How does a golf simulator work? From launch monitor to screen

You hit a real golf ball into a screen, and on that screen it carries on flying over a golf course. How does the computer know where the ball is going? In this article we explain how a golf simulator works, without technical jargon.

The parts of a golf simulator

A golf simulator consists of a few parts that work together:

1. The launch monitor. The heart of the simulator. This device measures the ball the moment you hit it.
2. The software. Calculates how the ball would fly and shows it on a virtual golf course.
3. The screen (impact screen). A sturdy screen you hit the ball into, and onto which the image is projected.
4. The projector. Projects the golf course onto the screen.
5. The hitting mat. A mat that feels like grass, from which you hit the ball.
6. The net. Catches balls that miss the screen, so it stays safe.

What does a launch monitor measure?

When the club strikes the ball, a lot happens in a fraction of a second. A launch monitor captures it. The most important measurements are:

• Ball speed: how fast the ball leaves the club. This largely determines how far it goes.
• Launch angle: the angle at which the ball rises.
• Launch direction: does the ball go straight, or left or right?
• Spin: how fast the ball rotates, and around which axis. Backspin keeps the ball in the air, sidespin makes it curve (the notorious slice or hook).

With this data the software calculates the ball's complete flight: how high it goes, how far it flies (carry), how much it rolls on and where it finally comes to rest.

Camera or radar?

There are two main types of launch monitor:

Radar-based. Measures the ball with radar as it flies away. Often works best outdoors, with plenty of space behind the ball.

Camera-based. Takes a rapid series of photos of the ball just after impact and calculates speed, direction and spin from them. Works well indoors, at a short distance from the screen.

We use the Garmin Approach R50, a camera-based launch monitor that performs well both indoors and outdoors.

How realistic is it?

With a good launch monitor the measurements are accurate enough for golfers to train on seriously. The ball flies on screen as it would on a real course. A slice curves to the right, a low shot runs a long way, a good iron shot lands softly on the green.

What is different from a real course:

• The lie. You always hit from a flat mat. No sloping lies, no bunkers, no long grass.
• Putting. Putting on a simulator feels different from a real green. That is why at events we mainly play game modes with the long shots.
• The surroundings. No wind in your face and no sun in your eyes. For an event, that is actually rather pleasant.

Why this is fun at an event

The technology makes it possible to play game modes that are impractical on a real course:

• Longest drive: the simulator measures to the metre how far everyone hits.
• Nearest to the pin: see exactly who gets closest to the flag.
• Matchplay: two players play the same hole against each other, with the result on screen immediately.

You can also play more than 50 famous golf courses. Anyone who follows golf on TV will recognise the holes.

Read the rules in longest drive, nearest to the pin and matchplay explained.

What do you need for a simulator on location?

We bring everything: launch monitor, screen, projector, mat, net, clubs and balls. At your venue you need:

• a flat area of about 3 by 5 metres;
• indoors, a ceiling height of at least 3 metres;
• one regular socket within 25 metres.

Outdoors we put up a tent to protect against wind and rain.

Try it yourself?

Reading about it is one thing, seeing your own ball fly is another. Would you like a golf simulator at your corporate event, party or trade show? Request a free quote or have a look at our packages first.