A launch monitor is the heart of any golf simulator — it's the device that reads your strike and turns it into the data and ball flight you see on screen. Get the choice right and everything else falls into place. Get it wrong and you'll be fighting your space, your budget, or your data for years.
Below is the same framework our install team uses on every consult: start with your room, then your game, then your budget — in that order.
Photometric vs radar: how they actually differ
Photometric units (like Foresight's GCQuad and GC3) use high-speed cameras to photograph the ball and club at impact. They're exceptionally accurate, which makes them ideal for indoor spaces where the ball only travels a metre or two before hitting the screen.
Radar units track the ball through more of its flight, so they tend to want more room behind the ball and a longer carry to read accurately — a better fit for outdoor if.
Match the unit to your room
Before you compare brands, measure three things — they rule more monitors in or out than any spec sheet:
- Ceiling height — you need clearance for a full driver swing, typically 2.9m+.
- Depth — room from the screen to behind the tee for the unit and your stance.
- Width — enough lateral space for both right- and left-handed players if needed.
Data that matters (and data that doesn't)
Every brand lists a wall of metrics. In practice, club-head data is what separates a practice tool from a toy. If you're serious about improving, prioritise units that measure club path, face angle and attack angle directly rather than inferring them.
- GCQuad — Quadrascopic cameras, full club + ball data, the gold standard for fitting and tuition.
- GC3 — Triscopic cameras, outstanding accuracy for the price — the home-builder's sweet spot.
Our pick for most home builds
If you have a standard room and a sensible budget, the GC3 hits the best balance of accuracy, club data and price. Step up to the GCQuad if you're fitting clubs, coaching, or simply want the most precise data money can buy.
A GC3 set up in a standard single-car garage build.
Final checklist
Confirm your ceiling clears a full swing, your depth suits a photometric unit, and your chosen monitor reads real club data. Nail those three and you've made a decision you won't second-guess.