Golfers often ask to find a cheaper way of tracking clubhead speed or distance. Let’s look into some data with this PRGR Launch Monitor video and review.
I purchased the PRGR Launch Monitor for one reason only. Because it allows you to swing a golf club without hitting a ball and it will show your clubhead speed. So I can take this unit outside on a very windy day and watch the leaves fly by me faster than my driver clubhead speed. But at least I know that and I’m working on it. Today I decided to do a PRGR Launch Monitor Video and Review to show the product and let you decide if it might help your golf game.
Quick Background and Setup
Just a little background about the product. The PRGR Launch Monitor uses doppler radar to capture speed whereas some launch monitors use a photometric (camera) system. One isn’t particularly better than another. They both can be very good. You will need 4 AAA batteries. Just touch the Enter On/Off button for a couple of seconds to turn the unit on. Make sure the mode is put on golf as you could use it (if you wanted to) to measure pitching/hitting speed in baseball or kicking a ball into a soccer net.
To change the club to what you are hitting just hit enter and then click the arrow key. Once the club is selected quickly hit the enter key. Now place the PRGR Launch Monitor face up, in line with, and about 3.5 to 5 feet away from the ball you are hitting. That is it. You are now ready to use this product. Swing the club with our without a ball and see the results on the LCD screen. Up to 500 separate instances will be saved to the PRGR Launch Monitor. Just hit the up button ^ to scroll the previous swing data. Hit again to see more previous data.
Here is a quick video to show the product in action.
PRGR Launch Monitor Clubhead Speed with No Golf Ball
The PRGR Launch Monitor does more than allow you to swing at a non-existent golf ball and show the clubhead speed. Take a look below.
PRGR Launch Monitor Features:
- Club Speed
- Ball Speed
- Smash Factor
- Total Distance (can also toggle to carry distance)
In this picture you will also notice W1 off to the far right. You can change the golf club on the PRGR to reflect what you are hitting. In this case my driver or W1.
Alright. Enough of the gabbing. How much does the PRGR Launch Monitor cost?
Why choose the PRGR Launch Monitor?
I initially started off with a Rapsodo R-Motion (discontinued) and then picked up the older model of the Swing Caddie SC200 (does not capture clubhead speed without a ball). Beyond that you are probably looking at $500 plus for a decent launch monitor. Heck, my SkyTrak was approximately $2000 but I could not be happier about that purchase. Combined with software, I’m playing golf courses in my golf shed and practicing on my golf game. Look at BLP, GC3, GCQuad, Trackman, etc… and you start to get into $4000, $7500, $14,000, $25,000, etc…
Every now and then you might catch the PRGR Launch Monitor on sale for right about $200 but don’t hold your breath. Oh. And make sure if you do purchase, get the HS-130A model. There was a previous model (HS-120A) which does not have the same set of features that are available with the HS-130A.
PRGR Launch Monitor Clubhead Speed
I found clubhead speed to be very accurate. Especially when swinging without hitting a golf ball. And to that point, the PRGR Launch Monitor works very well with the HH-Golf Swing Speed Trainer that can help to increase clubhead speed. Previously I had been using the Medicus Swing Speed Meter to keep track of driver clubhead speed. While it was consistent, it tended to show the speed a little high so the accuracy (for me) was not quite there. Let me back up a little here. I found the clubhead speed tended to be more accurate with the longer clubs. Meaning it seemed the less spin that would be imparted on the ball, the better the accuracy of the clubhead speed.
PRGR Launch Monitor Ballspeed
Ballspeed on the PRGR is very accurate as well. It oftentimes came within one to two miles per hour on ballspeed when doing a PRGR Launch Monitor vs SkyTrak test. It didn’t seem to matter whether I was using an 9 iron, 7 iron, 4 hybrid, or driver.
PRGR Launch Monitor Smash Factor
If you are not familiar with smash factor, it is where you take the ball speed and divide by the clubhead speed. Let’s take an example. Your ball speed is 107 and your clubhead speed is 78 as in the picture below where I hit my 4 hybrid. That would be a 1.37 smash factor. The PRGR Launch Monitor is very accurate with smash factor on well hit shots. When I hit a bad drive, whether it feels like it was hit off the toe or heel, I know the smash factor will be lower and it may not be precise. Likewise, when I’ve hit a good drive, iron, or hybrid shot, I know I’ll have a good smash factor and the PRGR will pick up on that.
PRGR Launch Monitor Carry or Total Distance
This is perhaps what makes the difference between a $200+ launch monitor and those in the thousands. While ballspeed, clubhead speed (especially with less lofted clubs), and smash factor seem to be remarkable at this price point, the PRGR Launch Monitor seems to struggle a little bit with distances. When I say struggle, what I found when looking at total distance, is there could be about 4 to 8% difference between different clubs. The flight distance is calculated with this device and it doesn’t know if you’ve hit a straight ball, fade, slice, draw, or hook.
Why the issue with distance? If you think about it, some of the more inexpensive launch monitors are not able to track the ball more than say 8 feet from the initial strike of the ball. Beyond that, it may not be able to determine wind speed, altitude, humidity, temperature, etc… I hit the ball about 8 feet into an impact screen or net. Trackman 4 can follow the ball approximately 400 yards. With PRGR you are not getting backspin, sidespin and launch angle. You are not able to set altitude. You are also not spending thousands and thousands of dollars and that is why I call this a win!
PRGR Launch Monitor Is A Winner
Which takes me back to why I purchased this product and maybe why you are looking at this launch monitor. Whether it is swinging driver without hitting a ball or using some sort of swing speed training system, the PRGR Launch Montitor excels. Many golfers who are into off-season training can step into the new golf year with an increase in clubhead speed thanks to a combination of strength and flexibility training through specific golf fitness apps along with swinging driver or a swing speed trainer. Combine this with the PRGR Launch Monitor and you can track your starting point and progress through the weeks of training.
Past that, use this while hitting golf balls into a net or impact screen while at home or to take along with you to the range. The PRGR Launch Monitor easily fits into a pocket and is nearly unnoticeable as compared to some of the larger golf simulators.
and here is me feeling slightly better in that I hit 104mph just a few days after topping out at 99mph with the HH Golf Swing Trainer.
