Indoor Golf Tees Off in Sport Simulator
December 20, 2012Golf-simulation gadgets can never approximate play at a luxury resort’s golf links. But when time constraints or inclement weather keep golfers away from the true greens and fairways, an 18-hole round of virtual golf can be an exciting alternative. This is all the more true with advanced golf-simulation machines like the XGOLF model, whose $50,000 price tag serves as a preamble to the most realistic play that can be found in the market for such gadgets today.
This high-end golf simulator is so advanced that it can act as an instructional tool as well, or alternatively, as a club-fitting device for pro shops. The simulator’s manufacturer claims that his machine can analyze a golfer’s swing with accuracy and precision. Cutting-edge technology is behind this feature. XGOLF’s design incorporates multiple optical sensors strategically placed in the machine to track a player’s movement. Through these sensors, the machine is able to track extensive swing data and provide shot information in detail.
Besides providing video and data analyses, XGOLF can also analyze a player’s weight shift. Its sensors are powerful enough to capture a million data points every second, inputs that are processed in the machine’s equally efficient software which processes information at a rate of 6,000 times per second. With this capacity, XGOLF can even calculate the velocity and spin speed of a golf ball in play.
Two features‐— XBALL and XPLATE technology—essentially make XGOLF superior over other golf simulators. The XPLATE simulates the different areas where the golfer stands, reproducing the feel or slope in an actual green. The plate tilts at different angles depending on the green on play at the simulator. The XBALL functions as an intelligent ball teeing; there’s no need for the player to reach down for the balls. The simulator makes automatic adjustments as to the player’s height preference, and it adjusts tees to the millimeter for precision shot-making. XGOLF has a catalog of 93 golf links to choose from in its virtual play that is enhanced close to realism through surround sound and special effects.
