The ES15 Tour Plus is a high-end launch monitor that provides comprehensive ball and club data analysis, a feature that usually comes at a premium cost. The ES15 delivers this performance at a more accessible price point. However, it might not be the best choice if you are a handicapper seeking precise data analysis, especially in outdoor settings.
After relying on the Skytrak launch monitor for two years, I found that while it covered the basic ball metrics, its club data limitations hindered my progress in refining my swing technique. After seeing some good reviews about the ES15 Tour Plus, I decided to try it out. Its lightweight and portable design made it easy to set up in my garage.
What truly stood out was the wealth of ball and club data at my fingertips, providing a comprehensive view of my performance. The real-time feedback feature was a game-changer, simplifying the process of using and interpreting insights to enhance my game. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Its audio feature is not the best and was difficult to hear during use in the course. Also, it cost more than my previous Skytrak, although it was still cheaper than the GCQuad Launch monitor.
In the rest of this article, I’ll delve into the standout features of the ES15 launch monitor, sharing insights on how it performed during testing. I’ll explore the strengths that make it shine and touch on any drawbacks, providing you with a comprehensive overview to help you determine whether this launch monitor aligns with your golfing needs.
Ernest Sports ES15 Launch Monitor

$5,898
- Dual Radar and Photometric Technology: The ES15 is unique in combining both radar and photometric technologies. This dual approach allows for highly accurate ball and club data measurements.
- Wide Range of Metrics and Real-Time Feedback: The ES15 provides a broad spectrum of metrics that includes ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, carry distance, and many more.
- Versatility for Indoor and Outdoor Use: Designed to be versatile, the ES15 works effectively both indoors and outdoors. This flexibility allows golfers to train in various environments and conditions, making it a valuable tool for year-round practice.
Specifications
The ES15 Launch Monitor is a lightweight monitor weighing only 3 lbs that captures ball and club data, including carry distance, ball speed, club head speed, hang time, and launch angle. For a quick and convenient overview, here’s a handy table outlining the key specifications of this launch monitor, ensuring you get the relevant information at a glance, especially if you’re short on time:
Specification | ES15 Tour Plus |
Dimensions | 10″ (h) x 7.8″ (w) x 5″ (d) |
Weight | 3lbs |
Technology | high-speed infrared cameras and four 3D Doppler radar sensors |
PC connectivity | Bluetooth |
Battery Life | 8-10 hours 7.4-volt lithium-ion rechargeable battery or AC/DC adapter |
Compatibility | iPhone and Android |
Price | $5,895 |
Ball data captured | Total, carry, roll, and lateral carry distance, Ball speed, launch and landing angle, spin rate and spin axis, maximum height and hang time, shot dispersion |
Club data captured | Clubhead Speed. Smash Factor, Angle of Attack, Spin Loft, Face Angle, Club Path, and Dynamic Loft |
First impression
The ES15 Launch Monitor came in black and had a compact shape. It’s not super slim, but it’s practical. It felt lighter than other launch monitors, which was a plus.
It also had a base at the bottom, providing stability when I set it down.
I appreciate the thoughtful placement of buttons; it adds convenience and makes using it easy. They’re right where you need them, which is a nice touch.
Setting up
Setting up the ES15 was rather easy. The instruction manual was easy to follow, providing a step-by-step guide that got the Launch Monitor ready to roll.
Connecting it to my iPhone through Bluetooth was seamless. I downloaded the app and followed the on-screen instructions, and it was good to go. What’s cool is that I didn’t need an internet connection, unlike other launch monitors.
I set up mine in my garage, and it didn’t hog much space. My garage is spacious, so I had enough room for my shots. If your space is smaller, try a few practice shots to ensure everything fits.
Despite the suggestion to set it up around 8 feet, I experimented with different distances from the screen. I tried distances of 6 and 7 feet, and there were no issues with performance.
Technology and software
Ernest Sports ES15 Launch Monitor

$5,898
- Dual Radar and Photometric Technology: The ES15 is unique in combining both radar and photometric technologies. This dual approach allows for highly accurate ball and club data measurements.
- Wide Range of Metrics and Real-Time Feedback: The ES15 provides a broad spectrum of metrics that includes ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, carry distance, and many more.
- Versatility for Indoor and Outdoor Use: Designed to be versatile, the ES15 works effectively both indoors and outdoors. This flexibility allows golfers to train in various environments and conditions, making it a valuable tool for year-round practice.
The E15 truly stands out with its cutting-edge features. Its unique blend of photometric camera and Doppler radar technologies transforms it into a hybrid launch monitor, offering detailed ball and club data analysis. This combination gives me a comprehensive understanding of my swings, complemented by real-time feedback that helps enhance my shots.
It also allows the integration of three third-party simulation software packages: Golf Club, E6, and Perfect Parallel. This integration provides access to an extensive library of over 100,000 simulated courses, ranging from prestigious global venues to 3-par golf course settings.
Additionally, the E15 throws in free access to the ES15 Tour App. This app provides extra shot data like ball flight specifics and spin distance.
Performance
The ES15’s ball data tracking speed was impressive. I’m a low handicapper, and this launch monitor worked quite well. It gave me instant details about the ball and club, like how much it spun, the impact force, and how far it travelled. This helped me adjust my swing on the spot. I even double-checked it against my buddy’s Bushnell Launch Pro, and the results matched, so I trust the ES15.
My buddy, on the other hand, plays at a higher handicap, and during some of his plays, I noticed there were misreads compared to the Bushnell Launch Pro and sometimes even no reads at all. This proved that this launch monitor is more suited for low handicappers and unreliable for high handicappers.
The launch monitor also gave me crucial insights into launch angles after each swing, which is especially handy for different clubs. However, I wish the display on top of the device was larger. Having to check my phone constantly for certain data wasn’t the most convenient.
I also wasn’t too impressed with the device’s microphone. The audio was difficult to hear during use on the course because of background noise. This proves the launch monitor is more suitable for indoor use.
One cool thing was that I could save all my data in Excel format to check later.
Pros and cons
The E15 Tour Plus is one of those launch monitors with good and not-so-great sides. Let’s take a look at some of its pros and cons.
What I liked | What I Didn’t Like |
You can set it up without messy cables, making it easy to use and connect to your phone or tablet. | The audio feature disappointed. |
Whether I’m using a driver or an iron, the ES15 gives me good information. | The small LCD screen on the top of the device |
Our platform provides a wide range of data metrics that enable detailed shot analysis. | |
Setting up is simple. |
Price
The ES15 Tour Plus costs $5895. Although it is a high-end golf monitor, it is still cheaper than other premium monitors.
But if you want something cheaper that covers just as many data metrics as the ES15 Tour Plus, the Mevo+ and Skytrak are good options you can check out.
Skytrak only provides ball data, so its data point is less comprehensive than the ES15 Tour Plus.
When compared with other alternatives
The ES15 Tour Plus is a high-end launch monitor and a more expensive option. Other, less expensive options provide similar features and levels of performance. Here’s a table comparing the characteristics of these alternatives:
Specification | ES15 Tour Plus | Flightscope Mevo+ | Skytrak |
---|---|---|---|
Dimensions | 10.125” (H) 7.375″ (W) 2.625” (D) | 6.8 (W) x 1.2 (H) x 4.6 (D) | 6.75 (H): 5.75 (L): 2.5 (W) |
Weight | 2lb | 1lb | 1.75 lbs |
Technology | high-speed infrared cameras and four 3D Doppler radar sensors | 3D Doppler Radar: FlightScope Fusion Tracking | Photometric camera technology |
PC connectivity | Bluetooth | WiFi/USB cable | USB cable or WiFi |
Battery Life | 8-10 hours | 3 hours | 5-7 hours |
Compatibility | iPhone and Android | PC, iOS, and Android | iPhone, Android, and PC. |
Price | $1,995 | $1,896 | $1,695 |
Data Captured | Launch Angle, Ball Speed, Spin Rate, Spin Axis, Height, Hang Time, Landing Angle, Carry Distance, Roll Distance Total Distance, Clubhead Speed Smash Factor, Angle of Attack, Spin Loft, Face Angle, Club Path, and Dynamic Loft | Carry Distance, Club Head Speed, Smash Factor, Apex Height, Flight Time, Ball Speed, Vertical Launch Angle, Horizontal Launch Angle, Lateral Landing, Angle of Attack, Total Distance, Roll Distance, Spin Axis, Spin Rate, Spin Loft, Shot Shape | Smash Factor Back Spin Rate, Side Spin Rate, Spin Axis, Spin Loft, Horizontal Launch Angle, Vertical Launch Angle, Roll Distance, Apex Height, and Flight Time |
Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
Final thought
If you are a low handicapper looking to access comprehensive ball and club data to improve your shot without making a huge withdrawal from your bank account, then the ES15 would be a good choice.
But if you are a handicapper and desire the flexibility of playing anywhere, whether indoors or on the course, you may want to consider other options on the market.