More golfers than ever are learning the game and finding ways to improve on golf simulators. However, many still struggle to transfer those improvements to the real course. That is why we enlisted indoor golf expert Jon Sherman, from Practical Golf, to help out. Here’s our recent discussion on making real improvement to your game while practicing indoors and making sure those improvements benefit you where it really matters.
What previous practice-related features on sims seemed unrealistic back then but are much better now?
A good starting warm-up exercise is practicing awkward wedge distances between 30 and 80 yards, depending on what constitutes a full shot for you. That is as simple as dialing in what 40, 50, 60, and 70 yards feel like through repetition, then transitioning to random testing by calling out numbers on the fly.
Software options like SkyTrak and Foresight facilitate this easily with built-in wedge games. These are the exact yardages golfers commonly face on the course, and if they aren't prepared are left guessing. It's one of my most fruitful practice methods for bridging the gap from the sim to the golf course. I try to feel what a 50-yard shot is and use it as my baseline, then step up to 65, 70, and 80 yards before bouncing around randomly. It's a great way to warm up.
If you pay attention to your stock carry yardages – not on your absolute best strikes, but your typical ones throughout the bag – you will build far more confidence in club selection on the course. Keep close track of what a typical 7-iron or 9-iron travels so you have a solid understanding of your numbers. If your software allows for shot dispersion testing, hit 20 or 30 balls with your driver, 3-wood, or 4-iron to understand your shot patterns. Personally, I love doing dispersion testing with tee-shot clubs on the sim.
Which launch monitors/software programs have the best programming for practice and game improvement, and how has it improved over the years?
SkyTrak has become particularly compelling over the years, offering a robust practice suite with diverse challenges and range environments. Uneekor is also doing a great job with AI swing analysis and practice environments, and Foresight’s GSPro – the one I use – is fantastic. You have more options than ever, with features that combine bag mapping, wedge matrices, and simulated course play. SkyTrak, in particular, delivers great value at an attractive price point compared to high-end systems like Trackman, having spent nearly a decade refining its software.
Which sim factors that were unauthentic before are now truer, and how can those translate to measurable game improvement?
I’ll use Foresight’s GSPro as an example. When they rolled out a major upgrade about 18 months ago, they introduced a playground mode where you can customize greens—turning them into island greens or altering their shapes—adjust elevation for uphill and downhill shots and randomize distances. If you want, hit a specific type of green from 80 to 160 yards and get a different yardage every time. You can practice hitting over water hazards from those distances to recreate on-course pressure. Trackman and a few others offer this as well. The ability to customize the range environment and introduce consequences—like a water hazard penalty for failing to carry a 7-iron 145 yards, rather than just mindlessly beating balls—is incredibly useful. Some of the best software packages even feature physical barriers that block off parts of the range for fun-house-style practice. If you really want to use the sim to improve, that style of practice is awesome.
What's a good speed training system built into the simulator software people can use in the off-season?
The two that I know of that have a dedicated speed training function are from SkyTrak and Flightscope. SkyTrak has a nice speed training platform that not only tests speed without hitting a ball but also offers some helpful drills. Flightscope has a dedicated speed training function but it's not as robust as SkyTrak's, from what I know.
Any other ways to use your sim to stay sharp this off-season?
I concentrated on a weak part of my game and used launch monitor feedback to make small adjustments until it became a strength. I was only able to do that because I had five months of low-stakes, no-pressure practice without worrying about playing on a real course. If parts of your game are struggling, use that off-season time to dial them in, potentially working with an instructor remotely if you have a sim at home. For more experienced players not undergoing major swing changes, my recommendation is to hit about 20 shots with every club in the bag while trying to beat your high scores—and others' high scores—on a combine. Several simulator packages offer skill tests, combines, and full rounds played for score. Mix in targeted improvement practice with performance testing, and when you step onto the course next spring, you won't feel nearly as rusty. I've been doing this for eight years, and it allows me to hit the ground running every spring.