Game Improvement vs. Play and Improve?

[InToOut]

I'm considering getting the SkyTrak and I know there's an offer right now on the Game Improvement package.

My questions for those who have one of these are...

1) Is the Play & Improve package a must?
2) For those with the Game Improvement package do you find yourself getting bored with the target practice aspects, or is it just what the doctor ordered?
3) For those with Play & Improve, do you find that you using the core features game improvement features that are common to both packages more, or do you find yourself playing Closest to the Hole and playing actual holes on WGT more?

[Ykaar]

Hi,
I think it depend on what do you expect from your sim. I have GIP and I bought JNPG just a week after my skytrak. 6 month later I can say I launched JNPG only one time ^^
I want practice my swing with the skytrak, I am located in south of France and I can go on course every weekend, so practice at home is the way I can train mylself (never took time because when I go on a local golf, this is for warm up + course).

But I know that lot of people here enjoy course (long winter location etc ...)

Ask yourself what will be your primary goal on the skytrak (I know I can spend 1 hour on target practice with one iron and train path, speed, angle, effect etc ...)

[InToOut]

Thanks for the opinion! My primary intent would be for practice, to tune distances and spin but I can imagine playing closest to the hole on a simulated green would be fun.

Personally I can't see myself playing entire courses indoors, but I don't know how much hassle is involved moving the unit to accommodate a driver from a tee vs. an iron strike from a mat. I'm assuming that's a bit of a hassle, but I don't really know.

[sb944]

I got one of these tees, which you can just place anywhere on a mat, got the idea from an indoor golf centre:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/182417934636

IMO, practice play vs range practice needs to be a balance. Hitting 1000 balls during the week and then going out on a golf course are monumentally different tasks, and many people feel great on the range only to lose that swing on the course. But trying all your swing tips on the course is also not ideal. I'm still trying to find that balance, but figure I've got all the tools I need to improve, plus plenty of time (as in years, not free time), so I'm not in a rush to hit a million range balls, I'd rather work on something specific for a while, then just go out on the sim course, and somewhat let that swing tip bleed into my game of golf.

[wterryiv]

My only disagreement with your post is that playing "simulated" golf is not close to playing real golf. You are on a perfectly flat matt with a perfect lie for every shot. I don't see the difference between using the range and taking that to the course to practice real situations, ball below feet, ball above, side hill lies etc.

[shank12u]

I tried those last week... too heavy for the driver in my opinion. I kinda felt like they jumped up and hit the club head and slowed it down. I just received an order of Tomahawk tees today...can't wait to give Those a try...they look much lighter.

[sb944]

let me know if they work better

[DirtyGarry24]

Tomahawk tees work great! I think they're indestructible as well. Some people tether a tee claw lanyard to them to keep them close to the hitting area, but I don't mind chasing them around. They tend to collect under my net.

[BadEddieKit]

Agreed on the tomahawk tees, best ive come across!

[InToOut]

Great point on balancing play vs. practice. I'm in complete agreement on that one. I've been hitting a lot of balls at the range over the last few months since getting back into golf, and while helping a lot in terms of swing fundamentals and 'range game', it didn't translate into performance on the course until I matched course time with range time.

Having said that I moved to the Midwest of the US where 4 months are basically non-course months. That means that my priority for the winter is keeping swinging and staying loose. If people have found the Game Improvement package to be enough of a draw and motivator to keep them heading down to the basement (or wherever) and swinging through the winter then that's probably all I need. If it gets stale then maybe Play and Improve would be better.

[teamacacia]

The GI plan has limited WGT simulation while the PI plan lets you play full courses. I went with the PI plan so that I could play all the courses. The $100 difference was worth it to me as I haven't yet decided if I want to go "full tilt" and buy/build a computer and buy TGC/JNPG.

[mikeingp]

Does anyone know if there's an upgrade available to go from the GI to the PI, or do you have do buy the full PI plan as well?

[EricG_USMC]

If you have the GI package, you can pay the extra $99 to upgrade to PI.

[wterryiv]

I've had mine for over a year and have only used the practice range. I did use the skills tests and a few other things in the pay package but mainly use it to work on my swing and not play since I get out to play each week during the season and when winter comes I switch to skiing. After my year expired I am using the free range only and waiting for some of the new updates to come out to see if they are worth paying for. Mine came with the play and improve package for what it's worth.

[waggoned]

My ST is on the way and I purchased GIP. What exactly does the limited WGT simulation consist of? I read that it’s closest to the pin at Kiawah. Is it 4 different par 3’s???

[Buffalo_Joe]

You will be dropped in the middle of the fairway and will hit approach shots in if it is not already a par 3 hole.

[penrose]

If I recall all you get for an extra 100 is WGT...which is NOT that great when compared to the other SIM offers.