The Best Home Golf Simulators in 2020 (Buying Guide)

A big knock on the Voice Caddie device is the fact that for the money you would like to see more data. The product does not show if your shot has sidespin or if it drifts offline. Instead, it seems the intention of the device is to show the muscle stats such as distance, club speed, and launch angle and that’s fine, but for golfers who want more from their simulators, it is disappointing.

The separate display readout of the Voice Caddie Launch Monitor is definitely the showstopper here as its big screen and clear display help with immediate feedback. The display stands on its own and can be placed on the ground, near the golfer, for instant measurements. When coupled with the mobile app, you’ll find yourself really enjoying analyzing the statistics as you search for ways to improve the quality of your contact.

A very well-built swing analyzer that can definitely find a place in your backyard or garage golfing area, the Voice Caddie Launch Monitor delivers solid performance in an expensive package that might drive away beginning or budget golfers, but should attract advanced players who want to improve.

But that doesn’t mean that it cannot improve your game. During our time with the Phigolf simulator we found that strong fundamentals did equate to better game performance, so while you aren’t using your own clubs to play the game, you are working on a correct approach to hitting the golf ball.

Phigolf utilizes a golf club-like device to play the game and while it certainly can’t mimic a regular golf club, the realistic grip and weighted sensor on the end of the stick does give a proper replication of swinging a club.

The device connects to a television and the swing trainer only measures two feet, so you can honestly enjoy the Phisoft anywhere in the house, regardless of the room’s dimensions or shape. The ability to play the game in high definition and from close distances, does give you the feeling that you are on the course, although it is basically a sophisticated video game at heart.

With several different games to choose from, the Phisoft Mobile and Home Golf Simulator can even be played online against other friends or even on your tablet or phone. This full service package is a lot of fun to play and is great for bringing along any kids you’d like to teach the game to from the comfort of your own home.

The way the R-Motion works is that each club gets a tracking device that attaches to the shaft of the club. Once you address the golf ball, the simulator must create a connection with the tracker and once it does, it gives the golfer a signal to begin their swing. After that signal from the software, you can hit the type of shot you want to strike and the program will give you a reading of all the important data.

Once a golfer makes contact with the golf ball, the R-Motion gives mounds of data to sift through including the distance, ball speed, launch angle and RPM of backspin. The interface also shows you a projection of the flight of the ball including if your shot sliced or drew along the center target line.

Some golfers have complained about sync issues with the tracking devices, but we didn’t see any during our time with the unit.

The device does best on a working PC that has Windows 10 but we were pleasantly surprised by the interface on their iOS app that loads onto an iPhone or iPad.

While it might not allow you to play the world’s great courses, the Rapsodo R-Motion Golf Club Simulator is ready for your backyard net to help grow your skill level and increase the distance of your drives.

Most launch monitors involved a complicated setup that costs thousands of dollars, but the Rapsodo just needs a smartphone and driving range or backyard net to produce all the data you need to hone your game.

The launch monitor works much like a high-end simulator but instead of needing a projector, netting and mat, all you need is a smartphone and place to hit golf balls. You will use your real clubs with real golf balls with this device as there is no need for the softer balls that damage screens.

The accuracy of the Rapsodo launch monitor is staggeringly good. Trackman systems that you find in golf superstores and at the training facilities of professional golfers costs thousands more than the Rapsodo and the difference in accuracy is honestly negligible when taking into account the final data.

Once you download the software, you can get reading in less than 30 seconds after you plug your phone into the included launch monitor that is slightly bigger than a large brownie you’d find at a bakery.

As your shot leaves the club, you can follow on the device’s screen as it tracks the shot path and details of your hit.

The software comes with three different games to play; a practice session, longest drive competition with other golfers or a closest to the pin.

The Blast trainer is not for entertainment, although it is fun to see your results after you’ve hit a group of shots. There are no games to play on the app, but the interface is clean and crisp, allowing the golfer to quickly see what’s right and wrong with their swing.

At first our testers felt strange playing with the sensors on the end of the club because it acts as another inch on the grip, but after a few swings, the golfers had no issue with the sensor and were ready to fire away on the range.

The Blast’s mobile app works on both Apple and Android devices and we found that the functionality of the software is first rate.

Another feature we really enjoyed is the metric window that allows you to place video of your swing in the app for real time analysis. For some of our beginning golfers that tested the product, they noticed their stance is too upright and with some slight adjustments their swing became more rounded and on plane.

One of our favorite features of the Zepp Golf 2 is the 3D swing analysis that helps golfers really see what is right with their swing. Golfers get data for club speed, club plane, tempo and backswing length, all shown in a model that makes it easy to use for teachers.

The app is synced with a sensor that you wear on the Velcro fastener of your glove. We were happy to see that the sensor is lightweight and you don’t even notice it after the first few swings. Instead, the golfer will be hypnotized by the colorful interface and the instant feedback that provides enough data to help you craft a path to improving your skill level.

After you finish your workout, the app has personalized training programs with videos from the best professional golfers on tour to analyze and study. The Smart Coach feature puts together a plan for you to improve by analyzing your data and giving you drills and tips to foster growth in your game.

The sensor works well with the software that is downloaded to a mobile device or tablet to accumulate and process a variety of data that helps with swing speed, tempo and length of swing.

Practically speaking, the sensor has a glove mount that goes onto the Velcro attachment seamlessly and without issue. Once you swing the club, you won’t be distracted by the sensor.

If our testers had a chief complaint with the Zepp analyzer it is that the interface and software seemed a bit dated when compared to other simulators. While that may seem like a slap to the face of the product, for the price point, you won’t find many other analyzers for your swing that offer this type of technological sophistication even if it is a little long in the tooth and could use an update.

We enjoyed the feature that allows video of the swing to be uploaded to the app for analysis and contrast with previous swings the golfer has taken. And of course, the ability to build data over time to see if you have improved is well worth the price of purchase for the Zepp Golf 3D Swing Analyzer.