Updated July 2023 with new data & pricing
The Bushnell Launch Pro has created a ton of excitement among golfers wanting a premium launch monitor. After all, it is essentially a Foresight GC3 at a fraction of the cost.
Does it live up to the hype? As far as accuracy and portability in its class, it absolutely does live up to the hype!
See our
However, there are some drawbacks to be aware of (such as the subscriptions) and we will cover that in this review.
Let’s jump in and get started.
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.
Bushnell Launch Pro Summary
Accurate
the Launch Pro combines 3 high speed/high resolution cameras with infrared to deliver high accuracy on every shot.
Ball & Club Metrics
Captures club and ball data for performance insights to help you identify areas you need to improve.
Indoors & Outdoors
The best mid-range launch monitor for use both indoors & outdoors. Has minimal indoor space requirements.
Use as a Simulator
Pair the
Overview
The best photometric launch monitor in its class. It is built upon the technology of the award-winning GCQuad and features (3) cameras, external display, club metrics, auto-alignment, indoor/outdoor use, and more!
The
Soon after the
Bushnell Launch Pro Price vs GC3
The Foresight Sports GC3 retails at $7,499 (see our GC Launch Monitor Review)
The Bushnell Launch Pro retails between $2,999 – $3,499 (depending on sales)
The main difference is what software features are unlocked. With the Foresight GC3, all features are unlocked and there is no subscription. You pay once and get everything.
REGION LOCKED TO THE USA TheBushnell Launch Pro is region locked to the USA only. If you live outside the USA, the Uneekor EYE MINI is a good alternative. See our Uneekor EYE MINI Review for more details.
Below is an overview:
- Golf simulation
- FX Play
- All launch monitor metrics such as:
- Carry Distance
- Ball Speed
- Total Spin
- Vertical Launch Angle
- Horizontal Launch Angle
- Club Head Speed
- Smash Factor
- Spin Tilt Axis*
- Back Spin*
- Side Spin*
- Club Path*
- Angle of Attack*
With the
There are more features you get when you purchase a subscription (saved sessions, saved clubs, and more) that we cover below.
Why Does This Matter?
If you hear any criticism of the
In essence, it gives you the option on getting a premium launch monitor at a lower entry price with only the features you need. But the quality of the Launch Pro is top notch. After all, it is inspired by the Foresight GC Quad (a $14,000 launch monitor).
How to Decide if the Bushnell Launch Pro 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 Launch Pro is the most accurate in its price range (and some levels above). If you can make it work with the subscriptions (or even no subscription) you will definitely have a great launch monitor that is incredibly accurate–which is the most important feature of a golf launch monitor.
Built-in Display
The
The display is LCD, which is great for battery life. But it is a bit underwhelming. This is not a huge deal, but this is an area that could be better.
Indoor & Outdoor Use
The Launch Pro can be used indoors in with minimal space requirements. It can also be used outdoors. While the unit is 1 foot high by 6″ wide & 5 lbs, it is still portable enough to put in a bag and bring it to the range.
Less expensive launch monitors do not offer minimal indoor space requirements & outdoor usage with this level of precision.
Bushnell Launch Pro 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 Launch Pro shines. Remember that the
The technology and measurements are extremely accurate & precise. The GC Quad’s pro-grade technology was incorporated into the Launch Pro.
The Launch Pro combines proprietary high-speed/high-resolution cameras with infrared which has been optimized in an auto-calibrating three-camera system to deliver Tour-level performance and accuracy on every shot.
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.
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.
See our post on radar vs camera launch monitors for more details.
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 to calculate metrics.
In this case, the more cameras, the more accurate the results.
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.
Bushnell Launch Pro Camera System
The
Impact Protection
The cameras have a clever design in which they are recessed in such a way that a ball could not hit the lens. This provides protection against wayward shots.
Setup
To get started with the
Connecting to the Internet
The first time you start up the Launch Pro, you will need to connect it to the internet & register the device. You can connect it via WiFi, a PC, or a mobile device.
You will need to register the device online and then there will be a quick firmware update and you are ready to go.
A note on Wi-Fi Many launch monitors use a Wi-Fi connection to acquire product updates and connect to launch monitor software (or simulator software). It is extremely important you have a solid Wi-Fi signal where you use your launch monitor. This is not exclusive to theBushnell Launch Pro as others use this method. A lot of problems with launch monitors not working properly are due to a poor Wi-Fi connection.
Every 45 days you must connect the
Ball Placement & Hitting
To use your Launch Pro, set it upright approximately 2 feet away from the hitting area and place the ball on the ground in front of your Launch Pro.
If you are using a hitting mat, make sure the Launch Pro is raised to the same level as the hitting surface. If it is not level, you may receive misreads or inaccurate data.
- If the ball is outside of the hitting zone, you will see the MOVE BALL INTO HITTING ZONE screen.
- If there are multiple balls in the hitting zone, you will see the MULTIPLE BALLS DETECTED screen.
- Once the ball is in the hitting zone, the Launch Pro will display the READY screen and the blue LED indicator light will change from blinking to solid.
Bushnell Launch Pro Protective Metal Case
$149
This is a good place to stop and mention the importance of buying a protective case for your
It may seem unnecessary, but it only takes one errant shot to completely damage your launch monitor. It is especially important if you will be letting guests use the launch monitor.
The durable steel construction and powder-coated finish of this case will keep your
A Clear Lexan screen cover provides protection while keeping everything easily accessible inside and easy to remove with ease.
Settings & Features
From the main display on the unit, you can access Quick Settings which gives you the following choices:
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Backlight | Turn on/off |
| Settings | Turn on/off tracking mode, access target alignment, check firmware, choose units of measurement, access Wi-Fi, change the display, access diagnostics, access shot saver |
| Left/Right Handed | Toggle between modes |
| About | Access account information, version, patents, system information, web dashboard, and counters |
| Battery | Check battery life |
Club Tracking
Club tracking can be enabled in the Quick Settings menu. This allows the
In order to track your club face, the Launch Pro requires 2 steps:
- Apply a Club Marker to your golf club
- Set TRACKING MODE to On in Quick Settings
Applying a Club Marker to Your Golf Club
The Bushell Launch Pro 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 the club
marker to your club.
- Clean Club – Clean the clubface with an alcohol pad or water
- Place Marker – Place club marker at the location (above) 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 your Club Speed, Path, Angle of Attack, & Smash Factor (aka Efficiency).
Bushnell Launch Pro Subscriptions & Software
The Launch Pro captures and measures thousands of frames per second with its three-camera setup to provide incredibly accurate and reliable metrics.
Bushnell offers a range of software packages – powered by Foresight Sports – to fit every golfer’s desire and need. Included with your purchase is a 30-Day Free Trial of Gold Software and 1-Year of Free Basic Software.
Subscription Overview
It is important to note that you get metrics without purchasing any subscription. To be super clear, you are NOT REQUIRED to purchase a subscription to used the
No Subscription
You get the following metrics out-of-the-box without purchasing any subscription. Granted, you can’t save anything and there is no official support for simulator software. But you can use it for the most important metrics.
- Carry Distance
- Ball Speed
- Total Spin
- Horizontal Launch Angle
- Vertical Launch Angle
- Club Head Speed (with club sticker)
- Smash Factor (with club sticker)
Subscription Options
The best photometric launch monitor in its class. It is built upon the technology of the award-winning GCQuad and features (3) cameras, external display, club metrics, auto-alignment, indoor/outdoor use, and more!
If you choose to Unlock the
| Data Point | NO SUBSCRIPTION | BASIC | GOLD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | (none) | $249/year (1st year free) | $699/year |
| Carry Distance | Y | Y | Y |
| Ball Speed | Y | Y | Y |
| Total Spin | Y | Y | Y |
| Horizontal Launch Angle | Y | Y | Y |
| Vertical Launch Angle | Y | Y | Y |
| Club Head Speed | Y | Y | Y |
| Smash Factor | Y | Y | Y |
| Spin Tilt Axis | Y | Y | |
| Back Spin | Y | Y | |
| Side Spin | Y | Y | |
| Club Path | Y | Y | |
| Angle of Attack | Y | Y | |
| Total Distance (with FSX Pro, 2020, or Play) | Y | Y | |
| Descent Angle (with FSX Pro, 2020, or Play) | Y | Y | |
| Barometer | Y | Y | |
| Software | FSX Pro Basic Subscription | FSX 2020 / FSX Play Gold Subscription | |
| SUBSCRIPTION | NONE | BASIC | GOLD |
Additional Subscription Features
| Features | NONE | BASIC | GOLD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saved Sessions | 1 Locally | 10 Locally | |
| Cloud Sessions | 10 | Unlimited | |
| Save Clubs | 14 | Unlimited | |
| Save Videos | 2 Locally | 10 Locally | |
| Cloud Videos | 2 | 10 | |
| Standard Range | Y | Y | |
| Ball Flight Type | 2D | 3D | |
| Dispersion | Y | Y | |
| Simulation Allowed | N | Y | |
| Players Allowed | 1 | 8 | |
| Courses Included | None | 10 | |
| Online Play (FSX 2020) | N | Y | |
| SUBSCRIPTION | NONE | BASIC | GOLD |
BASIC SUBSCRIPTION
- 1st YEAR FREE
- $249/year after year 1
- FSX Pro configured for Basic Subscription*
- Save sessions, create player, record up to 14 clubs
- Includes 2D ball flight
GOLD SUBSCRIPTION
$699/year
Everything in Basic plus:
- Simulation Unlock with FSX Play Gold Subscription**
- Foresight Range
- Up to 8 players
- FSX Pro configured for Gold Subscription*
- Save sessions, create player, record unlimited unique clubs, track rounds
- Online play and contests
- Includes 3D ball flight
- 10 Courses included
UNLOCKED
$3,499 one-time fee
Everything included in Gold with no yearly fees for the life of the Launch Pro!
- Simulation Unlocked with FSX Play*
- Foresight Range
- Up to 8 players
- Unlocked FSX Pro*
- Save sessions, create player, record unlimited unique clubs, track rounds
- Includes 3D ball flight
- 10 Courses included
*Requires iPad or gaming PC to run FSX Pro software, not included.
Bushnell Golf Simulator
There are software programs that can be used with
The Silver & Golf subscriptions give you access to the FSX 2020 golf simulator software.
3rd Party Simulator Software
Our recommendation is to purchase 3rd party simulator software. The software is better overall and you can find almost any course in the world in these packages.
We are not going to go into a long review of these, but will give you an overview of the 3 most popular simulator programs. You cannot go wrong with any of these–it’s more a matter of what you want in a golf simulator.
GSPro was designed to be a true to life golf simulator. Featuring 4K graphics, tons of real courses, realistic ball physics, and an advanced physics engine that can account for different lies, deep rough and undulations on the greens.
GSPro
What makes this unique?
- The most realistic ball physics
- The most popular courses in the world
- Constant updates
Summary
GSPro was designed to be a true to life golf simulator. Featuring 4K graphics, realistic ball physics, and an ever growing online community.
In GSPro, it has an advanced physics engine that can account for different lies, deep rough and undulations on the greens.
It also includes a driving range and different skills challenges.
With GSPro you’ll be able to create and play courses built by other indoor golfers in the community.
New courses added weekly including many of the most popular courses worldwide. GSPro is less polished but the ball physics are unmatched.
The Golf Club 2019 (TGC) was created from the popular console video game. It features announcers and crowds which is similar to the Xbox/PlayStation game versions. It also includes a driving range and different skills challenges.
The Golf Club 2019
What makes this unique?
- A smooth video game experience
- Access to over 100k courses (most are user-created)
- Announcers and crowds
Summary
The Golf Club 2019 (TGC) was created from the popular console video game. It features announcers and crowds which is similar to the Xbox/PlayStation game versions.
It also includes a driving range and different skills challenges.
The Golf Club 2019 is pretty polished with some great graphics but has some flaws. It is really geared towards a video game experience on a simulator vs a more accurate experience (like GSPro).
E6 includes Courses, Mini Games, Skills Combines, Training Aids, and more. It includes constant updates.
E6 Connect
What makes this unique?
- Full practice and course package
- Polished interface and graphics
Summary
E6 includes Courses, Mini Games, Skills Combines, Training Aids, and more. It includes constant updates.
E6 also comes with different driving ranges, putting areas, chipping areas, and games for kids.
E6 is more of a combo of GSPro and TGC 2019. However, we would recommend one of those 2 over this due to the price vs. value.
Launch MONITOR Metrics
The Bushnell Launch Monitor tracks 2 different kinds of data; 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 Launch Pro 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!
What’s in The Box
The best photometric launch monitor in its class. It is built upon the technology of the award-winning GCQuad and features (3) cameras, external display, club metrics, auto-alignment, indoor/outdoor use, and more!
Bushnell Launch Pro INCLUDES:
- Launch Pro Device
- Club Marker Pack
- USB-C Cable
- Power Cord
- Alignment Stick
- Quick Start Guide
- 1-Year of Basic Software Package from Foresight Sports ($249/year after 1st year)
- 30-Day FREE Trial of Gold Software Package from Foresight Sports
Not Included: Gaming PC (Required to power FSX Play Software, including Silver and Golf Packages).
Space Requirements
- 13′ of depth to track the ball
- 6′ of width
- Enough ceiling height to swing a club
Full Features & Specifications
- CARRY DISTANCE: YES
- BALL SPEED: YES
- TOTAL SPIN: YES
- LAUNCH ANGLE (VERTICAL): YES
- HORIZONTAL LAUNCH ANGLE: YES
- SPIN TILT AXIS: Optional Upgrade*
- BACK SPIN: Optional Upgrade*
- SIDE SPIN: Optional Upgrade*
- CLUB HEAD SPEED: YES
- SMASH FACTOR: YES
- CLUB PATH (IN/OUT): Optional Upgrade*
- ANGLE OF ATTACK: Optional Upgrade*
Collection of club data requires use of included club markers
*Optional ball and club data points are available via software subscription packages. 30-Day free trial of “Gold” package include with every Launch Pro purchase (first year of Basic free).
 
- DISPLAY TYPE: Standard Transflective LCD
- TOUCHSCREEN: YES
- BATTERY LIFE: 5-7 Hours
- CHARGING PORT: A/C Power Adapter
- NETWORK CONNECTIVITY: Wi-Fi or internet enabled PC
- PC CONNECTIVITY: Ethernet or USB-C Cable
- MOBILE DEVICE CONNECTIVITY: Wi-Fi
- LENGTH: 5″
- WIDTH: 6″
- HEIGHT: 12″
- WEIGHT: 5 lbs.
- DISPLAY SIZE: 3″ x 2″
- HITTING ZONE [BALL ONLY]: 7″ x 10″
- HITTING ZONE [BALL + CLUB]: 7″ x 10″
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I align the Bushnell Launch Pro ?
Target alignment can be adjusted up to 10 degrees on the Launch Pro via the FSS Alignment Stick. To adjust alignment, place the FSS Alignment Stick in the Launch Pro hitting zone and align to your target. Once aligned, step away from the device to allow for calibration.
When calibration is complete, the new alignment angle will be shown on the touch display and the LED indicator light will turn solid orange. The new alignment angle will be shown on the touch display.
Alignment can be viewed and reset at any time. Swipe down to access the QUICK SETTINGS screen, then go to TARGET ALIGNMENT. Alignment is always reset when the unit is powered off.
What is the difference between the Bushnell Launch Pro and the Foresight GC3?
You can also unlock the Bushnell Launch Pro
which results in the price being exactly the same as the GC3.
Who is Bushnell’s parent company?
Who makes the best launch monitor money can buy?
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!
