A Complete Home Golf Simulator Guide for All Level Golfers
Golf is a relaxing game. There is no alternative to walking on the grass, talking to your caddy or partner, and enjoying the sunny day. But it’s not always about relaxation. Sometimes you need to practice hard to improve, to get prepared for the next tournament. Here comes a golf simulator.
Once playing golf was limited within a particular period. You had to go to a certain place and wait for your turn. But today, it’s much easier to be a pro by playing anytime, anywhere with a golf simulator.
So if you are passionate about improving golf, a golf simulator is exactly what you need. It lets you practice in different environments with different challenge modes and practice features.
What is an Golf Simulator?
Golf simulator is a complete setup to play golf at home. It lets you play with a regular ball, a regular club like playing on an actual golf course. But here, you have a golf net or screen to hit at and a tracking system to measure golf data.
It’s not like playing a video game. Here you get all the necessary information elaborately from a data tracker or a golf launch monitor. And you can run this launch monitor simply by installing software on your computer.
Rain, snow, cold, off-season, whatever it is, nothing can limit your game. A home golf simulator lets you play throughout the year regardless of the weather. A perfect solution to get relief when you are under stress!
Types of Golf Simulators for Every Need
Best Home Golf Simulators
Home golf simulators offer a simple yet complete home golf setup for having a real golf experience. Due to technological advancements, golf simulators are now more available and within reach. Having a home golf setup means practicing your swing anytime and improving your skill.
If you want to enjoy golf throughout the year, a home golf simulator is ideal for you. But before you buy one, there are a lot of things you need to know about a golf simulator. For example, how much space you need, whether you want to play with friends or not, what materials you need, how much your budget is, and so on.
First, make a list of your needs. Then, check the golf simulator packages, the features, the budgets, and the other required things to consider. Finally, find the one that matches your needs and fits your game level.
For detailed information, go through the best home golf simulators where we covered everything you need to know to enjoy golf at home.
Best Outdoor Golf Simulators
Many golfers prefer to set up a golf simulator outdoors, like in the backyard or garage. It’s nice to have more space to practice and play with friends. Others may want to have a complete golf simulator set up at their home, but they may not have enough space. So they set it up outdoors.
A home golf simulator is perfect for putt and chip shots. But for drive shots, you need more space that cannot be performed better at home. Instead, it suits the outdoors most. For example, an outdoor golf simulator uses a radar doppler tracking system which requires a broader range to track data. In addition, the hitting net and mat are flexible to use out of your home.
So, if you’re looking for a simulator with a large screen or one where you can practice various golf swings comfortably, an outdoor golf simulator would be ideal for you. But there are many packages available to choose from. To find your suitable one, visit our top picks of the best outdoor golf simulators to know in detail and find an optimal solution for you.
Best Commercial Golf Simulators
Golf simulators are not for personal use only. They can also be a great source of entertainment for the customers of your restaurants or hotels. Because a golf simulator in your restaurant or hotel will increase customer satisfaction and make your business a crowded place than ever before.
To attract your clients, you should choose the right one based on two things. One is to ensure an excellent simulation experience for your customer, and the other is to increase your revenue. Customers love fun features along with the game improvement feature. Make sure the simulator has both.
Sometimes your clients might want to play with their friends together. So the multiplayer playing system is another significant feature for a commercial golf simulator.
But, there is a lot more to know. We covered every need and budget in our recommended 6 best commercial golf simulators so that you can find your perfect match.
Best Golf Simulators under $5000
Once golf simulators were costly and out of reach. But today, a high-quality golf simulator is worth considering for its reduced price. You can expect high-quality design, user-friendliness, and easy setup features from a golf simulator for under $5000.
You may not get a complete setup or utmost accuracy like the expensive ones. But yet, an affordable golf simulator lets you have a premium golf simulation experience while saving a fortune. And, you can definitely improve your swing by practicing regular with it.
If choosing the right one among multiple options within this price range seems a bit overwhelming for you, go through our recommended list of the best golf simulators under $5,000. It lets you know in detail what you can expect and how to find the right one for you.
Best Golf Simulators under $1000
Unlike before, golf simulators are not confined to only a group of golfers. Because today, high-quality golf simulators are affordable for just under $1000. And all level golfers can have one at their home.
Being the most affordable golf simulator doesn’t mean they sacrifice their quality for the price. On the contrary, even the cheapest one can be an optimal solution for increasing your skill. For example, the Phigolf simulator. Both single-digit or double-digit golfers can experience a natural golf swing using just a single stick.
There are a variety of golf simulators under $1000. Some are mobile golf simulators, some just launch monitors, and some include a few more pieces of equipment. But which one goes with your needs and preferences?
Check out this article, the best golf simulators under $1000, and you will get your answer.
Materials and Types of Golf Simulators
There are different types of golf simulators based on the materials they require. It depends on your choice and budget. There are some mobile golf simulators that don’t actually need materials. You can play just with a stick and see the data result on the mobile screen.
PhiGolf and Rapsodo are two examples of mobile golf simulators.
But there are also other simulators like Foresight Sports, Uneekor, Full Swing etc that require some golf materials to setup. For example, a mat, a net, an enclosure, a projector, projector screen and so on.
Let’s know them in detail.
Launch Monitor
Launch monitor uses a tracking system to track data. Either it tracks ball data or club data, or both. Club data means the data you get from the movement of your golf clubs. It includes clubface, swing path, clubhead speed, face angle, etc. OptiShot is an example of such a golf launch monitor that tracks club data.
Ball data means the data of ball speed, sidespin, backspin, launch angle, etc. Ball data is crucial in knowing how much speed you should create at impact and how far your ball will go. SkyTrak is such a launch monitor that tracks ball data.
Golf Net
You need a net or a screen to hit into. Some simulators require nets; some require screens, some require both net and screen. By taking your clubs with a real or foam ball, you can go out and practice just hitting into a net. Or you can practice indoors. The same goes for a screen.
But hitting into a net won’t give the similar feedback that a screen gives. Because hitting into a net won’t show you any data while a screen will instantly display your shot along with many important data. So the screen is a better option.
Golf Projector
A projector gives you a virtual view of your shot with a realistic feeling. It shows where your shots are heading and how well you are playing. Basically, it projects ball flight and displays data on the screen. Without a projector, you cannot get the data feedback and know your performance. Most simulators use a projector to help you take your game to the next level.
Golf Mats
A quality mat helps you experience playing golf on fairway grass. There are some golf simulators that come with hitting mats. Though mats in a simulator are optional, yet it’s better to practice with a mat. Because it can help you control your ball flight as well as master your putting and chipping. And a mat doesn’t always necessarily require a full golf simulator setup when you just practice and hit several shots.
Along with these materials, an ideal golf simulator requires an enclosure, landing pad turf, and a side barrier net. There are also some accessories included with the materials such as projector mount, mount kit, putting green, AV cart, audio speaker, golf bag, protective case, user manual guide, etc.
Home Golf Simulator Guide
Room size requirements for golf simulators
Every golf simulator has a minimum space requirement. You should select the one that matches your room size. So this question may come to your mind, what sizes room do I need for a golf simulator?
Generally, you need at least 12” long x 10” wide x 8” deep room for a golf simulator . To have more flexibility in your swing, you need larger space. We recommend 16” length x 12” width x 9” depth in this case.
But for a full swing simulation experience, a golf simulator requires a minimum 18” length x 15” width x 10” depth. So it depends on your needs and preference.
Learn more about golf simulator room sizes from our other blog.
DIY golf simulator
Golf simulator packages are easy to get. Yet building them in-house seems more profitable to some golfers. You can also build a home golf simulator by yourself because the DIY golf simulator system allows you to build according to your preferences. And it’s not complicated. It’s an easy-to-do process.
Once you learn about the materials and process, it becomes easier. First, know the minimum space requirements and then collect the required materials. Then, you are ready to go!
You can also build your own golf practice net, mat, or enclosure in some simple steps. We gathered all these pieces of information in our resources.
Golf Simulators Brands
There’s a lot of golf simulators on the market based on the quality and price. You may get confused about which one performs great. To help you sort out this issue, we recommended some brands and their golf simulators below. We picked them based on our long-time research and analysis.
Skytrak Golf Simulator
SkyTrak is the name of a high-quality golf launch monitor that comes with game-improvement features. Despite being so accurate as of the trackman, it is relatively cheap!
By using photometric technology, SkyTrak can track ball flight within a limited space. It’s compatible with computers, iPad, or iPhones. Also, it’s a portable golf launch monitor. So you can carry it when you are on a trip.
You can practice with the skill assessment feature to increase your swing skill. SkyTrak also provides instant ball and clubhead data feedback to let you know your performance level and improve accordingly. Learn more about SkyTrak launch monitor and simulator packages.
Foresight Sports
Foresight Sports is a popular name for golf simulator users who love life-like simulation experiences. Their launch monitors are a wonderful combination of accuracy and advancements.
The innovation of cutting-edge technology was first introduced by Foresight Sports. And this brings the most current developments in their launch monitors like GC2, GCQuad, etc.
These launch monitors are one of the expensive ones on the market. But the building quality and versatility, essential putting analysis, high-speed camera system and so many unique features make them the professional’s first choice.
So if you are a professional golfer, learn more about Foresight Sports golf simulators.
Optishot Golf Simulator
OptiShot produces the cheapest golf launch monitors in the golf industry. Yet it gives you a combination of high-quality design and renowned virtual golf courses. For using an infrared tracking system, OptiShot doesn’t provide an accurate result like a photometric golf simulator.
If you have just started your game, you need fewer complications in setting up and using process. OptiShot eases these two and gives a user-friendly experience. As an entry-level golf simulator, OptiShot performs far better than other affordable golf simulators.
If you are looking for a beginner-level golf simulator, check OptiShot 2 brand and their packages.
TruGolf Simulator
TruGolf is different from any other golf simulator brand. They manufacture not only a golf simulator but also all the pieces of equipment of a complete home golf simulator.
What is an interesting fact about TruGolf is it has no launch monitor. So how does it track data? The answer is the TruTrack2 tracking system that works as an alternative to launch monitor and gives both ball and club data accurately.
TruGolf balances between the price and quality. You should consider up to $10,000 for any TruGolf simulator. You need to pay for having a world-class simulation experience. To know more, check all the TruGolf simulators reviews.
FlightScope
FlightScope Golf simulators are ideal for mid and high handicappers. These are specially designed for outdoor use. No doubt a FlightScope launch monitor gives very accurate results and a realistic simulation experience.
Comparing to its quality with cost, it’s not as expensive as other high-quality golf simulators. As FlightScope is lightweight and portable, you can carry it anywhere you want.
This launch monitor gives all the necessary ball and clubhead data information. Learn about FlightScope Mevo and Mevo+ launch monitors.
Ernest Sports
The name of Ernest Sports is a wonder in the golf launch monitors industry. Wondering why? Because they combine both radar doppler and photometric technology in their tracking system. Despite being so advanced, they are available at a very low price range.
Just think, you are playing with a launch monitor that is very accurate in numbers and can be played within a little setup. How will you feel? Besides Ernest Sports golf launch monitors are portable and easy to use.
Special Consideration
Along with the golf simulator packages, there are some brands that manufacture only single launch monitors. It doesn’t include any net, mat, or enclosure to set up. Some of them need just a stick or mobile screen with the launch monitor, some need nothing except the launch monitor. Here you get a list of such launch monitors of different brands.
Golf Simulator Guides and FAQ
How accurate are golf simulators?
A golf simulator can be 90-98% accurate if you can make it accurate. Because accuracy depends on what simulator you are using and how much concentration you are giving. High-quality golf simulators give you accurate results by calculating every pinpoint data.
But if you cannot ensure a suitable setting for a high-quality simulator, you will probably lose the utmost accuracy. So make sure you have one of the top golf simulator brands that produce quality materials. Also, you need to set up the sensors correctly and concentrate on your swing.
To know the accuracy in a more clear view, read this blog about how accurate golf simulators are.
How does a golf simulator work?
A golf simulator works by software connected to a computer or smartphone. It analyzes the golf shots using its tracking system. To be more specific, a golf simulator works with the help of sensors, cameras, and software that inspect the stroke. Total inspection on the speed, spin, and launch angle prepare the result.
Then the projector displays this result on the screen. Some golf simulators work just with a launch monitor to track data. They don’t come with a complete package. Some others work by mobile tracking system and display it on the mobile screen.
Read elaborately how a golf simulator works from our other blog.
How will a golf simulator help your game?
A golf simulator will help your game by representing your game performance. It will tell you how well you are playing, what to do for going to the next level, how accurate your ball flight is, in what position you should take your swing, and so on.
Besides, a golf simulator will give you immediate data feedback and skill challenging features to increase your golf skill. Different game modes allow you to practice in different circumstances. Multiplayer options let you play with your friends and family together.
Find out whether a golf simulator will really help your game or not and why.
For practicing golf throughout the year, home golf simulators can be the ultimate solution. Hope we made it clear to you what a golf simulator actually does and how. We also included the best golf simulators of different categories available on the market, their packages, and materials. Find out the one that matches your budget and meets your needs.