The best players in the world use technology on the range every day to help give them know their own game inside out for the best chance to shoot the lowest score possible. For a long time, the average player didn’t have access to this kind of technology, but thanks to Rapsodo, it is now available for around the cost of a new driver. So how good actually is it? Find out in our Rapsodo MLM2 Pro launch monitor review.
NCG SUMMARY
This is a superb piece of kit that I encourage any golfer to get their hands on. It is game-changing for your practice sessions, allowing you to measure your distances, play games, do skills tests, collect data and play courses.
I am pretty certain a player owning the Rapsodo MLM2Pro launch monitor would improve more than a player without it.
PROS
- User friendly
- Easy to set up
- Accurate data
CONS
- Yearly subscription is required for premium membership and features
Rapsodo MLM2 Pro Launch Monitor Review: First Impressions
This is a golf simulator you can fit in your bag. It arrives packaged smartly in a carry case, and I am actually surprised at how compact it is. It takes all of 2 seconds to put together, and after downloading the Rapsodo app, I am ready to improve my golf. The app is very easy to use; you literally can’t go wrong, and I think it looks pretty smart to sit behind you on the range.
NCG Verdict
I am a numbers guy. With technology making it possible to measure pretty much everything I do in a day, not measuring whatever you are doing doesn’t seem to make sense. Running, eating, sleeping, pitching, putting, I can’t seem to do anything without knowing whether or not I was better or worse than the last time I did it. I am not sure if this is human optimisation or just a really sad obsessive compulsion. I try not to think too much about it.
With this being the case, I have been obsessed with launch monitors since my first coach rolled out a device to measure my swing path as a kid, the numbers didn’t make sense to me or him so I was no better off for it, but it certainly peaked my interest. Since then, I have pretty much tried them all and owned several, and seeing the benefits not only to my coaching but to my own game, it’s fantastic to see how affordable this tech is now. This device is £649. And it’s brilliant.
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There are a number of different ways the Rapsodo MLM2 Pro Launch Monitor can be used, so let’s start with the practice setting. This is where you can hit shots, measure the distance and 12 other metrics of each ball struck, and get to know your data. Carry, total, club speed, smash factor, launch direct, spin rate and spin axis, you name a ball flight metric, and the Rapsodo measures it.
I can not stress enough how impressive this is. If you didn’t use any of the other features and just used this one, I am confident your game would improve. Just knowing where you are now and what’s happening will allow you to make better decisions out on the golf course. It even video records your swing so you can look back at your impact and see the ball flight shot tracer.
The data is really accurate, too. When tested against my FlightScope, the distances were practically the same, and my device cost a lot more than £649.
My personal favourite part of the app is the Rapsodo combine area, where you can set up different skill tests at different distances. I love this feature as it puts you under pressure, making you feel the same way you do out on the golf course hitting real shots. In the end, it gives you a handicap for your performance. This feeds my numbers addiction, as I can’t help but want another go to try to lower my handicap. This, too, is improving my golf.
What shocked me the most, however, was the Rapsodo course feature on the app. Like how when most kids discover Google Earth, they go look at their own house, I put in my home course at Sand Moor in North Leeds to see how accurately the course was set up and measured. I was blown away by how good this was. The mobile launch monitor took a second to create the course, but it got all the bunkers, elevation, and fairway layout spot on.
This gives me the ability to practice the shots I am going to face in my next round from any driving range or home garage set-up in the world. Think about its uses for tournament players playing practice rounds ahead of competitions. This is huge for the golfer. All in one app!
Now I am slightly turned off by the annual subscription as I do not need another direct debit in my life, but the device itself at £649 is such great value it makes sense there is a subscription. You can not pay the subscription and get access to the practice capability, but I think you are missing out on the best features if you choose to do this.
I think this Rapsodo is a must-buy for serious players looking to improve their games. It can be used in a small home garage set-up, as they send you special Callaway balls, which allow you to get accurate ball data in small spaces. It can also be hooked up to e6 connect, which is a popular simulator program which gives you access to more courses designed for a home sim. You will get better at golf by owning and using this device.
We always recommend getting a club fitting before purchasing new equipment. Did you know American Golf offers free fittings across its UK stores? Find your nearest store today!
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Rapsodo MLM2 Pro Launch Monitor Review: The Details
Available: Now
RRP: £649
More information: Rapsodo Website
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