Best Golf Simulator 2026 - Our 6 Favorite Golf Simulators, Tested And Reviewed
If you want to find a way to practice your golf game at home then we've listed the best golf simulators currently available right now
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What is a golf simulator? Well, they are arguably the highest tech devices in the sport and use cameras, sensors and other radar technology to analyze data from each of your golf shots, helping golfers identify areas for improvement. The best golf simulators not only enable golfers to practice in their our virtual driving range but also provide the chance to play an array of virtual courses whilst receiving real time feedback.
From the comfort of your own home, be that the back garden, garage or basement, you can get a full practice session in whilst receiving feedback on crucial metrics like ball speed, distance, cary, spin, launch angle, smash factor and more.
As invaluable as this can be, getting the perfect indoor setup can be very expensive. However, with the growth of golf technology and more competitors entering the market, more affordable options are appearing. If you’re the owner of one of the best golf nets you can pair this with one of the budget launch monitors to create a home practice environment that should do wonders for your game.
We’ve tested a wide range of models, from range-topping simulators to more affordable portable launch monitors, and compiled our favorites right here. We also recommend taking a look at our how to choose section at the bottom of this page too, which discusses the factors you’ll want to consider when buying a home simulator.
The Quick List
The Garmin R50 lives up to the hype, merging elite accuracy with a stunning 10-inch touchscreen. Setup is a breeze, and the data is presented with such clarity but the simulator play is where it truly shines.
With its unrivaled attention to detail and seamless transition from impact to virtual flight, a strong case can be made for the Full Swing being the premier simulator experience on the market - so much so that it's trusted by Tiger Woods.
The Square Golf Launch Monitor is a immersive simulator experience that offers pinpoint accuracy that you can trust for serious game improvement, paired with an ultra-fast response time and genuinely fun, engaging course.
With a faster processor and a more forgiving hitting zone, the SkyTrak+ is a high-value powerhouse for anyone building a serious home simulator on a budget.
Trackman set the standards for the simulator market and if you ever find yourself on a PGA Tour driving range, you'll see them everywhere due to how accurate the data is.
By capturing thousands of images per second, Foresight's photometric technology measures ball flight and club delivery with surgical precision. If you want immediate feedback and uncompromising accuracy, these units are the gold standard.
Best Golf Simulator 2026
Our favorite
Our top pick is the R50 Launch Monitor from Garmin because of the combined launch monitor and simulator capabilities. As such it is a pretty sizeable unit, and yet it isn't overly heavy at just above 4kg. It has a 10-inch full color touchscreen which was bright, crystal clear and I felt very responsive too. Three cameras track 15 club and data points, as well as ball flight too, and in my testing the data stacked up nicely with competitors. I didn't see any real delay in getting the data although to get club data it was a little annoying having to apply a sticker to the top of each clubface.
I really enjoyed the Play feature. The graphics are outstanding and there are 43,000 courses to choose from, which is one of the highest numbers on the market. Importantly I found the courses to be realistic enough - it makes power deductions for different lies and it shows you the breaks on the greens.
All in all, my experience with the Approach R50 was an extremely positive one and it absolutely lived up to all the hype. It is not totally perfect, with a couple of minor points stopping it from getting the highest review verdict from me, but I really do think the R50 has moved the needle in the golf simulator space, as well as on the monitor market.
- Read our full Garmin Approach R50 review
Used by Tiger Woods
Joel Tadman testing the Full Swing Golf Simulator
That Tiger Woods endorses this simulator, and has the 16-foot widescreen model in his home, should tell us plenty about its quality and performance.
Certainly the Full Swing simulator is an impressive piece of kit. Invest in this simulator and you get a solid wood enclosure, a cinema quality projector, an energy absorbing diffuser screen, and a high-quality carpet to hit from. We were fortunate enough to test out this Pro series option at Silvermere Golf & Leisure centre in Surrey and came away appreciating what all the hype had been about.
For the data-driven golfer, the Full Swing Pro Series delivers a seriously high level of accuracy and feedback. The ION3 camera provides high-speed, overhead video of your clubhead at impact, allowing for instant analysis of your path and strike quality. This is then paired with a line-tracking sensor that measures ball flight in real time, ensuring that the draw or fade you hit is mirrored exactly on the screen. The software package is equally impressive, featuring 84 iconic layouts and 13+ non-golf sports games. Because the screen doubles as a premium home theater, it serves as a multi-functional centerpiece for any modern home.
- Read our full Full Swing Golf Simulator Review
Best value
For golfers seeking a high-end simulator experience without the five-figure price tag, Square Golf is arguably the best value on the market. We were particularly impressed with the variety of virtual courses and the overall fluidity of the gameplay. Its 'pay-as-you-play' model is a refreshing alternative to expensive annual subscriptions; the 1,000 credits included out of the box provide roughly 55 rounds of golf, which is more than enough to get started. Setup is incredibly simple via the dedicated app, and while you can use any ball, the pre-dotted balls included are best for capturing the most accurate data.
From an accuracy perspective, we put it up against the Full Swing KIT monitor, and barring one outlier in a 50-shot range session, yardage was comparable within two yards throughout, as was the the spin rate. Given the much higher price, and the fact the Full Swing is radar-based as opposed to the Square's camera-powered technology, this performance was genuinely impressive.
Whats more, weighing in at only 470g, the Square Golf monitor is incredibly light and easy to move. It’s a sleek, well-built device that proves you don’t need a heavy machine to get accurate, Tour-level data in your home simulator.
- Read our full Square Golf Launch Monitor review
Best course choice
SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor sitting on grass
If you’re buying a simulator largely because you want to play a wide range of virtual courses, then the Skytrak + monitor could be for you. By joining the companion app and syncing it all up to your tablet and computer you’ll have some 100,000 courses at your fingertips, including US Open venues like Pebble Beach and Torrey Pines.
But this keenly priced monitor also delivers plenty of data too, both ball and club, including club and ball speed, spin and launch angles and path and face angle. We were impressed with the levels of accuracy too, thanks in large part to the learning algorithms used. Coupled with an easy-to-use app and it adds up to a great user experience - and importantly one that doesn’t cost the earth either. Team this up with one of the best golf nets and you’ll have an effective home practice space that you can use year round.
If there are any negatives, we would have liked to have seen a carry case included, and the annual fee required to gain access to the app does mean some added cost.
- Read our full SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor Review
A Tour favorite
Man testing the Trackman simulator
There is a reason why Tour Pros use their own Trackmans: the accuracy is unmatched. The Trackman 4 uses dual Doppler radars to track the ball for its entire flight, up to six full seconds, rather than just the first few feet and making an estimate accordingly. This allows it to record exactly how the ball curves and lands in real-life conditions. On the range or in your indoor facility, the feedback is instantaneous and presented through the world-class Trackman Performance Studio software. It’s a sophisticated, self-leveling powerhouse that acts as a 24/7 swing coach.
Its therefore understandable then how the Trackman has become a fixture on the range at tournaments across the globe. It isn't only the pros who can get the best out of it though - it works brilliantly for us mere mortals (amateurs) as well. The simulator experience serves up over 160 pre-installed courses alongside club fitting software, putting analysis, skill tests, swing videos and even the option to compete in online tournaments - if you’re aware of the Next Golf Tour, which sees players compete on virtual courses, it’s powered by Trackman 4.
The obvious downside is the cost. The launch monitor alone will set you back over $20,000, with the home simulator setup requiring you to dig yet deeper into your pockets.
- Read our full Trackman Simulator Review
Best premium sim
A Foresight Sports Simulator setup for play
The Foresight GCQuad is favored by many tour pros, while the brand’s other models, the Hawk, GC3, GC2 or GC2 HMT are equally popular with players of all abilities. The Simulator Package offers both a lower priced Sim-In-A-Box or Net-Ready package, which enables you to take your existing Foresight monitor and create a simulator at home.
There is also the premium package. Here you’re getting the Foresight monitor of your choice as well as a high performance laptop. Combined you’re getting an impressive setup that allows you to ‘practice smarter’, thanks to the array of metrics and the degree of accuracy - think path, lie angle, angle of attack, strike location and more as well as the more obvious numbers such as ball and club speed, launch, carry and distance.
Practice become more fun and addictive with the GCQuad. Whether you are navigating a world-famous championship course or playing gamified drills designed to hone in your wedge play, the experience is top-tier. We were particularly impressed by the interface which delivers the data in a clean, vibrant, and surprisingly easy-to-read manner for such a sophisticated machine.
Specifications table
Model | Data | Portable | Courses |
Garmin Approach R50 | Club and ball | Yes | 43,000 |
Full Swing Golf Simulator | Club and ball | No | 80+ |
Square Golf Launch Monitor | Club and ball | Yes | 10 (plus 10 more coming soon) |
SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor | Club and ball | Yes | 100,000 virtual |
Trackman Simulator | Club and ball | Yes | 145 |
Foresight Sports Simulator | Club and ball | Dependent on model | 20+ |
How we test golf simulators
Joe has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles, including Head PGA Professional at Ryder Cup venue The Celtic Manor Resort and heading up the National Fitting Centers for both Titleist and TaylorMade. Joe is in charge of Golf Monthly's driver, iron and tech reviews, including golf launch monitors and simulators.
How do we test simulators? By hitting every club in the bag and testing every menu in the app. Our team evaluates setup speed, software ease-of-use, and portability to see if a unit actually fits a golfer's lifestyle. With years of comparative data at our fingertips, we can tell you exactly how a new simulator stacks up against the competition, ensuring our 'value for money' assessment or any other label we have used in this buying guide is based on experience, not just a spec sheet.
It’s a comprehensive approach we take to all our testing, whether it be clubs, balls or clothing. It allows us to offer detailed, honest advice with the aim of helping you make informed choices. A good review can never be bought at Golf Monthly, so if a product gets our approval it’s because we genuinely believe in it. To read more about how we test our equipment, take a look at our testing methodology here.
We've tested just under a dozen simulators in the last few years which, albeit doesn't sound like much, is the majority of notable releases in that timeframe. Simulators are not released as regularly as clubs or shoes, for example, given the technology that goes into them - as well as the price tag.
We spend multiple hours both directly and indirectly testing simulators - directly for our reviews of each product and then indirectly for when we our testing golf clubs like the best golf drivers to analyze the data we gather during our testing procedures like ball dispersion, club head and ball speeds. These simulators also help us compare and contrast the performance of a club against another.
How to choose a golf simulator
1. Indoor/Outdoor Use
Are you planning on practicing both indoors and out, at home and at the range? If so you’re probably best to invest in just a launch monitor and then pair it with a golf net at home. However if you’re after a dedicated indoor practice setup then a full simulation package might suit your needs more.
2. Space/Size
Full simulator set-ups aren’t just costly, they also require a fair amount of space due to the need for a large screen and enclosure. You’ll need to make sure you have the square footage at home before you invest.
If you want to practice with all the clubs in the bag you’ll need around 10 ft x 12 ft space to allow for driver swings - and if you’re indoors a ceiling height of at least 8ft-10ft.
3. Accuracy
Because you’ll want to use the numbers you’ve gained through your practice with a launch monitor out on the course, they need to be accurate. While most decent monitors deliver accurate readings, there are some that are more so than others, especially if they take into account real world factors, such as altitude, wind direction and humidity. Naturally monitors delivering this level of data are more expensive.
4. Metrics
Like accuracy, while all monitors will give you the basic numbers - ball and club speed, carry and distance - only some models have the capability to dig deeper into your swing. If you’re looking for club data, like path and angle of attack, or additional metrics like dispersion, then you need to spend a little more for the privilege.
5. Features
Next up, think about how many features you want your simulator to have. Are you just going to use it for golf practice? If so a cheaper model will suit you best whereas if you want more, then some designs offer the opportunity to play golf courses, GPS functionality, or even change the setup into a home entertainment system, or cinema.
6. Portability
The advantage a regular launch monitor has over a full simulator set up is the ability to move it around and take it with you. A portable monitor that comes with a carry case or can fit in your golf bag, means that you can comfortably carry it to the range with you, as well as move it around at home - ideal if you want to practice in the garden during the summer and then move indoors when it starts to get cold.
However, if you’re planning on building a dedicated practice space at home then a larger simulator with a screen and projector will work well for you
7. Price
Like much in life, with golf simulators and launch monitors you tend to get what you pay for. The most expensive models featured in this guide are beyond the budget of most but they do offer an impressive experience. But that’s not to say you can’t benefit greatly from the less expensive models, which still deliver plenty of data and can easily be paired with one of the best golf mats and best golf putting mats for use at home.
FAQs
Is a golf simulator worth it?
While a golf simulator is a significant investment, the return in terms of game improvement and convenience is immense. For many, it is the ultimate tool for year-round development, offering precise, data-driven feedback that allows you to identify and correct swing flaws in real time. This is precisely why elite professionals rely on these systems—the level of insight provided is simply unmatched by traditional range practice.
What has made these items more accessible is the level of competition which has not only made each brand push harder to deliver a better product, it's brought the price down in attempts to capture the attention of buyers who don't want to spend thousands on a sim.
What is the difference between a simulator and golf net?
The fundamental difference between a practice net and a simulator is the transition from repetition to analysis. A net is an excellent tool for ingraining swing mechanics and maintaining 'feel' without the distraction of ball flight. However, a simulator introduces a layer of accountability by capturing the exact physics of the impact. In short, the only analysis you can make of a shot into a net is how it felt in your hand - with a simulator you can get detailed data telling you exactly what went right and what went wrong with each swing.
How much does it cost to get a golf simulator?
Again, linking with the answer above, there are simulators for different aspects of the game and as such, there are models that come with different price tags. The Full Swing model used by Tiger Woods for example will cost thousands of dollars, whereas there are more budget-friendly options that are available as well. We would recommend being aware of how much money you are willing to spend on a simulator as a result.
What size room do I need for a golf simulator?
This will be entirely dependent on which type of simulator you want and which model you go for. For example, you can use the PuttOUT Putting Mat simulator pretty much anywhere, whereas you will need a large room for the Full Swing Golf Simulator. As a basic rule of thumb, to get a good golf simulator setup we would recommend having a set area of at least 12ft x 10ft x 8.5ft. The whole point is for you to be able to swing comfortably, safely and freely. Anything less than this will hinder your ability to do so.
What is the most realistic golf simulator software?
The most realistic golf simulator software comes from Trackman, but it costs often north of $20,000...
Thankfully, the likes of the Garmin R50 and Full Swing monitors provide realistic golf sim software, albeit not quite as realistic and accurate as the Trackman but for a fraction of the overall price.
What simulator does Rory McIlroy use?
2025 Masters Champion uses both Trackman and the Foresight GCQuad for his simulator practice sessions both at home and on the driving ranges at PGA Tour events. McIlroy, alongside Tiger Woods, is also an investor in FullSwing who help provide the simulator technology for TGL.
Which golf simulator has the best putting?
Given golf simulators are a still a relatively new phenomenon, those that specialize in putting are very much in their infancy. However, thus far the standout sim for putting practice is the ExPutt RG Real-Time Golf Putting Simulator.
Finally be sure to take a look at some of our other golf gear guides too, such as the best golf GPS, best golf watches, or the best golf rangefinders.