Category Archives for Simulator

How much space do you need for a golf simulator? How much clearance height does a golf simulator need? What are the minimum golf simulator dimensions and what are the IDEAL dimensions for the best simulator experience? You need to be asking these questions when choosing a space for a golf simulator. 

You don't want to shell out huge money on a simulator only to find out that the room or space you designated isn't going to work. We must plan ahead and armed with enough knowledge, you can make the correct decision and avoid the HUGE mistakes people make when buying and setting up their first simulator. We have seen people go by the manufacturers recommendations and then discover that their space is WAY too small. Let's not fall into that costly trap!

For a near perfect golf simulator setup, you need a room that is 13 feet long, 11 feet wide, and 10.5 feet high. I would recommend going with 14 to 16 feet wide though, so that you can hit to the center of the screen. If you go less than that, you must hit toward one side of the screen for a center alignment. When in doubt, always add 2-3 more feet onto every dimension the manufacturer recommends. Bigger is always better with simulators. 

How Deep (Long) Should a Room Be for a Golf Simulator?

You need at least 13 feet (3.96m) in length or depth for a golf simulator setup. This is my minimum for an acceptable experience. Deeper or longer is ALWAYS better. Keep in mind, you need to fit the following inside this space:

• Highly quality hitting mat
• Space for your swing with the longest club in the bag
• Space for the ball to fly between impact and the screen
• Enough space to fit your screen or net
• Mounting and distance to not hit your projector, if you have a projector
• Buffer space (1 foot) BEHIND the impact screen or net so it stops the ball instead of bouncing back at you!!!
• Cameras down the line and front on if you want to analyze your swing

A lot of people say 10-11 feet is enough but I don't think you will be able to swing with longer clubs and the minimal room behind the net or hitting screen will cause balls to bounce back at you after hitting the screen. This is often overlooked but is VITAL so you don't get a nasty surprise when the first shot you hit flies back at your head. Yes, this happens!

For projector usage, you need to have more than 12-13 feet of depth. Short throw projectors like the BenQ MW632ST WXGA CAN give you big enough image from as little as 5 or 6 feet, but you're taking a gamble. I'd always suggest going further out. 

My Room Is Not Deep Enough - What Should I Do?

If your room or space isn't deep enough for you to swing your longest club, do you proceed and only hit your shorter clubs, or do you find a larger space with better golf simulator dimensions? Those are your two options.

From experience, DO NOT swing in a cramped area because you will need to adapt your swing to fit the area. This will hurt your golf significantly. Only proceed if you have enough space to swing the desired club so you can get full benefit of having the indoor golf simulator.

An overlooked factor with a small golf simulator room size is that it limits the extras and features you could add. A small simulator is perhaps better than no simulator at all, but it's good to know that a smaller dimension simulator room will mean you might have no space for cameras and mirrors to check out, analyze and improve your swing if you want that.

How deep should my golf simulator room be?

You should really budget about 13 to 17.5 feet. Your impact screen should be about a foot (1 foot) away from the wall behind it. You should position your tee or hitting area where you place the ball, about 10 to 15 feet away from the impact screen. This will give the machine enough space to read the variables. Then you need enough space behind the ball/tee to swing comfortably.

In total, at least 13 to 17.5 feet deep is ideal for a home indoor golf simulator room. 

How Does The Depth of the Room Affect My Simulator Setup?

Net and Impact Screen

A smaller room for a golf simulator means you need a high quality impact screen or net that won't deform much when the ball hits it. This is overlooked but should not be! You DO NOT want the ball ricocheting backward, bouncing back at you, and hitting you in the knee caps, shins or your plums. Being closer to your screen means the ball will hit the screen at high velocity and have a better chance of bouncing back at you. Get a screen that will deaden the golf ball on impact.

Projector

A shorter simulator space means you have to carefully choose your projector. DO NOT MESS THIS UP. You'll need a short throw projector. This is a special projector designed to work in a smaller room and still provide a good quality picture.

A small space also means you're going to have to think carefully about projector placement. You don't want to hit your projector with your swing. You also don't want your own shadow on the screen blocking out the view of the course.

My preferred short throw projector is the BenQ MW632ST WXGA.

Here is a really good website to help with projector calculations. Choose your project and throw distance and the calculator will do the rest, telling you how big your image will be. Take your time and use all of the resources available to make the correct decision - measure thrice, cut once.

High end radar based simulators like TrackMan and ShotScope need to have a longer space. The TrackMan website states the TrackMan4 needs a minimum distance from radar to net of 16ft (18ft for the TrackMan3e). I would go on the side of caution and allow 2-3 feet more than this to be safe. Always add a couple feet to the recommendations. They want to sell more units by telling you the minimums are not high, but do your due diligence and add a few more feet to KNOW that your setup will be great. 

How Wide Should the Room Be for a Golf Simulator?

You need enough width in the room for the simulator because you need to have enough space to swing your driver or the longest club without hitting any of the walls in the room. There is nothing worse than worrying about clipping the walls when trying to swing freely indoors. I recommend 11ft (3.35m) as the minimum width for a simulator.

My room is less than 11 feet wide - what now?

If your golf simulator space is not wide enough:

• You can't swing your longest clubs like driver, fairway woods and hybrids because they will hit the walls
• You can swing your longer clubs only if you set up with the ball and simulator against a wall. So when you want to hit a straight shot at the screen you need to aim at the extreme right of the screen. To aim at the centre of the screen you would be aiming left.  

If that sounds confusing, it is. The compromises you need to make if the room is not wide enough are big. It's more important to have enough width than to have enough length in your room. If you have a wide enough room, you can swing free, and aim easily into the middle of the screen.

How does the width of the room affect my simulator?

If you can swing a club in the space you have, your simulator will work but there is a sub optimal and optimal setup. If you can accept some trade-offs with less space, you can still get enjoyment out of your simulator. 

You could have problems where your center point to hit on your screen is not in the middle of the screen. It may be left or right of center and can feel very awkward when you are trying to hit it down the middle of the driving range software.

If the center point of the simulator is not in the center of the screen, and you hit it there, the flight it shows to you may be incorrect. 

You may have to purchase a smaller screen than you wanted if the width is too narrow. The width of the room will determine the screen size you can fit into it. A narrow room might also eliminate some of the mat options you can buy and fit in the space.

The premium mats are larger in surface area which means without enough space, you may have to compromise and buy lesser quality or smaller mats. The netting and black out curtains are unaffected by the room width. 

Setting up a correct aim point (right down the middle) 

If you've ever been to a Trackman range, you'll note how much they stress that you aim at the right marker in the distance or at the screen. If not, every shot you hit will feel strange and show incorrect results of your shot.

In your chosen area, can you draw a straight line through the ball towards the impact screen, parallel to the mat, so that it hits the center of the screen?

If you can do this, you have decent space. If you do not have this much space, you may have to adjust your 'center' of the screen to the right a little. This CAN feel awkward but is a small sacrifice. You will ned to put a piece of tape on the ground to show yourself where the 'center' of the screen is according to the space you have coupled with your sim machine. 

To aim at the right (or left) of the screen means your target line will not be the target line displayed on your screen - this is disconcerting and a little irritating when you know you've hit a great shot as you intended but the ball flies left or right of the center line. The center line of your launch monitor's 'driving range' will not be where you want to aim.

To make sure you're hitting and aiming down the middle of the projected image, optimally you need the hitting area of your mat to be directly in line with the middle of your hitting screen. This allows you to hit the ball to a natural position in the screen, instead of forcing yourself to hit to the left or right of the center line! 

Width is key. The wider your space, the easier it will be to achieve the center aim point perfectly in alignment. I would go with 16 feet every day!

How Much Ceiling Height Do I Need for a Golf Simulator Room?

Height is extremely important for your golf simulator room plan. The higher the better, because then you can hit every single club in the bag with total freedom and no worries about hitting your ceiling with the club.

The minimum height you need for your simulator would be 10.5ft (3m) and a comfortable height would be more like 11 or 12 feet. Most golfers would be able to swing any club in their bag with 11 or 12 feet of ceiling height.

You will know the highest point you need by swinging the longest club in your bag, usually the driver. This will change depending on your individual physical height. Taller people need more room height for their golf simulator. If the ceiling is not high enough, the club will hit the ceiling and you will be limited to hitting the clubs that do not hit the ceiling.

Any golfer over 6 foot will need 10-11 feet of clearance. Average height golfers under 6 foot will need 9.5 to 10.5 feet of clearance. 

If you do not have enough room height, I would recommend holding off on the simulator dream. When you get the necessary room height, it will make setup hassle free without any compensations. You do not want to adjust your swing to fit the room, thereby counteracting the point of a simulator - to get better at golf. 

How Does Room Height Affect My Golf Simulator Setup?

If you don't have enough clearance to hit a driver or fairway woods and want to work on your irons and wedges, you can still create a golf simulator setup that works. You need an enclosure and net for the irons and wedges hitting bay. The enclosure will have to be the correct height if you're buying a ready-to-use enclosure. 

You don't even need a projector or a screen for this simulator setup. You can use whichever golf hitting mat you like. I would purchase a machine that can tell you the distances you are hitting the ball. This can really help you dial in your distance control at home. There are certain GPS units that have a kind of launch monitor feature, but are not full-blown golf simulators. 

How to Check Ceiling Height in Your Room

Take your longest golf club you want to use in the simulator to the place you intend to setup a simulator. Take a couple tentative and low practice swings to check the radius and circumference of your swing. Get comfortable and loosen up until you can take free swings. It only takes 20 seconds or so, and will be easy to see if you have enough height. This is a very valuable 20 seconds.

If you can swing comfortably, and don't need to adapt how you swing to fit the space, then you have enough clearance.

What are the OPTIMAL Room Dimensions for a Golf Simulator?

The ideal amount of space for a simulator will always be a huge area. But in terms of home indoor use, we are talking about basements, garages, spare rooms or outdoor cottages in the yard. You can achieve a perfect and relaxing simulator experience at home. 

The dimensions for the most relaxing and comfy golf sim space are:

If you can have a room 18 long x 11 high x 14 feet wide, then you will never worry about the problems associated with rooms that are too narrow or short.

With a 18 x 11 x 14 foot room, you can:

What Else Can You Put in the Optimal Golf Simulator Room?

Mirrors

Mirrors can be used to check your swing from down the line behind you and in front of you face on. You can check your ball position, how you look at address and can help to learn setup positions. If you position a camera in the correct area, you can get two angles at once to assess your swing.

Seating

If you have friends over to play sim golf with each other, you want to have some seating if you have 3 or more people. Standing around is okay for only two but if you have more than 3 then you want some place to chill out.

Cameras

Correctly positioned cameras with high frames per second filming can be invaluable. You can use them at impact to see the club face position, you can use them down the line to see your swing plane and front on to see your weight transfer and any swaying in the swing. These cameras do not lie to you and will show you EXACTLY what you are doing.

This is the most important aspect if you want to improve your swing as part of the function of the simulator.

Conclusion – How much space do you need for a Golf Simulator? 

Try these ideas to check how much space you need for your golf simulator:

1. LENGTH: Get a friend to help with a tape measure. Stand in your driver stance with your driver. Take the club back as far as you can without hinging your wrists. Stop when your wrists want to hinge. Measure from your front foot to the driver head. Add two feet to that measurement.
2. HEIGHT: Hinge your wrists and pick your hands up with the driver shaft perpendicular to the ground. Push the driver head up in the sky as high as you can in a three-quarter swing position. Have your friend measure from the ground to the driver head. Add 1-2 feet to that measurement.
3. HEIGHT: Do a slow motion swing and stop where your driver shaft goes perpendicular to the ground on the follow through. Push the driver straight up to the ceiling in this position. When your body won't allow you to push your straight arms up anymore, measure from the ground to the driver head. Add 1-2 feet to this measurement.
4. You can assume:
   - 1 foot buffer space behind hitting screen
   - 10-12 foot from front foot to the screen
   -  the distance you measured in number 1 above to the simulator machine
   - space behind for seating
   - for the ceiling: the measurement from number 2 and 3

If you’re in the market for a golf launch monitor or golf simulator, you know the name SkyTrak.

SkyTrak was put on sale in 2014 for the first time, and was one of the first really accurate launch monitor on the market for less than $5,000 making it somewhat affordable to a lot of golfers.

In my SkyTrak review, I'll take a deeper look at this golf launch monitor. I'll show you how to set yours up, exactly what's in our setup and how it is used, plus how it measures ball and swing data, and show you the capabilities of the unit.

How does the SkyTrak perform? How does it compare to other launch monitors that are on the market today? Is it worth getting if you’re looking for a quality golf simulator?

SkyTrak Launch Monitor Review

SkyTrak Initial Setup

The Skytrak is very easy to set up. Keep in mind, this is for new models. If you do purchase a used model, you may need to contact SkyTrak as it would have been registered with someone else. A new model will be an easy setup. 

1. You create an account online, use that account to sign into your unit, then use the WiFi in your home to access the Skytrak from any device. I regularly use an iPad or my laptop PC depending on what I’m doing (simulator or just practicing on the range).
2. As far as physically setting it up in the bay at home, the most important considerations were leveling the unit and keeping it even with the mat. My Skytrak has a hard protective case with leveling feet so that part was easy. Getting it aligned and leveled is the most important factor to achieve proper accuracy of the SkyTrak, but it is not difficult.
3. It is also important that you have a brightly lit room. My garage has big LED lights on the ceiling as I installed those for working on my cars and motorcycles at night years ago and they work great for the Skytrak. It’s very bright in there.
4. It's very important to line your Skytrak up correctly and while it takes a little bit of fiddling, once you have it, keep it there so it doesn't miss shots or mistake shots. This is very important.
5. White shoes with the white balls gets lost by Skytrak sometimes and won't register from my observations. White pants can sometimes be an issue so wear darker colors contrasting the white golf ball all the time. The SkyTrak likes if you have more markings on the balls, like putting lines or logos or customized printed golf balls. 

Setting up the SkyTrak Simulator 

These are the most bare bone essential things you MUST have in order for the SkyTrak to work.

1. SkyTrak unit and I suggest the protective case as it has adjustable legs and a level on it to make sure the unit is level (utmost importance).
2. Hitting net or screen - the SkyTrak will track real golf balls not foam balls so you need to stop the golf balls with a solid net or hitting screen.
3. Hitting mat - you need a hitting mat because of all the balls you will hit. A high quality hitting mat will last a long time.
4. A computer or Apple product to run the software on the Skytrak. You will plug the SkyTrak into the computer which will display your statistics nd data. This is essential because there is no other way to see the results of the shots.
5. A screen to see the results. This is either the computer screen, TV or Apple product.

Optional Extras: You can upgrade your setup with a hitting screen which will return balls to you. This screen can then be used to project the images from an overhead short-throw projector. By doing this, you can create an immersive experience - notice the pictures below between Jim and Phil. Jim has a very barebones setup while Phil has an immersive experience. 

The biggest difference in setup between fully immersive or bare bones is your needs. Do you want to have fun and enjoy the simulator experience or do you want to train and understand your numbers only? If you want only numbers and improvement then you can go barebones. if you want a video game like experience with something interactive, you can go all out with a projector and 16:9 screen. 

SkyTrak Home Setup Examples

Below are a couple of examples from Phil and Jim which explains their setup with pictures.

Jim's SkyTrak Minimal Setup

Jim Pecoraro, who is a Golf Sidekick subscriber sent in his setup and SkyTrak review to help us learn more. 

Jim: I needed something that was accurate indoors in my garage. I need practice features like driving range and club gapping; as well as statistics I was interested in, namely accurate spin numbers, ball speed and launch angle. 

1. I have the PowerNet - The nicer nets are 10x the price so that’s a consideration.
2. I have the Quattro mat - I did tons of research on mats. There are many out there but this is the best IMO. It’s very durable  because it's designed for outside use and I have hit thousands of balls and there is literally no wear. It is heavy and will last a lifetime. It is also relatively soft to hit off of and is easy on my joints.
3. I use my laptop PC plugged into a TV to “project” the golf courses and practice range.

I did NOT need club head data or putting. Those needs drove me past the “entry level,” doppler based units like SwingCaddie, Mevo+, Rapsodo, etc. 

In my experience and doing research, it seems doppler based units are not accurate indoors and don’t typically offer robust features like those I was interested in.

Even Trackman 4’s can have trouble in indoor settings without enough space to operate. So I knew I needed a camera-based unit. The second main factor was budget - at the time of my needs, the SkyTrak was the most affordable camera-based unit at roughly $2,000 USD and I would have considered purchasing one at that price if I hadn’t gotten it for free from my friend.

In recent years, several companies have come out with more “affordable” camera-based units. The Bushnell/Foresight GC3 ($3,000+) and Full Swing Kit to name a few. The biggest differentiator for those units is the addition of club head data (face, angle-of-attack, path, etc.) but those features come at significant extra cost, often thousands of dollars.

Skytrak was a nice middle ground that gets 90% of the practice features for 20% of the cost. Overall I love the set up I have. It could be better if I wanted to spend more money on a projector and impact screen, but I have limited time to set that up and this is great for my needs.

Phil's SkyTrak Setup - Immersive Experience

Phil Stoops is a big Skytrak fan and subscriber to Golf Sidekick and also reviewed the SkyTrak after years of usage. Below is his setup.

I have the Skytrak and my home sim setup which is around $8,000 to complete, consists of:

1. SkyTrak
2. Return net with the Ball Impact Screen
3. Hitting Turf
4. Optoma EH200ST Full 3D 1080p 3000 Lumen DLP Short Throw Projector 
5. TV monitor
6. Laptop mounted off to the side to run the SkyTrak software

IMPORTANT: Phil says "I like the E6 driving range and games but I can't hit my driver because my ceiling is too low. You need at least 10 feet of space" - that's important to keep in mind.

Jason P's Home SkyTrak Setup - Luxury

1. SkyTrak + Case
2. Projector: Optoma GT1080HDR Short Throw
3. Premium Impact Screen
4. Turf Surround
5. Synlawn Precision Putt Pro hitting insert: Free sample from Synlawn, but only about $6/sq. ft
6. Basic Dell desktop PC dedicated to just running ST and E6: ~$500 w/ upgraded NVidia GPU

Software:

- SkyTrak Game Improvement Package: $99/year

- E6 Connect Basic Subscription Package: $300/year

Pros

Cons

My Top Tips to Get More out of SkyTrak

• The best tip I can give is to put it in a place that is easy for you to regularly use. If you have to drag out all your gear every time you want to practice (within reason), you won’t use it. Especially for those who don’t have thousands of dollars to spend or time to build a true permanent sim.
• Use alignment sticks to make sure you are hitting the ball to where Skytrak wants you to aim. The unit prefers a shot direction into the net so it will pick up the correct information and be accurate. Sometimes the mat slips or you just forget where to hit. Use alignment sticks.
• The SkyTrak does not lie so use the distances to understand your carry for each club and make better decisions out on the golf course. It's a powerful tool for simulation but also for understanding your game. 
• Use the balls you play with too. Don't use cheap balls. Learn by using what you play with on course. 
• Don't wear anything white at all when using the SkyTrak. It will confuse the machine because the golf balls are also white. 
• Chris says "Wish I bought a 16x9 screen. My Homecourse screen is roll up projector style and although it's convenient it's 4:3  and the 16x9 is more realistic/immersive especially playing courses." So if you are looking for a great experience, try not to skimp and go for the effect you really want. 

Frequently Asked Questions - SkyTrak

How does a SkyTrak launch monitor work?

The SkyTrak launch monitor tracks your shots using cameras. On impact, the launch monitor will take super high-speed images. The images are quickly fed back to SkyTrak’s software, which then works out datasets which includes everything from clubhead speed to back spin and carry distance.

What Does Skytrak Measure?

Ball speed, launch angle, backspin, side spin and side angle are directly measured, and other data points such as carry and total distance are estimated.

• Post shot ball speed and launch angle
• Total distance
• Carry, roll and offline distance
• Side and back spin
• Side angle
• Flightpath and angle of descent
• Clubhead speed

You can budget at least $2,000 for a high quality launch monitor like a SkyTrak launch monitor. For an extra $1,500 (total: $3,500) you can skip the hassle, and get a full SkyTrak golf simulator setup like this one.

Skytrak Accuracy - Is it accurate?

SkyTrak is going to offer the best on-screen shot analysis and accuracy (up to 98% as accurate as Trackman) for the money.

The SkyTrak is accurate. The carry distance especially is spot on. The shot shapes are almost always accurate as well. There are however, a few exceptions:

Occasionally, a driver shot will clearly be off on carry distance. Usually it’s a bit low. I am unsure why but this is the nature of indoor hitting with a fastr swing speed and happens with most units. 

99% of the time the shot shape is consistent with my feel, but sometimes shanks and tops often look weird on the display. Again, not a huge problem because I’m not concerned with what a shank would do on the course! 

SkyTrak Distance Issues?

Sometimes your mat can shift and your SkyTrak can have distance issues. It's always advisable to screw the mat down or secure it in a way that it will not slide. 

You can reset the unit also and make sure the firmware that is running is the latest edition. 

You can reset your Skytrak. You need a small paper clip. On the bottom of the Skytrak you see a tiny hole in the bottom of the middle screw hole. Push the paper clip and hold for 10 seconds. The Skytrak should be turned on when doing this. You should see the lights flashing and it will reset it. Now try again. 

Skytrak Software - What's available?

I did lots of research between WGT for Skytrak ($100 per year), E6 Basic ($300 per year), and The Golf Club 2019 ($1000+).

Overall, I think E6 is a nice middle-ground value. It doesn’t have as many courses (15) compared to The Golf Club 2019 (50K+) but has all the features you would want and the graphics and overall package are great.

WGT is more of a toy and not as sophisticated with graphics and camera angles as E6. It’s not perfect but for someone who plays indoors for 4-5 months a year, it’s a good solution.

I bought the “Basic” level plan for E6 through the Skytrak website. I wish it had more courses, but for the money it seems like good value.

Make sure your laptop has the processing power to run the software to avoid lag and to keep up with the software. You want to have a great experience so never skimp on the specs of your technology.

Skytrak Vs Trackman

The main difference here is the Skytrak is a photometric launch monitor while the Trackman uses Doppler radar (much more accurate).

The second huge difference is the price of the Trackman is 10 times that f the SkyTrak.

When I compare the two golf simulator units, the spin rate and the launch angles were similar.

The Trackman offers many more features but the Skytrak is consistent and accurate enough and for the price is good value.

Skytrak Best features

The features on the Skytrak that I use the most are listed here in order from most to least used. These are on the Skytrak software itself, not E6:

Distance randomizer 

By far the most-used feature. When you are in the driving range, you can set a green (big, medium, small size greens) at random distances within a set range. I like to do 40 to 140 yards so I can practice my wedge game. Every time I practice I finish my practice by seeing how many greens in a row I can hit from that range. Most I’ve ever gotten is 22! It has totally transformed my distance control inside wedge distance. I also use this feature for other distance sets but most often use it for wedges.

Fairway finder

You can set easy, medium, and large fairway widths and practice “hitting fairways” with different clubs. They also do doglegs.

General driving range

This is the basic driving range but I use it a lot. I use it before a round of golf to see how far some standard clubs (6i, 7w) are carrying so I can adjust for the round that day. Stuff like that. Skytrak has many other features that I used a few times but rarely use any more. They include a bag mapping feature (I prefer to use the driving range), a wedge matrix (same thing although this one is pretty cool), a long drive contest (never used this).

Equipment improvement

Most of the following were done using just the driving range feature, but are things that are only really possible when you have access to a home simulator / launch monitor as they take too long or would cost too much to pay for a fitting each time

Club choice 

I am not a trained club fitter, but have gotten quite good at knowing my delivery characteristics and what types of launch numbers work well for me. An example is the decision between using a 2iron (Srixon Z u85) or a 7wood. I noticed you have made the switch as well. For me, it came down to the 2iron being a great club off the tee but very one-dimensional. Couldn’t hit it off the deck, out of the rough, or basically anywhere else. I was looking for something that flew roughly as far but spun more and launched higher. After testing both on the monitor, I knew I had found my new go-to club! See the picture below to compare the numbers.

Driver Fiddling

I was interested in what the adjustability on my Driver (Callaway Epic Max LS) would do to the ball flight. I tinkered mainly with loft settings and found it actually made quite the difference! See below. It was interesting to me that the loft settings (8°, 9° and 10°) did not really affect carry distance but had a big impact on dispersion. The 8° setting was by far the most accurate so it’s what I’ve gone with and I haven’t looked back!

Wedge Launch Angle

I have always struggled to hit full wedge shots. I tend to “flip” at the bottom and present too much loft so the ball just goes super high and not much distance. You can see from my numbers above that I have some speed, so I should be able to control wedges to score well. Well, I found after hitting my wedges a lot on the Skytrak that my launch angles were all way too high (35-40° depending on club). So, I worked to reduce the launch angle through trial and error as I find “YouTube” swing tips to be a tough go. You can see through the numbers that I have been able to fix this problem, or at least get better and it’s made a huge difference to my game.

None of these things would be what I call “typical” use of the machine for most players. But if you get into that sort of thing, having a launch monitor in a home-simulator-style setting is an absolute game changer for equipment and swing-related improvement.

Final Thoughts

Overall, depending on your budget I think the SkyTrak is just as good as any other launch monitor in the mid price range.

Decide between if you want to have the Skytrak for improvement in your game only or if you want it for hitting balls in the winter or in your free time, or finally, if you want a full sim experience. This will guide your buying decision regarding the full setup. I would personally love a ful all out setup over the barebones because I don't like working on my game, just having fun with friends. 

Of course, the Trackman and similar models more upscale launch monitors that will provide even more detail for pro level golf, but is that worth $20-$30k vs a couple thousand dollars? I think the data with SkyTrak is solid and it provides us with a total midrange solid practice set up to learn and more importantly enjoy hitting some golf balls while having some fun.

by Jim Pecoraro, Chris B and Phil Stoops (all Playas)

Launch monitor or home golf simulator reviews online are often written by people who know nothing about the product or how it works. Not this one. This review is thanks to three great subscribers of the Golf Sidekick Youtube channel.

We have three guys who all warn the same thing: You need more space than what FlightScope advertises.

Avid reviewers David, Eric and Brandon provide us with deep actual user insights in this FlightScope Mevo Plus review so you can decide if the Mevo+ meets your requirements and how it stacks up against other launch monitors. We'll take a look at how it works, how it's set up, whether the Mevo+ is accurate and how it compares to Skytrak and Trackman. We'll also look at some of the Mevo Plus problems and how to solve them.

First Impressions of the FlightScope Mevo Plus

Your purchase comes with:

1. FlightScope Mevo Plus unit
2. Power cord
3. Adjustment tool
4. Metallic dots for golf balls
5. Very well constructed carry case.

Eric mentions that the unit is very durable. It’s much harder material than similar priced products. Eric loves his Mevo Plus and says the company is great with updating the software and firmware. 

David felt the initial feeling when you look at the unit, is that you feel intimidation because it's a beautiful and high end piece of machinery but it's very easy to set up as long as you have enough space.

The following issue is easily fixed with enough space but Brandon adds something important: "My first impressions were not good. They advertise (still do) minimum space requirements that do not allow enough room to get accurate reads and I had maybe 6inches more room than the min. I had many issues with distance accuracy with faster ball speeds. It was really accurate when hitting shorter clubs (7i and down) but when I hit 5i or longer I could not hit any shot over 210yds. My driver carry is/was over 250yds."

FlightScope Mevo Plus Key Features

Multiple in-depth data points make the Mevo+ an attractive option for indoor simulation. Below is the list of every data point you can accurately capture.

A big benefit of using the FlightScope unit is that the company continues to update and upgrade the software so you always have improvements to the experience. This is a a big factor to consider so you have a long term usage of your hard earned money.

Mevo+ Data Parameters

Full Swing: Ball speed, club speed, smash factor, carry distance, launch angle, spin rate, apex height, flight time, angle of attack, spin loft, launch direction, spin axis, roll distance, total distance, lateral landing, shot dispersion, shot type

Chipping: Ball speed, club speed, smash factor, carry distance, launch angle, spin rate, height, flight time, angle of attack, spin loft, launch direction, spin axis, roll distance, total distance, lateral landing, shot dispersion

Putting: Launch speed, total distance, ball direction

Mevo vs Mevo Plus

Mevo vs Mevo Plus Similarities

• Both units can be used indoors and outdoors. 
• Both of the units has no subscription fees and can be used for free. 
• The Mevo and Mevo Plus are portable and not heavy.

Mevo vs Mevo Plus Differences

• The Mevo requires 4 to 7 feet of space behind the ball while the Mevo plus requires 8-9 feet minimum behind the ball. 
• Data numbers are more accurate with the Mevo Plus and rival some of the big name expensive units.
• The Mevo Plus is good for simulator use while the Mevo cannot be used with simulator software.
• Battery life is longer int he Mevo because the Mevo Plus has many more features and simulation mode.
• The Mevo Plus requires metallic stickers on the balls to read spin rates.

Mevo Cameras

Yes, Mevo+ has a built-in camera for sensor alignment and video capture. In the Awesome Golf coaching session the camera automatically records your swing. So we use it there to look at our swings. The new version of app allows you to have multiple cameras which really will help you if you have some swing changes to make.

FlightScope Mevo Plus Indoor Space Requirement

All 3 of our reviewers all said the same VERY IMPORTANT thing. 

You MUST have at least 18 feet of indoor space - 9 feet behind and 9 feet in front of the ball. 

All three reviewers agreed that at high ball speed, or with longer clubs, the date was less accurate. With only 16 feet of space, 5 iron is the longest club you could hit and get reliable information. 

Optimal Space Requirements for Mevo Plus 

For optimal results, you should have 9 feet between the sensor and the ball and ideally, you should have 13 feet of ball flight for a total of 22 feet especially if you intend to hit long irons through driver.

If you want to hit driver with the Mevo+ you need a minimum 10 feet high ceilings. Eric confirms that his ceilings are only 8 feet so he can hit up to 6 iron. This is vital information so that you are not disappointed. The width of the room should be enough to contain your swing, which will be unique to you, but 14 feet is enough. 

What if you don't have 18 feet? Mevo Plus Driver Issues

Any less space than the minimum 18 feet and your Mevo plus will not provide accurate information particularly using a driver or with higher swing speeds. Your driver distances could be out by up to 40 yards.

Eric confirms that he tried the Mevo+ from 5, 6, and 7 feet behind his golf ball and it did not perform as well. Brandon actually did not have enough space and had to remodel the room despite having the exact minimum 16 feet that FlightScope recommends. He firmly recommends 18 feet minimum.

The FlightScope Mevo+ works well as a Simulator

Yes you can use the Mevo+ as a golf simulator. There are some limitations but overall, it's a reliable indoor simulator with many options for software and golf course options. The flight dynamics form the tee and fairway work very well and accurately.

E6 Connect, Awesome Golf, The Golf Club 2019 and GSPro simulation & training software are the most popular software to use in simulation. You can send the images to a computer, iPad Pro, iPad Pro and TV combo or to a computer and projector combo onto a hitting screen. 

Awesome Golf

Awesome Golf is better for range practice and  swing work. David says 'I also play their courses because they have different tees and I’m not hitting a driver so I hit from shorter tees. I practiced the way of the playa when I played. When I was 220-185 our I hit an approach that got me to 100 yards.' I’m looking closely at GSPro for simulator work. I need a gaming PC for this and don’t have. Putting for me was a challenge, so I had set to autoputt.

GSPro

GSPro is the most popular among all of us and the three reviewers all agree that GSPro is the best for simulation. You do need a gaming PC for this though. 

E6 Connect

E6 Connect comes with the Mevo+ for free and there are 5 free courses to play already on the unit.

The courses included on the unit are:

• Stone Canyon
• Sanctuary
• Wade Hampton
• Aviara
• The Belfry

These are free and you can upgrade your subscription to include many more golf courses. You will need either a high power PC for gaming or newer Apple device for this to work as intended and that means having the Apple Watch 5 or the iPhone 8 or later. It is some of the best software around though.

Limitations of the Mevo+ as a Simulator

The limitations are minor and are by no means deal breakers at all.

• Some short chips are difficult to get it to read.
• Everything is a flat lie, so your scores are in no way reflective in real life.
• The flight dynamics off the tee and fairway work well.
• If you’re in the rough, sand, and other playing areas, you're still hitting off the flat mat. 
• The putting feature is basically useless. Putting cannot be replicated indoors. You can however set putting to autoputt. No one should really be buying a simulator for putting!

Top Secret Tips for Optimal Mevo+ Experience

• Mevo+ uses your WiFi connection to communicate, so if you want connect to the internet to play games you need to find a way to establish ANOTHER WiFi connection. Brandon: I went the route of getting an adapter that I could plug into an iPad that allowed me to hardwire into the internet.
• It helps if you turn on the Mevo+ in the right connection so you can change weather conditions. I was using it in winter and if FS Golf connects to WiFi first it will take the temperature in your area. I did not want a 5 degree temperature. To do it correctly you connect you unit to your iPad first and then connect to open FS Golf.

How accurate is the Mevo Plus?

We tested the Mevo Plus vs the GC Quad. Keep in mind the Mevo Plus is about 15% of the price of the GC Quad! The Mevo Plus an accurate machine.

FlightScope App can suit your needs

The FlightScope app is perfect for taking the unit to the range and it now has a swing speed session option. It keeps and displays all data in many different arrangements. FS Golf also keeps data on each session.

David adds that "I really like the app. I thinks it's accurate and you can also set parameters you want to work on. It even has a chipping area for indoor. I used this to get my chipping to improve. I have distances for each club with a 10 and 20 yard carry."

Eric thinks "this app works well for my needs. It has four parts; Full swing, Chipping, Putting, and Swing Training. I only use the full swing because the other three seem less valuable to me.  Also, its fun to play the five free courses provided with the E6 Connect app. No membership required!"

Mevo+ Indoors

As long as the unit has enough space to pick up the ball indoors, it is very accurate and can help you with your shot distance estimation and function as a fun and accurate simulator. Here is a chart showing the comparison over 5 shots between the GC Quad and the Mevo+.

The FlightScope Mevo+ is within less than 3 yards of a machine 6 times its price. The difference in readings between this $2,000 unit and a $15,000 machine is minimal. It is a Doppler unit so excessive metal, lighting, or ceiling fans can mess of the readings but more on that below.

Metallic Stickers or Titleist RCT for Indoors

Metallic stickers are needed in an indoor environment in order for the Mevo to accurately measure ball spin. 

A great tip from Brandon is that you can use Titleist RCT Pro V1 golf balls which are made to be picked up by radar. RCT stands for Radio Capture Technology and it's a game changer so you can have great quality reliable golf balls indoors while you play your favorite course. 

How the Mevo Plus Works

You should take care to cover reflective surfaces and avoid excessive lighting to get optimal use of your unit.

According to the FlightScope website: 

"Mevo+ is a low power Doppler radar using phased antenna array technology to detect and track golf ball launch and flight.

It measures the speed of the ball, as well as the position of the ball as it progresses along its flight path. 

Sophisticated mathematical estimators are used to track the ball even under adverse conditions, using the physics of ball flight to overcome random noise and fading conditions experienced in the real world. 

The phased array technology also picks up tiny variations in the Doppler signals caused by the spinning motion of the ball, enabling direct measurement of the ball spin rate."

The Mevo Plus requires either metallic stickers or the Titleist Pro V1 RCT golf balls to detect the balls indoors. 

FlightScope Mevo+ Outdoors

Eric and David report that the Mevo Plus works flawlessly outside on the driving range and is highly accurate. There's even a setting to account for using limited flight range balls. You just set up the unit behind you and select the 'outdoor' setting and start hitting. 

You do not need the silver dots outdoors. You need them for indoor use only. 

"As far as I am concerned, outdoors, there is no difference between the Trackman and the Mevo+ because they are both doppler technology - the Trackman is just bigger and more expensive" is what Eric tells me and after experimenting with the two units, I find this is true. The difference is minimal and who knows which is actually the more 'accurate' one? 

Eric also suggest that if you’re only planning on using this outdoors then this is where this unit shines. Photo units like in Skytrak are affected by excessive sunlight. This Mevo Plus unit doesn’t have that issue because it’s Doppler based. 

Because there is unlimited space to track the ball, the data is actually more accurate than indoors. You have unlimited space so you can definitely put the unit the recommended 8-9 feet behind the golf ball. Just be sure no one stands on it! 

FlightScope Mevo Plus Battery Life

Brandon says "Playing on the range (away from a power source) I can spend about 2hrs before it starts getting low." 

How to Set Up a Mevo+ to Use as a Simulator

The Mevo+ is a bit more involved than the Skytrak. You will need to play around with angles, distances and settings until you get the thing dialed. This is part of the fun though.  is a must. Your environment that you will be using the unit in is unique so while the setups below can help you get an idea of how to set up your unit, you MUST optimize it yourself.

That is a very simple process as the unit is easy to manoeuvre. As mentioned multiple times, just be sure to have enough space behind and in front of the ball. 

• Mevo+ uses your WiFi connection to communicate, so if you want connect to the internet to play games you need to find a way to establish another WiFi connection. I went the route of getting an adaper that I could plug into my IPAD that allowed me to hardwire into the internet
• It helps if you turn on the Mevo+ in the right connection so you can change weather conditions. I was using in winter and if FS Golf connects to WiFi first it will take the temperature in your area. I did not want a 5 degree temperature. To do it correctly you connect you unit to your IPAD first and then open FS Gol

Example Mevo Plus Setups

Mevo Plus Man Cave Setup - Brandon

Brandon chose to create the ultimate Mevo plus setup in his home where he can watch the ball on screen like he is on a golf course. This will require some computing power and a projector to send the picture onto the screen.

Mevo Plus and Hitting Screen

1. Monitor to tee and 10ft from tee to screen
2. Indoor golf screen (10x10)
3. Gaming CPU Computer
4. Hitting mat
5. Custom platform I built myself
6. I also bought the Titleist Pro V1 RCT balls

These allow you to not have to worry about the metallic stickers and works great!

Mevo Plus Barn Setup - Eric

Eric uses a hitting mat and basic net with a FlightScope Mevo Plus. This is a simple set up that will not require intense Gaming CPU for the simulator projector. You use the iPad Pro.

If you would like the full projector experience, you will need a high spec CPU gaming computer and a projector onto a specifically designed hitting screen. 

Mevo with iPad Pro and TV Setup

1. iPad Pro 
2. HDMI lightning adapter for iPad 
3. HDMI cable
4. 50 inch TV
5. Hitting net

You can use an iPad like in this picture to send the information from the Mevo Plus to the iPad. You need an adaptor  and then plug the iPad into a larger television, like you see in the golf fitting stores. 

Mevo+ with iPad Pro E6 Connect and Awesome Golf Setup - David

1. iPad Pro
2. E6 Connect and Awesome Golf for simulator and games
3. Hitting mat
4. Sporina net

David says about his hitting net, "I’m changing the Sporina because if I want to putt the Sporina net has a floor on it so I can’t putt far enough."

Bob's Perfect Mevo Plus Simulator Build

Bob put about $9,000 into this setup but tells me you could do this for a lot less. He just enjoyed the process. 

He highly recommends more than the 9.5 feet he has to the ceilings. 10 feet or higher is the best for the simulator to allow for a driver to not hit the ceiling. 

Bob: I’m a lefty so the Mevo + made sense because it sits in behind the tee rather than to one side. I needed 8ft for radar to the tee and at least 9ft tee to screen

How to make a perfect Mevo+ Setup

• Flightscope Mevo+
• E6 software
• GSPro software
• Forward Design fixed dock for Mevo +
• Homecourse Pro 180 retractable golf screen
• Optima EH412ST projector
• PCMD projector ceiling mount
• Gigabyte G5 gaming laptop
• LED Pinspot stage light
• Acoustic foam 2.5” egg crate tiles
• Moneyputt putting turf with CCE hitting strip
• Black patio curtain on right
• White Amazon golf net on left

Projector - $500 up to $4k for high end 4k picture.  Mine is a $1k short throw ceiling mount capable of 4:3 aspect ratio.  The garage size dictated a 4:3 picture. I’m very happy with the picture.

Screen - Retractable screen is wireless with a remote and is rechargeable. Rolls out in about 30 seconds. Pricy at $2,200.  I could have gone on Amazon and got a manual retractable roller (kind of the ones for window blinds) and bought a much cheaper screen and did it DYI.

Computer - Gaming Windows laptop for $1,100.  A desktop pc would have better graphics.  With Mevo +, you can display on an Ipad Pro however some third party software only works with either Windows or IOS.

Hitting strips or mat - Get the best you can afford. Read the comments about some strips causing elbow pains and plan accordingly.

Basic Software - with Mevo + you get FlightScope FS software. It has about 27 golf courses with partner E6 and multiple practice ranges. You get all the data points you need. iOS and PC.

Third party software - Subjective and pricing is highly variable from outright purchase to annual subscriptions. I chose E6 and GSPro. GSPro has over 100 courses created by volunteer programmers. Courses are reproductions of actual courses. E6 and GSPro are under $300 annual subscription for each. I will drop E6 and keep GSPro when it comes time to renew. 

What I would redo - You can build a basic sim for under $4k easily.  Buy a Mevo +, hit into a good quality net, use the supplied software (FS) and project on an iPad Pro. Go even cheaper with used equipment. 

Experience - Playing a course with friends is great fun.  A foursome is my limit, strictly due to garage space for chairs.  There are online tournaments available and some software is family oriented with lots of fun games for young golfers.

FAQs

What Are Some FlightScope Mevo Plus Problems?

There are only a few problems we experienced with the Mevo Plus, some of them preventable from reading this review and some you can rectify with FlightScope.

Cons

1. The minimum recommended space required is not 16 feet but rather 18 feet or more with the ideal being about 22 feet. 8-9 feet behind the ball will be optimal.
2. If you put the Mevo Plus 7, 6 or 5 feet from the golf ball, it will not be able to pick up the higher speed clubs and drivers, miscalculating the distance by up to 40 yards. Make sure you use enough distance.
3. Sometimes the unit has trouble picking up slower speed shots like chips but you can contact FlightScope who have great customer service.'
4. The doppler radar tech can be problematic if there are reflective surfaces in your room you will use and also if the lighting is not correct. Dim artificial light is better indoors.
5. You might find the unit has a tough time reading putts. I prefer to use it on autoputt, but if you do experience some trouble, FlightScope is very helpful if there are any issues in your satisfaction.

Mevo Plus iPad Requirements

For Apple iPad and iPhone, you need to have iOS 13 or later. Bluetooth LE 4.0 - supports UART/Serial Port Emulation service with RX and TX characteristics.

Mevo+  works with any iPad made after 2017.

All FlightScope Mevo+ data measurements will forever be available for free with no subscription fee Myflightscope.com is the online cloud where you can view, keep, and review every practice session. You can store three videos per month with no charge. If you want to store more videos in a month, more storage can be bought for a fee.

Final Thoughts

Overall the Mevo Plus seems like a great deal for only $2000 but the thing that will define your experience will be your setup. If you're on a budget, do you want to hit into a net or into a screen?

If you choose a net, are you going to look at your iPad or a large TV screen? What is important to you? Do you want it to look really fancy in your mancave or do you just want it pure and simple as a training aid and way to keep up to date in the winter?

Playing into a screen will require more setup costs and more intricate planning. But it definitely will look very pretty.

In the end, identify WHY you want one, and then adjust your expectations accordingly. Two things are for sure though with the Mevo plus: It's ACCURATE and YOU NEED TO HAVE ENOUGH SPACE! 

Get that 18-23 feet ready!