What you need for a home golf simulator

A home golf simulator is a handful of pieces that work together. Here is what each one does, so you know what you are shopping for, and the one piece most people forget until their first round.

The short list

• A launch monitor to measure each shot
• Simulator software to turn that shot into a ball flight on a course
• A computer to run the software
• Something to hit into: a golf simulator net or an impact screen
• A hitting mat
• A way to see the course: a projector on an impact screen, or a TV or monitor
• A control box at the mat, so you can play without the keyboard and mouse

Launch monitor and software

The launch monitor reads the ball (and on some models the club), and the simulator software plays that shot on a course. Programs include GSPro, PurePlay (new, early access this fall), FSX Play, TGC 2019 and SkyTrak Course Play. Each launch monitor works with some programs and not others, so check that the two you pick go together. Our compatibility guide lists the launch monitors for each of those programs.

The computer

The software runs on a PC (some programs also run on other devices). Each program publishes what it needs, so check its requirements before you buy a computer for it.

A golf simulator net or an impact screen

You hit into a net or an impact screen. A net catches the ball. An impact screen catches it too, and a projector can show the course right on it. Measure your room first and check what your launch monitor and your net or screen maker say they need.

The piece most people forget: the controls

Once everything is set up, every mulligan, aim change, club change and camera view means walking back to the keyboard and mouse. A wireless golf simulator control box (a button box) puts those at the mat, pressed by hand or with the end of a club:

• The V2.5 for GSPro and PurePlay: 14 big buttons, an RF dongle, years on one AA battery, plug and play.
• The SimMarshal over Bluetooth for FSX Play, TGC 2019, SkyTrak Course Play and GSPro.
• Or build your own.

It works with whatever launch monitor your software runs on, because the box talks to the software.

Make it quick to start

Free BayLauncher shows big game cards instead of the Windows desktop, so you tap GSPro and go. With a ProTee VX and GSPro, free ProTee AutoStart takes the PC from power-on to the practice range by itself. More in set up GSPro for a faster golf simulator bay.

Questions

Text Ba at (218) 684-3290. He runs a sim lounge, builds the control boxes himself and answers his own phone.