Launch monitors

[dhc1]

My club is looking to buy a launch monitor to help with lessons and fittings.

I would be grateful if I could get the pros/cons of trackman, flight scope x2 and any others on the market.

I tried to go through some of the older post but got lost in the back and forth on people's motives.

Also, cost is not a primary driver as we've budgeted an amount that should cover any device.

Thanks in advance.

[cwdlaw223]

Ask for a demo. I suspect the local sales reps will offer one.

Sort of like BMW vs. Mercedes. Both are very good.

[Richie3Jack]

I agree with asking for a demo.

I know that FlightScope is generally preferred by fitters because of their acceleration profile data.

I've hit balls with both Trackman and the X2 side-by-side. Generally we found the X2 produces slightly higher club head speeds and steeper attack angles. I tend to believe the X2's club speed data, but trust Trackman's AoA data. But, I think the idea behind these tools is to get a pretty good ballpark and consistent information. If you're reading -6* down AoA and the reality is that it's -3* down, that's still fine if the data is consistent. I wouldn't want them for scientific research, but for fittings and lessons, I don't think you need absolute exact measurements.

The X2 you can use off grass. I've used Trackman off grass, but had to tee up every iron shot. And if the divot was a little heavy, it wouldn't read.

I would also recommend the following:

Foresight Sports HMT

Swing Catalyst

Foresight Sports HMT is being regarded as the most accurate for club data because it does measure where the ball was struck. I've been told you need to put some stickers on the face to measure the contact with the HMT device. PING uses the HMT for club data and Trackman for ball tracking data. I've been told that Cleveland Golf uses the HMT for club data and FlightScope for ball stracking data.

Swing Catalyst is a very neat studio design that can feature force plate data along with Trackman and/or FlightScope integration.

You're looking at about $12K for just FlightScope X2

$20K for Foresight GC2 with HMT

$30K for Trackman

Swing Catalyst ranges depending on what features you want.

I have a bit of a bias towards Swing Catalyst because of the force plate data (I tend to struggle with shifting the pressure forward on the downswing enough), so that's why I prefer that. I still think that force plate data is something that the average golfer is more interested in learning about since it is discussing something very commonly talked about in popular golf instruction...'weight' shift.

But like was said, best to demo. I would ask around with club fitters how valuable the acceleration profile data is for fitting with the X2. I generally think it is helpful with shaft fitting.







3JACK

[roh]

Ernest Sports ran a print ad in our local magazine for the ES14 model. It says it will do: ball speed, smash factor, spin, club speed, launch angle and distance. It will be at the PGA Merchandise show at booth 1073. Richie, will you be going to the show? If so, can you check it out? I can't find any information on this unit.

[Richie3Jack]

I am going to the show. I have my badge already.

It looks like they will be doing the Golf Instructor 'Open Discussion' on Tuesday. Last year they did it on Wednesday night, IIRC. It didn't go well last year because there was no set topics we were going to discuss, the room was a little too small and it had a bar where people were ordering drinks in the room. This year it should go smoother as there will be a set topics to discuss and I think there will be less people there, in part because of those who didn't like last year's 'conference' and in part if it is on Tuesday there are less people in town.

Wednesday is demo day and I will be there for that. This is pretty much 'fun day' for me. I will try out a lot of 52* wedges (I will likely end up purchasing a custom Scratch Golf 52* wedge soon). From there, I'm interested in anything that is new. The past couple of years that equipment at the show hasn't been all that stunning outside of Edel Golf's new products. Unfortunately, it appears that Scratch Golf won't be at the show again.

Thursday - Saturday will be the actual show. I will be looking at launch monitors at the show, although I'm more interested in affordable launch monitors and see how well they perform. The problem I see is that they will all claim they are accurate. The other problem is that everybody that owns a launch monitor will tell you that theirs is the best. Personally, I think for the money and all things considered, FlightScope X2 is the best deal overall. However, I haven't tried the Foresight HMT and I want to make a closer inspection on it on the show. I think it's ability to measure where the ball is struck on the club and its effect on the ball flight is different.

I'm also interested in other swing measurement systems. BodiTrak will be there displaying its force plate system. It doesn't look like Swing Catalyst will be there. I'm also interested in any motion analysis systems. Their prices will undoubtedly be very high, but I get enough readers interested in how they work.

I would like to talk to the Aerotech and UST people about their Player Spec and Recoil shafts, particularly the ascending weight shafts design. I am also interested in speaking with people at Nippon Shafts. And essentially, looking for new and interesting products and concepts.








3JACK

[fullback]

I'm in the motion capture industry and we'll be at the show. We have a new generation of affordable technology to introduce at the show. That's about all I can say right now. :-) I'll let you know the booth number and hope to meet you, Ritchie.

I also hope to play some golf the week before the show - a rare thing these days... The only problem is I'm not bringing any sticks. It isn't worth it to lug them 10,000 miles. I'll try to buy or borrow some used ones in Orlando and keep them at a friend's condo for other trips.

[Richie3Jack]

I will definitely be there and would love to meet you.

Plenty of courses in Orlando also rent out clubs, usually fairly quality stuff.






3JACK