Simulator Summary

The 2015 PGA Show was an amazing event, packed with cool new products, highlighted by some incredible technology. We met with reps from 7 simulator companies over two days, and the amount of information we received was staggering. We learned about new ball and club tracking technologies, simulator features, teaching methods, and even got a chance to personally test every simulator we reviewed. 

They can generally be broken up into two sections: launch monitors and simulators. The self-contained, "all-inclusive" simulator products package everything you need into one custom built space. The tracking technology, screen, computer, projector, and in most cases the room, are built specifically for sim golf. These companies include X-Golf, Full Swing Golf, Tru Golf, and About Golf.

Launch monitors are the product that reads ball and club data during the golf shot, and are available outside of the all-inclusive simulator setup. Trackman, Flightscope, and Foresight are the three companies we saw who's primary product is their launch monitor. All three of these companies will build you a self-contained simulator room, but they are most noted for their portability and versatility. Foresight especially offers a beautiful complete simulator system, with two GC2's permanently installed facing a right and left handed player. 

 Overall rating and comments: (scroll down or click links to the right for full reviews)

 

1. - About Golf - About Golf's simulator was fantastic. Easy to use, accurate, fun, and great for teaching. It offered a family experience not seen in any other simulator. The AGPortal is genius, and makes this simulator the most versatile available. From Tour Pros to beginner golfers, everyone will find something to love in an About Golf Simulator. If The Golf Channel trusts it for live T.V, you know the technology is accurate and reliable. 

2. - Full Swing Golf - Was a slightly better simulator experience than About Golf, but the AGPortal got About Golf the number 1 spot. What amazed me most about Full Swing Golf was how quick and accurate the ball tracking was. The rep challenged me to hit draws, fades, skulls, and shanks; and they all looked exactly like they would on a real range. You really feel like your golf ball blasts through the screen and flies off into the digital world. Chipping and putting was perfectly lifelike.

3. - Trackman - The number 1 launch monitor system. Trackman is the choice of the pro's for a reason, it measures more data, and claims more accuracy than anyone. It's inability to pick up short game shots make it a lesser option as a full golf simulator experience, but as a virtual driving range it can be very effective. Its portability can also be important if your area is only sometimes enclosed, or if you wish to take it outside. Overall more of a teaching tool than a simulator.

4. - Foresight GC2 - Great combination of simulator (runs E6 software), and launch monitor. Measures less data than most other launch monitors, but also costs a lot less. The companies pre-built simulator setups are great looking, but you need a GC2 on each side to accommodate left and right handed players. We currently have a GC2 with E6 simulator software setup indoors for teaching use this winter and early spring. 

5. - FlightScope - The HUD was not quite a clean as Trackman; and some of the info was difficult to find and compare. The ball flight indoors (about 40 yards) did not always correspond to what was shown on the display.

6. - Tru Golf - Rating Tru Golf number 6 is a little unfair, as they created the E6 simulator software that many of these companies are running, but their attempt at a self-contained simulator was very average. Sonar technology did not measure as many data points and experience was not as clean or sharp as the above models. The rep almost suggested you would be better off having Tru Golf build you a sim with a Trackman in it.
 
7. - X- Golf - A lot going on with X-Golf, and some of it is pretty cool. The auto-teeing system was original, and being able to control the simulator on a foot pad behind the teeing area would be very useful if practicing alone. However, the gadgets and gizmos clogged the teeing area visually, and the simulator software was par for the course. It costs nearly what an About Golf or Full Swing Golf unit would cost, and does not provide close to the same experience.





Disclaimer....This article and those previous to it were written based on personal experiences, testimony, and product reviews. Some of the information in the blog may have been taken from promotional materials. The opinions are those solely of the writer, and do not reflect the opinions of any group, business, or organization he is associated with. Hit it long and straight!