I have never played simulator golf. How close to playing "real" golf is a simulator? I understand putting is sort of funky. Sand? Long rough? Behind objects? Chipping?
I see "deals" on Group Golfer for a one hour session of simulator golf for $20-$25 (supposedly $40 to $60 an hour normally). That seems sort of pricey unless you are planning to have 1-3 additional players. With extra players, that means sitting/waiting a lot, too.
Anyone into simuator golf? Your thoughts, advice and impressions are welcome.
I have a Skytrak sim that I use close to weekly now that winter is here.
I will say that it keeps you swinging and is entertaining. It can't simulate long grass, sand etc and putting is terrible no mater what sim you use, so that gets set to auto putt.
You can hit OB and get behind trees etc just like outdoor golf.
I t has it's uses and keeps me out of trouble during the winter.
MattF wrote: Mon Dec 30, 2024 9:11 am
I will say that it keeps you swinging and is entertaining. It can't simulate long grass, sand etc and putting is terrible no mater what sim you use, so that gets set to auto putt.
You can hit OB and get behind trees etc just like outdoor golf.
I t has it's uses and keeps me out of trouble during the winter.
Totally agree. The rough and sand aren't as penal as in real golf, but it helps to use it for swing practice and definitely has it's place if you are weather challenged. The putting, depending on how it is set up, is wonky and worthless. There was one system I tried that used a wedge distance as an alternative to putting. Basically from about 60 yards, the target would be large for a 5 foot putt and small for a 50 foot putt.
The pricing may seem high for an hour, but you'll more than finish 18 holes in that time frame.
My preference is to have an outdoor driving range with shot tracer, but I don't know if such things exist in the cold midwest.
I caught the end of the inaugural "TGL" competition on Tuesday night. I will say it looks more interesting than I had first expected. At the same time, the appeal of traditional, grass-based 72 hole tournament golf seems to be falling off a cliff lately. Like, the audience is diving for the exits evidently.
Personally, if I am going to watch any golf, I still like the old format. But in a comparison between the two new upstart leagues in golf, I think the Tiger League has one upped LIV. Both are trying to streamline and speed up the game to suit younger generations and their attention spans, but where LIV tried to do it strictly by altering the rules and regulations, the TGL's use of tech is way more effective. Not only does it create a distinct visual, it also allows them to present in a totally new way. They can have live competitions, at night, which can be finished within a couple of hours. It takes like five minutes or less to finish a simulated hole. Suddenly LIV seems a lot like the fusty old institution it was trying to replace. Again, I prefer the old shit but I guess if you are going for a radical new take, you might as well go all the way. 54 holes, shotgun starts and short pants is not exactly innovation.
I didn't start this post meaning to trash the LIV golf. But thinking about it now, I think they are fucked. Anyways, aren't all these people negotiating to reunite sooner or later? Probably not long from now both these shitshows will be defunct and everyone will be playing trad-golf again on the "PGA Tour", this time it will be owned by Saudi Arabia.
