The quick answer
Where the launch monitor sits decides most of the space you need.
Radar units sit behind the ball, so indoors you need room for the unit, your swing and enough ball flight before the net. Where a maker gives both figures, they add up to between 14 and 20 feet from the unit to the net. Garmin’s Approach R10, for example, sits 6 to 8 feet behind the ball, and Garmin wants the ball at least 8 feet from the net.
Units that sit beside the ball, such as Garmin’s Approach R50 and SkyTrak’s ST MAX, need no room behind you for the unit itself. Camera units still need depth for the ball to fly. Bushnell asks for at least 13 feet of depth indoors for its Launch Pro, and SkyTrak calls a 17-foot-deep room comfortable.
Overhead, SkyTrak gives the clearest figure. It says a 10-foot ceiling “typically offers ample clearance for most golfers” and that many golfers say 9 feet is enough. Whatever the maker says, take a slow swing with your driver in the room before you buy.
Who this is for
Golfers planning a launch monitor for a garage, basement, spare room or backyard, who want to know whether their space is big enough before they choose a model.
Behind the ball or beside it
Behind the ball. Most radar units sit on the ground behind the ball, aimed down the target line. The makers’ distances run from about 5 feet (Voice Caddie, Blue Tees, Shot Scope) to 10 feet (Full Swing’s KIT outdoors). Voice Caddie and Blue Tees say the unit must sit level with the ball. Blue Tees says to raise the Rainmaker if you hit from a raised mat, and Garmin says the bottom edge of the R10 should sit above the mat.
Beside the ball. Garmin says to place the R50 “approximately 1.5 ft. (0.5 m) to the side of the tee location”, facing it and at about the same height. SkyTrak says its launch monitor “sits next to the ball vs other launch monitors that require up to 8’ behind the hitting area”. Camera units also list a hitting zone, the area the ball must sit in: about 4 x 4 inches for the ST MAX, 7 x 10 inches for Bushnell’s Launch Pro and 12 x 8 inches for Uneekor’s EYE MINI models.
In front of the ball. Indoors, this is the distance from the ball to your net or screen. Makers that state it ask for 8 to 10 feet. Uneekor’s setup advice asks for more: at least 12 feet from the tee to the impact screen, or 10 feet as a minimum, with a warning about balls bouncing back.
Seven with distances on the product page
| Specification | RapsodoMLM2PRO | RapsodoMLM1 | FlightScopeMevo Gen2 | Full SwingKIT | Voice CaddieSwing Caddie SC4 PRO | Voice CaddieSwing Caddie SC300i | Shot ScopeLM1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price when checked | $699.99 (TGW) | $199.99 (Global Golf) | $1,149 (FlightScope) | $4,999 (Global Golf) | $599.99 (Global Golf) | $399.99 (PGA TOUR Superstore) | $199.99 (TGW) |
| Tracking | Dual optical camera vision + radar processing | Doppler radar paired with an iPhone or iPad camera | Fusion Tracking: 3D Doppler radar with synchronized image processing | Patented, 24GHz Dual-Mode, ML Enhanced Radar | Doppler Radar | Doppler radar | Doppler radar |
| Where it works | Full functionality indoors and outdoors | Full indoor/outdoor use | Indoors and outdoors | Indoors and outdoors | Indoors and outdoors | Practice sessions both on and off the course | Indoor and outdoor use |
| Space needed | Indoors: a little more than 14 feet total (8 feet from ball to net, plus the unit 6.5–8.5 feet behind the ball). Outdoors: unit 6.5–8.5 feet directly behind the ball | Unit 6–8 ft behind the ball, facing down the target line. Into a net: net at least 8 ft in front of the ball. Outdoors: at least 60–80 ft of ball flight | Full swing outdoors: 7–9 feet sensor to tee, unrestricted ball flight. Limited flight: 7–9 feet sensor to tee with at least 8 feet of ball flight. Putting: 5 feet sensor to tee and a recommended minimum of 8 feet of flat roll | Outdoors: KIT 10 feet behind the ball. Indoors: 8–10 feet of ball flight to the screen or net and 8–10 feet of space behind the ball | 5 ft behind the ball on the same level as the ball; 10 ft from the ball to a net or screen recommended | At least 5 feet behind the ball on the same level as the golf ball | 55 inches / 1.4 m behind the ball |
- Rapsodo MLM2PRO. Rapsodo puts the indoor total at “a little more than 14 total feet”, and says “Taller players may need to place the device further back to capture their entire swing video.”
- Rapsodo MLM1. Rapsodo says to set the MLM1 “6-8ft behind you and the ball facing down your target line”, and that it “needs at least 8ft of ball flight to capture data”, so 14 to 16 feet indoors.
- FlightScope Mevo Gen2. FlightScope gives 8 feet from unit to tee in one place on the page and 7 to 9 feet in its FAQ. Indoors, in limited flight, FlightScope says spin readings need aluminum stickers or Titleist RCT balls.
- Full Swing KIT. The KIT asks for the most room of the seven: 8 to 10 feet behind the ball and 8 to 10 feet of ball flight indoors, so 16 to 20 feet in all.
- Voice Caddie SC4 PRO and SC300i. Voice Caddie places the SC4 PRO about 5 feet and the SC300i at least 5 feet behind the ball, both level with it. It recommends 10 feet from the ball to a net or screen for the SC4 PRO and gives no net distance for the SC300i.
- Shot Scope LM1. Shot Scope gives three slightly different figures on the same page: 55 inches (1.4 m), 5 feet, and 1.5 meters behind the ball. It gives no distance to a net.
Nine where the figures are elsewhere, or missing
| Specification | GarminApproach R10 | Blue TeesRainmaker | GarminApproach R50 | SkyTrakST MAX | Bushnell GolfLaunch Pro | Bushnell GolfLaunch Pro i | Foresight SportsGC3 | UneekorEYE MINI | UneekorEYE MINI LITE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price when checked | $499.99 (DICK'S Sporting Goods) | $499.99 (2nd Swing Golf) | $4,999.99 (DICK'S Sporting Goods) | $1,995 (Global Golf) | $2,999.99 (Global Golf) | $999.99 (PGA TOUR Superstore) | $6,999 (2nd Swing Golf) | $2,999 (2nd Swing Golf) | $1,699 (2nd Swing Golf) |
| Tracking | Radar | Doppler radar | 3 high-speed cameras | Photometric camera & dual Doppler radar | Auto-calibrating three-camera system: high speed/high resolution cameras with infrared | Auto-calibrating three-camera system: high speed/high resolution cameras with infrared | Triscopic High-Speed Camera System | 2 high-speed photometric infrared cameras | 2 high-speed photometric infrared cameras |
| Where it works | Inside your home, in the backyard or on the range | Built for the range, the backyard, the sim bay | Inside or on the driving range | Indoor | Indoor + Outdoor | Indoor only | Indoor/Outdoor Use | Indoors or outdoors | Indoors only |
These makers give no distances on the product page. Most give them somewhere else on their own sites.
- Garmin Approach R10. The owner’s manual says to place the R10 “between 6 ft. and 8 ft. (1.8 m and 2.4 m) behind the tee location”, and that the tee “must be at least 8 ft. (2.4 m) away from the net when playing indoors.”
- Blue Tees Rainmaker. Blue Tees’ setup article says to place the Rainmaker “exactly 5 feet directly behind the ball”, level with it, and to leave “at least 10 feet of open space between the ball and your net or impact screen” indoors.
- Garmin Approach R50. The owner’s manual puts it about 1.5 feet to the side of the ball, facing it. Garmin gives no room size.
- SkyTrak ST MAX. SkyTrak lists the ST MAX’s location as indoor. Its room-planning page suggests a room width of 12 feet “for a more spacious feel”, a room depth of 17 feet, and a ceiling of 9 to 10 feet.
- Bushnell Launch Pro. Bushnell’s buyer’s guide asks indoors for “13 feet of depth to track ball flight, at least 6 feet of width, and enough ceiling height to safely swing your club.” It recommends 14ft x 6ft x 7ft for the Launch Pro with a net, and 18ft x 12ft x 9ft for its premium simulation bundle.
- Bushnell Launch Pro i. The LPi manual says to “place it 16” to 24” away from the hitting zone”, level with the hitting surface. It gives no distance to a screen and no room size.
- Uneekor EYE MINI and EYE MINI LITE. The product pages give no distances. The EYE MINI LITE page says only “Ensure you have enough space to swing a driver safely.” Uneekor’s help-center setup page asks for a room at least 13 feet wide for full driver swings, or 15 feet for golfers 6 feet or taller.
- Foresight GC3. Foresight’s GC3 page gives no space figures.
Width and ceiling
Makers disagree most on width. Bushnell’s minimum for the Launch Pro is 6 feet. SkyTrak says that “a standard golfer requires at least a 9-foot ceiling and 10 feet of width to safely swing a driver without hitting the walls or ceiling.” Uneekor asks for 13 feet. If left- and right-handed golfers will share the room, SkyTrak suggests an extra 1 to 2 feet of width.
Ceiling height is where most rooms fall short, and most makers say only that it must be adequate. Garmin’s manuals for both the R10 and the R50 tell you to “Ensure there is adequate ceiling height and that no objects can obstruct your backswing or follow through.” SkyTrak’s 9 to 10 feet is the only ceiling height a maker here states in words. Bushnell’s recommended room sizes end in 7 feet and 9 feet, but its guide does not label the three dimensions.
Indoors, outdoors or both
Three of the 16 are indoor only. Uneekor says the EYE MINI LITE “can only be used indoors”, SkyTrak lists the ST MAX’s location as indoor, and Bushnell says the Launch Pro i is “designed specifically for indoor simulation use”. Garmin says the R50 “Works inside or on the driving range.” The rest are described for outdoor use and, in most cases, indoor use too; the “Where it works” rows above give each maker’s wording.
Outdoors, Bushnell says there are “No limits with outdoor use to consider”. FlightScope asks for unrestricted ball flight for a full swing, and Full Swing for the KIT 10 feet behind the ball.
Before you buy
- Measure the depth from where the unit will sit to the net, then add room behind the net. Garmin tells you to leave “adequate free space behind the net or screen.”
- Take SkyTrak’s “Driver Test”. SkyTrak suggests standing in the space with your driver and taking “a slow, deliberate practice swing”, and adding clearance if you feel any hesitation.
- Check the floor. Voice Caddie, Blue Tees, Bushnell and Garmin all want the unit level with the ball, which matters if you hit off a raised mat.
- Count the extras. A net or screen, and sometimes special balls or stickers, are part of the setup. What a home launch monitor can and cannot tell you covers those, along with subscriptions.
The 16 launch monitors
Rapsodo says the MLM2PRO is “a launch monitor and golf simulator designed for complete visibility into your game.”
- Tracking
- Dual optical camera vision + radar processing
- Where it works
- Full functionality indoors and outdoors
- Space needed
- Indoors: a little more than 14 feet total (8 feet from ball to net, plus the unit 6.5–8.5 feet behind the ball). Outdoors: unit 6.5–8.5 feet directly behind the ball
$699.99
See at TGW: Rapsodo MLM2PROAffiliate linkRapsodo says the MLM1 “pairs doppler-radar technology with your iPhone or iPad camera to provide instant video replay, active shot tracer, and professional-level accuracy.”
- Tracking
- Doppler radar paired with an iPhone or iPad camera
- Where it works
- Full indoor/outdoor use
- Space needed
- Unit 6–8 ft behind the ball, facing down the target line. Into a net: net at least 8 ft in front of the ball. Outdoors: at least 60–80 ft of ball flight
$199.99
New Condition; sold as the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor
See at Global Golf: Rapsodo MLM1Affiliate linkFlightScope
Mevo Gen2
FlightScope says the Mevo Gen2 “delivers tour-level accuracy in tight indoor spaces and on the range.”
- Tracking
- Fusion Tracking: 3D Doppler radar with synchronized image processing
- Where it works
- Indoors and outdoors
- Space needed
- Full swing outdoors: 7–9 feet sensor to tee, unrestricted ball flight. Limited flight: 7–9 feet sensor to tee with at least 8 feet of ball flight. Putting: 5 feet sensor to tee and a recommended minimum of 8 feet of flat roll
$1,149
Full Swing says the KIT “is engineered with the most advanced radar technology and a high-resolution camera to give you 16 points of data and video to see your swing in perfect clarity.”
- Tracking
- Patented, 24GHz Dual-Mode, ML Enhanced Radar
- Where it works
- Indoors and outdoors
- Space needed
- Outdoors: KIT 10 feet behind the ball. Indoors: 8–10 feet of ball flight to the screen or net and 8–10 feet of space behind the ball
$4,999
See at Global Golf: Full Swing KITAffiliate linkVoice Caddie says the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro “is a complete simulator and a portable golf launch monitor.”
- Tracking
- Doppler Radar
- Where it works
- Indoors and outdoors
- Space needed
- 5 ft behind the ball on the same level as the ball; 10 ft from the ball to a net or screen recommended
$599.99
New, Black
See at Global Golf: Voice Caddie Swing Caddie SC4 PROAffiliate linkVoice Caddie calls the Swing Caddie SC300i “a portable and precise golf launch monitor designed to provide golfers with professional-level swing and ball flight data.”
- Tracking
- Doppler radar
- Where it works
- Practice sessions both on and off the course
- Space needed
- At least 5 feet behind the ball on the same level as the golf ball
$399.99
Shot Scope calls the LM1 “a compact training device designed for golfers who want reliable data without complexity.”
- Tracking
- Doppler radar
- Where it works
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Space needed
- 55 inches / 1.4 m behind the ball
$199.99
See at TGW: Shot Scope LM1Affiliate linkGarmin says the Approach R10 is “a lightweight portable launch monitor that brings 43,000 courses to you.”
- Tracking
- Radar
- Where it works
- Inside your home, in the backyard or on the range
- Space needed
- Launch monitor on the ground between 6 ft. and 8 ft. behind the tee location. Indoors: the tee location at least 8 ft. away from the net
$499.99
See at DICK'S Sporting Goods: Garmin Approach R10Affiliate linkBlue Tees
Rainmaker
Blue Tees says Rainmaker “delivers the power of a launch monitor with the simplicity golfers want.”
- Tracking
- Doppler radar
- Where it works
- Built for the range, the backyard, the sim bay
- Space needed
- Device 5 feet directly behind the ball. Indoors: at least 10 feet of open space between the ball and the net or impact screen
$499.99
Garmin calls the Approach R50 “the premium golf simulator and launch monitor that puts you on course to play your best game from drive to putt.”
- Tracking
- 3 high-speed cameras
- Where it works
- Inside or on the driving range
- Space needed
- Launch monitor approximately 1.5 ft. to the side of the tee location, facing it
$4,999.99
See at DICK'S Sporting Goods: Garmin Approach R50Affiliate linkSkyTrak says the ST MAX “brings tour-level accuracy to your golf training with advanced dual Doppler radar technology that captures precise ball and club metrics.”
- Tracking
- Photometric camera & dual Doppler radar
- Where it works
- Indoor
- Space needed
- Minimum unobstructed area: length 10 feet, width 10 feet; safe ceiling height varies with your height and club length
$1,995
See at Global Golf: SkyTrak ST MAXAffiliate linkBushnell Golf says the Launch Pro “delivers unmatched precision and reliability both indoors and outdoors.”
- Tracking
- Auto-calibrating three-camera system: high speed/high resolution cameras with infrared
- Where it works
- Indoor + Outdoor
- Space needed
- Outdoors: no limits. Indoors: 13 feet of depth to track ball flight, at least 6 feet of width, and enough ceiling height to safely swing your club
$2,999.99
Circle B Edition
See at Global Golf: Bushnell Golf Launch ProAffiliate linkBushnell Golf
Launch Pro i
Bushnell Golf says the “all-new, Circle B Edition Launch Pro i is designed specifically for indoor simulation use with a pay-as-you-go software model.”
- Tracking
- Auto-calibrating three-camera system: high speed/high resolution cameras with infrared
- Where it works
- Indoor only
- Space needed
- Device 16” to 24” away from the hitting zone, level with the hitting surface
$999.99
LPi Circle B Edition
Foresight Sports
GC3
Foresight Sports says the GC3 “delivers accurate ball and club data for practice, performance, and simulation.”
- Tracking
- Triscopic High-Speed Camera System
- Where it works
- Indoor/Outdoor Use
- Space needed
- Device approximately 2 feet away from the hitting area, level with the hitting surface
$6,999
New GC3 bundle (2nd Swing lists FSX Play, FSX 2020 with 10 courses, FSX Pro, Foresight Fairgrounds and the Foresight Sports Performance App)
Uneekor
EYE MINI
Uneekor calls the EYE MINI “A portable launch monitor that delivers serious feedback for practice anywhere.”
- Tracking
- 2 high-speed photometric infrared cameras
- Where it works
- Indoors or outdoors
- Space needed
- Not published
$2,999
Uneekor
EYE MINI LITE
Uneekor says the EYE MINI LITE “makes home practice feel more complete and more useful.”
- Tracking
- 2 high-speed photometric infrared cameras
- Where it works
- Indoors only
- Space needed
- Not published
$1,699
Where to go next
- What a home launch monitor can and cannot tell you, for tracking technology, metrics and subscriptions.
- Garmin Approach R10 vs Approach R50, a radar unit behind the ball against a camera unit beside it.
- Garmin Approach R10 vs Rapsodo MLM2PRO, two units that sit behind the ball.
- All launch monitors we have researched, with their latest price checks.
Sources
- Evidence: Verified
Rapsodo publishes the MLM2PRO tracking system, metric list (marking which are measured), indoor and outdoor space requirements, software, Premium Membership features and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Rapsodo publishes the MLM1 radar-and-camera tracking, indoor/outdoor use, metric list, setup distances, app and Premium Membership price, and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Bushnell Golf publishes the Launch Pro i (Circle B Edition) camera system, indoor-only use, ball and club data points, Foresight+ membership tiers and prices, hitting zone, power and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked. Bushnell Golf’s page showed the product as “SOLD OUT” when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Bushnell Golf’s LPi user manual gives the device’s distance from the hitting zone.
Bushnell Golf Launch Pro i (LPi) User Manual (PDF)
Linked as the LPi User Manual from Bushnell Golf’s support page (https://www.bushnellgolf.com/pages/support-launch-pro-lpi); the file is hosted on a storage domain, not bushnellgolf.com. Values were matched against the downloaded text of the PDF (Rev. 11-25) when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
FlightScope publishes the Mevo Gen2 tracking technology, data parameters, space requirements, battery life, included software, subscription terms and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Full Swing publishes the KIT’s 16 club and ball data points, indoor and outdoor use, space needed, app and gameplay software options and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Full Swing publishes the KIT’s radar tracking, display, camera and battery specifications.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Voice Caddie publishes the SC4 PRO Doppler radar, indoor and outdoor use, eight metrics, placement, app and E6 Connect compatibility, battery and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Voice Caddie publishes the SC300i Doppler radar, metrics, placement, app support, simulator incompatibility, battery and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Shot Scope publishes the LM1 Doppler radar sensor, indoor and outdoor use, five metrics, setup distance, free app, battery and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Garmin publishes the Approach R10 measurement technology, launch monitor metrics, battery life, simulator compatibility, membership requirements and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked. Garmin’s page carries its specs, footnotes and price as product data embedded in the page; matching was done against that embedded text.
- Evidence: Verified
Blue Tees publishes the Rainmaker Doppler radar, standalone and app metrics, IPX4 rating, LAUNCH App and simulator compatibility, battery life and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Garmin publishes the Approach R50 camera system, launch monitor metrics, battery life, weight, subscription requirements and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked. Garmin’s page carries its specs, footnotes and price as product data embedded in the page; matching was done against that embedded text.
- Evidence: Verified
SkyTrak publishes the ST MAX tracking technology, intended location, ball and club data, battery, software, membership terms and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Bushnell Golf publishes the Launch Pro (Circle B Edition) camera system, indoor and outdoor use, ball and club data points, Foresight+ membership tiers and prices, battery life, weight and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked. The page sells the Circle B Edition, which Bushnell says is “powered by the same industry-leading technology.”
- Evidence: Verified
Foresight Sports publishes the GC3 camera technology, indoor and outdoor use, ball and club data, included Foresight+ trial, battery type, weight and MSRP.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Uneekor publishes the EYE MINI camera system, indoor and outdoor use, ball and club data points, app and PC compatibility, membership tiers with annual prices, battery power and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.
- Evidence: Verified
Uneekor publishes the EYE MINI LITE camera system, indoor-only use, ball and club data points, PC requirement, membership tiers with annual prices, and price.
Values were matched against the downloaded text of the page when we checked.