GSPro Software Review: Courses, Cost and Compatibility

A lot of golf software gives you courses to play. GSPro gives you a rabbit hole. You can start on a course you recognize, find a fantasy par 3, then discover that someone recreated a local course you’ve actually played. That growing library is a big reason GSPro has become a staple in indoor golf.

What is GSPro?

GSPro is golf simulator software for Windows PCs, meant for use in golf simulators. It takes shot data from a compatible golf launch monitor and shows what happens on a virtual course or practice range. The detailed graphics get plenty of attention, but the ball flight and roll are what make a round feel like golf.

You can practice, play locally with friends or compete online. And if you get bored with your usual courses, there are plenty more waiting in the library.

Graphics and Ball Physics

GSPro supports 4K graphics if your computer and display can handle them. On a big impact screen, the courses can look pretty convincing. Just don’t try to wave down the beverage cart; that part of the golf experience is still up to you.

Looks only get a simulator so far, though. GSPro’s ball flight, bounces and roll give you a reason to think about the shot you’re hitting, rather than just aiming at a pretty picture. There’s room for serious practice and plenty of room to have fun with it.

Courses to Try in GSPro

GSPro lists more than 2,500 community-created courses, along with a smaller collection of official GSPro courses. Designers use tools such as the Open Platform Course Designer (OPCD) toolset to recreate real courses or build something that could only exist on a simulator.

Courses From Carl’s Place

• Lost Island Par 3: A nine-hole fantasy course on a Pacific island. Its signature hole is played inside a cave. Designed by Carl’s Place.
• Redwood Run: Nine par 3 holes through a redwood forest, where shaping a shot can be more useful than hitting it harder. Designed by Carl’s Place. Search for Redwood Run Alt for a second layout with different tees.
• The Old Game: An 18-hole fantasy links course set among seaside dunes in Scotland. Designed by Carl’s Place.

Our team builds both imaginary places and recreations of real courses. You can see some of the decisions behind them in our virtual golf course design article.

More Courses Worth Searching For

• Tobacco Road: CE.Simgolf recreated Mike Strantz’s North Carolina course for GSPro. It’s listed among GSPro’s official courses.
• Eke Golf: A recreation of a course in Finland by amace, who has built many other courses for GSPro.
• Hamilton Island: Pob16’s recreation of a course in Australia’s Whitsunday Islands. Check which version appears in your course library when you search.
• The Judge, Legislator and Senator: Three Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses at Capitol Hill in Alabama, recreated by 1970kaustin.
• Paradise Canyon Country Club: A recreation of the Alberta course by Tsquared and Greg McDonald.
• Whispering Pines: A fantasy course credited to OPCD-Sting, DPR and JM.
• Whistler Nicklaus North: RustyDave’s recreation of the Jack Nicklaus-designed course in British Columbia.
• Grenadier Island CC: A course by Sonny Pak, also known as Pakman. This one is part of PakGolf Studios’ separately hosted Patreon collection.

That’s only a small slice of the work out there. The Lidar King’s course list is one place to look for local-course recreations. You can also browse the Simulator Golf Tour course list to see who built a course you enjoyed and find more of their work.

How Do GSPro Course Servers and Patreon Work?

Your GSPro subscription includes access to the main course server, where you can search for and download community courses at no additional course charge. You don’t need a Patreon membership to enjoy the regular library.

Some designers also host exclusive courses on private servers. Access may require a separate membership, often managed through Patreon. Grenadier Island CC is one example. Check the designer’s site for the access instructions and cost before looking for a private course in GSPro.

A designer having a Patreon page doesn’t automatically mean their courses are behind a paywall. Some use it to let players support their work, while their courses remain on the main server.

Is GSPro Subscription-Based?

Yes, GSPro is sold as a yearly subscription. An active subscription gives you access to the software and its updates.

The software price may not be the whole cost of getting it running:

• Your launch monitor may need another license. GSPro lists additional requirements for Foresight and Bushnell devices, an active Uneekor Pro Package for Uneekor integration, and Rapsodo Premium Membership for the MLM2PRO. Check your exact model and package before buying.
• You’ll need a Windows PC. GSPro doesn’t run on macOS or iOS. A PC that handles 1080p play may also fall short of what GSPro recommends for a great 4K experience. Compare GSPro’s current PC requirements with your launch monitor’s requirements.
• Organized SGT tours are separate. You can use GSPro’s included course server without joining Simulator Golf Tour’s organized online tournaments. Check SGT’s membership options if you want to compete in those events.

Which Launch Monitors Work With GSPro?

GSPro officially supports specific models from Uneekor, Foresight Sports, Bushnell, FlightScope, Garmin, Full Swing, Rapsodo, ProTee and several other brands. Its current list includes the Garmin Approach R10 and R50, Full Swing KIT, Rapsodo MLM2PRO and ProTee VX, among others.

Check GSPro’s supported launch monitor list for your exact model. Compatibility for one model doesn’t mean every launch monitor from that brand has the same connection or license requirements.

GSPro also has an open interface that others can use to build connections. That’s different from an officially supported integration. GSPro specifically identifies SkyTrak as outside its official support list, so confirm how an unlisted device connects, who supports that connection and what it costs before you buy.

If you’re purchasing through Carl’s Place, our product page shows the launch monitor license types we offer. Some license types, including Foresight Sports and Bushnell, must be purchased through the launch monitor manufacturer instead.

What Can You Do in GSPro?

Play a local round, invite friends into an online match, practice on a driving range or work on a particular shot on a course. There are challenges and tournaments when you want something more structured than another casual nine.

GSPro updates its features and menus over time. Its current user guide is the place to go for directions on downloading courses, setting up players and joining matches.

Where GSPro Might Not Fit Your Setup

• You play on an iPad or Mac. GSPro needs a Windows PC.
• Your computer isn’t ready for it. Check the graphics card, memory and other requirements, especially if you want 4K play.
• Your launch monitor needs another subscription. Account for that cost alongside GSPro’s annual license.
• You have one specific course in mind. Check its current listing and access terms. It might be on the main server, a private designer server or unavailable.

Is GSPro Worth It?

For golfers who want realistic play and a lot of courses to explore, GSPro has earned its place in the conversation. The library would be impressive on its own. The designers who keep adding to it are what make it hard to put down.

Check your launch monitor connection, any additional manufacturer license and your PC before buying. Then you can get to the better question: what are you playing first?