I'll admit it – I've been a skeptic of camera-based launch monitors for years. After spending way too much money on a TrackMan years ago, I figured radar was the only way to get Tour-level accuracy. But as soon as I got my hands on the Bushnell Launch Pro, everything I thought I knew about affordable launch monitors went out the window.
Unlock your best golf swing with the Bushnell Launch Pro. This launch monitor delivers pinpoint accuracy and detailed data to help elevate your game.
Right out of the box, the Launch Pro surprised me. At 5 pounds, this thing has real heft to it – not in a bad way, but in that reassuring "this is serious equipment" way. The build quality immediately stood out. This isn't some flimsy plastic gadget that'll break if you look at it wrong. The matte black finish gives it a professional look that wouldn't be out of place in a Tour van.
The 3-inch touchscreen caught my eye immediately. After years of squinting at my phone to see launch monitor data (or worse, running back to my laptop between shots), having a built-in display feels like a luxury. Setting it up took maybe five minutes. No joke. I plugged it in, positioned it about 8 feet behind my hitting area, and I was taking swings. Compare that to the hour-long calibration dance I used to do with other monitors, and you can see why I was already impressed.
Let's talk about what makes this thing tick. The Launch Pro uses three high-speed cameras capturing thousands of frames per second to measure what's actually happening at impact. Not estimating. Not calculating. Measuring. This is the same camera technology that powers the GCQuad – you know, that $14,000 monster the pros use – just in a more affordable package. The system features auto-calibrating technology that ensures consistent accuracy without manual adjustments between sessions.
I tested this thing everywhere. My garage simulator setup. The range on a cloudy day. Even took it out on the course during a practice round (much to my playing partners' amusement). The accuracy never wavered. Where my old radar-based unit would struggle indoors or give me wonky readings when I had a tailwind, the Launch Pro just kept churning out consistent data.
The hitting zone is about 7 by 10 inches, which sounds small but is actually plenty of room. I've caught some pretty ugly toe shots, and the Launch Pro tracked them perfectly. In fact, it's almost too good at showing you exactly how bad your mishits are. There's no hiding from the truth when you can see that your "pure" 7-iron actually caught the ball a groove low on the face.
What really sold me was testing it against my buddy's GCQuad at his simulator. Shot after shot, the numbers were within 1-2 yards on carry distance and virtually identical on ball speed and launch angle. We're talking about a $2,000 monitor matching a $14,000 one. That's when I knew Bushnell wasn't messing around.
The standard package gives you the fundamentals: ball speed, launch angle, carry distance, total spin, and spin axis. That's enough data for 90% of golfers to seriously improve their game. But here's where it gets interesting – you can add club data as an upgrade. Club head speed, smash factor, club path, and angle of attack become available if you're willing to pay extra.
I went ahead and got the club data add-on (because I have no self-control regarding golf tech), and it reshaped my practice sessions. Seeing that my driver path was 4 degrees out-to-in explained why I was fighting a fade all season. Within a week of focused practice with instant feedback, I had it down to 1 degree out-to-in. My miss went from a 30-yard slice to a controllable 10-yard fade.
The spin tilt axis readout is particularly clever. Instead of showing separate backspin and sidespin numbers that most of us don't really understand, it shows you the total spin and the axis tilt. Much more intuitive. As soon as you see that axis tilting hard right, you know you're putting cut spin on the ball. Simple.
One thing that surprised me was how much the instant feedback changed my practice routine. Before, I'd hit balls and guess at what went wrong based on ball flight. Now, I know immediately if I delivered 2 degrees down with my driver (bad) or 1 degree up (better). It's like having a coach standing next to you, calling out your numbers after every shot. The Launch Pro shares the same quadrascopic vision technology as the GCQuad, which explains why it delivers such reliable data even on those embarrassing mishits we all try to forget.
Bushnell includes a 14-day trial of the FSX software suite, which honestly feels a bit short when you're dropping two grand on a monitor. But once you use it, you'll probably end up subscribing anyway. The FSX 2020 software turns the Launch Pro into a legitimate golf simulator with some genuinely impressive courses. With the Gold subscription, you get access to 25 golf courses that range from famous championship venues to fun resort tracks.
The graphics aren't quite as stunning as what you'd get with GSPro or E6 Connect, but they're more than good enough for practice and fun rounds. I've played Pebble Beach at least a dozen times in my garage this winter, and while it's not quite the same as being there (nothing is), it scratches the itch when it's 20 degrees outside.
The FSX Pro app for practice is where this system really shines, though. You can set up specific practice scenarios, track your distances with each club over time, and even run through a bag mapping session that gives you your carry distances in different conditions. I uncovered that my 6-iron and 5-iron had almost identical carry distances (humbling), which explained why I could never figure out when to hit which club.
The software does require a pretty beefy gaming PC if you want to run the full simulation. My three-year-old laptop wasn't cutting it, so I had to build a dedicated SIM PC. Add another $1,500 to your budget if you don't already have a capable computer lying around.
The 5-7 hour battery life sounds limiting until you realize how you actually use this thing. For range sessions, 5 hours is more than enough – if you're hitting balls for 5 hours straight, you have bigger problems than battery life. For simulator use, you'll probably have it plugged in anyway.
I've used it for entire afternoon practice sessions without a charge, tracked my distances during a quick lunch-break range session, and even brought it to the course for some on-course testing. The battery has never died on me mid-session. The USB-C charging is clutch too – I can top it off in my car between the range and the course using the same charger as my phone.
One quirk worth mentioning: this thing is region-locked to the United States. Found this out when my Canadian buddy tried to order one. Not a dealbreaker for most, but if you're planning to move abroad or gift this to your international golf buddy, you're out of luck. Seems like an odd restriction in 2024, but there must be some licensing reason behind it.
The outdoor performance deserves special mention. Direct sunlight doesn't faze it at all. I've used it on the range at noon in July when my phone screen was basically invisible, and the Launch Pro's transflective display remained perfectly readable. The cameras don't care about ambient light either. Rain is the only thing that stops it, but that's true for any launch monitor.
Unlock your best golf swing with the Bushnell Launch Pro. This launch monitor delivers pinpoint accuracy and detailed data to help elevate your game.
Yes, you can use the Launch Pro as a left-handed golfer. You'll need to reposition the device to the left side behind the ball, opposite from the typical right-handed setup. While it's not as seamless as overhead-mounted systems that don't require moving between users, the Launch Pro works accurately for lefties when you've properly adjusted its placement. There aren't any software limitations - you'll get all the same data metrics once positioned correctly.
You'll get a 1-year limited warranty with your Bushnell Launch Pro from the date of purchase. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for exactly 365 days. It’s essential to mention that the warranty doesn't cover damages from misuse, improper handling, or unauthorized repairs. If you need warranty service, you'll need to contact Bushnell through their support form or call their customer service line to initiate your claim.
Yes, you can confidently use the Launch Pro outdoors in bright sunlight. It performs reliably in direct sun without the accuracy issues that plague many other launch monitors. The device's three-camera infrared system and photometric technology aren't affected by ambient light, so you'll get precise ball and club data on the range or course. Its auto-calibration makes setup quick, and the screen displays real-time data clearly even in bright conditions.
Yes, you can use the Launch Pro with third-party golf simulation software like GSPro, E6 Connect, and Swing Catalyst - but there's a catch. You'll need an active Gold Subscription ($499/year after your initial trial) to access third-party compatibility. Without it, you're limited to displaying data on the device screen only. The subscription doesn't include the third-party software itself; you'll need to purchase those separately for full simulation functionality.
You don't need much space directly behind the ball since the Launch Pro sits to the side, not behind it like radar-based monitors. While traditional launch monitors require 7+ feet behind the ball, you'll only need about 5-7 feet behind your standing position for a comfortable swing. The Launch Pro's side placement means it captures data laterally, so focus on having 2 feet of clearance to the side instead.
The Bushnell Launch Pro has completely changed how I practice. Is it cheap? No. But compared to other camera-based launch monitors with this level of accuracy, it's an absolute steal. If you're a serious golfer who practices regularly and wants Tour-level data without Tour-level prices, this is your monitor.
It's perfect for the golfer who has a net in the garage, hits the range twice a week, or wants to build a home simulator without breaking the bank. It's probably overkill for the casual golfer who plays once a month – save your money and get a rangefinder instead. But if you're the type who lies awake thinking about angle of attack and spin loft (guilty), the Launch Pro will feed your obsession with cold, hard data that actually helps you improve.
