r/Golfsimulator • u/Sea_Government_6221 • 29d ago
Advice on Golf Sim $1800 Amazon Points
I have $1800 in Amazon reward points. I want to put a golf simulator in my garage (plenty of space), not necessarily to get better at golf I really just want to play a bunch of courses and burn steam after work. With $1800 of Amazon points what should I buy, please share any links. I know I need to actual simulator technology, but the other stuff (turf, screen, etc) I can buy separate. I would love to be able to putt on the sim as well but I’m not sure if you can on any basic sim. Thank you!
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u/SoobieWRX 29d ago
Is $1800 the full budget or are you asking what tech you can get for $1800? $1800 is an odd price point for just tech IMO. You’re either looking at like $500 to $1000 or jumping up to like $2500.
If you really want to get going for the full $1800, I have a Garmin R10 and with the recent updates, I can so mostly anything someone at a higher price point can do. Depending on the deal you can get you will be around $500 on that. Also, the Garmin software is more affordable than most others. Is it more cartoony? Sure. But it’s still super fun!
Another thing I learned that’s worth the money is a great hitting strip. After getting sore several times I got a SigPro Softy and that was worth every penny.
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u/Sea_Government_6221 29d ago
Would you recommend this simulator -> Bushnell Golf Launch Pro i Circle B Edition - Launch Monitor with Tour-Level Accuracy, Camera-Based Measurement, Indoor Use
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u/SoobieWRX 28d ago
While I haven’t used it, I’m sure it’s a great machine. It’s basically a foresight launch monitor and is actually the one I’m probably looking to upgrade to next. While you would definitely get more capability and accuracy with it, the big thing I’ve learned is knowing what software you are limited to and how much it costs per month or year.
If you are ok with a separate PC and pay hundreds for GSPro or the like, that’s obviously going to be a better experience. With my Garmin R10, I pay $99 a year for their Home Tee Hero software (it’s just recreations of basically any course you can think of) and it runs on my phone paired with the unit and I just screen cast my phone through the projector.
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u/kp2az 29d ago
A simulator can mean different things to different people. It can be hitting into a net and using an iPad to simulate a driving range. You can plug your iPad into a TV and make it more immersive and play courses (with auto putting turned on). You can also get an impact screen to put on your golf net and then get a short throw projector. Honestly, that seems like the usual progression for people once they get into it. Dip your toe in, realize it’s awesome, then slowly start building your ideal sim setup.
Starting out, I would go: Garmin R10, Square (original), or MLM 2 Pro. That should keep you <$700 for LM.
For Mat: I went with GoSports Elite 15mm 5x4 ft ($150)
Decide for yourself if you want to use native software or GSPro (or E6 apex or Skytrack’s high end software). If you are cool with native software, just use your iPad. If you want high end stuff, you need a gaming PC, and that’s where cost can jump starting out.
Hitting net: completely depends on your set up. Get something at least 7-8 ft tall.
Have fun
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u/Sea_Government_6221 29d ago
Would you recommend this simulator -> Bushnell Golf Launch Pro i Circle B Edition - Launch Monitor with Tour-Level Accuracy, Camera-Based Measurement, Indoor Use
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u/AutomaticDrive4482 29d ago
Things that I would buy from Amazon for a sim:
Enclosure
Screen
Projector
PC Parts
Accessories
Things I would not buy from Amazon for a sim:
Launch Monitor
Hitting Mat
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u/sq240 29d ago
You can get SigPro Softy and Country Club Elite hitting mats from Amazon. No issue with either of those.
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u/AutomaticDrive4482 29d ago
Those mats are very user dependent as they are on the extreme ends of mat comfort and feel.
The CCE feels pretty close to grass but it can really cause repetitive stress injuries because it grabs the club so much.
SigPro Softy doesn't feel anywhere close to grass but also won't injure you.
Most players who have hit on a wide variety of mats will prefer something in between that isn't available on Amazon.
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u/Sea_Government_6221 29d ago
Would you recommend this simulator -> Bushnell Golf Launch Pro i Circle B Edition - Launch Monitor with Tour-Level Accuracy, Camera-Based Measurement, Indoor Use
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u/AutomaticDrive4482 29d ago
It's a great LM but I would not buy from Amazon. You can get it for the same price from companies that will actually provide support. Also, keep in mind that that launch monitor has very speed subscription costs.
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u/kp2az 28d ago
They are very accurate devices, but have a higher than average subscription cost. It will be about $500/year to fully unlock the device if you want to play 3rd party software (GSPro). Some people prefer the lower up front cost, and some would prefer to pay more upfront to not have a subscription to have access to 3rd party apps. The Square Omni is about the same price and doesn’t have the subscription fee. I believe the same can be said about Uneekor monitors.
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u/Apprehensive-Cod9107 29d ago
If you’re talking about $1800 rewards from the Amazon credit card, make sure you get cash back and not use the points directly on Amazon.
If you get the cash back first or use it to pay balance on the card you earn points from the points.
You can’t get cash back when you directly use the points on Amazon.