Have you ever wondered what launch monitors & golf simulators your favorite Tour Pro uses? Most PGA Tour Pros use the Foresight Sports GCQuad launch monitor or a Trackman launch monitor on the range.
For Golf Simulators at home, PGA Tour Pros use a Full Swing Pro Golf Simulator or an HD Golf Simulator system.
We will cover more about each of these areas including specifics on which launch monitor & golf simulator your favorite Tour Pro uses.
Launch Monitors vs Golf Simulators
Before we go on, it is important to define a golf simulator vs launch monitor. People often use these terms interchangeably, but they are actually very different. Launch monitors can be used on their own at home or at a golf range.
In contrast, a golf simulator is a system that is used to replicate playing golf using a launch monitor, simulator software, a projector, a PC, a mat, and an impact screen.
Note: some PGA Pros use multiple launch monitors, but we have tried to cover the primary launch monitor they use on the range.
Launch Monitor
A launch monitor is a small box that includes, high-speed cameras, Doppler radar, or a combination of both. It captures ball & swing data, which it then feeds to customized algorithms to calculate metrics.
Those metrics are then displayed in a software app so you can see ball flight, ball data, club data, etc…
A launch monitor can be used standalone without being part of a golf simulator.
Golf Simulator
A golf simulator is a high-tech system that uses a launch monitor and advanced technology to replicate the indoor golf experience.
It consists of hardware and software that tracks your shots on a virtual course and displays them on a screen in front of you.
A golf simulator requires a launch monitor.
Launch Monitor Overview
When discussing PGA Pros using launch monitors, we refer to usage on the driving range. In the section below on golf simulators, we discuss what they use in their home setups. So you will see players using one brand of launch monitor on the range and a different brand at home.
Launch Monitor Brands
GCQuad
The GCQuad is the best photometric launch monitor on the market. It may be the best launch monitor available. You will see this every week on the range at a PGA Tour event. Here is a summary of the GCQuad:
- Camera-based tracking with (4) high-speed cameras
- Incredibly accurate
- Minimal indoor space requirements (only 22″)
- Easy to use indoors & outdoors
- Built-in display
Trackman
Trackman is the most well-known launch monitor on the market. It is used on PGA Tour broadcasts as seems to be the gold standard. However, a lot of people would pick the GCQuad (or the Flightscope X3) over it due to lower price and comparable performance.
Here are some of the Trackman’s key features.
- Dual Radar
- A short range, high-resolution system, focused on putting, club and impact data
- A long range, high accuracy ball tracking system
- Very accurate outdoors
- Requires an external device to see metrics
- Requires a significant room indoors
- Not as accurate as GCQuad indoors
Full Swing KIT
The Full Swing KIT was years in the making and was built using the experience learned from Full Swing™’s ultra high-end golf simulators. The KIT was developed with Tiger in response to his positive experience with Full Swing.
Tiger has been using Full Swing€™s indoor golf simulators for years.
- The Full Swing KIT includes a patented, 24GHz Dual-Mode, ML Enhanced Radar for incredible accuracy
- It comes with an integrated camera that outputs 1080p video.
- It is small enough to fit in a large pouch in your golf bag, so you can use it anywhere you play outside.
- It only works with E6 simulator software
What Launch Monitors Do PGA Tour Pros Use?
PGA Tour Pros mostly use 1 of 2 launch monitors: the GCQuad or the Trackman. Tiger Woods has also used the Full Swing KIT (which he helped develop). Here is a listing of Tour Pros and the launch monitor they use.
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods uses a Full Swing KIT launch monitor.
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy uses a Foresight Sports GCQuad Launch Monitor.
Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele uses a Foresight Sports GCQuad Launch Monitor.
Rickie Fowler
Rickie Fowler uses a Foresight Sports GCQuad Launch Monitor.
Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau uses a Foresight Sports GCQuad Launch Monitor.
Gary Woodland
Gary Woodland uses a Foresight Sports GCQuad Launch Monitor.
Butch Harmon (Instructor)
Butch Harmon uses a Foresight Sports GCQuad Launch Monitor.
Justin Thomas
Justin Thomas uses a Trackman Launch Monitor.
Justin Rose
Justin Rose uses a Trackman Launch Monitor.
Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson uses a Trackman Launch Monitor.
Francesco Molinari
Francesco Molinari uses a Trackman Launch Monitor.
Golf Simulator Overview
PGA Tour Pros typically have advanced golf simulator rooms installed at their homes. They use these to practice and play on virtual courses. Some even have putting systems in place with different undulations on the greens.
These systems use different launch monitors than the Pros use when practicing on an actual golf driving range. Therefore, as mentioned above, PGA Pros may use one brand of launch monitor on Tour and a different brand in their home golf simulator setup.
Golf Simulator Brands
Full Swing Pro 2.0
The Full Swing Pro 2.0 golf simulator measures the ball at impact with an overhead ION3 Camera and in-flight with a combination of infrared technology & high-speed blue light LED cameras. You see your real ball flight, with no delay, for the most realistic ball flight on the market.
HD Golf
HD Golf is an all-in-one golf simulator that uses IST Computer Vision Ball Tracking System with Quadvision Technology. HD Golf pioneered the use of Computer Vision Technology in the golf & multi-sport simulator industry & their patented smart-cameras take more measurements than any other simulator company.Â
What Golf Simulators Do PGA Tour Pros Use?
PGA Tour Pros mostly use 1 of 2 golf simulators: the Full Swing Pro or the HD Golf Simulator.
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods uses a Full Swing Pro golf simulator at home.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm uses a Full Swing Pro golf simulator at home.
Gary Woodland
Gary Woodland uses a Full Swing Pro golf simulator at home.
Jason Day
Jason Day uses a Full Swing Pro golf simulator at home.
Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele uses a Full Swing Pro golf simulator at home.
Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth uses a Full Swing Pro golf simulator at home.
Patrick Cantlay
Patrick Cantlay uses a Full Swing Pro golf simulator at home.
Brandt Snedeker
Brandt Snedeker uses a Full Swing Pro golf simulator at home.
Justin Rose
Justin Rose uses a Full Swing Pro golf simulator at home.
Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood uses an HD Golf simulator in his home.
Fred Couples
Fred Couples uses an HD Golf simulator in his home.
Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau uses an HD Golf simulator in his home.
Adam Scott
Adam Scott uses an HD Golf simulator in his home.
Steve Stricker
Steve Stricker uses an HD Golf simulator in his home.
Zach Johnson
Zach Johnson uses an HD Golf simulator in his home.
Jerry Kelly
Jerry Kelly uses an HD Golf simulator in his home.
Kevin Streelman
Kevin Streelman uses an HD Golf simulator in his home.
Dave Pelz
Dave Pelz uses an HD Golf simulator in his home.
What Launch Monitor or Golf Simulator Should You Use?
Most golfers don’t have an unlimited budget for a launch monitor and golf simulator at home. We recommend starting with a launch monitor and you can find everything you wanted to know on our Launch Monitor page.
It including reviews, how-to articles, and even a Launch Monitor Wizard that will pick the best launch monitors for your needs.
Conclusion
PGA Tour Pros typically use a specific brand of launch monitor on the range and out on tour. At home, they have dedicated golf simulators setup that replicate playing and practice conditions.
For the average golfer at home, there are a bunch of great launch monitors and golf simulators to choose from which will allow you to improve your game and play virtual courses at home!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do golf simulators help professional golfers?
Who is Foresight Sports?
How do golf simulators help with tournament preparation?
Founder of TheLuxeGolf, I am an avid golfer with a single-digit handicap with over 20 years of experience playing golf. I use my analytics education from Georgia Tech to help me research and write the best articles on luxury & premium golf products! I love how analytics has seeped into every aspect of golf and how it can be used to provide incredible insights into your game. In my time, I’m either writing about golf, watching golf, or playing golf!
