How Trackman Golf Systems Are Changing the Game

Trackman gained popularity in the golf world as professional golfers took advantage of some of the world's best launch monitor technology to hone in every detail of their game. From spin rates to launch angles and smash factor, no detail is too granular in today’s game.

Trackman also boomed among golf retailers, pro shops and instructors, as the same technology helps players dial in equipment, and allows instructors to give invaluable golf lessons by utilizing Trackman data to give students an unbiased look at what is and isn’t working in their swing. The technology is even integrated into golf broadcasts to give fans perspective on the club speed, ball speed, shot shape, and distances of some of the world’s best golfers.

In simple terms, Trackman uses a camera-radar combination to track almost any metric imaginable about a golf swing, impact, and how the ball reacts.

To break it down a little more, the newest Trackman launch monitor, the Trackman 4, has Optically Enhanced Radar Tracking (OERT) technology that includes two synchronized radar systems and a built-in camera that is also synced with the radar.

The two radar systems each serve different functions. One is a short-range system that captures club and impact data, perfect for giving you more information than you ever wanted about your putting stroke. The second radar is a long-range system that tracks the ball.

All of this technology is used to spit out 51 different data points relating to club, ball, and putting. Some of the most important, and well-known Trackman numbers include club speed, face to path, ball speed, smash factor, spin rate, carry distance, and total distance. If that’s not enough, there’s a complete breakdown of every data point collected by Trackman 4, and what they actually mean, at the bottom of this article.

A brand new Trackman 4 unit starts at $20,000. Even a used version of the previous model still calls for around $14,000.

Given the prohibitive cost, these aren’t exactly made for the weekend warrior to put in the DIY simulator in their basement, although some recreational golfers may splurge on their own personal Trackman. It’s more practical to find a Trackman in retail, at a public indoor driving range, a nearby golf learning center, or on the driving range of a top-level professional tournament.

It would be impossible to react to every data point Trackman offers on every swing. It’s recommended that you pay attention to no more than two or three numbers at a time. Between the two radar systems, Trackman provides dozens of club, ball, and putting data points.

Here’s a complete list of the club and ball data that Trackman collects on every swing, with an explanation of what each metric is.

In addition to the club and ball metrics above, here are the putting club and ball data points that Trackman collects.