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skytrak golf launch monitor

October 19, 2022

By Robert Hart

Skytrak Launch Monitor Review

It can be extremely hard to decide what launch monitor to use for your golf simulator setup. The prices can be all over the place and it is hard to actually know which ones provide the best experience. What really matters in the end is that the simulator allows you to easily play and is accurate based on your hits. Skytrak is one of the best and is at a fairly affordable price. For golf simulators in this price range, you likely won’t find one that will out-do the Skytrak. Let’s take a look in this review at what makes the Skytrak so good.   Photometric Technology   Most of the golf simulators on the market now will use camera-based or radar-based tracking systems. The Skytrak uses a camera-based photometric launch monitor that uses high-speed cameras to get the most accurate read on your hits. After that data is collected there are also complicated algorithms that will add that data together with some additional factors to come up with all of the metrics of your shot essentially in real-time.   Shot Accuracy   At the price range that the Skytrak is at, it is one of the most accurate on the market. That is a main reason as to why so many go with this model. You can save thousands by using this model versus a more expensive one and still get extremely close to the accuracy that those provide. If you are buying a golf simulator in this price range, you should feel good about the accuracy you will get with the Skytrak. The Skytrak is marketed as an indoor and outdoor simulator but the outdoor accuracy is not as good as some other models that are for this. For indoor use, it is spectacular though.   Features   The features on the Skytrak are plentiful. It is another reason why this is such a popular launch monitor. The features you get at this price are unmatched. Their users rave about how user friendly the features are and how easy it is to figure out. Some features to note are multicolour shot tracers to track different club hits, different skill tests, competitions, and much more. Player's love comparing their clubs with some of these special features they provide to see how different clubs hit.   The Data   A lot of users love golf simulators due to the immense amount of data that they return. This is used to further tweak your swing and ball striking. There is a ton of information that Skytrak gives you on both the club data and ball data. Over a dozen different metrics are tracked and the only thing that is really missing from their data is the advanced club info that tracks things like club path and angles.
How much room do you need for a golf simulator?

October 18, 2022

By Robert Hart

How much room do you need for a golf simulator?

One of the biggest questions for those who are looking to get a golf simulator in their house, business, or wherever is how much room do you need for a golf simulator? Any golf simulator will essentially be usable as long as you have enough space to swing your longest club. This isn’t an excessive amount of space and most people can fit one in their house or building easier than they thought.   For an average height person, you will only need about eight and half feet of ceiling height to swing a club. While it is recommended to have taller ceilings than that for the projector or for taller players, it is definitely possible to fit one into a room that has average or shorter ceilings like this.     The next thing to think about is the width and length of the golf simulator area you are planning. A good rule to go by is having at least 10 feet in either direction. This gives simulators the space needed to properly track your hits and also enough space to swing your club freely. At minimum when setting up a golf simulator, make sure you have ceilings at least eight and half feet tall with 10 feet of width and length as well.   There is a lot that goes into a golf simulator that people don't account for when planning the set up of one of the machines. The first thing is the launch monitor which should be in a protected place where it won’t get hit by a club or a ball. This needs a good amount of room as well because some can be fairly big. It should also be set up at least 10 feet from the next piece of equipment to ensure you have room for the impact screen. The impact screen shouldn’t be right up against a wall either as it could affect how the simulator tracks and could damage the wall.   Finally people will normally choose to buy a sim enclosure to keep everything within the space you have allotted for the golf simulator. This keeps errant shots from being launched out into your living room or good shots from bouncing off of the screen as well.   The room for a golf simulator depends on each person and the set up that they have. For the most part all of these steps in this article can be followed and you should have the adequate space for a golf simulator. Make sure to account for all of the equipment you will be getting and how it will be set up when planning your golf simulator of your own.
Optishot 2 Launch Monitor Review

October 18, 2022

By Robert Hart

Optishot 2 Launch Monitor Review

The Optishot 2 is an interesting model of launch monitors. It was built to be small, easy to use, and to be affordable. They definitely were successful in making this as it is one of the best selling golf simulators of all time. Just because it was made simply and at an affordable price for the masses doesn't mean that it isn’t good though. It is great for those who want a golf simulator at a good price that works really well and can be used essentially anywhere.   Infrared Sensors   Optishot 2 doesn't use any high speed cameras to get the data they need to analyze your swing to decipher how the ball will travel. They use these infrared sensors to track the club as you swing it back and through where the ball is teed up or where it would be teed up. We say where it would be teed up because it isn't even necessary with Optishot to use a ball. They analyze the club data and determine based on your swing where the ball will travel and how it will travel. This can be a downside for some people or a bonus for those who don't want to chase around balls or don't have a ton of space to set up a screen and sim enclosure.   Shot Accuracy   While there is no actual ball that the Optishot tracks, just the club, it is remarkably accurate with how it displays your shots. Users say that it is the most accurate for iron and wood shots but can struggle a bit with chipping and putting. A lot of players on simulators don't even use the putting feature on most simulators so it is somewhat unimportant for a lot of people. Optishot also has a club calibration feature where users can calibrate their clubs to get an even higher accuracy rating.   Features   For a good price Optishot has it all. While it may not rival some of the more expensive models that can be five or even 10 times more expensive, they do offer a good amount of features that those more expensive models have as well. It is impressive what is packed into this launch monitor. A really cool feature is the ability to play online against other users. It is one of the few simulators to have this feature.   The Data   Optishot doesn't track the ball and a ball isn't even needed to play. With this being said, there is a good amount of data that you can find out about your club and overall swing. Not having a ball can be a big reason why players may not want to go with this model, but for the price you get so much with the Optishot 2.
Trackman Launch Monitor Review

October 18, 2022

By Robert Hart

Trackman Launch Monitor Review

Trackman Launch Monitor Review   You are really going to want to do a lot of research and take your time with a purchase of a Trackman as this golf simulator is one of the most expensive on the market. The reason it is one of the most expensive is because it gives the most data and is the most accurate reads according to a lot of people. This simulator has all that you can want in a launch monitor. Expect to get a great experience with the Trackman. For one of the most consistent and accurate systems look to the Trackman. It was designed for training and practicing your swing due to the accuracy and data that they provide their players on the system.     Radar Technology   The best and greatest technology is used to track your club and ball with the Trackman. This launch monitor sits behind the player and will track essentially everything that is occurring in front of it. The radar technology that they used is patented and is seen as the top in the golf simulator world. PGA professionals will use this to work on perfecting their swing down to the smallest tweaks because everything is tracked with precise accuracy.   Accuracy   This launch monitor is basically second to none on accuracy. We mentioned before that it is trusted by PGA Tour pros to help them make minor adjustments in their swing. One of the most important things about accuracy though is that it is consistent as well. You want your golf simulator to give you the same results on the hits you are doing over and over again so you can really tune in your swing effectively. The Trackman is great at that. It was designed for training and practicing as it is one of the most accurate systems that we have seen on the market yet.   Features   Essentially any feature that you can find on all other golf simulators is found with the Trackman. This thing can do it all. The best feature though is the accuracy of it. We can not talk enough about how good it compares to any other simulator. The price is extremely hefty, but if price is not an issue, then the Trackman should be your best bet for getting the most out of a simulator and launch monitor.   Data   Compared to the majority of other golf simulators, this one has over double the amount of things tracked in your club and ball. For those looking for a truly in-depth look at the data of how they are swinging and how it is affecting the ball with every swing, this one should be for you. There is so much to break down and look at that it can be overwhelming, but if you know what you are looking at it can be really beneficial to your game as well.
Garmin R10 Launch Monitor Review

October 18, 2022

By Robert Hart

Garmin R10 Launch Monitor Review

When the Skytrak golf simulator came onto the market it really changed how golf simulators were perceived. It was a giant step in golf simulation technology. The Garmin R10 model was launched in just 2021 and it was seen as being similar to when the Skytrak first launched. It is truly that good and comes at an affordable price. The features and system as a whole rival what other launch monitors do for double or more the price. In this review we will look at how the Garmin R10 works, the accuracy of the simulator as a whole, the features, and the data that they provide users as well.     Radar Technology   While there are different ways to track club and ball data with golf simulators, Garmin uses radar technology. It has a small doppler radar compared to some of the other models but still provides accurate readings up there with some of the top of the line models. Cameras are also used to record every one of your swings. It makes it one of the top golf simulators at a fair price based on all that it can do.   Shot Accuracy   This won’t be the most accurate system, but for the price it is really good. Some of the top and more expensive models will do a better job of tracking accurately, but you can get a reasonable experience with the Garmin R10 as well. Some users really think that this provides great accuracy while some others claim that they are mildly disappointed with how it tracks. This leads us to think that it is good but not the greatest. But, yet again, for the price it seems like it is really good.   Features   Impressively, the Garmin R10 has over 42,000 courses that you can play on. Their systems allow for essentially any course to be played on. Don;t be surprised if one or nearly all of your local courses can be played on the system. This can make it a great system to practice on if you are going to go out and play your local courses you can get a practice round in before. Another cool feature is the ability that just a handful of other golf simulators offer, which is the ability to play online against others in tournaments and matches.   Data   Because every single shot is recorded on their cameras there are over 14 different data points that they provide. Additionally, there are 10 hours of battery life so you can play it inside while on the go and take it outside as well for long periods of time. All of the most important data that you could want is provided on the Garmin R10 and there really are no complaints about this aspect of it.
The Best Hitting Mats for Golf Simulators

October 18, 2022

By Robert Hart

The Best Hitting Mats for Golf Simulators

One of the most important aspects of a golf simulator is the hitting mat. For some very obvious reasons the hitting is imperative. It is the surface that you have to hit every shot off of on your simulator and it will need to hold up through tons of shots and rounds. This should not be the part of the golf simulator that you skimp on. It will improve the overall experience and play while using your simulator setup. If you are setting up your first golf simulator or are looking to upgrade your simulator setup, then check out these hitting mats as they can make all the difference in your overall play.     Golfbays Standard Hitting Mat   For those who are looking for a quality mat at a good price, check out this model. It has built in shock absorbers, a rubber bottom that sticks to any surface to provide a stable base, and has holes built in as well for tees. This mat is 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters, so it has good size that gives players ample room to get set and hit comfortably. It is a great option for those who have a good amount of room and need a quality mat that will hold up over time.   Truestrike MK7 Portable   This portable hitting mat can be taken and used anywhere. It is lightweight and small, which makes it more portable than other mats. The main benefit of this mat is that it is said to actually feel like hitting off of a real fairway. That is something that can rarely be found with other mats. It also can greatly improve your play on the course as the practice you get in on the simulator will translate even more to the course.   Simmat   This mat was made specifically for the Protee golf simulator as the Simmat has a cutout fit exactly to be played with that simulator. It is one of the top of the line mats and is pricier than the other two on this list. The quality is exceptional and looks really good. For those who want one of the highest quality mats on the market that makes your simulator feel like hitting on real grass, look to try a Simmat product. This current model is made for the Protee but can be used for other simulators that fit in the cutouts as well.   Take time with your purchase of a hitting mat. It is the thing that you will be directly playing on for every round you play on your simulator. You don't want to be stuck with a mat that doesn’t feel right under your feet or does not allow for a proper hit of the turf.    
Skytrak Launch Monitor Review

October 18, 2022

By Robert Hart

Skytrak Launch Monitor Review

It can be extremely hard to decide what launch monitor to use for your golf simulator setup. The prices can be all over the place and it is hard to actually know which ones provide the best experience. What really matters in the end is that the simulator allows you to easily play and is accurate based on your hits. Skytrak is one of the best and is at a fairly affordable price. For golf simulators in this price range, you likely won’t find one that will out-do the Skytrak. Let’s take a look in this review at what makes the Skytrak so good.     Photometric Technology   Most of the golf simulators on the market now will use camera-based or radar-based tracking systems. The Skytrak uses a camera-based photometric launch monitor that uses high-speed cameras to get the most accurate read on your hits. After that data is collected there are also complicated algorithms that will add that data together with some additional factors to come up with all of the metrics of your shot essentially in real-time.   Shot Accuracy   At the price range that the Skytrak is at, it is one of the most accurate on the market. That is a main reason as to why so many go with this model. You can save thousands by using this model versus a more expensive one and still get extremely close to the accuracy that those provide. If you are buying a golf simulator in this price range, you should feel good about the accuracy you will get with the Skytrak. The Skytrak is marketed as an indoor and outdoor simulator but the outdoor accuracy is not as good as some other models that are for this. For indoor use, it is spectacular though.   Features   The features on the Skytrak are plentiful. It is another reason why this is such a popular launch monitor. The features you get at this price are unmatched. Their users rave about how user friendly the features are and how easy it is to figure out. Some features to note are multicolor shot tracers to track different club hits, different skill tests, competitions, and much more. Players love comparing their clubs with some of these special features they provide to see how different clubs hit.   The Data   A lot of users love golf simulators due to the immense amount of data that they return. This is used to further tweak your swing and ball striking. There is a ton of information that Skytrak gives you on both the club data and ball data. Over a dozen different metrics are tracked and the only thing that is really missing from their data is the advanced club info that tracks things like club path and angles.  
How Much is a Golf Simulator?

October 13, 2022

By Robert Hart

How Much is a Golf Simulator?

Golf simulators come in a variety of price ranges depending on how much you want to spend and how good of a simulator experience you want to have. While you don’t need to break the bank to buy a golf simulator, as the prices get higher you can generally expect better performance, responsiveness, and overall experience. We will go over three of the most popular golf simulators in this article ranked by an affordable price to a moderately priced one to the top of the line and most expensive simulator.   Optishot 2 Golf Simulator £379     Golfers can get a great and full golf simulator experience with the Optishot 2. This is one of the most affordable golf simulators but it also offers essentially everything you could ask for. You can get right in the game with this golf simulator as it is easy to set up and comes loaded with over a dozen courses with the option to add more premium courses as well. This one gives you precise accuracy and feedback on your shot with 32 high-speed infrared sensors.   They also have the full package available that includes a full at-home setup. Optishot gives you all that you need to get started at a reasonable price.   Garmin Approach® R10 Portable Launch Monitor £498     This is one of the few portable golf simulators that you can take to the driving range or use at home. It will track all of your shots and you can play over 42,000 courses on it. They will likely even have the majority of the courses in your area on it.   This one does some pretty cool things as well such as tracking 12 different metrics like swing speed, ball speed, spin, and more. You can also get video of yourself to fix the mechanics in your swing. Like with the Optishot 2, it comes with a full at-home setup as well.   Skytrak Launch Monitor £1895       This is the top of the line golf simulator. It would be hard to beat this setup and experience anywhere. While it is the most expensive on this list, it is still a fraction of the price compared to some of the other products out there, but it holds up and may be even better than some more pricier ones on the market.   The Skytrak is one of the smartest simulators. It tracks the flight of your ball and the distance with extreme precision and analyzes the quality of your shots. Built in Wifi allows for this to be used wherever you want as you just have to connect it to a mobile device. Along with the Launch Monitor, a full at-home setup is alvalbe too.  
What Does Golf Stand For

October 13, 2022

By Robert Hart

What Does Golf Stand For

Many people are familiar with golf but don’t know the backstory and origin of the name and the game. Some people may think that golf is an acronym, but that is not the case. The word comes from the Dutch word “kolf” or “kolve”, which means “club”. Knowing that golf just means club may be a little anticlimactic for some people but most of the popular sports are generally just named after the ball or equipment used in the sport. Think about the name basketball where players put a ball in a basket or football where players are allowed to touch the ball with just their feet.   In the late 14th or 15th century the Dutch word “kolf” took on a different dialect from the Scottish and it started to be pronounced “goff” in the late 14th or early 15th century. It wasn’t until the 16th century that it later became pronounced the way we know it today, “golf”.   Golf History   Golf has an interesting history as well. The game originated in Scotland in the 1400s where people would hit pebbles over sand dunes with a stick that they formed into a club. It grew from there into something close to the game of golf today. In the 15th century Scotland was preparing for an invasion from the Auld Enemy but the people of Scotland were so enthralled with golf at the time that it distracted them from their war training. King James II ended up banning the sport in 1457 so they would focus more on their training rather than golfing. It took until 1502 for the game to be popular and acceptable again in Scotland and it took off from there.   Golf has come a long way since they were playing with sticks and pebbles in the sand dunes. Now some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world are golf courses and people will play throughout the year or even professionally for large sums of money.   Golf Simulators   Golfers can now even enjoy golf courses virtually where you can play a sped up game to get more holes and rounds in with golf simulators. These golf simulators have become so realistic at tracking your shots and giving you an accurate gameplay that it is a true simulation of playing on an actual course.   Golf has a rich history from long ago and the game has continued to grow ever since. The recent technology in golf with golf simulators and GPS trackers are just recent innovations into golf tech. More will continue to come and people will continue to innovate on the game that began with that Dutch word “kolf” that was coined so long ago now.  
GolfBays

Solid net strong enough for practicing driver and every other club in the bag. Return slope very handy saving you having to collect balls, they roll straight back to your feet.Recommend also buying some heavy duty ground anchors or pegs to secure it if used in garden.

Liam

I already had a large gym in my house, however, I wanted to start practicing my golf at home as well as getting fitter. I didn't want a built in option so the simbox enclosure was the perfect solution. It allowed me to place it wherever I wanted in my room which was a bonus as I couldn't have it against a wall. The quality of the simbox is second to none, I went for the Close Knit Baffle screen as I wanted the most durable screen for the amount of practice I do, it is also super quiet which is a bonus. I can't thanks the team at Golfbays enough, all of the guys are super knowledgeable, you can tell they all have golfing backgrounds. I would definitely recommend.

H.P.

Fantastic quality, easy to install and fast delivery. Could not ask for much more. We also purchased a projector and protective enclosure that are brilliant. Creates a very professional looking set up.

Luke M.

Weather is no longer a problem for me, I can be in my garage and on the 7th at Augusta at the same time!

B Edwards

The box was delivered very quickly including customs clearance, perfect.The SimBox exceeded my expectations, black ball protection very noise-insulating, Impact Screen Pro+ very good for Full HD.Thanks to the video tutorial, it can also be set up alone, but much more relaxed with two people.Simply perfect, highly recommended, thanks to the 6 sizes there is always a place at home, as long as the room height fits.Very convincing qualityIn short: brilliant for the home simulator

Markus K.

Great quality, easy to assemble was hitting balls within hours of delivery which was within 48hrs. Require a few more items to complete the perfect room. Will use again.

Mark W

Nice and easy to get set up. A few minor issues with software but easily sorted with a quick call to the team at golfbays. I recommend TGC2019 for game play. Not tried Skytraks own courses but I believe they are good.

Peter H

Happy with the quality of the turf and would highly recommend to others.

Scott W

This is an exceptional machine with fast delivery and outstanding customer service from Golf Bays. It’s my second purchase from Golf Bays, they deliver top marks all the time and I would highly recommend!

Jonathan

Just Installed this new Pro+ screen at my commercial golf simulator. The difference between the old one and this new one is astounding. Not only is it much quieter but the image projection is so much more clearer. It is installed quite tightly using the Bungee balls but there is no significant bounce back.I unequivocally recommend the Pro + impact screen.

Adam S.

The golf team enjoys practicing with the Puttout training mat. More practice means better putting on the course. The quality of the product is excellent.

Boliver

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