Best Golf Simulator for Home and the Man Cave

Are you looking for a home golf simulator that will allow you to practice your game right at home or in your man cave?  Are you aware of everything a golf simulator setup will entail?  Having a golf simulator in your man cave is a great way to master shots you might encounter on your local course, but there are some things you will need to consider before choosing the best home golf simulator. 

To help you with this, below we have provided reviews on several of the most popular and hottest-selling golf simulators on the market today, and highlighted the pros and cons associated with each model.  We have also included a brief Home Golf Simulator Buying Guide, in which we will describe some of the factors and features you will need to consider in order to make the most educated purchasing decision.

Best Golf Simulator Reviews

1.SkyTrak Launch Monitor with Game Improve Package

The SkyTrak Launch Monitor with Game Improve Package is the very first personal launch monitor of its kind.  Not only does the SkyTrak golf simulator make every shot look truly realistic, it allows you to practice and play in real-time from the comfort of your man cave.  When you purchase this item you will receive the state-of-the-art Launch Monitor, a brand-new metal case for easy portability, and the company’s new and improved games package that allows you to experience a wide variety of courses and shot types.

The SkyTrak Launch Monitor, combined with the golf simulator, enables you to improve your game as you play a virtual game of golf, providing real-time information and suggestions so that you can correct certain shots on the fly.  High speed photography captures the golf ball and provides a more-than-accurate reading with measurable rubrics that include, but are not limited to, ball speed, launch angle, club head speed, spin rates and much more.  You can also play the game in driving range mode, where you will also receive up to the minute data and accuracy suggestions with instant 3-dimensional visualization of the ball’s flight in the air.

The SkyTrak Launch Monitor with Game Improve Package is now integrated with four distinct golf simulation partners:  World Golf Tour, TruGolf E6, Jack Nicklaus Perfect Golf and the Golf Club Game.  Each of these programs has the functionality and features to simulate real-world play at some of the world’s most prestigious golf courses.  The games package that is included with the simulator offers a number of challenging games and skill assessments, such as the Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin contests, allowing you to play against other golfers for fun and even skins.

2. Rapsodo R-Motion Golf Club Simulator and Swing Analyzer

The Rapsodo R-Motion Golf Club Simulator and Swing Analyzer is a handy tool that attaches to your golf clubs and allows you to play real rounds of golf from your home, garage, office or man cave.  With its polished user interface from the award-winning creators of The Golf Club, the R-Motion offers instant feedback on all the ball and club related touch points you need to lower your handicap.  Purchasers of this simulator will also receive the Golf Club Game, which provides stunning recreations of 15 of the world’s best golf courses, allowing you to challenge your friends and family whenever and wherever you want.

With the Rapsodo R-Motion Golf Club Simulator and Swing Analyzer you can keep your game in perfect tune throughout the worst months of the year, enabling you to step back on to the course after winter with a spring in your step and confidence running through your veins.  

The simulator runs directly on your PC desktop or laptop, and there is no extra launch monitor or projector required, making it one of the most compact golf simulators of its kind.  All you need to do is clip the simulator onto your club, address your ball and pause briefly to allow the tracker to sync up with your club, and swing away.  From there you will get instant metrics on your club head speed, ball speed, the smash factor, swing path, distance and launch angle.  It truly is remarkable.

The Rapsodo R-Motion Golf Club Simulator and Swing Analyzer is incredibly easy to use, but you will have to provide your own mat and net in order to use the simulator indoors.  The entire package comes with one clip-on sensor, a USB dongle and a convenient charging cord.

3. Optishot 2 Golf Simulator

One of the most popular and well-regarded golf practice systems on the market today, the Optishot 2 Golf Simulator enables you to experience lifelike golf from the comfort of your own home.  Whether you are merely looking to improve your game or play all year round, including the winter months, the Optishot 2 Golf Simulator has you covered. 

The system includes everything you will need to get started, including the infrared golf simulator, a swing pad turf mat, the OptiShot Golf 3-dimesnional software, foam practice balls, adjustable rubber tees and a 15-foot extension USB cable for connecting to your home computer.

With its unparalleled 16 high-speed 48MHz infrared sensors, OptiShot is precisely tuned for tracking club swing data.  With this system, you can easily calibrate your favorite clubs, see your shot patterns, and get instantaneous feedback on every shot. Out of the box, OptiShot2 comes with 15 great courses such as Torrey Black, Twisted Twig, and Palm Desert. Each course is meticulously modeled after world renowned country clubs to give you the genuine feel of real golfing.

You can also take your golf game to the next level with OptiShot Season Pass, the revolutionary online tournament platform that brings together golfers from around the world to compete against each other. With Season Pass you can get access to over 40 new courses and compete in online tournaments for a chance to win great prizes.

Golf Simulator Buying Guide

When purchasing the best golf simulator for home or the man cave, there are many factors and features to consider.  Here are just a few of the things you should look for when purchasing one of these simulators.

Platforms

Many of today’s golf simulators work via a USB or Bluetooth connection with your home computer.  Some golf simulators work only on PCs, while others work only on MAC, and some will work with either type of system.  Therefore, be sure to check the box carefully to ensure the simulator is compatible with your computer or portable device.

What’s Included?

Before you buy a golf simulation system you should know what is included—and what is not included.  Many of the basic golf simulators only come with the simulator and the software, which means you will need to purchase things like a golf mat, nets, foam balls and tees and even golf projector screens before you can use the system. Also, although you can practice putting using a golf simulator, a golf practice putting green would be a great addition to help improve your golf game at home.

How Much Space Do You Need?

If you intend to set up your new golf simulator in your man cave you should make certain that the simulator in question will fit into that space.  Many simulators come with a large projection screen that can often be too large for some rooms.  Thus, before purchasing any golf simulating system, be sure you have the space for said system in your man cave.

Warranty

As with most electronic products, you will want your new golf simulator to come with a fairly decent warranty, somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-5 years.  A long warranty demonstrates the confidence a company has in the longevity of their product, while a short warranty might just indicate the opposite.