Considering investing in a golf simulator?
Have plenty of questions about golf simulators and how to make it happen?
Tired of the cold winters slowing down your progress and game improvement?
I have been there and spent many months researching and debating between the different options.
I had many things I needed to consider:
- What kind of budget does one need?
- How much space did I need?
- What was the best option? Quality plus budget taken into consideration.
- Where to buy a package from?
- Where could I get financing from?
- And, most importantly, what was the best affordable golf simulator?
I spent months researching and hope to share my expertise with you to make your research process easier. I do not regret the purchase at all and over 300 rounds later am thrilled with the decision I went with.
What is the best affordable golf simulator?
The SkyTrak, when paired with The Golf Club Software (TGC), is the best affordable golf simulator in the market. The overall quality, versatility, and realistic nature of the SkyTrak is impressive at the price point offered.
Over 20-30 years ago, the only people with golf simulators were the wealthy, stores that sold clubs or commercial based places because golf simulators once cost at least 30 thousand dollars for one unit.
I was able to set up my golf simulator for around $7,000 and feel that my access to courses, the quality of the graphics and the overall experience is difficult to beat at that price range.
Of course there are options for less and options for much more expensive. Having played in both the cheaper and the more expensive units, I believe the most affordable option and the perfect sweet spot is with a SkyTrak package from Rain or Shine Golf.
The overall packages offered combined with the customer services makes this option difficult to beat. Plus, they offer financing offers that make the golf simulator packages a realistic option for many people.
Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:
The Benefits of the SkyTrak Launch Monitor
Benefit #1: Affordability
The SkyTrak is typically priced around the $2,000 range with occasional offers from Rain or Shine Golf. However, because most people will opt to build the complete package including: gaming computers, impact screen and enclosure, projector, and hitting mat, I would highly recommend checking out the packages that Rain or Shine Golf offer.
These packages can help you save money and cuts out the stress of ordering from different places and worrying about delays in shipping. Plus, when you purchase in a package, the ease that you can obtain financing through Rain or Shine Golf makes it simply and easy for one low monthly price.
Let’s face it, many of us have a budget to work it and have to get blessing from a significant other to build a simulator in a garage, basement or extra room in the house. We need it to be affordable. I found the SkyTrak to be the perfect blend of quality combined with the right price!
Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:
Benefit #2: Graphic and Course Options with TGC
One of the great things about the SkyTrak is that it can be combined with the TGC software. This software is truly incredible from a graphics perspective. I have been fortunate to play on some much more expensive golf simulators, but the graphics of the software have always been disappointing.
Plus, did you know that you can paly Augusta, Pebble, Whistling Straigts, St. Andrews, Erin Hills and many other top 100 ranked courses in the world. Many of the software packages only have a limited number of options, but TGC got it right when they allowed people to create courses.
This is truly incredible and the ability to stand on the 11th fairway at Augusta or the 18th hole a Pebble and set the system to Auto-rewind and practice certain shots is truly impressive!
The software does cost additional money, but if you are making the investment, do it right and you won’t regret it. The long term pricing, with payments over many months make the upgrade in software a no brainer!
Who doesn’t want to play Augusta in January on one of those cold, snowy days when you can’t play outside?
Benefit #3: Year Round Play!
As I started to get into above, the option to play 365 days a year is amazing. I love playing in the winter months, but also find myself working on my game and playing additional rounds in the spring, summer and fall as well.
My golf simulator setup gets used over 300 days a year and I average around 20 rounds a month on my simulator, every month of the year.
The option to play when it is rainy, snowy, too cold or too dark outside is a game changer. I have been able to reduce my average score from the 76-80 range down to 72-76. I find myself shooting the occasional round in the 60s now and very rarely shoot above 75 unless I am playing a brand new course to me.
The ball striking improvements from playing everyday are significant and a game changer. The feedback from the SkyTrak on ball speed, spin rate, side axis are launch angle are helpful stats that can help you tune up your swing and your ball striking!
Benefit #4: Accuracy
I have found the accuracy and realistic nature of the SkyTrak to be top notch and something you might expect to spend between 7 and 10 thousand dollars on.
The graphics are impressive, but also the predictable pattern and nature of the shots that are produced. I did a quick statistical analysis of simulator golf scores vs actual golf scores and you might be surprised to see what I found out.
| Golf Simulator Score | Relative to Par | 15 Total Rounds | Real Golf Score | Relative to Par |
| 72 | 1 | Round #1 | 76 | 4 |
| 75 | 0 | Round #2 | 78 | 6 |
| 72 | 3 | Round #3 | 74 | 3 |
| 81 | 9 | Round #4 | 71 | 0 |
| 75 | 3 | Round #5 | 70 | -1 |
| 73 | 3 | Round #6 | 71 | 0 |
| 75 | 3 | Round #7 | 72 | 0 |
| 71 | -1 | Round #8 | 73 | 1 |
| 71 | -1 | Round #9 | 72 | 1 |
| 72 | 1 | Round #10 | 74 | 3 |
| 73 | 3 | Round #11 | 74 | 3 |
| 72 | 1 | Round #12 | 74 | 4 |
| 72 | 1 | Round #13 | 72 | 1 |
| 72 | 1 | Round #14 | 73 | 3 |
| 76 | 4 | Round #15 | 73 | 2 |
| 1102 | 31 | 1097 | 30 | |
| 73.47 | 2.07 | 73.13 | 2 |
Accuracy of Golf Simulator vs Reality – Data Breakdown
- Total Strokes (15 Total Rounds) = 1102 in Simulator Golf and 1097 in Real Golf
- Total Strokes Over Par (15 Total Rounds) = 31 in Simulator Golf and 30 in Real Golf
- Average Score = 73.47 in Simulator Golf and 73.13 in Real Golf
- Average Strokes Over Par = 2.07 in Simulator Golf and 2.0
Brief summary…the stats and study speak highly of the realistic nature of the SkyTrak launch monitor and the overall experience as a high level golf simulator. The goal of any simulator is produce realistic results and the numbers above speak for themselve
Benefit #5: Indoor and Outdoor Use
You can use the SkyTrak launch monitor in an indoor golf simulator setup or you can take it with you to the driving range or golf course and pair with your Ipad or Iphone for instant feedback on some key stats connected to your swing.
The versatility to take it with you to these outdoor spaces isn’t possible with some of the SkyTrak competition. I love the option to take it with me, even though I find myself practicing quite frequently in my own golf simulator setup, but I do have the option to utilize it outdoors in different settings.
Benefit #6: Game Improvement
I briefly talked about some of the game improvements I experienced in my own game. This can be your experience as well. Who doesn’t want to shoot better scores and get more consistent?
One part I must add is that those early spring rounds or late fall rounds when you maybe aren’t playing as often, you are still able to shoot quality scores because you are sharp from playing on your golf simulator.
I can go 3 weeks between rounds outside and still feel like I haven’t missed a thing when I step on the first tee. The consistency of my ball striking and scores can be attributed to the ability to hit golf balls and shoot scores frequently on my simulator.
Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:
I have also seen an increase in my swing speed from my training with SuperSpeed Golf in my golf simulator. I will leave you with this bonus drill!
BONUS Drill: Increase your swing speed through overspeed training
- Check out SuperSpeed Overspeed Training Protocols
- Train every other day for 10-15 minutes.
- See a 4-6% increase in swing speed as early as the first training protocol.
The number one thing that has helped me gain significant distance is the SuperSpeed Training System. This overspeed based system where you train every other day for about 10-15 minutes with different swing sticks can help you increase your swing speed by 5-8% which can be 20-30 yards. Who wouldn’t want an extra 20-30 yards. Plus it helps improve your mechanics.
SuperSpeed Golf – Use Discount Code Golfjourney365 for some savings!
The analytics are pretty clear on the importance of speed in the game of golf. Would you rather hit your approach shot from 130 yards of 160 yards? The answer is pretty simple!
We know that over the course of time, we will hit shots from 130 yards much closer than from 160 yards, whether we are an average amateur golfer, a scratch golfer, or a PGA Tour member!
The key is having shorter approach shots, so we can hit the ball closer to the hole and then make more putts! Speed is king in the game of golf! Make sure you check out SuperSpeed Golf!
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:
Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:
3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:
We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.
4 – Practice Frequently
Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:
- Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator?
- What is the Best Golf Simulator?
- Golf Simulator Accessories?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for under $7000
- Top 11 Reasons to Buy a SkyTrak
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for Under $1000
- Why Build A Golf Simulator?
- What Space is Needed?
- Can A Golf Simulator Improve My Game?
- How Much Does A Golf Simulator Cost?
- Don’t Forget to Check out our 15 best golf swings of all time.