Bushnell Launch Pro Buyer's Guide | Is It Worth Buying?

If your only focus is game improvement, and you want to do it at the range or on the course during practice rounds, we recommend one of the two Bushnell Launch Pro configurations.

Both purchase options of the Launch Pro unit—the Ball Data Only ($1,999.99) and the Ball & Club Data ($3,499.99)—are strictly golf launch monitors until they are paired with the Golf software package.

You can take them outdoors, to the range or to a net in your backyard, swing away, and get all the data right on the display of the device. No need to connect it to another device. Just pure data feedback on your shots.

Space requirements:

There are no limits when you are outdoors—at the range or on the course. You just need enough room to swing. If you are hitting into a net, you will need at least 13' of ball flight between you and the net.

Hardware:

Bushnell Launch Pro, including:

• Power Cable
• Alignment Stick
• USB-C Cord
• Club Markers

Software:

No software is necessary in this use-case. However, you will get a 14-day free trial of the Gold software package with both Bushnell Launch Pro configurations if you want to try out simulation.

Additionally, if you buy the Ball Data Only version, you will get a 14-day free trial of the club metrics, as well.

You want it all—game improvement outdoors and indoors! For the option to hit shots outside or inside we recommend the Bushnell Launch Pro + Net Return golf studio.

With this package you can get your affordable indoor simulation in the off-season or on rainy days—or impromptu sick days, wink, wink.

Space requirements:

No limits outdoors unless you are hitting into a net in your backyard. In this case, you will need at least 13 feet of ball flight.

When you take it indoors, give yourself at least 13’ of depth to track ball flight, at least 6’ of width, and enough ceiling height to swing your club freely—without feeling restricted. (See our garage golf ceiling height article to find out if you have enough space to swing.)

Minimum recommended space for Bushnell Launch Pro indoors: 14’ x 6’ x 9’ (L x W x H)

Hardware:

• Choice of Bushnell Launch Pro Launch Monitor (Ball Data Only or Club & Ball Data)
• Power Cable
• Alignment Stick
• USB-C Cord
• Club Markers
• Pro Series OR Home Series V2 Net Return Hitting Net
• Net Return Duffle Bag
• Optional Pair of Side Barriers
• Optional Pro Turf (6'W x 10'L)
• Optional 4 x Sandbags
• Optional 2 x Rubber Tees 

Necessary if you want to use simulation software:

iPhone/iPad (optional; sold separately) for Foresight App and FSX Pro.

Gaming PC (See recommended system requirements) for all simulation software.

Monitor/TV, connected from computer.

Software:

Gold software package to use the the Bushnell Launch Pro for anything beyond a stand alone golf launch monitor.

If you want to purchase this package for indoor/outdoor flexibility, you will have the 14-day free trial of the Gold software package to see if you would like to commit to the $499/year subscription.

Jump to the next section to see the now more extensive home golf simulator experience you can enjoy with the Gold package added to your Launch Pro set up.

You’re all about the premium indoor simulation experience. If you are going to make the Bushnell Launch Pro the center of your home golf studio or garage golf simulator, the PlayBetter Bushnell SimStudio complete home golf simulator package is your stop.

You can still grab your launch monitor and take it outside with a net or to the range, but if practicing and playing in your own indoor setup is your dream, here’s how it gets real—with a everything you need in a package that one person can easily set up in one afternoon, that is made from high-quality materials, and does not arrive on your doorstep in a hard-to-deal-with pallet.  

Space requirements:

Minimum recommended space for Bushnell Launch Pro indoor simulator: 14’ x 6’ x 9’ (L x W x H)

Hardware:

• Choice of Bushnell Launch Pro Launch Monitor (Ball Data Only or Club & Ball Data)
• Power Cable
• Alignment Stick
• USB-C Cord
• Club Markers
• PlayBetter SimStudio™ Golf Simulator Bay Golf Enclosure & Impact Screen
• Optoma GT2000HDR 3500 Lumens Projector
• Projector Mounting Bracket
• 5x5' Premium Dense-Fiber System Hitting Mat
• Putting Grass Surface

iPhone (optional; sold separately)

Gaming PC (See recommended system requirements) for all simulation software.

Software:

Bushnell has streamlined their subscription package for simulation to just one package: the Gold software package that cost $499/year. As of October 2023, this is $200 less than the Gold subscription previously was—and there's a whole lot more to it!

Now, with your purchase of a Bushnell Launch Pro and the Gold software package, you will have access to FSX Play, FSX2020, 25 top courses, save sessions, create players, record unlimited unique clubs, track rounds, online game play and contests, 3D ball flight, and more! You will also have FSX Pro for iPad.

You will also have access to these third-party simulation software options:

• Awesome Golf (auto-included with your NEW Gold software package)
• GSPro ($250 add-on)
• Creative Golf ( Includes Creative 3D, Golfisimo, and Course Library; $1,200 add-on)
• E6 Connect (Coming soon)
• Swing Catalyst ($149 add-on)

These third-party simulation options can only run if you have FSX Play/FSX2020—which are included with a Gold software purchase.

NOTE: If you have an older version of the Gold Package, you can add Awesome Golf and GSPro for $250 each.

NOTICE: AWESOME GOLF INTEGRATION IS NOT AVAILABLE DURING GOLD TRIAL—ONLY AVAILABLE ONCE GOLD SUBSCRIPTION IS PURCHASED.

Whether you prefer a simple setup in your garage or a fully customized indoor simulator room, the Launch Pro is the perfect solution for your home golf simulator studio.

Notes: Gaming PC & TV/Projector are needed for simulation. Launch Pro software currently only works in the United States.

For ALL the information on the simulation software requirements for the Bushnell Launch Pro, check out our Simulation Software System Requirements article.

You want to build your own DIY Simulator with the Bushnell Launch Pro—Right on! Here’s a checklist of what you will need to get it done.

Net Simulator Equipment for Bushnell Launch Pro

• Choice of Bushnell Launch Pro Launch Monitor: Ball Data Only ($1,999.99) or Club & Ball Data ($3,499.99)
• High impact golf hitting net with frame
• Hitting mat and turf
• TV
• Gaming PC (See system requirements below)
• Add on the Gold software package ($499/year) for simulation

Bushnell Launch Pro Screen Simulator Equipment

• Choice of Bushnell Launch Pro Launch Monitor: Ball Data Only ($1,999.99) or Club & Ball Data ($3,499.99)
• Enclosure/impact screen
• Projector
• Golf Hitting Mats
• Gaming PC (See system requirements below)
• Add on the Gold software package ($499/year) for simulation

Know that you can purchase a Bushnell Launch Pro unit to use as a stand-alone launch monitor, initially. Then, when you are ready, you can add on the Gold software package and purchase the PlayBetter Simstudio complete home golf simulator at a later date.

System requirements for FSX Pro iPad

FSX Pro iPad requires iOS 16.4 or greater. Updating to the latest iOS is recommended for the best user experience.  

FSX Pro iPad is optimized for iPads with 3GB RAM which include: 

• iPad (2019 and later generations)
• iPad Air (2019 and later generations)
• iPad Mini (5th generation)
• iPad Pro:

• 1st Gen 12.9” (2016)
• 2nd Gen 12.9” (2017)
• 2nd Gen 10.5” (2017)
• 3rd Gen 12.9” (2018)
• 3rd Gen 11” (2018)

• 4th Gen 12.9” (2020)
• 4th Gen 11” (2020)
• 5th Gen 12.9” (2021)
• 5th Gen 11” (2021)
• 6th Gen 12.9” (2022)

• 6th Gen 11” (2022)

Find any FSX Pro updates and user guides/installation instructions/manuals here.

System requirements for Launch Pro FSX 2020 (minimum specs):

• Operating System: Windows 7 or greater (64 Bit Required) Works well with Win 8.1, & 10.
• Processor: Min Spec: Intel i5 or i7 processors (AMD processors not recommended)
• Memory: Min Spec: 8GB system memory
  Recommended: 16GB for best performance
• Video Card: Min Spec: Nvidia GTX 1050 ti or greater (AMD GPUs not supported)
  Recommended: GTX 1060, 1660 or 1070, RTX 2060 Premium: RTX 2070 or 2080

Find any FSX 2020 updates and user guides/installation instructions/manuals here.

System requirements for Launch Pro FSX Play (minimum specs):

• Operating System: 64 Bit Windows 10 or greater
• not supported: iOS, Linux
• Processor: 7th Gen or greater Intel i5, i7, and i9 processors
• not recommended: AMD CPU
• Memory/RAM: 8GB system memory
• recommended: 16GB+ for Swing Camera/Swing Catalyst use
• Video Card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 or greater
• recommended for Quality/Optimal Performance: GeForce RTX 3070ti/3080/3090
• not supported: Nvidia Quadro, AMD GPU

Find any FSX Play updates and user guides/installation instructions/manuals here.

Once you have connected and registered your device by creating an FSX account and selecting your software option from the available Launch Pro subscriptions—it's time to download and install software!

Download and install the software files onto your gaming-optimized PC (sold separately.)

For all the details you need, please view the FSX Subscription download and installation guide that includes a helpful video.

You can watch a Launch Pro simulator review video with our guy Gabe at Let's Play Thru.

Access the FSX Play manual here.

Access the FSX Pro manual here.