When bad weather approaches, you don’t have to worry about missing your daily or weekly golf session. Golf simulators are high-technology systems that offer a virtually simulated golf course that allows you to play indoors or in your backyard.
Its computerized setup mimics the real-life game with added benefits like helping you analyze your swing, pinpoint your weaknesses, and improve your skills for the next time you are on the course. These systems gained popularity over the past three years because of the pandemic, and many people are still investing in them.
One main benefit is that they are suitable for beginners and experts. This gives you an excellent chance to practice away from the crowds before heading to the course. They also allow you to play famous golf courses that you might not have had the means or chance to play in real life.
Another significant benefit is that you can set it up indoors in your spare room, basement or garage. The chosen space can also be outdoors. The only requirement is for it to be at least ten feet wide, ten feet long, and eight feet high. Unlike many people’s beliefs, the simulations feel real because they contain foliage, trees, grass, and accurate renditions of the course you play.
You need an enclosure, impact screen, launch monitor, golf simulator software, hitting mat, projector, and a computer or tablet to set up your golf simulator. You can also choose between photometric, infrared, and radar technologies.
Photometric golf simulators use highly flexible cameras that help capture images of the ball after you hit, your launch angle, and side and backspin. To get more accuracy, you can purchase a stereoscopic system that takes images from two angles. You can also choose a trioscopic model with three cameras or a quadrascopic version with four cameras.
The infrared system captures your clubhead position using light signals. Finally, the radar system uses Doppler radar technology to track the ball even after impact.
When buying your simulator, the most important thing to consider is the brand because it determines the cost, warranty, and quality.
SkyTrak is one of the most recognized brands in this sector, with its bestselling SIG10 golf simulator package. Tackman is another brand that offers bells, whistles, and training programs. It also lets you simulate specific shots with different intricacies and lengths.
Other reputable brands include Golfzon, Full Swing, aboutGolf, Foresight Golf, FlightScope, TruGolf, Uneekor, SwingLogic, and Foresight Sport.