Golf simulators are probably the coolest toy a golfer can own.
I know this because I owned one years ago. At the time, I had decided to open an indoor teaching studio at a sports facility.
The goal was to have the ability to teach year round.
My budget at the time was about $10,000. So, I couldn’t order up one of the high end simulators that you may find in a commercial facility. At the time, those were typically priced upwards of $50,000.
What I did was piece together a simulator on my own. Here were the components…
- A steel hitting cage with netting
- Impact screen
- Video projector
- Hitting platform
- Club sensor
- Computer with software
At that time, only the high end simulators worked without a club sensor. The one I used was about as high end as you could find.
For instance, while the OptiShot 2 golf simulator product that is still sold today has about 16 sensors that track the club, the one I had purchased had over 60.
The main issue with these types of simulators is that you either needed to add a reflecting tape to the bottom of your club, or you needed a very bright spotlight over top the sensor.
This allowed the sensors to track the club, and that is how it provides the feedback and simulation for the ball flight.
The higher end simulators at the time all used a combination of high speed cameras and radar to track the ball and provide the simulator.
Nowadays, you can set up a simulator for under $10,000 by using a launch monitor that provides you feedback by tracking the ball with cameras or by using radar technology.
You can keep it real cheap by just combining it with a net, hitting mat and a TV screen, or you can add an enclosure with the impact screen and projector.
The cheaper setup will cost you under $5,000, while adding the other components will still keep you well under $10,000.
There are still setups that use sensors similar to what I described above to provide the simulation. You can put together a pretty good simulator product with that technology. TruGolf is one such brand.
The problem is, you have to hit from the same exact spot for every shot. This results in pretty rapid wear and tear on the hardware that is built into the mat, and the mat itself.
Considerations before you buy a golf simulator
Before you go online to order your golf simulator, there are a few factors you need to consider first…
- Space size
- Indoor and/or outdoor usage
- Budget
Space Size
Ceiling clearance is the most important consideration for determining whether you even have room for a simulator.
I would argue that you need a minimum of ten feet of clearance, and if you, or anyone who will use the simulator are over six feet tall, probably a bit more.
This will ensure that you don’t hit the ceiling with your driver.
At full extension in the follow through of your golf swing, your driver is going to extend a good 3 1/2 feet above your shoulder height, as you see with Tiger to the right.
This will take your driver up at least nine feet. A taller player will get you close to ten feet so you want to have clearance a few inches above that if possible.
Width
Based upon the way most hitting bays and cages are set up, you probably want at least twelve feet of width. This will allow the netting to catch a ball that goes astray before it hits a sidewall.
Depth
The depth you need is dependent upon the device you use to simulate the ball flight and whether you will also conduct video analysis of your swing.
A Flightscope Mevo+ simulator makes use of radar to track the ball and provide the simulation. It is set up behind and it needs room to track the ball before it hits the net or screen.
If you intend to take video of your swing, you’ll also have a camera set up behind you. Lastly, you need a couple feet of space behind the net or impact screen to give it space to catch the ball. Otherwise, you’ll be punching a lot of holes in the wall behind the screen!
With this in mind, you’ll need about 20 feet of depth.
If you are using a different type of set up, such as with a Skytrak launch monitor, which is placed beside the ball, then you won’t need as much depth. At a minimum, you’ll want about 15 feet.
Indoor and Outdoor Usage
Will strictly be using your simulator indoors? Or, will you want to use it outside at times.
If the answer is both, then you’ll want to use a launch monitor that works both indoors and outdoors. The Flightscope Mevo+, Skytrak, Full Swing KIT and the Foresight Sports GC3 are examples.
If you are just looking at indoor use, then you don’t need the portability offered by these products.
Budget
The last consideration obviously is your budget. You can literally set up a low end golf simulator at home for under $1,000.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a high end simulator with all the bells and whistles, and one that can also be used for other home entertainment, you can spend upwards of $70,000.
In between, there are all sorts of options.
Let’s have a look at a few different price points for golf simulators.
Golf simulators under $3,000
The only real golf simulator product out there today that you can come in at under $3,000 is the OptiShot 2.
As mentioned, this plug and play system utilizes club tracking technology incorporated into a piece of hardware. You place the ball at the same spot on this device, and it tracks the club with built-in sensors.
If you want to just use the Optishot by hitting into a net and getting the simulation on your computer, you can literally keep your cost at under $1,000.
If you decide to go this route, I recommend buying the Optishot 2 with the Orlimar Golf Mat, so you can place the hardward in the cutout in the mat.
With this setup, your space needs will be quite a bit smaller than with any of the other products.
Optishot also comes with 15 golf courses and the sensor tracks club speed, carry distance, face angle, path, face contact, and tempo.
Golf Simulators Under $10,000
If you have a budget over $3,000, but under $10,000, you can still get set up with a pretty good golf simulator.
The most important piece of equipment in this case is the launch monitor.
To keep your set up under $10,000, while still getting a close to commercial simulator experience, you will want to go with a Skytrak or Flightscope Mevo+ launch monitor.
These are priced similarly, usually under $2,000. Both are also portable, so you can take them out on the range as well.
You can combine one of these with a decent package including the hitting bay, mat, and video projector and keep your cost well under $10,000.
The set up pictured above is the Flightscope Mevo + with a twelve foot wide hitting bay priced at just under $8,000.
You check out more options ranging from about $4,000 to $10,000 while utilizing the Flightscope or Skytrak launch monitors here.
Golf Simulators under $25,000
If you want to step your budget to $10,000 to $25,000, you are going to get into the more high end launch monitors and club tracking devices.
The next price level for a launch monitor above the Skytrak and Flightscope Mevo + is the new Full Swing KIT product endorsed by Tiger Woods.
This launch monitor has been developed by Full Swing Golf, which has been in the golf simulator business for years at the high end level.
This launch monitor runs for $4,999 and makes use of radar to provide the simulation and feedback. This is also a portable launch monitor, so you can take it with you to the range as well.
By using a similar set up to the one pictured with the Flightscope Mevo+, you can put together a package for just over $10,000.
Full Swing KIT partners with E6 software to offer you courses and practice simulation.
The next price level in this range takes you up to about $15,000 with the Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor.
This launch monitor is also portable and makes use of camera technology to produce ball and club data. This launch monitor is priced alone at $7,499.
This launch monitor comes with its own simulation software that includes eleven courses.
Once you start paying that amount of money for a launch monitor, you will likely want to upgrade your overall set up with a bigger enclosure, higher end mats, etc.
Earlier I mentioned the technology involving club tracking devices that are built-in to the mat.
The Tru Vista 12 package seen to the right is an example of this technology. You’ll note the spotlight shining on the device built into the mat.
This is not my favorite type of setup as I mentioned previously, but it does provide accurate feedback and negates the use for alot of space in regard to depth.
What I do like about this set up is the soft grass mat in between the hitting mat and the screen. I also like the short-throw projector that is floor mounted. It makes for an easier setup.
Tru Vista comes with E6 software with 4K graphics.
Another simulator option in this price range involves the Uneekor product. This is a ceiling mounted unit that tracks the ball and club to provide you with the simulation data and feedback.
Naturally, since it is ceiling mounted, this is not a portable product. It is also priced near the high end among the launch monitors I’ve reviewed at $12,,000.
The whole nine yards
Lastly, if you are looking for the ultimate in a golf simulator and entertainment package on par with those you will find in a commercial facility, consider the HD Golf Simulator.
About this package Shop Indoor golf says “This premium golf simulator package is loaded with features to deliver the perfect mix of entertainment and accuracy, and is built around HD Golf’s Multi-Sport software package.
With the ability to play multiple sports in stunning graphics, and the versatility to turn the simulator into you’re very own home theater, it’s no wonder the Ultimate Entertainment Package is our top of the line golf simulator system.”
What’s Included In The HD Golf Simulator Package:
- 16:10 Flat Standard System (10ft H x 15ft 6in W x 19ft L)
- Area Golf Turf in Green Turf (16ft x 22ft 6in) & Stance Mat
- Viewing and Hitting System Frame/Screen
- Computer Vision Club and Ball Tracking System
- Precision Spin Measurement Data Module
- HP Computer Business Workstation
- Sony Laser Projector Upgrade & Mounting Bracket
- 22in Wideview LCD Touchscreen Monitor
- Surround Sound Package Upgrade
- HD Golf Software Package (Deluxe Package – All Courses)
- HD Multi-Sport Software Package (ALL Sports)
- Multi-Sport Shooting and Hunting Accessory Package
- Rear Stereoscopic Cameras With Mount/Lens
- Drapery, Baffle, and Ceiling Track System
- Power Bar, Cables, Components, A/V Cabinet
And you get all this for a mere $70,000!
Hey, if you have that kind of budget, go for it! I can tell you from experience playing on something similar, these high end simulators are pretty awesome.
With that said, you can have loads of fun with any of the other golf simulator packages I mentioned above.
And, quite frankly, when you combine a simulator with swing analysis, you will be able to make substantial improvements in your game.
