Three evidence layers
Every recommendation can draw from three different kinds of evidence. We label them so readers can see what is factual, what comes from outside experience and what is our interpretation.
01
Verified manufacturer specs
Official product documentation, support pages, manuals, pricing and compatibility information.
02
Independent evidence
Retailer documentation, long-term owner feedback, specialist publications and community reports where relevant.
03
Editorial analysis
Our interpretation of room fit, value, ownership cost, trade-offs and suitability for specific setups.
The product matrix
Before final recommendations are published, products are normalized against the same decision factors. For launch monitors, this includes tracking technology, placement, room requirements, ball data, club data, software support, subscriptions, indoor/outdoor use, handedness switching, portability, current price and total ownership cost.
This prevents a product from ranking highly simply because its marketing page is more detailed than a competitor's.
The Golf Rig Rating
When a numerical rating is used, it is an editorial score rather than a laboratory measurement. Each score is built from category-level criteria relevant to that product class.
For launch monitors, that can include accuracy evidence, indoor use, outdoor use, space requirements, software, setup complexity, subscription burden, simulator compatibility and value.
Pricing and update policy
Prices, software plans and affiliate availability can change quickly. Articles show an update date, and important commercial pages are reviewed periodically. We do not guarantee that every retailer price remains current after publication.
Hands-on testing
Hands-on testing is valuable, but we will not manufacture it. If The Golf Rig has physically tested a product, that fact will be stated clearly. If a guide is research-based, it will be described as research-based.