Launch Monitors

[tmf9]

I went into two different launch monitors at edwin watts and one of them measured swing speed and displayed it by computer. On that one my swing speed was 92-97. On the second launch monitor they had a little device behind the tee that measured swing speed. On that I had a swing speed of 107-112. I was wondering which one of those would be more accurate. I hit the ball 275 yards or more on a good swing if that helps.

[jrm1493]

I don't know but I was in golfsmith the other day and usually their launch monitor is pretty consistent for me (92-98 mph ss) but one time I hit a pop up and the monitor reported a 183mph swing speed and a 385 yard carry.... so take anything those machines tell you with a 55 gallon drum of salt.

[jorruss]

Launch monitors are generally useful, but nothing compares to seeing a real ball fly. I would never buy a club without first hitting it on the golf course. Think about it, would you buy a car after driving it in a simulator?

Launch monitors are a nice tool to help match heads and shafts, but they aren't the holy grail of club fitting. I've found that any idiot with a $30,000 launch monitor now sees themselves as master club fitters. The guys at Edwin Watts and Golfsmith stores are pretty good, but the best fitters I've seen fit you for lie and length indoors, and take things outside to see ball flight and impact on grass. There is no substitute for reality!

[MiniMoe]

I don't trust swing monitors. Sometimes I thing they manipulate the swing speeds and distances to make people think they hit the "new" driver longer than they did the old one. I just go by feel.

[Ken Smith]

I agree, as I'm not a huge fan of launch monitors either. Don't get me wrong, they can be a valuable asset when determining proper lofts in a set, but proper shaft selection should be made before the launch monitor comes into play.