A golf simulator is piece of equipment which simulates a golf balls movement when struck. A golf simulator can be used in a variety of places for a variety of different reasons. Their main purpose is to provide data which can be used to custom fit golf clubs for a golfer. This can make fitting a golfer with the proper equipment very easy. These type of golf simulator are found on the PGA tour and in golf shops found all over the world.
A golf simulator may also be used in your own home which is becoming very popular nowadays. One that is used in your home is more so aimed at giving the user a virtual golf experience. It allows the user to play a round of golf from the comfort of his or her home. This is best thing about a golf simulator because you can practice from the comfort of your home and not be exposed to weather elements. The beauty of home ones are that you can also play a wide variety of pga tour courses which the user may not get to in real life.
A golf simulator works via use of computers, software and projectors/monitors. A very high speed camera is set in place to capture the clubhead at impact on the golf ball. This is then sent to the computer and software analyses the images to create and predict how the golf ball will react. This is then outputted onto the projector screen almost instantly in the form of a virtual shot.
In my opinion I think a golf simulator is a brilliant invention and a very useful piece of equipment especially for practicing. However it is important that if you wish to buy one, you buy a good one. A lot of cheap software is no where near as good or as realistic as other ones that are available. In reality though a top of the range one can cost around $20k dollars. If you look at it from another perspective however it pays for itself through all the green fees you would have had to pay!
