FlightScope brings accuracy, affordability to launch monitor market

[Jetlv25]

  Here's an article that was in one of the "golfwire" emails I get:

FlightScope brings accuracy, affordability to launch monitor market
2/7/2008
Eight years ago, Henri Johnson wasn't much of a golfer.

"It did not interest me in the least — I thought it was for old people," said the creator of FlightScope, a Doppler radar-based ball-flight and launch monitor.

But a lot can change in a few years. Now playing off a single-digit handicap, the South African native is a much more avid golfer and is passionate about helping other golfers improve their games through the development of an extremely accurate system to measure ball trajectory and clubhead path.

"It's a 3-D ball and club tracking system," Johnson said. "It tracks the ball in three dimensions and the resulting accuracy in terms of carry distance is above expectations, it's really good.

"It shows you what your club is doing through the ball. That was also a world-first in terms of what FlightScope brought. It's one sensor that's striking the ball and the club simultaneously, but it processes the information independently. You don't require an additional system to measure the club."

Johnson, an electronic engineer by trade who serves as CEO and chairman for FlightScope, spent time investigating what existing launch monitors provided as he was creating his own technology-based system.

"The first thing I saw in terms of a so-called launch monitor was something called a Swing Mate, a little device that just measures clubhead speed, and everything else is calculated," he said. "I lost interest after about the third shot."

He also was disappointed with what's called speed-gun technology, a way of measuring speed that's used on lower-end launch monitors.

"What they do is measure apparent speed. It's not even velocity, it's just apparent speed,” he said. “Everything else is calculated from there, and you can get some amazing interpolations, and it can lead you to disaster. So the guidance that it gives you is misleading. When golfers are getting to a stage where they really want to improve their game, that could be exactly the wrong medicine."

Instead, Johnson wanted a system that was not terribly expensive but that provided accurate and extensive data. Packaged with a user interface that appeals to both the high-end clubfitter and the novice golfer, FlightScope does just that, recording the precise trajectory that the ball travels and giving actual (not implied) results.

"We are very proud of the fact that it has a very simple user interface," he said. "You use left and right arrows - you don't have to be computer literate to drive the system. On the downside, there's a lot of information. You can get stuck in details. I recommend normally that people start with the simple screens. We have a dashboard screen that gives you 'bubbles' with information in them — the critical factors. People like that because it's easy.

"We're trying to cater obviously to the connoisseur who wants (the information) and also for the normal guy in the street who might be a little agnostic about all the technology stuff, so there are applications for both. There are screens for both."

When Johnson first introduced the FlightScope, it had a retail price around $22,000 — usually selling, he said, for about $17,000. Now the entire system, which comes in one box, retails for $6,995 — making it much more affordable for smaller retailers and clubfitters, and even the especially avid individual golfer.

Other benefits: The system can be used anywhere with a laptop computer and a power source. As well, it works in nearly all weather and lighting conditions, indoors and out ("I've even used it in snow," Johnson said, "but it's not nice to hit balls in the snow").

FlightScope can also be connected to a second monitor and used in conjunction with many popular swing analysis video systems, so golfers can see both how they look and what results were achieved with each swing.

"I sat with Butch Harmon some time ago and I got the idea from listening to him," Johnson said. "I realized we needed to bring that to the table. Technologically speaking, it's not a big thing for us to do, but it's a big thing for the coaches. Suddenly they only have to have one piece."

As part of a campaign to promote FlightScope in the United States and Canada, Johnson said that the company is targeting a few specific markets. Besides teachers, he hopes to make the system more popular with clubfitters, tour professionals (Padraig Harrington, Bradley Dredge and other European Tour players own them) and at the college level.

To enhance the product's value to clubfitters, Johnson said he's partnering with companies like Swing Labs, which makes equipment fitting software that can be used with launch monitors to find the best equipment for an individual golfer's swing.

"We profile all the leading equipment out there, which is an ongoing task because new equipment keeps coming out," said Swing Labs co-founder and president Mark DiMare. "The customer can see side by side how the different equipment works for them."

Retailers and clubfitters pay $395 for the basic system setup and then purchase fitting credits to use with their customers. They'll also need a launch monitor, which is where FlightScope comes in. At the end of the process, the fitter can recommend the best clubs for their customers and make more sales.

More importantly, the Swing Labs system ensures that its users all have the same basic level of clubfitting training.

 
 

[camster8]

I was very impressed with what I saw at the PGA show.  Taking delivery of a New Flightscope on 3/1/08.  Excellent technology!

[Jetlv25]

I was wondering if this was the unit you ordered.  Looks very interesting and promising to say the least.  Can't wait to hear how it performs.

[camster8]

  Here's an article that was in one of the "golfwire" emails I get:

FlightScope brings accuracy, affordability to launch monitor market
2/7/2008
Eight years ago, Henri Johnson wasn't much of a golfer.

"It did not interest me in the least — I thought it was for old people," said the creator of FlightScope, a Doppler radar-based ball-flight and launch monitor.

But a lot can change in a few years. Now playing off a single-digit handicap, the South African native is a much more avid golfer and is passionate about helping other golfers improve their games through the development of an extremely accurate system to measure ball trajectory and clubhead path.

"It's a 3-D ball and club tracking system," Johnson said. "It tracks the ball in three dimensions and the resulting accuracy in terms of carry distance is above expectations, it's really good.

"It shows you what your club is doing through the ball. That was also a world-first in terms of what FlightScope brought. It's one sensor that's striking the ball and the club simultaneously, but it processes the information independently. You don't require an additional system to measure the club."

Johnson, an electronic engineer by trade who serves as CEO and chairman for FlightScope, spent time investigating what existing launch monitors provided as he was creating his own technology-based system.

"The first thing I saw in terms of a so-called launch monitor was something called a Swing Mate, a little device that just measures clubhead speed, and everything else is calculated," he said. "I lost interest after about the third shot."

He also was disappointed with what's called speed-gun technology, a way of measuring speed that's used on lower-end launch monitors.

"What they do is measure apparent speed. It's not even velocity, it's just apparent speed,” he said. “Everything else is calculated from there, and you can get some amazing interpolations, and it can lead you to disaster. So the guidance that it gives you is misleading. When golfers are getting to a stage where they really want to improve their game, that could be exactly the wrong medicine."

Instead, Johnson wanted a system that was not terribly expensive but that provided accurate and extensive data. Packaged with a user interface that appeals to both the high-end clubfitter and the novice golfer, FlightScope does just that, recording the precise trajectory that the ball travels and giving actual (not implied) results.

"We are very proud of the fact that it has a very simple user interface," he said. "You use left and right arrows - you don't have to be computer literate to drive the system. On the downside, there's a lot of information. You can get stuck in details. I recommend normally that people start with the simple screens. We have a dashboard screen that gives you 'bubbles' with information in them — the critical factors. People like that because it's easy.

"We're trying to cater obviously to the connoisseur who wants (the information) and also for the normal guy in the street who might be a little agnostic about all the technology stuff, so there are applications for both. There are screens for both."

When Johnson first introduced the FlightScope, it had a retail price around $22,000 — usually selling, he said, for about $17,000. Now the entire system, which comes in one box, retails for $6,995 — making it much more affordable for smaller retailers and clubfitters, and even the especially avid individual golfer.
Other benefits: The system can be used anywhere with a laptop computer and a power source. As well, it works in nearly all weather and lighting conditions, indoors and out ("I've even used it in snow," Johnson said, "but it's not nice to hit balls in the snow").

FlightScope can also be connected to a second monitor and used in conjunction with many popular swing analysis video systems, so golfers can see both how they look and what results were achieved with each swing.

"I sat with Butch Harmon some time ago and I got the idea from listening to him," Johnson said. "I realized we needed to bring that to the table. Technologically speaking, it's not a big thing for us to do, but it's a big thing for the coaches. Suddenly they only have to have one piece."

As part of a campaign to promote FlightScope in the United States and Canada, Johnson said that the company is targeting a few specific markets. Besides teachers, he hopes to make the system more popular with clubfitters, tour professionals (Padraig Harrington, Bradley Dredge and other European Tour players own them) and at the college level.

To enhance the product's value to clubfitters, Johnson said he's partnering with companies like Swing Labs, which makes equipment fitting software that can be used with launch monitors to find the best equipment for an individual golfer's swing.

"We profile all the leading equipment out there, which is an ongoing task because new equipment keeps coming out," said Swing Labs co-founder and president Mark DiMare. "The customer can see side by side how the different equipment works for them."

Retailers and clubfitters pay $395 for the basic system setup and then purchase fitting credits to use with their customers. They'll also need a launch monitor, which is where FlightScope comes in. At the end of the process, the fitter can recommend the best clubs for their customers and make more sales.

More importantly, the Swing Labs system ensures that its users all have the same basic level of clubfitting training.

 
 

Chad,

The one in bold characters is the new one I bought and contrary to popular belief, Trackman isn't the only over-priced launch monitor that's needed to properly collect data...

[cfgolfer]

Agree, I met with both the FlightScope people and Tracman. Both excellent but the FlightScope was as good and at a better price.

[KARLSTAD]

Is it the KUDU witch cost $6,995 ?

[camster8]

Is it the KUDU witch cost $6,995 ?

Yes...

[pdiddy3]

what is the main difference between the kudu and cheetah?  price probably?

[KARLSTAD]

Is it the KUDU witch cost $6,995 ?

Yes...

You guys "over there" have really cheap LM´s ....After a lot of investigastion I have found that KUDU has what I want from a LM...
and now I hear that they are for 6995$ over there......think I have to call the swedish representant for flightscope and ask some. qustions..(again).

[camster8]

Tell them that you want the PGA Show Special (the one that was in Orlando, FL last month).  That show was hardly a huge success for most vendors that attended.  I bet they'd honor that.  Besides, even if they don't, it would be worth the effort to try...

Forgot to add, the Show Special was $5595.00...

[NewJerichoMan]

Tell them that you want the PGA Show Special (the one that was in Orlando, FL last month).  That show was hardly a huge success for most vendors that attended.  I bet they'd honor that.  Besides, even if they don't, it would be worth the effort to try...

Shouldn't your KUDU be arriving any day now?   

Later,
David

[camster8]

Tell them that you want the PGA Show Special (the one that was in Orlando, FL last month).  That show was hardly a huge success for most vendors that attended.  I bet they'd honor that.  Besides, even if they don't, it would be worth the effort to try...

Shouldn't your KUDU be arriving any day now?   

Later,
David

Yes, it is scheduled for 3/1 delivery...

[KARLSTAD]

Tell them that you want the PGA Show Special (the one that was in Orlando, FL last month).  That show was hardly a huge success for most vendors that attended.  I bet they'd honor that.  Besides, even if they don't, it would be worth the effort to try...

Forgot to add, the Show Special was $5595.00...

Well have sent away a e-mail to the swedish sales represant....5595$ is in the area of half the price over here...hope the flightscope is dropping their prices and I just have some older prices..

[pdiddy3]

im really interested in the kudu.  ill have to try it out and do a club gapping with it.  id love to get my exact carry #'s so everything fits where it should.

[Springbok]

More things coming. Can't say what. You'll have to wait to see.

[KARLSTAD]

Have got some answers from flightscope HQ,,,the TYPE-0 model for North american market isn`t exactlly the same as the one for the Europen market...some differences in the electromagnetic specification.,so there will not be a "orlando" special for us in Europe..
Have to say the flightscope guy really answerd my questions fast.

[camster8]

Have got some answers from flightscope HQ,,,the TYPE-0 model for North american market isn`t exactlly the same as the one for the Europen market...some differences in the electromagnetic specification.,so there will not be a "orlando" special for us in Europe..
Have to say the flightscope guy really answerd my questions fast.

I tried to get you the "Show Price" over here.  No can do ...  I tried though...  Your answer is the same one I got from the US Rep., so it must be true ...

[camster8]

Have got some answers from flightscope HQ,,,the TYPE-0 model for North american market isn`t exactlly the same as the one for the Europen market...some differences in the electromagnetic specification.,so there will not be a "orlando" special for us in Europe..
Have to say the flightscope guy really answerd my questions fast.

And yes, their company is a pleasure to do business with.  All very knowledgeable and passionate about their product.  Henri is a great guy and answered every question I had for him at the Orlando Show.  All 1 1/2 hours worth...

[camster8]

More things coming. Can't say what. You'll have to wait to see.

That is really not fair ...

[KARLSTAD]

Have got some answers from flightscope HQ,,,the TYPE-0 model for North american market isn`t exactlly the same as the one for the Europen market...some differences in the electromagnetic specification.,so there will not be a "orlando" special for us in Europe..
Have to say the flightscope guy really answerd my questions fast.

And yes, their company is a pleasure to do business with.  All very knowledgeable and passionate about their product.  Henri is a great guy and answered every question I had for him at the Orlando Show.  All 1 1/2 hours worth...

It`s Henri I have emailed,,service minded is what I call him..

[rp]

All this talk has got me on the phone with Flight Scope reps 

[pdiddy3]

i even emailed our rep in MA, but alas, i couldnt get the PGA show price.  he told me 6995, and he also told me they are going up in april.  go figure.  i guess its a purelaunch for me now.

[NewJerichoMan]

If this weren't a damn leap year, Frank would have his KUDU today!  BTW, what the F does KUDU stand for or mean?

Later,
David

[Springbok]

If this weren't a damn leap year, Frank would have his KUDU today!  BTW, what the F does KUDU stand for or mean?

Later,
David

The same as the "F" in "way"

[NewJerichoMan]

If this weren't a damn leap year, Frank would have his KUDU today!  BTW, what the F does KUDU stand for or mean?

Later,
David

The same as the "F" in "way"

Saw a picture of the KUDU machine.  Saw the K resembled the horns of a greater KUDU.  When can you spill the beans about the lesser KUDU that can easily transport to the driving range with them?   

Later,
David