Launch Monitors

[jim8flog]

I am of an age where the only time that I have been on a launch monitor is on club demo days.

The demo days use the same balls as are used on the range which produce a significant different result compared with what I play with.

When you actually get fitted are you using the same make and type of ball as you would be paying with?

 

[Imurg]

Ideally, it would be best to use the same ball that you use in play.
Failing that, if you're not using a "proper" ball then it's probably a waste of time.
I've stopped going to one fitting place because they use range balls - a decent class of range ball, granted, but still a range ball.

 

[the_coach]

I am of an age where the only time that I have been on a launch monitor is on club demo days.

The demo days use the same balls as are used on the range which produce a significant different result compared with what I play with.

When you actually get fitted are you using the same make and type of ball as you would be paying with?

most fittings will not have the whole range of makes or types to ball many will have a 'premium' ball type others may well use range balls
however it's possible to use the software within the premium launch monitors to give a pretty good approximation of using a premium ball when hitting range balls

you'd just need to talk to whoever is overseeing the fitting to make sure that had been done


https://blog.trackmangolf.com/find-right-ball-conversion-category/

 

[Chokeahontas]

I get it, that we all like to see distance differences, but for me any fitting I've had I wanted to see what the ball flights, shape and (relative) dispersion was.

The only time I've ever noticed a real difference in my like-for-like distance has been when I was getting fitted for irons, and that's because, as we all know, some modern irons are going for stronger lofts as I imagine they sell a tonne when punters find out a 7 iron with a 5 degree less loft than their current 7 iron goes further.

There's an American Golf near me which has a decent enough fitter and a TrackMan, but I still go to the much scabbier range ten miles away with the best club fitter in the region. She has got one of those iPad cheaper flights monitors but we don't really focus on the distances until the dispersion and flight is how we want it.

You can get absolutely obsessive with numbers and I don't think it does you much value. YMMV of course

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've been to a variety of these demo days. Places like Silvermere will use their Z Stars they use in the normal custom fittings so you do get a fairly accurate reflection on spin numbers, distances etc. I've been to those in a static bay that also use normal balls and have then been to others where it's range balls. In those circumstances I tend to simply try the club in terms of feel, etc. If I was in the market for a set of clubs I'd go to a fitter somewhere and use proper balls.

I think numbers are important but agree you can get obsessive with these. I like to look at dispersion, both wide and short and long of target and if the club I'm trying is better than what I have and distance isn't any worse then that's usually my starting point

 

[Hobbit]

To get the best results you need a suitable ball. Imagine aiming for a spin rate of just over 2000rpm for a driver but your swing speed means you can't compress the ball enough to get the right rpm to achieve the right flight. Eventually, the fitter comes up with the right club and shaft to achieve 2000rpm but with a poxy range ball, and you've spent £300.

You take the club out for your first comp with it but your using a high spinning ball. It balloons with the combination you've bought. Confidence in the club plummets and, ultimately, you sell the club at a £200 loss and then repeat the process.