One of the main reasons I don’t play a lot of golf is because it’s logistically difficult. Finding 5-6 hours to set aside, finding 3 other buddies with mutual availability or dealing with playing with randos. The expense. The weather. The pace of play and the crowds of public courses.
Convenience
For me, this means I only end up playing golf a few times a year, far less than I wish I could play. Having a setup in my garage lets me play a round whenever I feel like it, rain or shine, on a whim. If I can’t finish 18 holes, no big deal! I can try difficult shots over and over or I can just speed through 18 holes and see what kind of scores I get. I can play many of my local courses as well as courses I’ll probably never get a chance to play in real life.
Fun
There is something so fun about playing golf on a home simulator. It bridges the gap between video games and reality in a way nothing else can. I have a Quest 3 VR headset and I used to play VR Golf (Golf+) a fair amount. I thought VR golf was pretty convincing (and it is), but it’s nothing compared to the fun and realism you get hitting a an actual golf ball with your own clubs. The first time I played on my brother’s basement Rapsodo and net setup I was hooked. I could not stop smiling. I ordered my own Rapsodo the same day and quickly begain building out my garage setup which continues to be just as fun as it was for me on day one.
I hate playing with randos, especially when they’re good
The garage simulator is also fun because I don’t have to play with randos if I can’t find a group of 4 friends for the day. There’s nothing worse than paying 100 bucks just to get laughed at by the scratch golfer you end up sharing a cart with.
Practice & Insights
My simulator has let me experiment more with swing changes and shot shaping. The instant data feedback you get makes it really easy to incrementally adjust your grip or swing and see how ball flight is affected by little changes. It has really redefined practice for me, which was really basically non-existent before. Learning how to fade or draw the ball is something I never expected to get a handle on, but the simulator in my garage has opened my eyes to so much about my swing. Making radical swing changes or using practice aids feels so goofy on a crowded driving range but in the garage, I feel safe. No one cares about my ways.
Price
You can pick up a budget launch monitor for 500-700 bucks. Rapsodo, Square Golf, Garmin and Mevo all make great entry-level products and all of these bring the fun and insights
When I consider a typical round of golf around here ends up costing me probably $100 or so with a cart and some snacks, those prices sound like such a deal.