Launch Monitor Experiences

[1par2win]

I did a search and looked at most of the dozens of threads about this but I have only read a few accounts of what I have experienced with launch monitors.

About every other month or so I go into a used club shop here in town and for kicks hit some balls with a driver and check out what the numbers say. My numbers are consistently lower than what I experience out on the course. I know many would say Trackman doesn't lie and normally I would agree with that however according to Trackman I hit my driver about a 180 yards with a 30-40 yard curve. On the course I am hitting a little over 60% of the fairways and total distance of fairways hit is between 225-240. This is verified with GPS (SkyDroid and before that a Garmin) and have been keeping records for over 2 seasons now.

This wasn't the first time I have seen numbers like this on a launch monitor. Some sessions the numbers are a bit better than others but there is obviously something wrong with my swing with the driver. My irons check out. So do my hybrids and fairway wood. So what's the deal? Anyone heard of getting a really skewed number with one particular club? I don't think I am swinging for the fences. Seems like I am taking a normal swing. I am interested in tweaking my driver but it's rather pointless to use a launch monitor if I cant recreate my swing during a fitting. The guy in the shop that I have played a few rounds with said that he has seen some people have trouble swinging a club indoors. That makes no sense to me but that's what he claims to be his experience. Anyone else gone through or heard of something like this?

[brodkorbtd]

My experience with simulators and launch monitors is that they tend to be a short for anyone that hits the ball high, and long for anyone that hits low screamers.

[ejimsmith]

my first experience on a launch monitor was just a few weeks ago.  and it did take me a while to get used to swing a club inside, and in a rather cramped space.   i had trouble really letting go.   with that said though, i did get numbers similar to what i get on the course, and eventually felt more comfortable.   furthermore, i got fitted and bought a new driver, and am experiencing results on the course that jive with the numbers from the launch monitor.  so for me, the monitor worked correctly, and was useful in helping me grab another 20-25 yds on each drive.  i LOVE my new driver!

[TourSpoon]

Not all launch monitors are created equal.   One monitor that I have used before also sold the woods out short. Recently the same monitor was right on the money after being recalibrated.  They are great tools when they work properly.