The TruGolf APOGEE Launch Monitor is the latest offering from TruGolf geared towards the premium consumer market. It is a mounted photometric launch monitor that includes voice commands.
The TruGolf APOGEE does not require marked balls or club stickers to provide data, which is a big advantage over other launch monitors in its class.
Read more to learn if the APOGEE launch monitor is right for you!
Launch Monitor Wizard
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TruGolf APOGEE Summary
Voice Commands
The APOGEE has integrated voice command functionality for navigating gameplay & settings.
Ball & Club Metrics
Ball & Club Metrics are calculated without the need for special golf balls or club markers!
Real-Time Swing Footage
The APOGEE launch monitor includes point-of-impact footage of club and ball at impact without any additional equipment.
Use as a Simulator
The APOGEE comes with E6 so you can experience indoor golf in your home.
$11,500
Overview
The APOGEE launch monitor launched in March 2023 as a new ceiling-mounted launch monitor that includes point-of-contact swing footage.
It does not require specially marked golf balls to capture ball metrics and also does not require club markers to capture club metrics!
The APOGEE has some interesting features such as voice commands, instant shots, and includes E6.
If you are looking for a mounted launch monitor, the APOGEE launch monitor can be a good option..
Who Is TruGolf?
You may not be familiar with TruGolf as their focus has been on commercial and high end golf simulators.
TruGolf is a company that specializes in the design, manufacture, and distribution of indoor golf simulators and related software.
Their entry-level simulator starts at $11,000 and they go past $60,000. The APOGEE is their first entry into a standalone launch monitor.
In addition, TruGolf is the maker of the popular E6 Connect golf simulator software.
The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Centerville, Utah, USA. TruGolf offers a range of products, from portable systems for personal use to commercial-grade simulators for golf courses, country clubs, and other businesses.
Their simulators use high-quality graphics, advanced ball-tracking technology, and realistic course simulations to provide an immersive golfing experience.
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!
APOGEE Vs EYE XO2 & EYE QED
$11,500
Below is a summary of these devices with links to the EYE XO2 & EYE QED reviews.
Key Differences
| AREA | APOGEE | EYE XO2 | EYE QED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $11,500 | $12,000 | $7,000 |
| Cameras | (2) High-Speed Infrared Cameras | (3) High-Speed Infrared Cameras | (2) High-Speed Infrared Cameras |
| Hitting Area | 10″ wide x 8″ long | 28″ wide x 21″ long | 12″ wide x 28″ long |
| Marked Balls | Not Required | Not Required | Not Required |
| Club Stickers | Not Required | Required | Required |
| Voice Commands | Yes | No | No |
| Real-time Footage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Included Sim Software | E6 Connect | Refine | Refine |
| Club Data | APOGEE offers offers 4 club metrics: Club Speed, Club Path, Club Face Angle, Club Face to Path | EYE XO2 offers 11 club metrics: Club Speed, Dynamic Loft, Angle of Attack, Smash Factor, Club Path, Club Face Angle, Club Face to Path, Club Lie Angle, Club Loft Angle, Impact Point Vertical, Impact Point Horizontal | QED offers 4 club metrics: Smash Factor, Club Speed, Club Path, Club Face Angle, Club Face to Path |
What Makes the APOGEE Unique?
There is some interesting functionality built into the TruGolf APOGEE launch monitor . However, there are 7 main features that make the APOGEE unique.
- Voice commands offering hands-free access to simulator play and settings
- Point-of-contact footage of club and ball at impact
- Ceiling-mounted which allows for fast startup and freedom of movement
- Ball data without the need of marked golf balls
- Club data without the need of club markers
- E6 Connect license included
- Instantaneous impact with no delay between shot and display on screen
The ability to use voice commands really makes a simulator experience much more immersive! There is no need to use a mouse and keyboard–only your voice!
Since the APOGEE launch monitor is ceiling-mounted, no additional cameras or hardware is needed.
In addition, if you want your launch monitor to be a more permanent solution, ceiling-mounted is a great solution. You just walk into your hitting bay, power up, and start swinging.
How To Decide If the APOGEE Is Right For You
$11,500
The APOGEE launch monitor is targeted at a golfer looking for the following features in a launch monitor:
- Ceiling -mounted (non-portable) launch monitor
- Photometric with super high-speed cameras
- Real-time camera footage of ball & club at impact with enhanced views
- All club metrics unlocked and available
- Voice-activated operations
- Ball metrics available without the requirement of a marked ball
- Club metrics without the requirement of club markers
- E6 Connect license (does not work with GSPro or Golf Club 2019)
- Golf instructors working with students
Alternatives to the APOGEE
For ceiling-mounted, the Uneekor EYE XO2 is a good choice if you want the 3rd camera and don’t need voice activation.
Alternatively, the Uneekor QED launch monitor is a great choice at a lower price point.
For a portable launch monitor, the GC Quad is the best while the GC3 is a great features-to-value option.
APOGEE Launch Monitor 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.
As with the other launch monitors in this category, the technology and measurements are extremely accurate & precise.
The APOGEE combines two proprietary infrared high-speed, high-resolution cameras mounted overhead. This leads to incredibly consistent & accurate measurements.
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.
The only drawback is that you are limited to E6 Connect simulator software.
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.
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
APOGEE Camera System
The APOGEE system captures golf ball flight data with a dual-camera setup utilizes two cameras that work together to capture ball and club data.
The APOGEE uses a high-speed, high-resolution infrared camera system.
This two-camera system captures the impact zone including a small space before and after the ball.
Due to the unit being ceiling-mounted, the readings are extremely consistent as the unit is never being moved.
APOGEE Space Requirements & Hitting Area
Since the APOGEE 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 APOGEE 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 APOGEE 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. |
| APOGEE to Floor | 9′ – 10′ | This is the distance from the APOGEE mounted on the ceiling to the floor (mat) where the ball is placed. |
| APOGEE Offset to Ball | 21″-25″ | The offset is how far ahead the ball the APOGEE should be mounted. If you hung a string from the front of the APOGEE on the ceiling down to the floor, the string would hit the ground ~25″ ahead of the ball. |
| TOTAL WIDTH | 14′ | This is the width of the hitting area if you want to account for both left & right-handed golfers. |
| TOTAL LENGTH | 8′-10′ | The total length measured from the APOGEE to the impact screen |
APOGEE Mounting
As mentioned above, the APOGEE is a ceiling-mounted launch monitor. There a lot of benefits to this and a few drawbacks. As always, it comes down to how you will use a launch monitor to determine how much these will impact you.
Pros
Cons
If you do not want a ceiling-mounted launch monitor, check out our reviews on the Bushnell Launch Pro and the Foresight GC3 for other portable launch monitors in this class.
They are great choices, but are geared towards golfers that either want portability of don’t meet the space requirements of the APOGEE .
APOGEE Computer Requirements
The computer requirements are not very high to run the software. However, you will likely struggle to run 3rd party simulator software. See our recommendations below for a better configuration.
PC Requirements
- CPU: Intel i5
- RAM: 8 GB RAM (16 GB RAM for Swing Optix)
- Video Card: GeForce GTX 1070**
- OS: Windows 10 (64 bit)
- Network: Ethernet port required
- HD: 25 GB of space
PC Recommendation
The configuration below will allow you to run any of the simulation software packages in HD (1080). If you want a 4K solution, that will require an upgraded PC & projector.
CPU: Intel Core i7 @ 3.20GHz or equivalent
RAM: 16GB
Video Card: Minimum of an Nvidia GeForce 3060 or higher (RTX 3080 is the minimum for 4K)
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Features
$11,500
Point-of-Contact Footage of Club and Ball at Impact
View, re-view, scrutinize, and brag about every shot with APOGEE’S Point-of-Impact interface.
The POI provides a slow-motion, scrubbable video playback of your club’s action through the ball.
You can use this footage to improve your ball-striking with amazing precision.
Voice Commands
The “Hey APOGEE” voice command allows golfers to control their simulator gameplay without having to use a keyboard and mouse.
When playing E6 Connect, you can use voice commands to:
- Read a putt
- Show trouble on the hole
- Change the weather
- Re-tee the ball
- Access settings & more
Ceiling Mounted
As mentioned above, this is a key feature of the APOGEE and one that differentiates it from competitors.
Laser Hitting Area
The APOGEE has a decent-sized hitting area of 10″ wide x 8″ long. This makes it easy to hit balls and not worry about missed shots.
In addition, the unit displays a laser outline for the hitting zone that disappears once the ball is placed inside it.
This eliminates the chance for missed shots.
APOGEE Ball Data
Without the need for marked balls, the APOGEE records the following ball metrics
- Ball Speed
- Side Spin
- Back Spin
- Vertical Launch Angle
- Horizontal Launch Direction
See Ball Launch Data for more information on what each metric means and how to use it to improve.
With two high-speed cameras, you’ll see instantaneous ball spin and club path replay as well.
APOGEE Club Data
The APOGEE does not require stickers to be attached to the club in order to track club metrics. This is a huge advantage over competitors.
$11,500
APOGEE records the following club metrics:
- Club Speed
- Club Path
- Club Face Angle
The club data provides a comprehensive set of data points that can be used to assess and monitor your performance.
See Club Data for more information on what each metric means and how to use it to improve.
APOGEE Putting
The APOGEE launch monitor includes the ability to track putting right out of the box. It is extremely accurate and there is no special setup required.
This is great–especially if you use it with the E6 Connect simulator software.
Simulator Software
When you purchase the APOGEE, it includes their APOGEE Control Center (ACC). ACC allows you access to management tools, calibration, and more.
For simulator software, you only have 1 choice: E6 Connect. So no GSPro or The Golf Club 2019.
However, E6 Connect is included in the price ($2,500 value). That effectively puts the cost of the APOGEE at $9,000.
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.
$11,500
What’s in The Box
The APOGEE INCLUDES:
- APOGEE Launch Monitor
- Calibration Template
- 6’ Power Cable
- 50’ CAT6 Cable
- USB to CAT6 Network Adapter
- E6 CONNECT Product Key
- Instruction Bundle
- Laser Level
- Mounting Hardware & Screws
- Ceiling Mount
SPECIFICATIONS
- Weight: 22 lbs.
- Width: 38″
- Depth: 8″
- Height: 5.5″
APOGEE Installation, Mounting, And Calibration
Setting up the APOGEE launch monitor 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 APOGEE
- Connect to the Network
- Install the Software
- Calibrate the APOGEE
Step 1 – Mount the APOGEE Launch Monitor
This is pretty straightforward as it entails mounting the APOGEE 9′-10′ off the ground and 21″-25″ in front of the ball. A mounting bracket & screws are included with the APOGEE and the unit hooks into the mount.
Once the unit is hooked into the mount, screws are tightened to prevent the unit from coming out.
A power cable and Ethernet cable are also connected to the back of the APOGEE during mounting.
Step 2 – Connect to the Network
The APOGEE has an Ethernet cable that connects from the APOGEE to your PC. There is no Wifi connection–you must have the cable always connected to a PC for it to work properly.
Once the Ethernet cable is connected to your PC, you will follow the enclosed instructions on how to configure your PC Ethernet connection to be on the same network as the APOGEE.
Step 3 – Install the Software
Once the APOGEE is mounted & you have the network connection setup, follow the instructions to install all of the required software.
Step 4 – Calibrate the APOGEE
Once the steps above are completed, you will calibrate the APOGEE using the calibration software in the ACC software.
That’s it! Once this is done you are good to go and can start enjoying your new APOGEE launch monitor .
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
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!
