Golf simulator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A golf simulator is a system or device that allows one to play golf on a graphically or photographically simulated driving range or golf course (usually) in an indoor setting. Golf simulators have been available since the early 1970s and range in size and cost from systems worth tens of thousands of dollars, utilizing a dedicated room, hitting screen, projector and other paraphernalia, to compact units costing well under $200 dollars that work with a computer or video game console such as the PlayStation 2 or Xbox 360.
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[edit] Advantages of using a golf simulator
The principal advantage of a golf simulator is the ability to conveniently play and practice in a controlled environment. Often that includes the ability to play without playing pressure, green fees, tee times and the drive to and from the course, but the advent of "indoor golf centers" which provide simulators for commercial play, bring many of these competitive and social aspects into the simulated game. For those who live in wintry climes or urban settings, golf simulators offer the ability to play and practice year-round or within the confines of their locale.
[edit] How they work
There are a number of different technologies in use presently. Principally there are units that track ball flight and units that track club head motion. Ball flight is typically tracked via wavelength sensors, from infrared through audio, by which the ball's flight properties are tracked, namely launch angle, ball speed and ball direction. Club motion is similarly tracked via wavelength sensors or other devices such tethers or cameras, with the motion of the club tracked, namely club head speed, direction and impact point of the ball on the club.
The data collected is extrapolated to provide ball flight trajectory and roll out according to certain calculated relationships to the ball's flight performance per the tracked motion of the ball or club, adding environmental aspects through which the ball is projected, including terrain, wind, rain and other such influences or obstacles.
[edit] Accuracy
A key attribute of any simulator is accuracy. Ball flight is the primary determinant of a system's accuracy. Speed of the calculations and a predictable projected image of the ball in flight is one measurement of a system's accuracy. Predictability or the plausibility of prediction is a measure according to known ball flight properties among golf experts.
A ball's flight depends upon many things, including the ball itself, the strike and impact of the club upon the ball, the ball's launch angle, direction, spin rate and velocity, as well as the hitting surface from which the ball is struck and the simulated environment through which the ball virtually flies, suggesting wind, rain, and other environmental aspects that may affect ball flight. The battle for superiority in this market exists between the technologies utilized to track ball flight or club motion, and it is not within the scope of this article to advocate one brand or technology over another.
[edit] Realism
Combined with accuracy, realism is a collection of factors that make the simulation seem realistic and life-like. Factors such as the graphical realism of the course, 3D motion graphics, sound and visual effects such as the sound of the ball when it strikes the green or splashes into a lake make the game that much more realistic and lifelike.
