Updated: July 2023 with new launch monitor metrics data
In this Foresight GCHawk launch monitor review, we discuss why the GCHawk is the best ceiling-mounted launch monitor & how it uses technology from the GCQuad to produce the most accurate metrics for a ceiling-mounted launch monitor!
The Foresight GCHawk’s main competition is Uneekor, but does it live up to the hype?
As far as accuracy, it absolutely does live up to the hype! The GCHawk is the best ceiling-mounted photometric launch monitor on the market.
However, there are some drawbacks to be aware of (such as the price) and we will cover that in this review.
Launch Monitor Wizard
The Launch Monitor Wizard will walk you through a series of questions designed to find the best launch monitors for your unique purpose. It will then provide a list of the best golf launch monitors that fit your requirements and price range.
The Wizard can be restarted at any time if you make an incorrect selection.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
Foresight GCHawk Launch Monitor Review Summary
Tour Pro Accuracy
As one of the only launch monitors in the industry to utilize Quadrascopic imaging, the GCHawk delivers the most accurate detailed picture of ball and club head performance analysis.
Ball, Club, & Putting Metrics
Captures ball data for performance insights to help you identify areas you need to improve. With add-ons, you can include club measures and including putting .
Ceiling Mounted
The best launch ceiling monitor on the market. Has minimal indoor space requirements. Great for commercial use
Use as a Simulator
Comes with FSX 2020 simulator software to bring the course into your home or business.
$19,500
GCHawk Launch Monitor Briefing
The Foresight Sports GCHawk is the best ceiling-mounted launch monitor you can buy on the market today. It is built upon the same technology as the GCQuad. Therefore, this will review will feel very similar as they share a lot of commonalities.
Its main competitor is the Uneekor EYE XO, but the GCHawk has some advantages over the QED that we believe makes it a better choice most of the time. The GCHawk costs considerably more, so that may sway your decision.
Before jumping into the review, here is a quick look at the main advantages/disadvantages of the GCHawk:
Advantages
- Camera-based tracking with (4) high-speed cameras
- Incredibly accurate
- Minimal indoor space requirements
- Fast startup
- Can use with simulator software
- Works with left & right-handed golfers
Disadvantages
- Club face tracking requires add-on package
- Not portable (ceiling-mounted)
- Not usable outdoors
- Expensive
Using Metrics To Improve
Precise metrics are at the core of the GCHawk launch monitor. But do you know how to use the metrics it produces or what they mean?
We have a detailed section on metrics captured by the GCHawk. More importantly, we explain how you can use those metrics to actually improve your golf game:
- Metric definition
- What it means
- How to use the metric to improve your game
After all, metrics are useless if you don’t know how to use the data. Be sure to check out the metrics section for more details.
Overview
The Foresight GCHawk launch monitor is the ceiling-mounted indoor launch monitor available.
The GCHawk can be used in very limited space indoors. You just turn it on & fire away. Let’s dig into the details.
First up, who makes the GCHawk?
Who Is Foresight Sports?
Located in San Diego, California, Foresight Sports is a leading manufacturer of professional-grade launch monitors.
Foresight released the GC2 in 2010 and within six years became the best-selling professional-grade launch monitor.
In 2017, Foresight Sports released the award-winning four-camera GCQuad launch monitor. Featuring complete ball, club head, and putting data in a compact and portable unit, the GCQuad set a whole new standard of accuracy for performance analytics.
The GCQuad has also become the launch monitor of choice for many PGA Tour players, top retailers, and coaches.
The GCHawk was built upon the same technology that powers the GCQuad.
In September of 2021, Vista Outdoors purchased Foresight Sports. Vista Outdoors also owns Bushnell (who signed an exclusive domestic partnership with Foresight Sports in early September 2021).
GCHawk vs GCQuad VS Uneekor EYE XO
The Foresight Sports GCHawk starts at $19,500
The Foresight Sports GCQuad starts at $14,0000
The Uneekor EYE XO starts at $10,000
The GCQuad is a portable launch monitor and is regarded as the best photometric portable launch monitor available. I include this because this is the exact technology that powers the GCHawk.
The GCHawk and Uneekor EYE XO are both ceiling-mounted launch monitors. The main differences are these:
Cameras
The GCHawk has (4) high-speed cameras compared to (2) high-speed cameras on the Uneekor EYE XO. This leads to increased accuracy on the GCHawk.
Swing Footage
The Uneekor EYE XO has real-time swing footage of the club hitting the ball through impact. The GCHawk does not include this feature.
Price
The Uneekor EYE XO costs $9,500 less than the GCHawk.
Camera vs Radar Tracking
Today, high-end launch monitors take advantage of camera or radar systems. There is no right or wrong answer. The question is what fits your situation and needs the best.
To answer the question most people want to know, Trackman uses dual radar and an HD camera.
Camera
Technically called “Photometric“, these types of launch monitors use multiple high-speed cameras to capture ball & club data. Photos are captured before and after launch and then sent to proprietary software.
Customized algorithms are used to calculate metrics based on the captured data. In this case, the more cameras, the more accurate the results.
Pros
Cons
Radar
Doppler radar systems measure ball data through the use of radar sensors. They follow the entire flight of the ball until it lands. When they have this line-of-sight, they are very accurate.
Radar-based systems require a clear view of the ball and hitting zone from behind. Because of this, they need a lot of space.
Pros
Cons
GCHawk Camera System
The GCHawk launch monitor uses four (4) high-speed, high-resolution infrared camera system. This four-camera system is auto-calibrating and captures the impact zone including a small space before and after the ball.
The cameras precisely measure every aspect of club head and ball launch performance and capture thousands of images per second.
The systems then builds a virtual 3D model, analyzes a multitude of data components, and is able to create the most accurate and complete picture of the ball and club head performance – and deliver the results in nearly real-time.
Ball launch data is measured by capturing images of the ball to model it in real time, and comparing it to the next captured image to determine exactly what the ball is doing post-impact.
How The GCHawk Launch Monitor Is Different
Unlike radar-based technologies that analyze ball and club head performance results from the worst possible position (behind the club head) and then largely calculate performance based on the geometric center of the club head, Foresight Sports launch monitors use exact photometric measurements taken with a clear, direct view of the impact window.
The GCHawk launch monitor measures – not calculates – club head data based on the club’s face plane, deriving vastly more precise results.
GCHawk Accuracy
As mentioned above, the accuracy of a golf launch monitor is the single most important feature. Without accurate data, a launch monitor is useless if you are serious about your game.
Accuracy is where the Foresight Sports GCHawk shines.
The technology and measurements are extremely accurate & precise. The GCHawk’s pro-grade technology was built from the award-winning GCQuad.
Ball launch data is measured by capturing images of the ball to model it in real time, and comparing it to the next captured image to determine exactly what the ball is doing post-impact.
This also makes the unit an excellent choice if you want to setup a golf simulator. It allows you to play courses around the world knowing your shots on the simulator are exactly what you would shoot on the course.
How to Decide if the GCHawk Launch Monitor is right for you?
When reading this review, ask yourself what metrics are must-haves. Our section on metrics gives you additional info on how you could use the metric to improve.
There is no argument that the GCHawk is incredibly accurate in its price range. But is it the right choice? Here is how to decide.
If you want the best launch monitor that can be used in these situations, get the GCHawk:
- Ceiling-mounted (indoors)
- Small space (or multiple stalls)
- Fast startup
- Soccer ball tracking
- Right & left-handed golfers
The Foresight GCHawk is the right choice for golfers (or businesses) seeking the most accurate ceiling-mounted launch monitor on the market.
It is essentially a ceiling-mounted GCQuad. If you are looking for the the highest accuracy in a ceiling launch monitor, this is the right choice. In addition, the GCHawk can track a soccer ball which opens up additional entertainment & training options.
If you don’t need these features, the Uneekor EYE XO may be a better choice.
If you want the most accurate outdoor launch monitor, the Trackman wins. But remember, Trackman is not as good indoors and requires 25′ of length in your indoor hitting area.
GCHawk Features
Ceiling Mounted
The GCHawk is ceiling-mounted which is its differentiating feature.
This allows for fast startup and works great in high-use scenarios with right and left-handed golfers.
Large Hitting Area
The GCHawk has a fairly large hitting area of 52″ x 30″ (over 4′ by 2.5′). This makes it easy to hit balls and not worry about missed shots.
This GCHawk can be used with minimal space requirements. Radar launch monitors do not offer minimal indoor space requirements with this level of precision.
Use As A Simulator
The GCHawk comes with FSX2020 simulation software. This means you can play exclusive courses, practice your skills on the range, or even compete in skill-building competitions with players around the world.
Club Tracking
Club tracking can be added (at an additional cost). This enables the GCHawk the ability to track what your club face is doing at impact.
In order to track your club face, the GCHawk requires 2 steps:
- Apply Club Markers to your golf club
- Set CLUB TRACKING to On
Applying a Club Marker to Your Golf Club
With the Club Data add-on (additional price), the GCHawk doesn’t only look at the ball, but the club too. To take advantage of this feature, open the club marker packet (included) and follow the directions to apply club markers to your club.
- Clean Club – Clean the clubface with an alcohol pad or water
- Place Markers – Place club markers on the clubface, adhesive side down
- Apply Pressure – Firmly apply pressure to the club marker with your finger and gently pull the tab away, leaving only the club marker on the clubface
After your next swing, the display will show metrics depending on your use of 1 marker or 4 markers:
Data Captured With 4 Markers
- Club Speed
- Swing Path
- Angle of Attack
- Smash Factor
- Face Angle
- Loft
- Lie
Data Captured With 1 Marker
- Club Speed
- Swing Path
- Angle of Attack
- Smash Factor
See Club Data for details on metrics captured by Club Tracking including advice on how to use this data to improve your swing.
GCHawk Metrics, Software & ADD-ONS
The GCHawk launch monitor captures and measures thousands of frames per second with its four-camera setup to provide incredibly accurate and reliable metrics.
There are no subscriptions with the device but there is add-on software packages available. Below is information on each package and what it includes.
Base Model
Here is what is included in the base model purchase. For club data and putting data, see the Add-ons section below.
- FSX 2020 simulation software
- Launch Angle
- Side Angle
- Ball Speed
- Total Spin
- Back Spin
- Carry
- Side Spin
- Spin Axis
Software Add-ons
$19,500
The GCHawk launch monitor offers (2) add-on packages that can be added to your device. You can purchase each one individually. Here are the 2 packages.
Club Head Measurement Add-On Package
This package gives insights into extremely valuable club head metrics. Here is the list of metrics unlocked:
- Club Head Speed
- Smash Factor
- Club Path
- Angle of Attack
- Loft/Lie
- Face Angle
- Impact Location
Closure Rate(this is only included on the GCQuad)
Multi-sport Add-On Package
The GCHawk not only delivers golf simulation, it also enables a range of multisport game experiences.
With the Multisport add-on, it enables soccer tracking. This includes penalty kicks, corner kicks, passing, and free kicks in a true-to-life simulator environment.
Skill Drill lets players practice their game off the field.
Fairgrounds features mini-games such as skee ball to darts to bowling and is included with Skill Drill!
It also tracks performance data like ball speed, launch angle, side spin, and more.
- Ball speed
- Vertical and Horizontal Launch Angle
- Total Spin, Backspin, Sidespin
- Tilt Axis
- Carry
GCHawk Launch Monitor Software Package Comparison
| DATA POINT | BASIC | CLUB HEAD MEASUREMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Included | $4,000 |
| Carry Distance* | Y | Y |
| Ball Speed* | Y | Y |
| Total Spin* | Y | Y |
| Side Spin* | Y | Y |
| Horizontal Launch Angle* | Y | Y |
| Vertical Launch Angle* | Y | Y |
| Spin Tilt Axis* | Y | Y |
| Back Spin* | Y | Y |
| Smash Factor | Y | |
| Club Head Speed | Y | |
| Loft/Lie | Y | |
| Face Angle | Y | |
| Impact Location | Y | |
| Club Path | Y | |
| Angle of Attack | Y | |
| FSX 2020 | Y | Y |
| DATA POINT | BASIC | CLUB HEAD MEASUREMENT |
GCHawk Golf Simulation Software
The GCHawk comes with FSX2020 simulation software. Experience the most realistic golf simulation ever with FSX 2020. Play the best and most exclusive courses, practice your skills on the range, or even compete in skill-building competitions with players around the world – all in beautiful 4K resolution.
This true-to-life home golf simulator experience includes:
- 10 Courses (Blue Bayou Golf and Fishing Club, Broken Tree Golf Course, Linfield National Golf Club, Teton Pines Golf Course, Willow Crest Golf Club, The Farms Golf Club, Beaver Hills Country Club, Tall Pines Golf Club, Butterfield Country Club (Red/Blue), Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club)
- Skills Challenge and Long Drive & Closest to the Pin Competitions
- Glass Break (skill building module)
- Inside 6 Feet (skill building module)
- Driving Range
GCHawk SPACE REQUIREMENTS & HITTING AREA
Since the GCHawk is ceiling-mounted, there are a few extra space requirements to be aware of. There is a little flexibility in the requirements, but it is not recommended to use the GCHawk if you cannot meet the minimums.
Failure to provide enough space may result in inaccurate readings or other technical issues. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you have the correct amount of space when using the GCHawk launch monitor.
| ITEM | REQUIREMENT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Ball to screen | 10′ -12′ | This is the distance from where the ball is placed on the mat to the impact screen. |
| GCHawk to Floor | 9.5′ – 10.5′ | This is the distance from the GCHawk mounted on the ceiling to the floor (mat) where the ball is placed. |
| GCHawk Offset to Ball | 4′ | The offset is how far ahead the ball the GCHawk should be mounted. If you hung a string from the front of the GCHawk on the ceiling down to the floor, the string would hit the ground 3.5′ ahead of the ball. |
| TOTAL WIDTH | 13′ | This is the width of the hitting area if you want to account for both left & right-handed golfers. |
| TOTAL LENGTH | 10′ – 12′ | The total length measured from the hitting location to the impact screen |
See The Indoor Golf Shop for more details on requirements
GCHawk Installation, Mounting, and Calibration
Setting up the GCHawk is more involved than a portable launch monitor, but nothing that is too difficult.
There are four main steps and this will take 2-3 hours depending on your level of skill with computers.
- Mount the GCHawk
- Connect to the Network
- Install the Software
- Calibrate the GCHawk
Step 1 – Mount the GCHawk
This is pretty straightforward as it entails mounting the GCHawk 9.5′-10.5′ off the ground and 4′ ahead the ball (towards the impact screen). A mounting bracket & screws are included with the GCHawk and the unit hooks into the mount.
Step 2 – Connect to the Network
The GCHawk has an Ethernet cable that connects from the GCHawk to your PC. There is Wifi, however Foresight recommends using an Ethernet cable for best results.
Step 3 – Install the Software
GCHawk Setup App will run through all of the configuration and calibration necessary to set the unit up.
Step 4 – Calibrate the GCHawk
Once the steps above are completed, you will calibrate the GCHawk with the GCHawk setup app.
That’s it! Once this is done you are good to go and can start enjoying your new GCHawk.
Ball Placement & Hitting
To use your GCHawk Launch Monitor, place the ball within the hitting area:
- Ball Tracking Hitting Area: 30″ (deep) x 52″ (wide)
- Club Tracking Hitting Area: 12″ (deep) x 20″ (wide)
When club tracking is turned on, the GCHawk will track the golf ball & golf club. When club tracking is turned off, the GCHawk will only track the golf ball and thus has a larger hitting zone.
Ball Placement Status Indicator
Once a ball has been located by the launch monitor, you will see one of the following statuses from the LED light located on the center of the GCHawk:
LED Solid Yellow
System is booting up
LED Solid Red
Error detected
LED Blinks Blue
System is looking for ball
LED Solid Blue
Ready – The ball is inside the hitting zone and the GCHawk is ready for the next shot.
Launch Data Metrics
The GCHawk Launch Monitor tracks Ball Launch data, and Club data.
- Ball Launch Data – Ball launch data is measured by capturing images of the ball to model it in real-time and comparing it to the next captured image to determine exactly what the ball is doing post-impact.
- Club Data – The GCHawk doesn’t just look at the ball, but place one of the included markers to the face of your club to get accurate and consistent club data previously only attainable at much higher price points.
Using Launch Monitor Metrics To Improve
Precise metrics are at the core of a launch monitor. But do you know how golf launch monitor metrics can improve your game? Most golfers are not aware of what each metric measures and what the data means.
To improve at golf, it is critical to understand these metrics and what they mean. In our post How Golf Launch Monitor Metrics Can Improve Your Game, we explain how you can use launch monitor data to analyze & improve your golf game!
$19,500
What’s in The Box
The Foresight GCHawk INCLUDES the following:
- GCHawk launch monitor
- FSX Play Software
- FSX 2020 Software
- 10 Courses
- FSX Pro Performance Software
- Foresight Sports Performance App
- Foresight Fairgrounds
- 2-year warranty
- Power supply cord & block
- Remote control
- (1) 30′ Ethernet cable
- (1) 15′ USB cable type C
- (2) rubber tee kits
- (1) 5″ hand grip
- (1) alignment wand
- (2) different ceiling mounts
Specifications
- Technology: Quadrascopic high-speed camera system.
- Dimensions: 7.6″(w) x 6.1″(h) x 89.1″(1)
- Weight: 36 lbs/16.3 kg
- Power: External input 220/110, output 48VDC, 300W
- Data Interface: USB Type C / WiFi / Ethernet
- FSX Compatibility: PC operating Windows 7 or greater
- FSX Compatibility: Recommended processor speed i7 (Gen6)
- FSX Compatibility: Must have NVidia GeForce 1050 Ti video card or greater
Get More Launch Monitor Info
Visit our Launch Monitors page for more information on golf launch monitors, including why to use them, the benefits of launch monitors, and get links to more reviews on premium and luxury golf launch monitors.
