

That said, for less than $800, it’s significantly more enjoyable (and likely less costly!) than trying to hit flop shots off your carpet onto your couch. The website purports a “lifelike golfing experience” and while it stops short of defining lifelike, the simple fact you’re not hitting balls means this system sits on the very fringes of realistic. The basic kit includes a net, required hardware/software, an infrared hitting pad, foam balls and rubber tees. It has everything required to approximate the golfing experience indoors. The system comes pre-loaded with 15 courses, though you’ll need a computer with specific system requirements to run the software.įor less than $800, Optishot’s Golf in a Box is a simple solution for the consumer who isn’t picky about launch angles or spin loft but is more focused on entertainment. Entry Level Option: Optishotįor as little as $299, Optishotoffers a budget-friendly simulator in the form of a notebook-sized hitting pad which uses 16, 48-MHz sensors to track each shot.

If you plan to spend your off-season optimizing your driver, or gapping your entire bag, you’re going to want to spend a bit more on the technology. My thinking is that if you’re going to put this much effort into something you plan to enjoy long-term, spend as much as your budget allows for to get a launch monitor that does what you need it to. If the goal is to have a little fun knocking the ball around with the guys, precision accuracy and access to robust launch data probably isn’t that important. The first decision point – and arguably the most important – is what type of launch monitor is going to power your personal utopia. This decision ultimately boils down to how immersive and realistic you want your golf experience to be and whether or not you need to capture reliable data as well. If you’re going the DIY route, my assumption is you’re trying to save some cash. There are some areas where you can skimp on the design and others where it makes sense to spend a bit more. The entry level for this anything but entry level type setup can start as high as $40k and doesn’t tap out until the low six-figures.Īs with many things, you’ll have to pick a spot somewhere between everything you want and everything your budget allows for. Again, this assumes you’re good with just a net and willing to forgo having virtual driving ranges and golf courses projected to an impact screen.Īt the other end of the spectrum is a no holds barred, fully immersive, custom-built HD simulator room with every option.
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By the time you add a net, mat and annual software subscription, you’re going to be around $3000 for everything.
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If you’re good hitting balls into a portable net with shots measured with reasonable accuracy, and the display being handled by an iPad or equivalent device, Optishot’s “Golf In A Box 2” will only set you back $800 or so.įor $2000 you can step-up up a SkyTrack launch monitor. The scale of the project and all bells and whistles (features) contained therein, is largely driven by price. The phrase g olf simulator can mean many things. Once I got the okay from she-who-must-be-obeyed (whose patience with all of this golf stuff is exceeded by, well, her patience for me in general) it was time to get down to the nitty gritty and develop a viable plan to bring this thing to life.įor those who are interested in pursuing a similar dream, the following piece details my experience coupled with something that approximates a how-to guide. Here are the things you need to consider. It’s not that I need any excuse or justification for something like this little slice of Shangri La, but like many of you, I want to be able to play golf year-round, and the climate in Colorado, while fantastic, typically limits the season from March until maybe October.Įnter my passion project for this year: a DIY, indoor golf simulator. In my house, ample and secluded spaces are in short supply. When I tell people I have a wife and seven daughters, the first response is generally something like, “You’re kidding, right? or “You poor, poor such and such…” As you’d expect, there are some more colorful versions, but the salient point – the very reason I mention it – is that finding a personal sanctuary can be an arduous task.
