We all live in Canada, and as golfers, we all resent having to pack away our golf clubs between October & April. That’s 7 months for your swing to sloppy and weak, 7 months to forget all the progress you’ve made, 7 months where you can’t enjoy the game you love. Are you sick of frustratingly watching our southern neighbours enjoy golf all year round? Fear not, we’ve come with options to solve all of your problems!
Why not bring your golf home? Many of us Canadians have basements that we aren’t making the most of They’re filled with half-finished home projects, or boxes of stuff you haven’t thought about in years. Why not repurpose that space, shut the door on those projects and lose the junk you don’t need, and put a golf simulator in?
Pool tables are so last century
The obvious thing to do, the easy thing to do, is put a pool table down there, because that’s just what people do, right? Does anyone even use their pool table anymore? We’ve seen a lot of basements, and let us tell you, nobody’s using their pool tables.
It’s the 21st century now, and there have been advancements you need to know about! The rise of simulator sports has opened up a world of opportunity, from aircraft or racing simulators, to VR sports, to golf simulators.
How to build the perfect golfer simulator basement
First of all, you need an area that’s between 8-12 feet tall, although the closer to 12 feet the better. If your basement isn’t this height already, don’t fret, it’s possible to extend your basement floor to meet your height requirements in most cases. Now that you have the height you need to swing your clubs without worry, you’ll need a 12x18ft area of your basement for a tee-box and room to move around.
After you’ve found the perfect location for your basement golf simulator we need to light it well. This is important both for the sensors used in the simulators, as well as the projector that’s used to display the image on your screen or wall. Too much light pointed in the wrong direction will wash out your simulator image, and ruin the experience.
Next, build in some storage for your clubs, and maybe some for a buddy or two who can keep their clubs, and you have year-round golf, on any golf course you can imagine, just a few steps away. No matter the weather!
So tell me about the virtual golf simulators!
SkyTrak SIG10 Golf Simulator Package
Starting in the 4-figure range, the SkyTrak is an exceptional budget-friend package that offers flexibility and value in building your golf simulator. The SkyTrak Launch Monitor is one of the most popular simulators on the market for indoor use and is idea for people who have enough space for a larger setup.
What’s included:
- your choice of a hitting mat (5’x5′, 4’x7′ or 4’x10′)
- a 1080p golf simulator projector
- landing pad turf
- a ceiling projector mount
- side barrier netting
One feature that sets the SkyTrack apart, is it includes a subscription to SkyTrak Play & Improve, which allows you to play 12 world-class WGT courses in addition to a host of other SkyTrak software features.
Uneekor EYE XO SIG10 Golf Simulator Package
Maybe the best mid-to-high-range golf simulator out there, the EYE XO, while relatively new, has been very popular with golfers. It is considered a step above the SkyTrak, and on par with professional systems at a more affordable price.
One of the highlights of the Uneekor system is that it uses unmarked-ball technology, meaning you can use any golf ball brand that you like. This system uses the Sop Indoor Golf’s popular SIG10 enclosure so it will fit into most basements and the EYE XO tracking system is ceiling-mounted to be as unobtrusive as possible.
What’s included:
- the EYE XO bar tracking system with high-speed cameras
- a SIG10 simulator screen & enclosure
- side barrier netting
- a Panasonic PT-VMZ51U WUXGA projector
- a ceiling projector mount
- your choice of hitting mat (5’x5′, 4’x7′ or 4’x10′) or full flooring
The EYE XO’s high-speed cameras track club-path, spin & ball impact at a rate of over 3,000 fps while the included View software includes a swing-analysis tool and videos of your club impact & ball spin. You will want room dimensions of at least 9 ft high x 12 ft wide x 18 ft deep in order to make the most of the EYE XO system.
Full Swing KIT SIG10 Golf Simulator Package
Are you serious about your golf? Then train like a pro with the Tiger Woods endorsed Full Swing Kit launch monitor, meaning the KIT is comparable to top-end launch monitors but thousands of collars cheaper. Using Doppler radar and dedicated processors to measure 16 ball and club parameters without requiring stickers or leveling equipment.
What’s included:
- a SIG10 screen & enclosure system
- a Panasonic PT-VMZ51U laser projector
- landing pad turf
- 5’x5′, 4’x7′, 4’x10′, or full flooring hitting mat (your choice)
- a ceiling projector mount
- side barrier netting
The KIT is compatible with iOS versions of E6 CONNECT, and also pairs with a companion app that allows you to view historical shot data, store video, track trends & manage your clubs & bag.
