Replishot: Use Optishot with TGC 2019

[Zaren]

I have recently been working on custom software, Replishot, to capture data from the Optishot, process it and use it in TGC 2019. I've recently published my first pass of my program on github here. If you click on releases on the right there is an .exe you can download (Windows only). The page also has a readme that gives basic information on how to use the program.

Essentially the program captures Optishot data, processes it, and then turns it into mouse movements which TGC 2019 will recognize as a valid swing. The swing will change based on how hard you hit the ball as well as club angle, etc. The program works with the "video game" version of TGC 2019, not the "simulator" version.

It is very much a work in progress. I would appreciate feedback on improvements people would like to see. I am still working on getting more accurate ball flight based on what the Optishot sensors report, so if you're an avid golfer and the shots don't seem quite right... well, I wouldn't be terrible surprised at this point .

[Zaren]

Just released V1.1 with updates to shot shape, tweaks to shot distance. Latest release can be found here.

[Zaren]

Version 1.5.2! Enhanced shot shape and other minor improvements.

https://github.com/zaren171/RepliShot/releases/tag/v1.5.2

[Zaren]

Version 1.5.3! Fixes to Arcade mode (like adding it back in...)

https://github.com/zaren171/RepliShot/releases/tag/v1.5.3

[Zaren]

Version 1.5.4! Adjusted putting distance calculations.

https://github.com/zaren171/RepliShot/releases/tag/v1.5.4

[Chuck]

Wow, This gives a new life to the Optishot. Very cool project.

[hen7]

What a great idea! Big thanks for doing this.

I'm looking to invest in a home golf sim, and this might be the answer. Does this work with Optishot 2 as well? And could it work with the new TGC 21?

Thanks,
Dave

[Zaren]

Yes, it does work with Optishot2. I actually have an optishot2, so I guess I don't know if it works with the original Optishot, but looking at them I'm not sure the hardware changed from 1 to 2, I think the changes were mostly software.

As for TGC 21, I don't have a copy of it, and so I don't now if the controls are the same. I started with 2019 as that's (from my research) what other simulators currently use. If the controls changed, it could definitely have a 21 mode added to change the controls. I would guess that even if swinging happens in the same way (i.e. drag the mouse backward, then push it forward) tweaks would still be needed to the speed of the movement and angles (when a shot isn't straight). If you already have 21 and want to try it out you can click that "Reswing" button and it should trigger a default shot. When I take that default shot in TGC 19 it's a straight shot at 100% power.

Looking at 21's keyboard mapping there are definitely differences what will affect how Replishot interacts with the program. This will affect shot shape (and possibly power, which you can change on the keyboard in 21) and possibly club selection as the keyboard keys have shuffled around.

[Chuck]

Zaren, well you got my curiosity up, so I broke out the old Optishot hooked it up, and got it going. Your RepliShot program is one of the slickest programs I've seen in a long time. It is amazing how well it works. That is totally wicked. TG2019 from Steam is $11, hitting real balls into the screen and seeing nearly every shot played perfectly. I saw 2 bugs that would be worth looking at. First is the club selection pull-down would seem to get out of sync and magically change to driver. That may be from a tug-of-war with the mouse driver or maybe mouse location at the time of the swing. The other one may not be fixable, but it would be syncing the TGC games club with the RepliShot club. If you have an Optishot, you definitely should try Zaren's Replishot. One feature request would be to add voice recognition to the club selection.

I have to say, really good job. Lots of fun.

[Chuck]

Thanks Zaren. It turned out the change club feature was what was causing the bug. I was putting and it switched me to driver on the putterr follow through.

[Zaren]

Interesting. I don't think I've ever taken an actual stroke and seen data return for only the front sensor (a "swing" data packet always has data from the back sensor and the front sensor), so I thought I was safe to use front sensor only data for extra features, like changing the club. Did Replishot actually change clubs AND take a shot from the same swing? Just trying to figure out if this is an issue I need to dive deeper into, thanks!

[hpdrifter]

They don't sell TGC2019 for $11 on ebay. They sell a "key" for $11.

[hen7]

Thanks for the info, Zaren. I'll stick with TGC2019 for now. I'll have to keep my eye out for an optishot 2 now, and start the build. Just wondering if you guys have tried the Skytrak launch monitor, and if it's a road worth going down? Seems like you'll end up getting stuck with annual fees to run software, so it may not work with my low budget. Cheers.

[jpotas]

I moved to a Skytrak from an Optishot. The fee for the game improvement package that also allows you to use SIM software, such as TGC 2019 is only $100 a year. That is $8.33 a month, not very much to pay to get much, much, much more accurate ball flight. I don't feel like $8 a month is getting stuck with much of a fee, Of course you will have to buy the SIM version of TGC 2019 or some other software to play sim golf. Also of course, you don't have to buy the game improvement package, the base package is a very good, accurate driving range. maybe use a Skytrak for real practice and Optishot for playing rounds for fun only.

Optishot ball flight shape is generally correct on a center struck ball and I thought I was happy with it when I first started using it. Distances are not even close though. I quickly learned that Optishot is really just a toy, the proof is when you top a shot. Opti will show it as a huge hit because the club head speed will be higher, reality is that you just possibly hit a 15 yard dribbler.

However, it is very cool that you can use this software to play Steam TGC 2019 due to the huge number of courses that are playable. I give a lot of credit to Zaren for creating this.

[yorkie]

Wow what a great piece of work well done, would of been a great way to get TGC 2019 running on the R Motion. Also not having to buy the sim version.

[bigal11389]

I tried this for the first time last night, I am so freakin excited that my optishot just got such a big upgrade. Thank you!!!

I am still trying to figure out chipping around the green, as I seem to either hit it about 3 feet or about 10 feet over the green. Any tips for chipping around the green?

Thank you again!!!!

[Zaren]

I agree that I also have issues with chipping. I think your best bet is to figure out which of the shot types in TGC 2019 most reflect how you play. In the readme on the github I mention that I typically use either "Normal" or "Pitch" shot types. In the top right corner of the screen TGC will show you how far a max powered shot can go. TGC has shot options that will only go ~10 yards that it will select by default once you're close to the green. These swing options would, therefore, require you to take a full shot to get the ball to go 10 yards. Maybe some people have these cool shots in their bag of tricks, but I sure don't. I usually end up taking a pitch shot when I am chipping and feel like that feels decently accurate. I'll also note that TGC only manages the power of the shot in 5% increments, so when you're really looking for control... well... TGC doesn't allow it, at least not in the video game version.

[bigal11389]

Awesome - I appreciate the feedback!

[Will]

Zaren
I haven't tried it but the fact that you took the time to make this work and give it away is outstanding.

There are a lot of kids learning golf that could play around with one of these setups. I'd gladly donate my old optishot to a kid in our area if I knew they would use it to practice ball striking.

All a young golfer would need is a net, laptop, and an optishot.

[hpdrifter]

great gesture! providing free access to all the work.

Got one question: are left-handers supported?

Haven't received my Optishot yet, but your app sound real fun/interesting.
and.....THANKS.

[hpdrifter]

Thanks, again.
I got the Optishot, but am waiting on the TGC19. Slow Ebay

[jpotas]

TGC 2019 should just be a download????

[hpdrifter]

Well, I was confused. I just bought a "key". Went to Steam website and game cost $49. Got all confused, requested a refund.
Why do you need a key????
I may venture down that road in the future. Right now, I'm just playing with the Opti. Finally got my drives straightened out.

It's keeping me pacified for the moment.

I've already spent more than I should have just for Optishot, but hey, you only live once and it's only money; seems the Government or inflation is gonna get it anyway.

[hen7]

Hi Zaren,

I just got my Optishot today and tried it out. The replishot program is working fine (nice work!), but I can't get it to work with TGC 2019. The mouse circle icon moves across the screen in TGC after I take the shot, but even with selecting "take shot", I cannot seem to get a mouse click to happen within TGC, so no swing takes place within TGC. I tried TGC in both full screen with Replishot on top, as well as windowed mode. My last physical mouse click is on Replishot before my swing.

Any suggestions?

I'm using Replishot 1.0. I see that there is an updated version, 1.1, but I only know how to run the .exe file, which is 1.0.

Thanks for your help! I feel like I'm so close.

Cheers,
Dave

[Zaren]

Hey Hen7,

tl;dr - I'd probably make my last click by on TGC and see if that helps.

As far as versions, I've been forgetting to update the version on each release in the about menu. If you download the .exe that is linked in the 1.3 release (which is currently the latest, added left hand mode so if you see that option you're really on 1.3) you should have the latest features. The "Take Shot" checkbox does need to be checked, or else the mouse won't be clicked. Another way you can test to see if the mouse is clicking is to open paint in full screen and see if lines are drawn when the mouse moves. I'll admit I'm new to a lot of the programming I've used in Replishot, and this is my first time controlling the mouse, so I don't know if there are gotchas I'm unaware of. The mouse will start in the center of the screen for a shot, so if there's anything in the center of the screen that isn't TGC that could be the problem.

I will say that in my testing I'm running TGC full screen at 1920x1080, and I keep Replishot on top in the bottom left corner. I typically click on TGC as the last thing I do before taking a swing, and typically don't click on the Replishot program. You can change the Replishot selected club using the front sensor (and in the next update that I'll likely push today, one more bug I want to try to work out, you'll also be able to change the shot type (like pressing C) with the front sensor). So typically I don't click on Replishot much and try to keep TGC the last thing I clicked. That said, the "Reswing" button works for me, which would make the last thing I did clicking a button in Replishot, followed by Replishot taking a swing in TGC. I guess one question worth asking is if all software is running locally? I personally have a nice computer in a room too small to swing a golf club, and use Steam's remote play feature to run TGC on a small laptop that also runs Replishot locally. In my remote configuration I've seen issues with shot shaping (the shift key doesn't pass through properly), so if you're not running everything locally that could cause issues too.

[hen7]

Hey Zaren,

It's working now! I'm not sure exactly why, but I think it's because I now leave the mouse at least hovering over TGC before my swing, so it clicks in the right place. Maybe this was just an overlooked obvious thing I should have done previously. Or maybe I had the windowed mode of TGC off center of my screen. Anyways, your suggestions worked great!

Yes, everything is local on my side. I have a laptop in the garage and luckily have just enough room to swing a club.

This is such a cool piece of software! You must know a ton about programming to pull this off. It leaves me wondering, "how the hell did Zaren pull this off??". Genius!

My next step will be mounting a TV to my garage wall

I look forward to the new updates as well.

Thanks again!

[hen7]

I just sent you a small thank you $. Lunch is on me today, keep up the good work!

[Zaren]

Thanks so much! You're awesome!

[hen7]

Zaren - I had to manually change the last number in this web link ("1" to a "3") to find this version. Here is the link for version 1.3 for anyone looking for it:

https://github.com/zaren171/RepliShot/releases/tag/v1.3

I hope I'm not sharing something that isn't ready to be shared! Apologies if so.

[Zaren]

Oh that makes sense... Oops. I didn't think about the fact I hadn't posted links to the new versions. If you shorten it a bit more to just https://github.com/zaren171/RepliShot/releases then the top release will always be on top.