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How to set up a launch monitor indoors

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In short

Choose a unit that states indoor use, then place your mat, the net or screen, and the launch monitor according to the maker's minimum distances. Radar units usually sit behind the ball and need some ball flight into the net; camera units sit closer and need bright, even light. Align the unit with your target line, use good quality balls and test with short shots first.

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Getting reliable numbers indoors is mostly about placement. A launch monitor a little too close, angled off line or in poor light will misread shots and frustrate you. This guide takes you through setting up a garage or spare room bay step by step: checking space, positioning the mat and net, placing radar and camera units, lighting, ball choice and calibration. Every maker publishes its own distances, so use their figures alongside these general steps.

Before you start

  • Confirm your launch monitor states indoor use; the Rapsodo MLM2PRO, Voice Caddie SC4 Pro and Shot Scope LM1 listings all do.
  • Download the user guide and note the maker's minimum distances.
  • Measure ceiling height, width and depth as in our space guide.
  • Get a quality hitting mat and a net or impact screen rated for full shots.
  • Charge the unit and update its app.

Step by step set-up

Radar

Behind the ball, tracks the flight. Needs depth.

net or range2 to 2.5 mball flight

Camera

Beside the ball, captures impact. Suits short rooms.

net or rangeimpact zone
Radar units sit 2 to 2.5 m behind the ball and track the flight; camera units sit beside the ball and measure impact directly.
  1. 1

    Place the hitting mat so you have equal space either side and the net is straight ahead.

  2. 2

    Position the net or impact screen at the distance the maker recommends, with space behind it.

  3. 3

    Mark your target line from the ball to the centre of the net with an alignment stick.

  4. 4

    Place the launch monitor at the distance and angle the maker specifies, usually behind the ball on the target line or beside it.

  5. 5

    Level the unit using its tripod or stand and check its alignment aid, if it has one.

  6. 6

    Turn on the app or screen and select indoor mode if available.

  7. 7

    Hit a few half-swing wedge shots to check readings, then build up to full swings.

Radar units indoors

Doppler radar units track the club and ball by reflected microwaves and need some ball flight before the net to read the shot. They usually sit behind the golfer, on the target line. If readings are erratic, the net may be too close or the unit too near or far from the ball. Check the maker's figures carefully; small changes in distance can make a big difference. The Voice Caddie SC4 Pro, a radar unit, lists indoor and outdoor use.

Camera and hybrid units indoors

Camera units read the ball just after impact, so they cope with a short ball flight, but they need good, even light on the ball. Avoid strong light behind the ball, flickering tubes and dark corners. Many golfers add a bright LED floodlight angled at the hitting area. Hybrid units such as the Rapsodo MLM2PRO, which combines cameras and radar and states full indoor functionality, need both the right distance and good light.

See launch monitors that state indoor use →

Ball choice and calibration

Use clean, good quality balls in decent condition. Scuffed range balls and dimpled practice balls can affect spin readings. Some camera units recommend specific marked balls or stickers for measuring spin; check your manual. Settings such as altitude, ball type or loft selection affect calculated carry, so set them correctly. The Swing Caddie SC200 Plus listing mentions barometric pressure calibration and selectable loft angle, for example.

Making the space safe and comfortable

A garage bay needs a few extras beyond the monitor. Pad any hard surfaces near the hitting area, such as a freezer, a car or exposed brick, and fit side nets if you share the space. Keep clubs, shoes and bikes out of the swing path. In winter a small amount of heating helps both you and the electronics, and keeping the space dry protects the net, mat and any screen. Mark the hitting spot and the monitor position on the floor with tape so you can set up again in seconds next time.

Getting consistent readings

Indoor carry figures can differ from outdoor numbers because the unit is calculating flight from a short sample. Use indoor sessions for strike, speed and trends, and check carry on a range when you can. Our numbers explainer explains which figures are measured.

  • Hit from exactly the same spot each time; mark it on the mat.
  • Keep the unit still; a knock can change its alignment.
  • Re-check alignment at the start of each session.
  • Compare averages over several shots rather than single readings.
  • Recharge between sessions so the unit does not shut down mid-session.

Note:Hitting indoors carries real risk. Keep others well away, check for rebound paths, pad hard surfaces and never swing near low lights. Have any new wiring or sockets fitted by a qualified electrician.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my launch monitor miss shots indoors? The usual causes are wrong distance to the ball or net, poor alignment, or poor light for camera units. Recheck the maker's set-up figures.

Do I need special balls? Some units recommend marked balls or stickers for spin. Otherwise, use clean, good quality balls.

Will indoor numbers match the range? Speeds should be similar. Carry may differ because it is calculated from a short flight, so treat it as a guide.

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