Whats is your main reason for buying a sim, and whats the benefit

[Ykaar]

Hi all,

I am wondering two questions about people who bought a simulator.

First, the main reason ?
I really want one because I would like to train often. But the more I read, the more I see that you guys have long winter.
Is there people who bought one in a nice weather country (short winter) ? Thats my case and still, I can go only one or twice a week max on course, left no time for practice session ...

The second question is, what benefit comes with your simulator ? I talk about HCP ^^ Can we expect a valuable improvement ? I know this is depending on how hard or how often we will train on simulator but I guess there some kind of pattern from all your experience. Maybe few hcp points for lower handicap to much more for higher ?
I think it could be nice to have feedback of what was your gain since you have the simulator !

Thanks for those who want answer

Sry for my english, far from good but still understandable I hope !

[penrose]

I purchased one for the most part because I enjoy golf so for fun. Since having the my SIM I have noticed better ball striking. My scores are in still in the same range but I am shooting lower in the range more often and almost never get a triple bogie anymore. Also, loosing golf balls is much less. I played a new course I never played before on Sunday and only lost two...one hooked left on first tee shot and one right because I was so concerned about the lake on the left I did not really align my body correctly on the shot.

Another reason is the tours. They are just to much fun.

[Ykaar]

Thanks for your answer penrose ! What is your handicap if you dont mind my asking ?
I am asking myself if simulator is better for lower handicap (not much work to do but need accuracy on swing feedback) compare to higher handicap with a lot of work to do ^^

[Sledge0001]

Well I live in one of the nicest climates in the US, Southern California. I find that I don't have a ton of time for a full round at some of the municipal courses (I have had a 6+ hour round) but love the game of golf and need continuos practice. Having a sim not only keeps my swing in check but it is also a blast while you learn. Not to mention coming home after dark and being able to hit a virtual driving range or play a round of Sim golf. Functionality meets fun.

Now not many of us get perfect lies on a golf course as you do with simulators but playing sim golf allows you to focus and improve on your ball striking. Not to mention learn your distances. All of these are beneficial to your real world game.

My scores have dropped in the past 6 months with 1-4 practice sessions a week and a round of real golf at least every 3 weeks. I used to be the king of fat shots but not anymore, I account this change to simply swinging a club regularly on my sim. Now when I take to any course I find that I also play more strategic vs just wanting to kill the ball or have the longest drive so it can be a training tool if you put the time in.

If i was to say anything it's find a setup you like. Try as many as you can before selecting one. For me Skytrak and TGC is damn near perfect.

[andygg1986]

I live in texas so winters are not an issue. I wanted a simulator because I have a one year old son and a daughter on the way, and there is just no way for me to take 5 hours in the middle of the day to play a round at one of the nearby courses. I can play 18 on the simulator in 45 mins after he goes to bed or during a nap.

I played a lot through high school. My handicap got down to scratch at its lowest point when I was 17. I didn't play much over the next 10 years. I would shoot low 80s when I would go out once every few months. Since I got the simulator, I would say the biggest improvements in my game are getting my wedge shots dialed in and getting more consistent due to being able to hit on a regular basis.

If you are already practicing outdoors on a regular basis, a simulator probably won't make a big improvement in your game. The benefit is going to be if you have an idea of what you need to work on and having a simulator is going to provide you the time to work on it that you otherwise wouldn't have.

[mthunt]

I live in Canada. I put one in because I could and because I always wanted one. So happy.

[aeroburner]

I have a home in Manhattan beach Ca and one in Oregon I travel back in forth and also travel for business I have the pro tee in my main house and take my Skytrak to my house that I see a couple months a year and on business trips. with the simulator its the having fun that counts, if I go outside with my clubs its usually to play a round but time is hard to manage and Every play a round in Beverly Hills $$$$$ and it takes like people say 6 hours to do a round, Friends come over and wonder why I have my cars outside with a three car garage and as soon as I open the garage its a WTF moment and lets play, I just recently did a second Sim in my other house. Its an addicting sport.

[Sledge0001]

Living around the LA area I know you feel my pain of the 6 hour rounds... I actually pony up the $ every 3-4 months to go play Trump National just to get a 4 hour round in! (Headed there on Monday! )

[A.West]

I have Skytrak and JNPG.
I just started learning golf last year. Closest driving range is 25 minutes away. This allows me to practice weeknights after work more easily. I also like that I can get data like angles, ball speed, back and side spin that I cannot get at the range. Easier to correctly guage shot distances for various clubs. During the winter, simulator will be only way to play often. Simulated games force me to mix up my clubs more than the range. Biggest negatives are chipping and putting, not a great substitute for practicing on real hills and sand and rough.

[Ookie]

One word: convenience.

You can play 18 holes on sim in roughly an hour. It's enjoyable, and betters your real game. Rounds at public courses can easily go over 5 1/2 hours around here.

Also much easier than going to the driving range.

Also agree with getting out of bad weather, and having solid data to analyzes for improvement.

[wbond]

I got mine because i love(addicted) playing golf. I think just by swinging more, your ball striking will improve and you will be more consistent.

Seriously what is up with 5-6hr rounds in California? Went there a couple times on business and played and other than the gorgeous weather in January, it was pretty much worst experience ever, cost and time. Extremely overpriced municipal course and almost 6 hours. I hear it's the norm out there. In that area, I'd have a sim just to avoid that nonsense. We're pretty spoiled here in Michigan, we have tons of courses and most are priced fairly well.

[Stingreye]

Yup, its pretty painful on muni courses here. The local muni to me has guys tee'ing off every morning at 5AM with glow balls in the dark. If you tee off at dawn there are already several groups on the course.

[Thinman]

...yet they still all come here. go figure.

[Sledge0001]

Like I said everyone thinks they are playing in the PGA... 5-7 practice swings later they finally shank the ball... And then when they reach the green its like a yoga fest of stretching and trying to read their line for 5 minutes before taking the putt! lol. Nice weather here in Cali but long rounds!!!

[penrose]

Thanks for your answer penrose ! What is your handicap if you dont mind my asking ?
I am asking myself if simulator is better for lower handicap (not much work to do but need accuracy on swing feedback) compare to higher handicap with a lot of work to do ^^

I am a above average golfer but still not great. Handicap is about a 17 - so shooting between 88 and 92. However, since after a month with skytrak I have had some some 84 and 86 rounds and on Sunday shot 49 on front and a 40 on the back - this is a course I never played and slope of 133. Also, shot a 39 on my home course last week. I believe the skytrak will help you golf game at any level and really at the higher handicap level since you have so much to improve on.

[doublebogey]

Short and simple: For a mid to high handicapper, spending the money on a SkyTrak will improve your game much much more than spending that same money on a new set of club...

[Stingreye]

OP, I am just starting to round up items for my sim. I am going with GC2 and Golf club. I am in Southern CA and while I am not weather challenged, I am hoping I can get some simulation time before work and after the kids go to bed. I live close enough I could even get 20 minutes in during lunch. Simulation seems like a lot more fun than the range. I also am looking forward to learning my carry numbers better for all my clubs.

I became interested in Skytrak when I read a review from a low HCP that said how much his game improved with it. I imagine a high cap like myself whose biggest challenge is finding time to play when the sun is out.

After reading a bunch on here, I decided to buy a GC2 (from a member on here). Can't wait to get setup and play.

[Bryndom]

Ykaar, I live in Houston and have loved my simulator. For me a lot of reasons to buy:

1) I can't always devote 4 hrs to a round in our local course, but 1-2 hrs in a simulator is fantastic
2) While I prefer to play a course in the spring, and winter (no fall in Houston) due to the weather, in the summer.... I've seen grown men weep at the thought of getting on a course in Houston in Aug/Sept
3) I was building out a movie room/man cave, so figured why not? Didn't add to the overall expense of the room dramatically, and allows me to use it for another purpose
4) I enjoy playing RCRs for courses I'll never get a chance to go to (*cough* Augusta *cough*)
5) It's hella fun to play a course the same week that the pros are (and it also destroys your confidence in your game when you see how they play the same holes) :-)
6) It's very much improved my game...I think of it as a training tool to supplement course work instead of replacing it.

[FrankP2491]

That's a good point... Would you guys who have purchased a sim day for a guy who shoots in the 90's and is inconsistent distance/ course manager how many strokes would that shave off your game on average practicing with a device vs no device