Best golf software for use with Skytrak

[dunginhawk]

So I am approaching what I think will be a sim build.
1. Homecourse retractable screen.
2. Skytrak
3. Reel Feel Mats
4. Software ??????

Im kind of looking for a bit of help selecting the best golf software for the skytrak.

Ill mostly be playing rounds of golf on the sim, not just practice.

Ive done the most research on TGC and JNPG. JNPG excites me because of the touch screen aspect. I love the idea of having a screen on a mount that swings in from the side and touch does everything. However its fairly pricey, and there arent a ton of courses for it (i guess some more if you buy the $250 plan from skytrak)
TGC looks nice and all, but it doesnt have full touch screen. Still need the mouse for some stuff, which I dont like at all . I plan to make this very minimalist.

Then there is WGT, which can run off an Ipad, which sounds amazing. Graphically its not terrible either. But from what ive read you cant even play 4 people with your buddies in a room? and there is no multiplayer? (i assume that to mean tournaments online) . I dont know enough about WGT yet to make an informed decision, but it interests me.

ANything else I should be considering?

thanks

[Stash]

I'm just finishing up my sim so I was in a very similar situation. I ultimately choose e6. I will also be using a touch screen. E6 seemed to have the most intuitive user interface. Plus it's software that was built from the ground up for a sim. Can have up to 8 players and they can use different tee boxes. Seems the biggest complaint is graphics, but I'm just using a 1080 projector so that wasn't a big concern to me.

[FaultyClubs]

...Plus it's software that was built from the ground up for a sim...

Not really, E6 came from the Links PC game.

[FaultyClubs]

TGC looks nice and all, but it doesnt have full touch screen. Still need the mouse for some stuff, which I dont like at all . I plan to make this very minimalist.

Don't people control TGC from their tablets? Also thought aja used a touchscreen with tgc. I don't follow these too closely since I control tgc with my floor buttons.

[Jwheels9876]

Yeah, I use my iPad and an app called Air Keyboard to control both TGC and JNPG. Can't play without it. Still need the mouse to aim on the mini map but that's about it.

[Stash]

I get what your saying, it's basically an evolution of links. But, e6 wasn't built as a pc game and then made to work for sims. So while it may use the engine or framework of a pc game, it was still a new build specifically with simulators in mind. At least that's my understanding of it.

[penrose]

all the games out there have there minus and pluses. E6 is great but offers no ghost players or the ability to record your rounds (so you can compete against yourself later) Both TGC and JNPG allow this. JNPG is good but for me I have the most issues with it and my distance is about 20 percent less. TGC has a great tour, like JNPG, distance is about the same as IRL for me, and has some great courses - but finding them is a little bit of a trick. I am looking forward to TGC2019 and finally having multiple tee boxes. E6 connect also look good if they can have the pga connect working - not sure how they can pull that off since they do not have all the courses the pros play.

Anyway great for us with these choices.

[wbond]

Skip WGT, just not worth it unless your only option is an ipad. Then you need to decide how much you want to spend. E6 pricing seems way out of whack for what you get, 15 courses for 1.8K or 300 per year plus the additional cost of course packs. JNPG is 250 per year vs TGC 800 which you own and could sell. TGC will get an upgrade at some point to add some rumored features that are in E6 and JNPG currently. You really have to decide what you want to spend, what your needs are now or whether you're willing to wait for some features in the future.

[triplebogeysrbetter]

If your budget is busted and already have an IPAD that would be the only reason for going the WGT route (IMHO). I've played it for about 2 months now. I usually play St. Andrews, The Best of Par 3, and Pinecrest #2. For $100 it's not that bad. You figure its $2 sim golf per week. Problem with the IPAD is it's 4:3 ratio and you can't really get 1080p out of the lighting cable.

That being said I just purchased a gaming laptop last night and will purchasing TGC this Friday.

[dagratest816]

see you on the tour soon!

[triplebogeysrbetter]

Im coming for you! :-)
Man I'm like a kid waiting for christmas. I told my son last night I brought the laptop and buying TGC soon (waiting on a new Visa card). He is so excited.
I can't wait to start.

[dunginhawk]

So it sounds like TGC is a pretty clear winner here.... Well maybe not clear clear, but clear haha. I really was excited about the touch screen aspect of JNPG, but if its a sub par experience to that of TGC than that trumps all. So Faultyclubs... what floor buttons do you use? Its my understanding that a lot of the functions from TGC can be used on a touch screen, but there are a few things that require mouse clicks... Can you elaborate a bit on that?
Money isnt really a big concern at this point. Its not awesome to spend hoards of cash, but im not going to outlay 5k for a sim and skimp on the software. if I did TGC id buy it outright, no reason to go year to year.

edit: also, one other thing I liked (tell me im wrong) about JNPG is it seems the physics of the golf ball are more accurate. things roll out better, smoother.. perhaps im wrong.

edit 2 : i see TGC is on sale for $795... is that a permanent sale? Are you confident that price will be there for a bit? i know a lot of places leave those up forever. thanks

[andygg1986]

One issue with TGC physics was that course designers can set green firmness. Sometimes they set them to be really hard and you would have ridiculous roll out on approach shots. The latest release from Protee fixed this and now you can override what the designer set so that all courses are the same. You also set the green speed to your liking. I wish the fairways were a little harder because drives don't roll out that much, but that is coming from someone who plays in Texas. If you were used to playing in the northwest, they would probably seem normal to you.

[dagratest816]

that sale has been going on for awhile...wont say its permanent but its been at least a couple maybe a few or more months that sale has been going on. i decided to pull the trigger while it was on sale because knowing that you will get an upgrade to tgc 2019 (later this yr early next hopefully) just made the most sense.

[penrose]

I placed the PC behind the hitting screen and use a wireless mouse and keyboard. This is a clean look and with the mouse you can be anywhere.

[dunginhawk]

So when i watch all these videos on TGC it shows them clicking left or right for aiming etc... which is fine, but they are using a mouse presumably... thats every single shot... is that something thats doable with a touch screen? I really dont want to have a PC out, visible, or a mouse and keyboard at the ready all the time. maybe a wireless touch pad mounted somewhere. but i dont want to have to use it much..

like in this video.... what is he controlling? a mouse? a tablet? a phone? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3QE556aEkk

[Bnorman58]

If money were no object I would go with E6. I know you said you would want to buy full license TGC but if I had the choice (I didnt because I have a ProTee which does not offer yearly), I would buy both for a year and then make your decision. Having used both, I love E6. I sold my TGC license and dont miss it. On this forum, you will get 90% people saying TGC because the tour and such. My opinion, and I know a lot of people on here disagree is TGC is a video game. E6 is simulator software.

[Pete Fede]

Interesting review.As I try to make a decision between TGC and E6 assuming both cost were equal its tough. I PLAN TO PURCHASE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.Not sure how you can help but if you think of anything, email me at ***

[Stash]

I would hardly say TGC is a clear favorite. I have watched a ton of vids and read threads on JNPG vs TGC. Seems like a pretty even split to me. You really can't call any software the best. Every one has it's pros and cons. It depends on which features are most important to you. Personally TGC would be my last choice. If easy operation solely with a touch screen is one of the more important things to you I would really give e6 consideration. I would much rather have a lower number of courses that are all quality, than have to sift through a bunch of user created stuff that is lacking. Being able to choose your course, then easily select tee box, pin position, green firmness ,ect is invaluable to me. That's the biggest downfall for TGC for me. You want to play the same course but with different pins? Have to search and find that version of it. Have zero interest in wasting time with that. With e6 I feel like I have a commercial sim in my house. Anyone can walk up set it up and play with no instructions.

[Dan McWhirter]

I tried all of TGC, JNPG and e6, annual rent for SkyTrak, for one year. I renewed e6.

[dunginhawk]

Ok, good input folks.. thank you... Ill give E6 another hard look... thanks

also E6 is FULLY touch screen? as in if i launch the Sim, can i do EVERYTHING i need with touch without the need for a PC? or at the very least can i have a PC AND a tablet, the tablet being near the golfer for touch movements?

so its basically 299$ per year on top of the 99$ for skytrak game improvement? thats not terrible. it would be a nice option to pay $350 per year and get the rest of the courses or something.

[dunginhawk]

jdgould. I have a vision of what I want in mind.. Off to the right, have a touchscreen on the wall on a mount that swings out over the play area. Using that screen to do everything. In this case. IF you can use a PC under the covers somewhere, with an IPAD for the touch controls, that would be best. I suppose a mouse/keyboard option wouldnt be terrible, but not my first choice.

[Jwheels9876]

I know once your round starts on TGC and JNPG I can play my whole round from my iPad with air keyboard app. Moving aim points , zooming in on greens, and moving putting lines. Only gotta load the game up to the 1st tee .

[dunginhawk]

Ok.. that at least brings it a little closer in my mind. thank you

[Stash]

Fully touch screen. If you need to enter text such as players names, a keyboard pops up on the screen.

[dunginhawk]

do you know if you can use an IPAd in place of the touch screen, as long as you have the PC running in the background, of course?