements or drop offset instantly to me is very beneficial.

I'm testing on almost a daily basis so my need for data is different than most. But the ability to know set distances of every iron to me helps scoring. Being able to drop a ball pin high will drip scores quickly. Also knowing distances on 1/4 and 1/2 swing chips has really helped my up and down game. 

There are certainly more frugal ways to spend your money to improve. But if used on a regular basis I don't know of a better tool. 

If using for gapping of a set yes then they can be beneficial

Using them to get launch numbers and trying to improve them without knowing what’s causing the numbers or what’s the right window for the golfer then no they aren’t beneficial and can make things worse by chasing numbers.

Gapping really only needs to be done early on with a set

[Shapotomous]

I picked up a used Mevo and use it when hitting into my net.  It is mostly helpful to me through the winter to gauge my SS and distances as I try to keep in some level of golf shape.  I hit into a net over the winter prior to having the Mevo but for me having the data made it more 'interesting' and i had more confidence in club selection during the early season rounds.  There is minimal rust to work out of the swing now compared to prior years.

[brogies]

Definitely check if you have any TopTracer ranges in your area. I went to my first one the other day and it was pretty amazing. Reasonably price for buckets of balls, and the data was pretty phenomenal. Went to get distances on my new irons and it worked out really well. The one by me is about 30 min away, but on rainy days when I can't golf, I typically end up going there and it's still really fun.

[WaffleHouseTour]

On 7/12/2022 at 1:02 PM, Nayrrenrag said:

I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a launch monitor for a while and the Rapsodo is part of Prime Day so I’m thinking it’s a sign. Have any of you used the Rapsodo, and if so was it beneficial? Just trying to justify the purchase as with anything golf related

So… did you make the purchase? What did you think?

I honestly can’t imagine hitting into a net without something (Mevo Rapsodo Garmin whatever) to give me feedback on lateral spin.  I don’t care how far I hit it (oh, I do…) what I care about is direction and how straight I hit it. 

[SFLOrange]

I have been working on hitting certain clubs and certain shots into shot windows and think the Rapsodo has done a fantastic job with it.  My swing fault is a little early extension, which kills my dynamic loft.  So knowing launch angle is super important to me.  I suggest you review all of the data that the various monitors provide, and make sure that the data you get will be helpful to your practice routines.

[RickyBobby_PR]

1 hour ago, SFLOrange said:

My swing fault is a little early extension, which kills my dynamic loft. 

Early extension isn’t a swing fault. It’s a compensation for an actual swing fault which is typically caused by a steep shaft in transition. This is also a compensation for poor wrist mechanics and sequencing of the swing which is the actual fault

 

1 hour ago, SFLOrange said:

So knowing launch angle is super important to me.

But do you know what needs to be done to improve dynamic loft and launch angle?

[SFLOrange]

47 minutes ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Early extension isn’t a swing fault. It’s a compensation for an actual swing fault which is typically caused by a steep shaft in transition. This is also a compensation for poor wrist mechanics and sequencing of the swing which is the actual fault

 

But do you know what needs to be done to improve dynamic loft and launch angle?

You are absolutely right, my early extension was a symptom of my terrible wrist conditions.  I had a considerable cupping issue that caused me to have a steep shaft angle and open club face, forcing me to flip the club to make square contact.  I have been relentlessly drilling better wrist conditions for the last 6 months and it has completely transformed my swing and my game for the better.