TGC Base Pack--A Few Questions

[MarkSC]

Hi everyone, I'm considering the Pro Tee TGC base pack (no putting sensor or H camera) and have a few questions. Sorry if this isn't the best place to post them, but here goes:

1. Is putting using TGC still possible without the putting sensor? I know it won't be very accurate, but I can't afford the putting sensor at the moment.

2. For the setup, my garage ceiling is 20 feet, so mounting the lights there is out. I assume I could build a small platform to the left or right of the sensor and use a portable halogen desk lamp with a goose neck arm? I know that the light has to be above the club head path. Seems like there should be something out there that would work short of a drop down from the ceiling.

3. For the V camera, my understanding is that it should be 7 feet or so left or right. Problem is that I may only have 5-6 feet. Would it still work? Does the camera have to be moved for left vs right golfers or could it go on either side?

4. For those who have played Optishot courses, what is your view on the pros and cons of Optishot courses vs. TGC? I've played TGC on the PC, so I'm pretty familiar with it, but have never tried Optishot. Graphics look better for TGC, but what about game play? I know that Pro Tee is a much more accurate simulator, but I'm also considering starting with Optishot and upgrading in the future having never used a home simulator before.

Thanks for any help.

[Hoosierdaddy]

Putting works without the sensor. You just have to be carefull of your shadow over the sensors. some find it hard. I adjusted well. I think taller people have more problems. But that is just my thoughts.

If I were you I would just attach a 10ft long 2x4 from the rafters were you need the lights and then attach the lights to them.

V cam should be OK on either side and no you dont have to move it.

There is no comparison between the optishot and the Protee. Graphics are better game play is better and accuracy is no doubt better. And you wont end up with sore wrists. The only thing the Optishot has that Protee don't is Scramble mode (and that saddens me). I been begging for scramble for over 2 years now. And as far as I know that is the only request that has not been acted on. Not that I am crying about it just wanted to paint a the entire picture for you.

The Protee is a good unit. I have owned one for 4 years now and I have enjoyed it very much. the only thing that has every went wrong is I think I finally wore out the fiberbuilt mat last year. I might need a new one for this season. If I wanted I could get another year or maybe 2 out of it but it don't owe me anything so I most likely will replace it. But i use to go through several every year with the optishot.

[MarkSC]

Thanks for the reply. I'm pretty much sold. One more quick question. The sensors look pretty close to the ball. Any danger of damaging the sensors or wrist if my wife (cough) hits a fat shot?

[Hoosierdaddy]

I have had mine for a long time and no one has damaged anything. I have guys and gals that have never played before that hit the ball once in a while and no one gets hurt. My son learned to golf in mine. Mine has endured hundreds of fat shots and no one gets sore wrist or has damaged anything. I have seen shots hit so fat that the sensor mat actually bounces up a 1/2" or more and it works perfectly to this day. The fiberbuilt mat is amazingly forgiving and tough.

I have a buddy that plays regularly on my sim and during the summer if I saved all his massive divots I could easily sod my yard. I am pretty sure all the wear on my mat is due to his shots. And he has played on it since day one and never complained.

[cvclub]

I too have had both the Optishot and PT for a few years now....PT is in a different league all together......Optishot is a blast for a party, beers,etc. PT is for a serious student of the game who wants to work their swing and have some fun along the way. It is very realistic (I actually really like the putting as well)! My only complaint with PT is it does penalize you a bit for hitting down on the ball as it reduces your CHS too much. As for wrist issues, I do hit down quite a bit but have had no pain or issue.

FYI, the support from PT is superior to any game I have ever played!

[Brettster]

PT is for a serious student of the game who wants to work their swing and have some fun along the way. It is very realistic (I actually really like the putting as well)! My only complaint with PT is it does penalize you a bit for hitting down on the ball as it reduces your CHS too much. As for wrist issues, I do hit down quite a bit but have had no pain or issue.

FYI, the support from PT is superior to any game I have ever played!

Cvclub, thanks for that, can you please elaborate on the putting? I've been testing out Sims at my local Sim/bar, and the putting is so ridiculous (on a Foresight GC2), that no one uses it, they use Auto-Putt and just as soon as you're on the green, you enter the number of putts!

I'm curious what you're getting out of the putting, and what your setup is for putting, because I'm hoping to build out my simulator in the next 3-6 months, and I really want to be able to work on putting/chipping on the simulator, which so far (from my play at the Sim/bar) I'm not finding acceptable. I'd like to know how well it works for you - and are you using TGC (The Golf Club) for simulation with your PT, or something else?

Also, what is CHS you refer to when you hit down on the ball?