4 Best Golf Simulators for Home
Are you looking for an indoor golf simulator to install in your home? Don't know where to begin looking for a quality simulator that won't break a year after you buy it? Well that's why we put together this list of the best golf simulators for your home.
A golf simulator for your home can be quite a big investment and that is why you should do the research on what kind of simulator will work best with your budget. Some simulators can run off your gaming console (like a Playstation 3) while others can run off of your home PC. So far there is only one simulator that can run off of a Mac computer, so make sure you read the fine print! But since there are many kinds of golf simulators on the market right now, we have attempted to break down what we feel are the best all-around golf simulators that are quality-made, contain all the features to help you become a better golf, allow you to have a good time, and won't be a hassle to set up!
P3Pro Swing - This golf simulator is currently used in the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The PGA Professionals on staff at that facility trust the P3Pro Swing to deliver results that will help their students achieve their golf goals faster. If they trust this product, so should you. Their "classic" golf simulator is the perfect size for your home or office. It is small and portable and will connect with your PC via the software that they provide. The simulator measures such statistics as club face angle, swing path, angle of attack, swing tempo, and club head speed.
Coming in at a price of $600, this model has a "sensing platform" that will measure all of your swing data as you make a pass over the platform with your golf club. The nice thing about the software that comes with this model are the pictures it shows you as the club comes through impact. It's easy to determine if you sliced or hooked a shot.
This simulator DOES need a computer, however, that you must provide. This system only comes with the sensor pad and necessary software. So if you don't have a solid computer, you'll have to shell out the extra money for that first.
Overall this is a great simulator software that you can easily use in your home.
Optishot Infrared Golf Simulator - As far as graphics go, this golf simulator is tops. Like the P3Pro Swing, this golf simulator requires you to have a computer, however it has a price tag of only $400. It features a hitting sensor surface that allows you to use a real golf ball, a foam golf ball, or no golf ball at all. It measures all the key statistics that you could want, plus it offers a practice and a play mode. The optishot is definitely worth the price tag and it's small enough to use anywhere you want - home, office, or even in the garage.
It connects to your PC through a USB cable and only works with Windows PC's. The software itself is nice because it gives you all the pertinent data, plus allows for games or practice.
Golf Launchpad Tour - Talk about a really cool golf simulator! This simulator is compatible with PC, Mac, and PlayStation 3! No other golf simulator has this kind of compatibility. The only downfall to this simulator is the tethered golf ball that you have to hit. You don't get to use a real golf ball, but it's really a deal breaker because the unit comes in at a great price point. The Golf Launchpad Tour starts at $200 - a pretty good value.
Most golf simulators allow you to use your own golf ball, whether it be fake or real. However, the best part of the Golf Launchpad Tour seems to be the price and the fact that you can use it with a Windows, Mac, or PlayStation3 device. This makes it very appealing to golfers of all backgrounds and preferences.
aboutGolf Simulators - This is far and away one of the best "full featured" golf simulator companies, however their focus is usually on the higher end facilities that can accommodate a large unit. Their units are not typically meant for a home, unless you live in a really big house!
aboutGolf simulators are known for high quality graphics and performance, however the price tag is not really suited to most golfers looking to put a simulator in their home. Overall, a great product but a little expensive for the average user.