Advice on starting new GC2/HMT build

[S-Murf-IRL]

Hello. I am looking to build a golf simulator in my garage and some help from you experts would be great. A little background on me is I'm 31, from Ireland and live in San Francisco. I didn't play golf at all there (which I now regret since I now take notice of the amazing courses there). I started playing a year and a half ago and I try to play one round per week, go to the driving range once per week at least and I booked a series of lessons. I'm on my 4th lesson and current handicap is 15.3.

I had been thinking of a simulator for a while and made the mistake of purchasing the optishot 2, building a platform from 1-1/8 plywood and setting the unit flush and fixing home depot turf on top. I made a screen out of heavy duty fabric from a material store and bought some large golf nets on amazon which I attached 8 inches from walls and ceiling. All seemed good and until I started playing and I seen that it just didn't seem to hit anywhere like I hit on the range and just having the issue of taping clubs and worrying about shadows was pissing me off.

Info I would appreciate would be advice on a computer,(desktop or laptop best) a real screen. Where I could get and approx price.

After reading a lot of posts on here and watching youtube videos I think I'm set on the Foresight GC2 and HMT. I called them and went through the expected interrogation of what I needed it for since they talked about asking their committee if I needed to buy the FSX software for $2500.

I was quoted for a PGA show special:

GC2A - $5995
HMT- $5895
FSX - $ 2495
Shield - $110
5 additional courses - Free ($155/retail per course)

They quoted me $995 for a laptop: Win 10, intel i7-6500u, geforce gtx 950m (4gb) 8gb ram, 1tb hd, fully loaded ready to play.

I'm really not sure when it comes to computers what I will need and if I decide to also use 3rd party courses if that is enough or what.

I would like to purchase a decent impact screen but again I don't know much about them (my garage is 14W x 30L x 12H)

From research I'm thinking that the trustrike single is ok unless there is another?

My budget started at $14k but after pleading with my wife I got it up to $17k haha. I will have to work Saturdays also for like a year but I think it's well worth it.

Any help at all is greatly appreciated.

[Dax]

All of the answers to your questions are discussed at length in the forum. However, some summary thoughts,

1. What are your room dimensions ?

2. Do you really need HMT?

3. Read posts on other software choices that you can use with GC2.

4. Look up a very recent discussion on screens. Most recommend HQ material fro Par2Pro (currently on back order). Consider adding netting behind screen (see extensive discussions in this forum on why this is suggested).

5. Ensure 8 inches is enough between impact screen and wall.

6. Consider projector. Not sure you mentions this above.

7. Do you need to spend all the money on laptop? Why do you want or need a laptop. Many discussions on here for computers and why a desktop is better choice as well as suggestions for specs.

8. I have true strike and like it. Cost is high though. Lots of discussion here comparing alternatives.

9. I could go on and on, but spend a few hours reading this forum and if you have time there are other forums with lots of good stuff as well.

10. When you get your unit, join some of the online tourneys.

Cheers

[S-Murf-IRL]

Thanks Dax. I read so many posts on many different options over a week that my head started spinning. That and being told that I needed to order the Foresight equipment soon because the PGA show this weekend and there could be a long waiting list on the equipment after that made it spin even more haha.

P.S. I have an Epson Powerlite home cinema 400. Any good?
I sometimes have a habit of shanking the ball so was thinking the HMT would be good to see data?
I have a Macbook pro and thats it. I was told that I needed something otherwise the software or protee 2.0/TGC would not look good?

Where I'm really confused about is what 'I need' versus what they are telling me I need

[Gamble Gamble]

Don't fall for foresight's fake scarcity sales tactics. The market for $6k+ sims does not have a supply side problem

Side Note: I may need an ambien prescription

[Dax]

Ps, welcome to the forum!

[Gamble Gamble]

Some notes: you can get them down to 8100 on the GC2a + FSX. HMT was never quoted to me as I did not care for putting stickers on my clubs and think the club data is not worth another 6k. If you can get them to sell you just the gc2a unit that is best because it sounds like TGC will be geared towards practice and sim soon.

Projectors: Optoma and BenQ are great HD and they have short throw options. go to projectorcentral and use their calculators but make sure you do that on a device that has flash enabled. If shadows are a concern go with a short throw projector.

Screen: Par2Pro HQ screen is highly regarded here

Computer: stay away from laptops with the Nvidia M series card. You are better off spending 1k on a custom of build at ibuypower or a small form factor at cyberpowerpc. Go with a Nvidia 970 minimum if you want to run FSX and/or The Golf Club. Most people recommend 16gb ram as well.

Welcome to the forum!

I am in the middle of my build, so I've been geeking out on this stuff as well. PM me if you get stuck on something.

[Gamble Gamble]

You're welcome. If you are planning to build a sim without fear of it costing you half your assets plus alimony, I would imagine you have one of those girls that is a keeper.

If I can offer one piece of macro advice, it would be to segment each part of the sim (room construct, sound management, light management, projector/screen, computer, LM) and tackle each individually. Completing each task in reverse expense order may also be prudent as well. Meaning start with the turf and work towards the launch monitor.

The concern I have with HMT is one of redundancy. Since the GC2 is so accurate, you can look at the data and with some swing knowledge you can infer what is ailing in your swing. That 6k is better spent on another portion of your build or towards lessons if need be.

[goatbarn]

I'm sure there is a break down in communication about the 1 sticker...

Not sure how they get club face without the "line" made by the 2 stickers (unless they can tell via projected size/shape of 1 sticker which direction it's facing), and also having something in the "center of the club face" does not lend itself to the goal of impact...hitting the center of the club face with the ball!

[Bubba22]

A 1 sticker option for HMT has been developed.

[goatbarn]

Like others have said (re computer), I would see how much of that you can shop out on your own...pc, shield, projector, screen...etc.

Buying new from Foresight for those things would not be the most economical way of going about it.

Many threads on here an other forums that recommend builds of computers, projectors and screens, and obviously everything/anything sim related. Read up!

[driverdivots]

First off, welcome to the forum!

This is just my personal opinion, but I wouldn't put yourself in debt by buying every possible item you think you need up front (I know you mentioned having to work Saturdays for a while).
The market is always changing.. maybe not as fast as other markets, but new products still do come out.
Your choice with the GC2 over other launch monitors I have to agree is a great decision. I would probably just start with the basic GC2 (No HMT or simulation software from them). As others have said, there are other cheaper simulation products out there which will give you much more bang for your buck over foresight's fsx.
The HMT seems great for getting club head data, but hitting with a gc2 without the hmt is just like hitting at the range. If you can understand your ball flight, you can most of the time figure out what your club head/path is doing.

I'd go ahead and buy a gc2: $6,000ish (half of that if you buy used on ebay),
start working on your room (screen, turf/mat, netting etc..)
Get a PC (laptop or PC, your choice), and go with either PerfectGolf or TGC.

That will be closer to around half of your 17k budget, and maybe then you can play on your golf simulator on Saturdays instead of working!!

[Dax]

If you do have an issue with the dreaded shank, then definitely do not get HMT as it could be costly. Best bet is to get a lesson and resolve the issue and save you a ton of money and likely improve your game.

Sorry I can't comment on the projector, but why not just keep it now and upgrade later?

[goatbarn]

Yeah I didn't want to comment on the HMT thing, but I can't believe that anyone would spend $6k on something to get rid of a problem they can solve by hiring an instructor for <$100.

If you said you wanted club data, that's one thing. But a shank is "easy" to fix.

[driverdivots]

goatbarn I agree 100%. Plus HMT isn't going to necessarily "fix" a shank. It will really just reassure you that you are in fact shanking it.

[goatbarn]

Yes, correct. Seeing the swing data of a shank will tell you why you're doing it, but not how to fix it.

[aja]

From the viewpoint of a high handicapper the GC2 may be overkill. While the OP dissed the Optishot, in fact the units that give club data vs. ball data are probably a much better option for someone just starting out. GC2's perform great but they aren't going to tell you anything about the club path without the HMT and most people agree that the HMT is a disproportionate amount of money for what you get.

I'd suggest getting over the fact that taping clubs is a pain, etc and go with the Optishot for the time being. I don't think that you necessarily made a mistake with the OptiShot. That's a good set-up to start with.

Best advice I've seen on this and other forums is to build out your sim space, hitting area, whatever you want to call it, and only later decide on your sim or analyzer. I think at the moment you are set to throw money at a problem but that is not likely to solve your problem. And don't fall for the time pressure of the show special.

And - there is a lot of info on the forum. Sometimes you just have to do your homework.

[wbond]

Agreed. I had the opti and i think for the price it does a fairly good job of showing path and face angle for someone just getting started especially if you are just focusing on iron to start as those generally don't need to be taped and usually give better results. You can always keep it and couple it with the GC2 if you get one and then you have ball and some club data.

[goatbarn]

I would say get the GC2 and hit off an Optishot or a P3Pro or something like that when you want to see club data.

But I also would be trying to figure out any reason to buy a GC2 that I could, cuz I love mine.

[S-Murf-IRL]

Guys, thanks to all of you for the info. It makes sense what you're saying and I did think that the HMT is very overpriced. The GC2 is expensive but it's probably the best on the market right now?

I've had the optishot for a year and use it once a week as I set it up in garage but have to take down again for car. However I'm moving to a new house in March and is why I am building a permanent simulator room for serious practice, having friends over and of course playing you guys online haha.

I am already getting lessons and I have to say that my shank is pretty much gone. I just had a balance issue and was over extending but in the last two weeks I haven't seen much of a shank.

Here's one last question. Do any of you think rather than buying the HMT for club data that it would be better to wait until after the PGA show to see if anything comes out that has club and ball data? I dont think I want the P3 as I want to have a mat that's not like hitting a brick for a divot. :-/

When I buy my set up I'll check around for which software to get. The Perfect Golf simulator seems super cheap (I think I seen $20). How is that compared to Protee/TGC

Update: I forgot to add that I work in construction so I can source all of the building materials and labor from work and have my brother who is a trim carpenter to also help with getting it looking nice. I think I'll have it on a 2x6 platform so I can add a couple of holes

[goatbarn]

I'm not sure there is anything out there, that'll be released in the near future, that we don't know about...but I suppose it's possible.

I believe that the gc2 is the best value for the money simulator going right now, full simulation, including putting and short game.

I loved my flightscope but it was never going to do anything short game related, due to the technology.

Also, perfect golf for $20 is what it costs right now to be a beta tester. Official full release pricing looks like it may be $250 a year, with extras for dlc, updates...etc. they may have an option to buy outright, aND may have a monthly price too. Until they release their pricing model, it's just guesses. But it's NOT going to be $20.

[JV17]

S-Murf, welcome. You've gotten pretty good advice here. GC2 yes, HMT, no. Use $1000 of that HMT budget and get a great high speed camera setup to video yourself. That'll benefit you 20 times more than the HMT ever would when trying to diagnose your swing. Great to help you and your coach. TGC is phenomenal... Perfect golf is a great value play... Both are cheaper than FSX and look better too. You just need to know what your top priorities are, to really decide between them. Good luck!

[S-Murf-IRL]

Thanks very much JV17. Yes I've decided to wait on the HMT until way down the line after reading everyone's advice. Who knows, by then there may be something else revolutionary. Your idea of high speed cameras is great. I could put one behind and at the side to capture both swings. Do you know of any software that records both swings and can have them side by side with the options of drawing lines kind of like what hudl technique does?

Here is an add I found on Craigslist if you have anyone that needs a used GC2 with a bunch of courses. I'm not sure if a 5 year old GC2 is different than the newest made:

http://dayton.craigslist.org/spo/5412789784.html

[goatbarn]

Check out v1 pro. But if you start getting into simultaneous video/playback...you start getting back up to the budget of the HMT.

You may want to look into a 3d motion capture tech, such as swingguru or myswing. This, I believe, is a better way to go, and is actually cheaper than a high quality camera setup.

This is the latest area of golf instruction tech that seems to be exploding into affordability. Although that word is relative. Some of them even tie directly into the LM and use the trigger of the LM to trim movement and tie the swing motion to the swing/ball data. Very cool stuff.

[Bubba22]

My advice, lessons-lessons-lessons.........
Get the GC2 without HMT and use it as a home range/sim for your practice and homework your instructor gives you. Get out and play real golf as much as you can.

[Gamble Gamble]

Exactly this.