Best Golf Simulators from Carl’s Place 2021

You likely don’t know the Carl’s Place team on a personal level, but that doesn’t mean we can’t act like best friends.

So let’s be honest with each other: I think we can agree the closures and shutdowns the pandemic caused were a challenge to navigate, but there are definitely some positives that are coming from it, such as the popularity the game of golf regained!

Thanks to the growing game and improvements in technology, instead of spending thousands of dollars on a trip to California to play Pebble Beach and other famous courses, you can use that money toward one of our DIY Golf Simulator Enclosure Kits and launch monitors. 

It’s the gift that keeps on giving as you will save that golf vacation money as you continually play those famous courses over and over again in the comfort of your own home. Your parents will be proud of your investment.

Below, we will highlight the best golf simulators and launch monitors Carl’s Place offers.

ALL-AROUND GOLF SIMULATOR: UNEEKOR EYE XO

The EYE XO might be the highest priced option, but there is good reason for that. It provides the most accurate club and ball data available on the market without needing marked balls for tracking. The remarkable graphics show club impact and ball spin videos after every shot.

The unit comes with two hyper-speed cameras that record at least 3,000 frames per second. Using its sensors, it reads both the ball and club and can show real video of the club impacting the ball.

The EYE XO is mounted above the golfer on the ceiling or golf enclosure frame, allowing for both right- and left-handed golfers to play simultaneously. Check under the details section for the recommended space requirements for the EYE XO. 

The unit can help you improve by offering shot skills and training in driving range and short play complex modes using its EYE XO View software. It also provides accurate club fitting to show the skills needed for each shot, and helps with course management and round prep using the stroke play and course practice modes. Overall, the software and curriculum is one of the best for improving your skills and performance.

Ball data tracked includes: back and side spin, total spin, spin axis, vertical and horizontal launch angle, angle of descent, ball apex and ball impact on club face. Club data collected includes: smash factor, club speed, club path, club face angle, attack angle, club loft angle, club lie angle and both vertical and horizontal impact point.

If you hit a bad shot, we’d suggest not chucking your club for many reasons. The EYE XO tracks a lot of data, but it does not track club throwing speed or RPM. It’s good, but not that good.

To learn more valuable information, watch our unboxing video.

Carl’s Tip: The UNEEKOR EYE XO works great with a Carl’s Place Pro Golf Simulator Enclosure Kit, where you can mount the unit directly to the enclosure, but can still be used with our DIY Enclosures. We also offer some great bundle packages. 

BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK GOLF SIMULATOR: UNEEKOR QED

The UNEEKOR QED is similar to the EYE XO in that it is mounted above the golfer on the ceiling or enclosure for ease of use between righties and lefties at the same time and provides two hyper speed cameras with frame rates of at least 3,000 per second, but the price is easier on the wallet.

The QED provides many of the same benefits as the EYE XO, such as: an authentic swing experience to better performance; realistic data results and accurate fitting; immediate video of club and ball at impact; and several practice modes including stroke play, course practice, driving range and short game complex.

For ideal space dimensions, check the details section at this link.

The base QED software with a driving range is included with the purchase of the unit, and an upgrade can be made at any time. We again suggest pairing a Carl’s Place Pro Golf Simulator Enclosure Kit with the UNEEKOR QED as you can mount the unit directly to the enclosure. 

What are some differences between the EYE XO and QED? The QED does not have as good of video graphics or enhanced ball data metrics such as impact location, club loft, lie angles and attack angle. The QED also requires marked golf balls. No, your ball that is scuffed and marked from hitting the cart path does not count as a “marked golf ball.”

Check out a more detailed comparison to help guide your decision. 

Carl’s Tip: Pair some UNEEKOR Swing Optix Cameras with the QED to get quality swing motion videos to help you improve your game and lower your scores. The cameras are compatible with the QED Ignite, Refine and Refine+ (formerly Uneekor Succeed) software, along with the EYE XO View software. 

MOST FLEXIBLE GOLF SIMULATOR: FLIGHTSCOPE MEVO+

The FlightScope Mevo+ is significantly less expensive than the UNEEKOR products, but it certainly does not lack punch. 

The ultra-portable Mevo+ uses a 3D Doppler tracking radar to provide a great practice and playing experience. Along with its portability, another great advantage of the Mevo+ is that it does not need to be moved when switching between right- and left-handed golfers.

Ideally, the unit should be 7 to 9 feet behind the tee when the ball flight is unrestricted (outdoors). While indoors, the sensor should be 7 to 9 feet behind the ball with at least a 13-foot space between the impact screen and tee. Metallic dots on balls are not required, but will help the sensor gather more accurate ball data.

FlightScope also has its own mobile device app, FS Golf, that is available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app allows users to teach, fit and practice with the radar data, video capabilities, 3D trajectories and more from a phone, tablet or watch.

The app also automatically records and trims each video so that you can review it. Sadly, it only trims the time of the video, not your physical figure. 

You can set your minimum or maximum values for any data to practice smart and stay more consistent. Instant feedback comes in the form of an easy-to-see green and red data display.

Another cool feature included is the FlightScope Augmented Reality, which makes you feel like you’re part of a TV broadcast during your teaching, club fitting and practice sessions.

Along with the FS Golf app, the E6 software is included with your Mevo+ purchase. E6 includes five golf courses,17 practice ranges and other online games. Note that iOS 12 or later is required.

For more information, check out our unboxing video of the FlightScope Mevo+.

Carl’s Tip: The FlightScope Mevo+ is the most flexible, portable option and works well with either our DIY Enclosure or Pro Enclosure. 

EASIEST TO USE GOLF SIMULATOR: SKYTRAK

Also very portable, the SkyTrak’s biggest advantage is the amount of space needed. Hint: it’s not much.

The SkyTrak, which sits near your ball on the other side of the golfer, accurately measures ball speed, launch angle, backspin, club speed, sidespin and side angle, and also shows carry distance, offline and total distance to simulate practice or playing. For more information on spacing, check out our article on measuring your space for an indoor golf simulator. 

The disadvantage of its placement: the unit would have to be moved back and forth if a right- and left-handed player are playing at the same time. To protect your unit from errant shots, we suggest buying the protective case (which is not included).

The SkyTrak uses high-speed photography to capture the golf ball and provides accurate readings for ball speed, carry and total distance, launch angle, club speed, spin rates and more.

Another convenient feature is that it connects wirelessly to compatible devices, displaying shot feedback as soon as the ball is hit. 

Watch our unboxing video to learn more about what comes with the SkyTrak.

Carl’s Tip: Similar to the Mevo+, the SkyTrak is great for moving from your indoor simulator to outdoor range, and would work well with either our DIY Enclosure or Pro Enclosure.