Golf Simulator Technology Explained

In the world that we live in, we cannot always get out to play golf as we would like to.

17:38 04 November 2020

But, if you would still like to get in your practice, ensure that you do not lose out on any strength, or even just sharpen your skills, there is a solution. The use of a golf simulator will allow you to play golf at home, ensuring that you do not need to give up your hobby, regardless of how busy you might be or how inaccessible the courses might be.

 

Yet, how does a golf simulator work exactly and what can it do for you? We are going to break down everything that you need to know.

 

The Purpose

 

Let’s start by going over what the purpose of a golf simulator is. They are used by amateurs and pros alike to help players sharpening their skills and enable them to play wherever they can. Their technology will give you feedback on your strokes and let you know what you can do in order to become a better golfer.

 

There are a few different types of simulators, varying in cost from fairly inexpensive to very expensive, with different levels of feedback. The type that you need will really depend more on what your expectations of a golf simulator might be.

 

The Technology

 

We are now going to go over the different types of technology that is used in different golf simulators. These are the most common types of tech used, but that does not mean that it is the only type.

 

1. Infrared: The first type of technology that we will look at is infrared. This type of technology is a light signal that emits from the sensor in the simulator to your golf club. It will then capture the position of your club as you are moving through your swing to hit the ball. The light will monitor each swing that you take and then supply you with feedback to know what you need to do to perfect your swing. Some of the feedback can be quite detailed, looking for speed, angle, and even the way that you are standing.
   
   
2. Photometric: The second type of golf simulator technology is photometric. This is actually a camera that takes images of your club and your ball. It monitors the entire shock through the use of high-speed, consecutive pictures. It will then analyze these to tell you how fast the ball was, how far it would have traveled, and even what angle that it moved at. Then, you can adjust your swing for your next shot, improving on what you just learned.
   
   
3. Radar: The final type of golf simulator technology that is used is radar technology. Radar uses microwaves that will travel from the simulator’s sensor to your ball and rebound back again. Radar is really for outside use as the microwave technology does not work when you are indoors. There are too many obstacles in the way for it to give you clear feedback.
   
   

How to Get Started

 

Now that you know about the various types of golf simulator technology that is used, you might be wondering how you can proceed. You will need to consider your level of experience as a golfer, how often you like to play, and what you really expect to get out of your practice. More experienced players will want more detailed feedback, including ball spin and angle, whereas a less experienced player might just want more input on shooting straight.

 

Regardless, there is a golf simulator out there for everyone.