TrackMan Indoor Golf Simulator: Features, Review, Comparison

The number of rounds played by Canadian golfers increased by 7.5% in 2022, showing that the sport's popularity is still strong. There is a limit, though, because of the harsh winters that keep people off the course for months of the year. 

When you can’t shake that itch for a good round, more and more people are turning to indoor golf to satisfy the craving. But if you’re new to the idea, how do you determine the best virtual golf simulator for practicing your game?

That’s where we come in! 

We’ve completed a comprehensive review of some of the top options on the market, and it’s a no-brainer. TrackMan ranks well ahead of the competition—it’s no wonder they’re the PGA tour-preferred simulator. 

Read on to see how TrackMan fares in each category, or jump directly to the comparison table at the end. 

What is a virtual golf simulator?

A virtual golf simulator is a system that uses radar and high-speed cameras to track swing, launch, and ball flight information. It projects a 3D course render onto a screen and simulates how your shot would react on a real course. 

You swing at full speed and are presented with precise measurements that can help you make adjustments while you play. It can be used to play a full round or practice specific shots like a driving range. 

Evaluation criteria

When looking at TrackMan and the other simulators, we’ve based our review on four critical criteria. 

  • Accuracy: Even if you’re just a beginner looking for some afternoon fun, the accuracy of a simulator is the most important. It can be extremely frustrating if the distances are miscalculated, or the system has trouble registering your shot. 

  • Courses: The best part about indoor golf is playing courses you might never otherwise get the chance to see. The course list of a simulator is directly related to how much fun you can have and how challenging you can make the experience.

  • Realism: Sometimes, simulators feel more like playing a video game than golf. The best technology will reward you for great shots and punish you for mishits—just like that beautiful game we all love.

  • Professionals: A telling characteristic of any simulator is whether professional golfers use it. Are the best in the world using it to refine their game, or is it reserved for amateur basement setups?

While cost also figures into the equation if you’re looking to buy your own simulator, we’ll leave it out for now and instead focus on the performance of each at indoor golf facilities.

TrackMan indoor golf simulator

So how does TrackMan rank in every category? 

Accuracy

There is no simulator more accurate than the TrackMan. It is designed and installed by trained professionals, combining two radars and a camera to produce extremely precise measurements. 

Optically Enhanced Radar Tracking (OERT) provides endless data, and the user interface allows you to compare your swing to your favorite tour pro. Through a partnership with Titleist, TrackMan has also created the best indoor golf balls that are durable and equipped with radar capture technology. 

Courses

TrackMan has over 230 courses in an extensive library, including famous locations like PGA National, Pebble Beach, and St. Andrews. The list is regularly updated and features international courses in addition to the most recognizable fairways in North America.

Realism

Constantly trying to increase realism, TrackMan overhauled its graphic engine in 2019 to focus on “hyper-reality.” The courses are picture-perfect (down to the grains of sand in those green-side bunkers) and can be played at various daylight settings, meaning you can enjoy dusk at Royal Birkdale if you want. 

Professionals

At any time, approximately 90 of the top 100 players in the world use TrackMan. They partner with national teams from the Ryder Cup and Olympics and work with names like Justin Thomas and Nelly Korda. 

That shot tracer you see on television? That’s a TrackMan, after joining forces with the PGA Tour in 2022. In short, this is the system used by the pros. 

Comparison to other indoor golf simulators

TrackMan ranks exceptionally well in all necessary categories, but how does it compare to the competition? Let’s look at other options routinely installed at indoor golf facilities and highlight some differences you’ll experience. 

TrackMan vs. aboutGOLF

Among the other leaders in indoor golf simulation is aboutGOLF an American-made system that caters to custom at-home and commercial installations. 

  • Accuracy: Though it uses a camera-only launch monitor, the accuracy of aboutGOLF simulators is relatively strong. Beginner golfers won’t notice the difference, but for competitive players that want to finely tune their swing, it still lags behind TrackMan. 

  • Courses: While aboutGOLF claims to have over 90 courses, they include several fictional and mini-golf courses and a few arcade-type games. 

  • Realism: This is where aboutGOLF shines, at least compared to lower-quality simulators. The curved screen can give you the feeling of being surrounded by nature, though their renders could still use fine-tuning.

  • Professionals: Their website testimonial page shows that aboutGOLF isn’t marketed toward the professional golfer. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Eli Manning might love the sport, but they aren’t exactly joining the tour. 

Overall, the aboutGOLF simulator is a nice at-home option for golf enthusiasts but is outperformed by the TrackMan system in every category. 

TrackMan vs. UDR

Ultra Driving Range (UDR) is an innovative simulator with several features that make it stand out. 

  • Accuracy: Unfortunately, the two cameras that UDR systems use are not nearly as accurate as TrackMan. It often provides inaccurate or inflated readings, meaning your distances won’t match real life. 

  • Courses: While it claims to have over 175 courses, very few are from North America. There are some beautiful options, but you might not find something familiar for indoor golfers in Edmonton. 

  • Realism: The big selling point for UDR is its multi-surface lie conversion technology, which can emulate fairways, roughs, sand, and greens. While it is a nice bonus, the actual simulation is very video-game-like. 

  • Professionals: Because of the accuracy issues, there is virtually no professional representation for UDR. 

The accuracy limitations keep UDR well below TrackMan in terms of performance. 

TrackMan vs. Golfzon

Golfzon, another Korean-made system, is among the most popular for indoor golf facilities.

  • Accuracy: While Golfzon claims to be the “most technologically advanced golf simulator in the world,” this is more about their hitting matt and hydraulic swing plate than the camera system. They suffer from accuracy and consistency issues when compared to TrackMan. 

  • Courses: There are over 200 courses available through Golfzon simulators, but just 25 are in North America. They do have Pebble Beach and PGA National, but the vast majority are from South Korea, China, and Japan. 

  • Realism: The 24-direction swing plate included in their premium product can replicate a variety of lies, and their courses are nicely rendered. 

  • Professionals: Sungjae Im is a Golfzon-sponsored tour pro, and the company works with several others. 

Golfzon ranks well in realism and professional validation, though you will still encounter some accuracy issues and a limited course list. 

TrackMan vs. HD Golf

HD Golf is one of the most commonly-installed golf simulators, thanks to a price point much lower than TrackMan. 

  • Accuracy: The “smart cameras” that HD Golf uses can be relatively accurate for high-level golfers but have a wide variance as skill levels decrease. Beginners can find it frustrating as the system fails to register a shot or inaccurately tracks ball flight.

  • Courses: HD Golf offers just 36 courses, though several are among the most famous in the world. Torrey Pines, Pinehurst No. 2, and Pebble Beach are all available. 

  • Realism: Compared to TrackMan, HD Golf’s renders lag well behind. It also lacks some of the additional features that can improve immersion. 

  • Professionals: Despite its limitations, several top golfers put their names behind HD Golf. Bryson DeChambeau, Bubba Watson, and Adam Scott are all among their roster of athletes. 

There’s something to be said for the ease of use that HD Golf offers, making it a perfectly reasonable option for golfers just trying to enjoy an afternoon round. 

Indoor golf simulator comparison table

Where can you play on a TrackMan in Edmonton?

If you want to experience the best indoor golf simulator technology, head to 1 Putt Virtual Golf. We have six TrackMan-equipped bays, so you can play a casual round or spend the afternoon perfecting your swing. 

Book online today, or reach out to our staff for more information.