I tested 1 of the most affordable golf simulators on the market

Ever heard of Phigolf? If you haven’t, that’s OK. I lately checked it out myself. The Phigolf 2 simulator is one of the most affordable on the market proper now. It’s priced at just below $250 and you may snag one at Walmart.com (for 20% off) and Amazon.

But who the heck is Phigolf? I was questioning the identical factor.

When I was at the PGA Show in Orlando, I met the founder and mastermind behind Phigolf, Mr. Hun Kim. He walked me by their latest system, the Phigolf 2 World Tour Edition, and even let me take part in a solo spherical of velocity golf to beat a earlier participant’s time for an opportunity to win the new Phigolf 2 simulator.

For the newly added velocity golf characteristic, you play the gap by establishing and taking a correct golf shot, and then you definitely run in place till your participant arrives at their ball’s location. I didn’t beat the report time, nor did I win the new system, however I did burn about 25 energy (which Phigolf calculates as you play) as I raced to complete the gap.

But that was only one of the many cool options Phigolf has to supply. As for what else it does, learn up and discover out.

Phigolf historical past

Phigolf has truly been round since 2008, honing the craft of the system, studying the market and increasing their enterprise in South Korea. PhiNetworks, the guardian firm of Phigolf, was based by Kim, who has a background in laptop programming and a ardour for golf. He later launched the first Phigolf simulator in 2017, rapidly secured a licensing cope with Topgolf, and now they’ve expanded their enterprise to permit golfers such as you and me to take pleasure in golf at house for much less.

As for the product itself, the worth is correct, the house setup is seamless and it offers you entry to over 38,000 golf programs round the world (together with your private home nation membership or native hyperlinks). The better part? You don’t want a thousand-dollar gaming laptop to run the system and there’s no want for 10-foot ceilings or perhaps a internet. (Although you might use a internet, actual golf equipment, and even actual balls if you happen to choose, however extra about this later.)

Each course is exactly measured by L1 Technologies’ mapping system, which is the identical mapping utilized by Bushnell, Yamaha and GolfNow. Spots like St. Andrews, Pebble Beach and Wolf Creek are proper at your fingertips.

The Phigolf simulator presents customers a dwell 3D evaluation of every swing (together with putts) and also you get speedy suggestions on membership head velocity, swing tempo, membership path, face angle, assault angle and estimated distance. With these metrics, you possibly can observe your progress and enhance your golf abilities in the consolation of your private home.

So, how does it work?

This simulator is brilliantly accessible, particularly to golfers who don’t have a big house or entry to funds to arrange a “fancy” simulator. With this machine, you possibly can play golf year-round, day or evening, alone or with associates.

Imagine a Wii Sports system made particularly for golf. That’s a bit like what the Phigolf simulator jogs my memory of, but it surely’s much more easy to arrange and play than a Wii. The solely further gear wanted is a smartphone (or an iPad) to run the app. However, if you happen to’d like a bigger view of your sport, it’s your selection if you happen to’d prefer to mirror your telephone or pill display screen to a monitor or TV for a extra immersive expertise. If you might have a sensible TV, you could have the choice to obtain the app on to your massive display screen.

The Phigolf system comes with a movement sensor that sticks into the finish of the offered compact weighted coaching stick, which is ideal for swinging in tighter areas. The built-in weighted mechanism makes it really feel such as you’re swinging an actual golf membership. However, if you happen to’d quite swing a actual membership, you possibly can simply as simply make the most of a bigger space and stick the offered movement sensor into the finish of any membership you’d choose.

You may even take your setup a bit additional or extra critically if you happen to like. In addition to the choice of utilizing actual golf equipment, you can too arrange a internet and use actual (or pretend) golf balls when you swing on your Phigolf simulator. Either approach, simply select the course you wish to play and swing your swing.

(A enjoyable bonus: you possibly can even take part in on-line international tournaments and/or play with family and friends remotely by way of Phigolf’s on-line platform.)

A 4-step set-up

The Phigolf set contains the sensor machine together with a charging cable, a wrist strap and the instruction handbook. To arrange your machine, simply comply with these 4 easy steps:

1. Attach the 9-axis movement sensor to the swing coach or your golf membership.

2. Connect the sensor to your smartphone or pill by way of Bluetooth, then obtain the Phigolf app.

3. Use the golf simulator app to calculate the trajectory of the ball based mostly on the swing knowledge.

4. The app will show the ball flight on your machine. If you’re enjoying on your telephone, you possibly can mirror the app to a TV, or you possibly can play the sport by the app on your good TV.

So if you happen to’ve been wanting a golf simulator in your house however haven’t had the house or haven’t needed to financially decide to a costlier simulator, you may wish to give the Phigolf 2 simulator a attempt. Or it may be a thoughtful gift any time of the yr for a golfer in your life. Tap here to shop.

Marley Sims

Golf.com Editor

Marley Sims is GOLF Magazine and Golf.com’s Associate Manager of Commerce. She manages editorial commerce content material.