We tested the launch monitor used by Tiger Woods. Here’s what we learned

Technology has shaped the way golfers all over the world practice, play and even train. From cameras that redefined instruction to cutting-edge recovery gear, modern golf tech isn’t just a little luxury, it’s a serious advantage. If you’re not keeping up, you’re falling behind.

One of the biggest weapons in today’s top players’ arsenals is the launch monitor. These data-driven machines do just about everything—except swing the club for you. They track yardages, ball flight, club path, spin rates and more with meticulous precision.

Yet, for many golfers like myself, these machines always seem just out of reach. The most accurate launch monitors are a serious monetary commitment—often starting somewhere between $15,000 and $17,000—and most amateurs simply can’t justify such a steep investment in their game.

That was, until I heard about Full Swing—the same tech that powers TGL—and their launch monitor kit. Ringing in at $4,999, this doppler radar-based system was developed for one of the greatest golfers of all time—Tiger Woods—and it’s giving some of the top launch monitors in the business a run for their money.

Sounds almost too good to be true, right? That’s what I thought too. To find out more, I went out to Full Swing’s headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif., to see the equipment myself, test it out and see how it stacked up against two of the top launch monitors in golf.

When we arrived at Full Swing HQ, we were greeted by a montage of photos of tour pros and athletes who use their launch monitors. Some of the biggest names in golf, like Tiger, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and more lined the walls of their offices. 

We spoke with a few of their team members who are responsible for developing Full Swing’s technology and had a chance to ask them questions about the kit, see some of their exciting upcoming offerings and even test them out ourselves.

The following day was Full Swing’s side-by-side testing session. It was held on a large, flat sports field—a detail I later learned is crucial for collecting accurate launch monitor data.

The setup was simple but deliberate. A makeshift hitting bay faced a vast stretch of flat grass where cones had been placed to form a fairway. Out in the field, a small team waited with flags in hand, ready to mark the precise landing spot of each shot. All three launch monitors were carefully calibrated and positioned to track shots hit from a single patch of astroturf, ensuring every aspect of the testing environment was fair and consistent. Just behind the hitting area sat a fresh bucket of balls and a table lined with three iPads, each displaying live shot data for everyone to see.

Evan El-Saden, VP of Innovation and Programs, kicked things off with a quick rundown of the testing process.

Taylor, a former professional golfer, would hit five shots with a range of clubs—starting with wedges and working his way through irons, woods, and finally driver. After each shot, the team stationed in the field would mark the exact landing spot with a flag, while a Full Swing team member used a rangefinder to record the precise distance. Meanwhile, the launch monitors tracked every swing, calculating shot data that was displayed in real time on iPads for all of us to see—making it easy to compare performance across devices.

It’s important to note that there was a stiff, 20 mph headwind throughout the testing process.

Next, we were introduced to the technology used in each of the launch monitors used for the side-by-side comparison. One of them was a camera-based system. Meaning it uses high-speed cameras to capture detailed images of the clubhead and ball at impact. From those images, the system calculates both ball and club data—like ball speed, spin rate, launch angle, face angle, and more—through advanced image processing and optical tracking.

Whereas the other two units were doppler radar-based launch monitors. These systems work by emitting radar waves that bounce off the ball as it travels through the air. By measuring the frequency shift of the returning waves, the system tracks the ball’s movement through 3D space and calculates shot data like carry distance, apex, curvature, spin, and more. Club data, however, is inferred by analyzing the ball’s behavior immediately after impact.

One interesting distinction we learned about was how Full Swing’s radar technology differs from traditional dual-radar setups. Typically, dual-radar systems use two separate radar units that operate on different frequencies. One for short-range and one for long-range. These systems are usually analog, requiring more hardware and power. Because of this design, they’re limited to an X-band of around 10 GHz.

In contrast, Full Swing’s team designed a digital system that uses a single radar unit. This allows the launch monitor to operate on a much higher frequency, 24 GHz. According to Jason Fierro, Full Swing’s COO, this was intentional as it allows their radar to handle both short- and long-range tracking without the need for two systems. The result is a more compact, power-efficient, and cost-effective launch monitor.

“We want to deliver the highest accuracy on data at a price point that allows more people to know their numbers and work on their game,” Fierro says.

A mission that Fierro says Woods, one of their investors and ambassadors, echoed when they were in the process of developing the product.

“Actually that was at Tiger’s request, he said you should come out with a system at a price point that’s more attainable for a larger group of golfers,” Fierro says.

The testing process took about 30 minutes, and by the end, the data revealed that the Full Swing launch monitor kit measured distances within one percent of the yardages recorded by the rangefinder—matching or even outperforming the accuracy of the other two systems.

After the initial side-by-side comparison, we had a chance to test the three launch monitors ourselves, following the same process we’d just watched Taylor go through. As I hit balls, I started thinking about features I’d personally like to see from a launch monitor. One that stood out was the built-in display on the Full Swing system. I didn’t expect it to make much of a difference, but seeing my data right on the unit allowed me to avoid hunching over my phone to create shade so I could read my screen. I also liked that you can customize which metrics appear. As someone who likes to tinker with their swing, sometimes it’s better to focus on fewer numbers during a practice session to avoid overthinking. It also captures every swing you take, storing the video and data in the app so you can share everything with your swing coach.

Final thoughts

After having the chance to test the Full Swing launch monitor kit and compare it to two of the most accurate systems in golf, I can honestly say I’m thoroughly impressed with how well Full Swing’s system performs.

This launch monitor kit is ideal for any golfer looking to take their game to the next level. Whether you’re a tour pro or a mid-to-high handicapper, Full Swing provides access to fast, precise shot data that’s traditionally been reserved for high-level players and industry professionals. With this system, you can level the playing field and use key metrics to sharpen your skills and elevate your game.