Fit for Play
Swing into Simulation
This virtual experience can help you stay in golf shape in the offseason
by DAVE POND
Whether it ’ s cold , rainy , dark , or you don ’ t have the time to get to the course , there ’ s another way to improve your golf game — golf simulators .
“ The installation of simulators into homes has become more popular as a means to practice , play with family or
entertain guests ,” said Bryan Zell , PGA Director of Instruction at Westfields Golf Club . “ Simulators also serve as a way to keep in touch with the game without going out into bad weather .”
Golf simulators have become increasingly popular among pros and amateurs alike in recent years . These high-tech tools provide a realistic and immersive golf experience , allowing golfers of all skill sets to practice their swing , play virtual rounds on famous courses and even track their performance data .
“ Simulators can be used for gaining insights into many areas of your game — like learning what distances you actually carry the golf ball and the total distance ,” Zell said . “ Before simulators or ball tracking software became available , distances were determined by playing on the course or the practice tee .”
And on that note , here are five ways simulators can help golfers of all skill levels sharpen their skills at any hour of the day .
1 . Improved Practice Let ’ s start with the most basic of benefits — extra swings . Golf simulators give you a controlled environment where you can practice your swing . They provide instant feedback on swing mechanics , ball flight , and shot accuracy , allowing you to identify areas for improvement and make changes .
“ Many simulators and ball-tracking devices will provide information as to why the ball went where it did ,” Zell said . “ Most simulators allow you to use the ball you play with , which helps you gain more precision and expedites the process of learning distances .”
2 . Increased Accuracy and Ball Consistency Most golf simulators use high-tech sensors and cameras , which can be used to track clubface position , swing path and ball flight data to discover swing flaws and allow you to make adjustments that can improve accuracy and ball consistency . On top of that , many simulators offer hyper-focused drills and games that can help you work on specific skills , like chipping and putting .
“ Having the ability to see your ball flight indoors is critical in determining if the swing you ’ re making is creating the right results ,” Zell said . “ Factors such as clubface angle , clubhead path , angle of attack , efficiency of contact and many more details are provided to help you further understand your shot pattern .”
3 . Play on Famous Courses Golf simulators come pre-loaded with a variety of virtual courses , including many
ILLUSTRATIONS BY MELANIE SCHUMACHER
36 V IRGINIA G OLFER | N o v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2024 vsga . org