🔘 The Silver Tees: Indoor Launch Monitors - The Basics

Atlanta Golf
Apr 6
3 min read

By Jim Penman

Jim is a 61-year-old golfer who lives in the North Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta. Originally from the UK, he settled in the Atlanta area over 20 years ago and currently plays regularly at White Columns Country Club.

Article 1: Competitions for "Average" Senior Golfers in Metro-Atlanta

Article 2: Golf Fitness Tools for Seniors

Article 3: Elite Golf Fitness Programs for Seniors

Article 4: Chasing Past Glory, The Right Way and The Wrong Way

Article 5: Outdoor Launch Monitors - The Basics

Introduction to Indoor Launch Monitors

Following on from last month’s look at outdoor launch monitors, this month I’m diving into indoor systems—a topic I’ve spent the last three years exploring in depth, and one that ultimately led me to install a simulator at home.

With Atlanta’s hot summers and the occasional cold snap, indoor simulators are becoming an increasingly popular option for year-round practice.

There is naturally some overlap between indoor and outdoor launch monitors. Several devices can function in both environments, but many perform significantly better in one setting rather than the other. Indoor launch monitors generally fall into three main categories:

Radar-Based (Doppler) Monitors

Position: Floor units placed approximately 8 feet behind the hitting area

Best Use: Primarily outdoors, but can be used indoors if sufficient space is available  

Camera-Based (Photometric) Floor Monitors

Position: Floor units placed about 2 feet to the side of the hitting area

Best Use: Ideal for indoor use, though some models also perform very well outdoors 

Camera-Based (Photometric) Overhead Monitors

Position: Mounted on the ceiling directly overhead or slightly in front of the hitting area

Best Use: Indoor use only

The Basics

The first thing I would say to anyone considering an indoor launch monitor is this: the market is complex.

Before making my initial purchase, I spent considerable time researching online, speaking with industry experts, and even attending the PGA Show in Orlando to gain what I thought was a full understanding. Despite making many good decisions along the way, I still ended up choosing the wrong monitor—and will be replacing it shortly with something better suited to my needs.

You can certainly figure things out on your own. Based on my experience, however, I strongly recommend working with an advisor. There are two main types:

Retail-based advisors who sell multiple brands and typically offer guidance at no cost
Independent consultants who charge for their time but provide fully customized advice

One consultant I’ve been particularly impressed with is Mitch at Handicap Golf, who offers online courses and 1:1 consulting sessions. If I were starting over, I would absolutely go this route—it’s a relatively small upfront investment that can help avoid costly mistakes later. Mitch can be reached HERE