What is the best system for under $50,000?

[350meterdrive]

In the market for a Simulator. I would be interested to know people's opinions on the various systems and whether spending more necessarily gets you a better system?
High definition golf seems to promote their product as the best in the market, thoughts?

[Bubba22]

Many options at that price point. HD golf, About golf and Full Swing come to mind. Indoor Trackman is possible as well if you have the space. There is no right answer. If anyone tells you that the best system is xxx don't believe it. I suggest you test these systems, get the appropriate information on what you want (club data, ball data, online play etc etc) and what space you have to work with and then pull the trigger on the one you feel the most comfortable with. The other option is that you get a less expensive unit like the Protee, GC2, Skytrak, Sportscoach etc and build your own enclosure and save say 30,000-40,000 dollars. With the money saved you can get yourself a lot of golf lessons and perhaps a few golf trips to Pebble Beach, St Andrews etc. Remember just because the unit is that expensive, does not mean its more accurate. In my experience they are all in the same level of accuracy.

[aja]

Don't think anyone could sum it up any better than what Bubba22 just posted. You end up putting a lot of money in the big sim manufacturer's pockets by going that route. A lot of much less expensive, and perhaps even more accurate options available among those listed by Bubba.

[Dax]

Agree with Bubba 100%, do the research and save a ton of cash and still have a great system. Maybe one additional point is the money saved leaves money for the future technology.

[mthunt]

I did exactly what Bubba said and tested everything. I was willing to pay 50k. I found that everything in the 50k range included a lot. Of "custom" work. Tru golf uses the same technology in the 10k system as the 60k system. The only difference is the amount of custom work. I tested Skytrak, HD, Tru, Protee, GC2, About and Trackman. I tested every mat as well. I suggest you do the same. I am so so happy with my set up. I spent around 15k.

If you're curious, it's GC2, Protee/TGC, country club elite plus HQ2

[350meterdrive]

mthunt do you have a video of your set up? Would be keen to see it.

[Brettster]

I did exactly what Bubba said and tested everything. I was willing to pay 50k. I found that everything in the 50k range included a lot. Of "custom" work. Tru golf uses the same technology in the 10k system as the 60k system. The only difference is the amount of custom work. I tested Skytrak, HD, Tru, Protee, GC2, About and Trackman. I tested every mat as well. I suggest you do the same. I am so so happy with my set up. I spent around 15k.

If you're curious, it's GC2, Protee/TGC, country club elite plus HQ2

How do you feel about the short game and putting? Does it work for you?

I'm still testing myself and from what I see so far it's the short game I cannot get used to on a sim.... I'm hoping someone has found a way to make this more realistic,
With the feel!


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[Bubba22]

The chipping and putting is always a question with any sim. Don't expect it to be exactly like real golf. Even more in question is hitting from rough, divots, sand etc. It will never be perfect. GC2 does well with the short game and putting. What's your experience mthunt?

[mthunt]

The biggest improvement in my game I've found with the sim is short game. I like it. Even bunker shots. It's great. When I was in college, I used a clock system under 100 yards. 3 o'clock is 60 yards, 6 o'clock is 80 and 9 o'clock is 100. In a sim you are forced to play the number. There's no feel or depth perception. When I got out to the real course, I found my game inside 100 yards, especially around the green, got a lot better. I'm using the clock system again. Go figure.

[mthunt]

FYI Bubba, I am dying for practice mode.

[Bubba22]

Awesome mthunt. Yes practice mode is needed big time in TGC. It will happen. Not sure when but hopefully this year.

[Mxwoodman]

Well here's my input and I have the GC2 and also a chipping/putting green in the backyard with a 25 carry over the pool and then a few hitting places in between that.

For me this is all feel and on the sim it took some time to visualize it on the screen

I'm trying to learn and do 3,5,9 and o'clock but need some work - I do better just visualizing the yardage and hitting the distance and that can be hard on the sim

[Brettster]

Awesome mthunt. Yes practice mode is needed big time in TGC. It will happen. Not sure when but hopefully this year.

Bubba - it would be completely awesome if we could design our own Range, with the Course Designer, that way, I think, I could design/simulate the Range I hit on, and I would guess, that would make my practice sessions even that much more productive! Is it possible? Do you know?

[Brettster]

I like the concept of the clock for short game, I'm praying that I can get the hang of short game play as you seem to have Mthunt, hopefully it will come 'in time'... Right now it's very hard to get the visuals down, and that leaves me where Mxwoodman is...

Bubba you mention: Even more in question is hitting from rough, divots, sand etc. I'm hoping to put in some kind of special mats to handle those situations, have you found that to work, or just get in the way?

[Bubba22]

Bubba - it would be completely awesome if we could design our own Range, with the Course Designer, that way, I think, I could design/simulate the Range I hit on, and I would guess, that would make my practice sessions even that much more productive! Is it possible? Do you know?

Yes you can design a range a a 1 hole course. There are several ranges in TGC. Th issue right now is the ranges will require you to go through the rewind process fo each shot. A range option to allow for automatic rewind and keep club stats is on the radar.

[Bubba22]

I like the concept of the clock for short game, I'm praying that I can get the hang of short game play as you seem to have Mthunt, hopefully it will come 'in time'... Right now it's very hard to get the visuals down, and that leaves me where Mxwoodman is...

Bubba you mention: Even more in question is hitting from rough, divots, sand etc. I'm hoping to put in some kind of special mats to handle those situations, have you found that to work, or just get in the way?

Divots will not be possible. There are several mats that mimick sand and rough but in my opinion they are just ok. http://www.par2pro.com/shop/index.php?cPath=23_25_70 and http://www.customdesigngolf.com/the_...ke_grass__.htm , http://www.hdgolf.com/simulator/options-accessories