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Writer's pictureB Fulty

Budget DIY Home Golf Simulator - This Is All Your Really Need!

Updated: Nov 30

In this video I will show you how to set up an effective, temporary and portable home golf simulator. It has shaved at least 5 strokes minimum off of my handicap and this setup didn't break the bank. Best of all I can take it all down in about 5 minutes and our room is back to a bedroom. I've added a typical practice session to the video as well to show you a bit of the Skytrak launch monitor SIM technology as well as a view of the Hackmotion wrist sensor which I usually wear.





HERE IS THE SIM BREAKDOWN:

Skytrak V1: $950 - https://amzn.to/3yFCbbh

NetReturn Pro: $696 - https://amzn.to/3SVrnwn

Real Feel Mats: $189 - https://www.realfeelgolfmats.com/


Some of these are affiliate links.


ADDITIONAL TECH SHOWN: The Hack Motion (5% off with link): https://hackmotion.com/lowermyhandicap


IF YOU ARE STILL READING: My golf sim setup was 100% designed purely for function and portability. I needed to be able to use this room as a guest room at times. It is my dedicated golf room 99% of the time. But when the family visits it is back to a guest room with a wall/murphy queen sized bed. It takes me about 5 minutes to take the net down and put back up. The net return fits into its own bag and I just put it in the closet along with the two hitting strips. Boom back to a bedroom.


SKYTRAK: I bought this about 3 years ago but never had the room in the house to take full advantage until the last year or so. I absolutely love it. I know it is dated technology and it does occasionally miss a shot but for the price it can't be beat for a home launch monitor or simulator. While I would say I generally hit the ball a little farther outside off of grass, the ball flight is always correct. If I slice it I slice it, hook it I hook it. You can work on fixing your swing endlessly. Which I do. As I said I've dropped at least 5 to 7 strokes from my handicap. It dropped below 4 recently and traditionally I was closer to 9.


SKYTRAK SOFTWARE: At the time of writing SKYTRAK offers the range for free. Which what I use 99% of the time. I do have the game improvement software that is $130 per year that offers bag mapping, target practice, long drive games and more. For Simulator Course Play software I use E6 Connect which offers 20+ golf courses before a premium upgrade. It is great for me and was about $300 per year. BUT, Skytrak now offers its own sim package that I have not used but it includes Pebble Beach and some other great courses. It is $220/year and I will likely give that a go when my E6 subscription runs out.


NET RETURN: I've had a number of different nets over the years. Mostly for back yard shots and my initial SkyTrak setup. None are as good as this yet. I've never missed the net and put a ball through the drywall and the best part is the ball generally just rolls back in front of you after each shot. No digging through the net. I did buy additional side nets that I don't really require but come in very handy when others are hitting golf balls. This is the perfect net for golf practice.


NO SCREEN OR PROJECTOR: I wanted a setup that was cheap and very easy to take down. Most screens require a more permanent setup. In addition I really saw the need. The reality at most commercial golf simulators I go to is you aren't really aiming at a particular spot on the screen (or at the very least it is tough to line up your shots). In my case I have a lace hanging down that I know is dead center. So I can work on my alignment and know my target on every shot. With projectors you really aren't 100% sure. I find anyway. They are cool though. Real Feel Mats: I do like these mats because they have a lot of cushion on the base but at the same time you are punished on fat shots. Unlike many mats on the market where you can hit fat shots just as far as pure shots because the club and ball just bounce off the turf. I think this does have an impact on your arms however and I've had some pain. But it always quickly goes away. But I may experiment on my next mats. At the very least I will go with one big mat next time around. I like the hitting strips in that I can easily put them away but they do move around and I'm constantly moving them back into place.


HACKMOTION: This has been a bit of a game changer. It has helped me be more consistent on my wrist angles. It helps me know if the issue on a shot is my wrist angles or club path. or both! It has definitely changed my swing this past year. Is it the be all and end all. No. There is more to the swing than just the wrist angles. But it helps eliminate that part of the golf swing as the problem. That is the full rundown. Please leave your comments on my golf SIM setup

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