The commercial golf simulator space is incredibly competitive, with companies like Trackman, Golfzon and X Golf attracting both dedicated golfers and casual players looking for a night out. The world of smacking an actual golf ball into a screen has never been more competitive.
A new player has entered the space in the U.S. named Golf VX (it's been popular in Korea for some time), and I was one of the first in the U.S. to try it and write about my experience.
And what an experience it was. With its beautiful graphics, moving floor, and various hitting surfaces, Golf VX delivers an experience closer to real golf than any other simulator I've tried.
Trying Golf VX yourself
Right now, locations are few and far between. I went to the North Dartmouth, MA, location to sample the experience, and there's also a flagship location in Arlington Heights, IL (near Chicago).
There's a third location coming to Clawson, MI, though I haven't heard exactly when that'll open. However, based on how good this technolgy is, I expect it to find its way to cities around the U.S. soon.
If you're near either of those locations, the Golf VX website is where you'll need to go to book your tee time.
Golf VX — the hardware and software
To oversimplify, a golf simulator consists of three main components: the launch monitor (which detects ball and club data), the software, and the enclosure. There are different components within each of these (for example, the mat in the enclosure), but at the core, these are what make a simulator function.
The relative quality of these parts determines the overall quality of the experience. The way everything comes together to create a fast, cohesive experience will make or break a golf simulator.
Thankfully, since I drove more than two hours to try it, Golf VX delivers top-tier experiences on all fronts. The pricey launch monitor technology felt incredibly accurate.
That is to say, all of my clubs traveled the distance I expected them to, and shots were directionally where they looked they'd be on an actual course based on feel and look of the shot as it slammed into the impact screen.
And that's where the software comes into play — the shots left the club face in the real world and quickly showed on the screen with gorgeous graphics. The wealth of settings and tweaks you can make to customize the experience is unmatched in any other simulator I've tried (including the great and beloved Trackman).
But what takes it a step further is the hitting area. Rather than just a mat with some rubber tees, you get a moving floor that simulates lies with the ball above or below your feet.
You also get a sand and rough area to drop your ball when hitting out of those areas on the screen, creating a more authentic experience. And most importantly, hitting out of the rough and sand feels like it should in real life, or at least close enough to the real thing to not feel off.
Perhaps my favorite thing about Golf VX's simulator is that putting is actually enjoyable (and accurate).
Golf VX — the experience
The biggest thing I can say about the experience of playing and practicing with Golf VX is that it's fun and intuitive. Every detail feels thoughtfully crafted, from selecting courses and adjusting the settings on the touchscreen to swinging and hitting shots.
Outside of the golf, the particular location I visited in North Dartmouth, MA, felt upscale, with beautiful wood accents, a high-end bar, and all the other amenities you expect from a high-end golf simulator lounge.
I'm eager for Golf VX to expand its presence in the U.S., as it would be my go-to simulator spot if one were closer. With the technology being as good as it is, it definitely puts all of the other golf simulator companies on notice.
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