How Can Virtual Reality Help Golfers?
Although Virtual Reality has been around for close to a decade it is in the last few years that is has become more mainstream. Even since the beginning of VR there have been sporting simulations, that initially were designed more for fun than for purpose but have increasingly developed into simulations that can be used as part of sports training. In this article we take a look at how Virtual Reality can help with golf training.
VR technology allows golfers to simulate real-life conditions, analyze swings, and provide convenient and cost-effective training, which can lead to better real-world performance. Although not a replacement for practice on real golf courses, VR allows golfers to practice more often and more conveniently.
Virtual reality (VR) technology has the potential to revolutionize the way golfers practice and improve their skills. By immersing the golfer in a virtual golf course, VR allows for realistic simulations of golf swings, putting strokes, and other aspects of the game. This can provide a number of benefits over traditional methods of golf instruction and practice. We take a deep look at the reasons this may be below.
How Can Virtual Reality Help Your Golf Performance.
Virtual reality (VR) technology allows users to experience immersive simulations of real or imagined environments. As it has improved this technology has been applied in many different industries, from education to medicine, and of course sports, and is now being used to improve golf skills. Lets break down how that is achieved.
Replicating Real-Life Conditions
Although VR is not able to replicate the exact conditions of a golf course it is the most advanced method of training without being on the actual golf course to date.
Granted there is no wind in your hair, or a need for sunscreen but it can recreate real golf courses including hazards, distances and directions. While it wont provide the actual feedback of hitting a ball it will be able to give feedback on your swing, how far and what direction you can hit the ball. Depending on the actual programme used it can do this with impressive levels of accuracy.
As it can replicate any situation, presuming it is in the golfing program, it means that you can practice different holes, positions, and conditions repeatedly to practice the actually conditions you may find your self on the course. This is immensely helpful as on the actual course the ability to replay a hole is very rare, especially on busy courses.
One of the major advantages of VR golf training is the ability to replicate as real life conditions as you can get without playing a round, and at the touch of a button. So not only can you play on an actual course, some of the golf Training VR programmes will allow you to change the weather.
While this doesn’t means it going to rain in your living room, it does mean it can simulate rain and wind on the course, and teach you how these might affect your shot, the flight of the ball and the way to approach the hole.
While your local course might not be available in the VR training there will certainly be holes that will have a resemblance to ones you have played and trying these out will help you when you actually get on to the course.
VR Can Help Analyze a Golfers Swing
While there are golf simulators that don’t use VR, they can cost and potentially not be as effective in giving constructive feedback on errors and improvements. Another advantage of VR golf training is the ability to analyze and improve a golfer’s swing.
If you are using a VR headset that has controllers, like the Quest series, or the more pricey HTc Vives ( we use a Quest 2) these controllers have motion tracking systems and technology within them that can attempt to analyze your swing and give suggestions for improvements. They can help to identify poor posture, incorrects grips, and angles of swings. This can be practiced repeatedly to build muscle memory and develop skills.
however, even with the controllers, and it is possible to purchase Virtual golf club add ons for these controllers, they are not an actual golf club and , in our experience feel slightly heavier and although the action is the same they do not feel like a golf club in full swing. Again, the only way to get that experience in on the actual course, and these make a strong second place training aid.
Either way, being able to practice repeatedly certainly has the opportunity to understand the mechanics and break down the elements of your swing to highlight areas you can improve. It can do all of this in real time. Again while VR does not replace professional coaching it will be able to highlight the basics and give you something to work on for the future.
Convenience and Cost-Effectiveness
Although Virtual Reality headsets are not the cheapest of items, they are not wallet breaking unless you wish to go to the very highest levels of equipment. If your aim is to get some pointers on your swing or practice some holes repeatedly then you will not need anything like the top end systems, and no matter what system you get they all provide a lot of fun!
As we mentioned above, and below again, a middle range QUEST 2 with the controllers will be powerful enough to play and practice a virtual golf game. Just remember its an addition, not a replacement to a round on a course.
VR golf training can therefore not only be more convenient but also more cost effective playing a round or hiring an instructor. Beign Virtual it can also be used literally anywhere, and golfers no longer have to travel to a physical golf course or pay for expensive lessons to practice and improve their skills.
Instead, they can use a VR golf simulator in the comfort of their own home or at a local golf facility. If you do use at home make sure you have clearance for swinging a club (even virtually) , or that cost effectiveness might well be challenged if you end up putting your controllers through your TV screen.
We will put an article up on some choice you have for VR headsets in due courses, but really if you want to future proof yourself ( as much as is possibly with this fast moving Tech) then aon Cocculus quest for between $2-400 USD will be fine. You can often find them with decent deals around black friday and other holidays, Especially earlier models. You can check out the current prices on Amazon below for an idea.
Engaging Practice Experience
I remember the first time i tried VR, i had bought it for officially my class, but also for me to try out. The reaction when we tried it with the children was incredible. Although you can’t see people’s eyes you can see their mouths, and they are invariably either smileing or open wide in amazement.
Chances are if you haven’t tried it the same will happen to you. Now if you pair that with the ability to play golf you have a match made in golfing heaven! You can put on a VR headset and be transported to some of the most famous courses in the world, and attempt a round on them, and while not quite the same as actually being there, it is called virtual after all, it is a close second.
While this is certainly fun, when we use them we find the training modes within these VR games and programmes are actually the training modes. Depending on the programme you are using they will have options for chips shots, bunkers, putting and of course driving and practicing on these builds your skills for when you get on the course.
Games like golf+ offer you the chance to play in club house mode, where you can practice all your golfing skills and then take them, virtually at least, to courses like Pinehurst, Wolf creek and even Pebble beach. It even offers you the change to customize your clubs ( though it this makes that much of a difference is certainly debatable.
We have an article covering if VR Golf attachments like Club simulators are actually worth it over general VR controllers linked both here and below.
What VR Golfing Programs are Available?
Although we have larger article on VR games of golf, we include this able on that page as well and you can see what some of your options are quickly here, and if you want to know more about the game you can head over to our dedicated VR gold games page.
| VR Golf Game | Platforms | Description |
| Walkabout Mini Golf | Steam VR, and Oculus | Amini golf game, so focus on putting. Honestly better for fun and family games rather than serious training. |
| Golf+ TopGolf with ProPutt | Meta Quest 2 | Comes with a Driving Range, Putting Greens, and full courses including pro circuits (on quest 2). Probably the best option for training. |
| CloudLands 2 | Steam vR and Oculus | Mixes up full size and mini golf courses again more for fun that practice. |
| Golf 5 eClub | Pico 4, Oculus | More of a simulator than a game, and potentially more of a simulator than even golf+. It has full courses, driving range and putting practice included. |
| Tee Time Golf | Oculus and Steam VR | More gamified and cartoony than others, but still a solid golf game. |
| The Golf Club VR | Vive, Steam VR | Difficult to set up, and made more for PC than VR but still available on VR. |
| exVRience Golf Club | Oculus, | 18 hole courses, basic but effective. |
| Everybody’s Golf VR | Playstation VR | Gamified more than a simulator. |
| Golf It | steam VR, | MiniGolf set up, fun but not as in depth as others. |
While there are a variety of VR golf training programs and equipment available on the market today, And we highlighted some in the table above. As we mentioned we will take a look at these in more detail on their own page.
However, more advanced programs can be used to analyze swings, simulate real-life golf course conditions, and provide feedback on areas for improvement. Which, while obviously not as accurate as a professional golf coach can give you broad tips to improve your game, and in a much more convenient way.
Other Ways To Train for Golf
Although VR can undoubtedly have positive effects on golf games there are also other ways to improve, and as you are for sure aware we will just keep them in a list rather than dive deep into them on this page at least.
- Practice greens
- Driving ranges
- Office putting sets
- Pitch and putt
- Gym!
How Realistic is VR Golf?
Just like a office putting set, or chip shot net, a VR golf game or simulator is not able to provide as much teaching and learning opportunities as a real course. They bring something to your golf game, which we go into detail above, and some are considerably better at simulating a golf swing than others. Simulation and games like Golf 5 eclub and Golf+ especially offer more training opportunities.
To make it more authentic you can buy, not just a VR simulator, but a golf club simulator to help the swing feel more like a proper golf club, at least in weight. We have an article on it here on the site it is called the DeadEyeVR DriVR. (link takes you to our page on this VR golf club) if you want to check it on amazon the link is below.
It provides a much better experience than just a controller and we if you do go the VR training path then we suggest its basically an essential add on.
So nothing beats getting out for a round of 18 holes to build up golfing skills, there are obvious time constraints and just like the office putting sets (read more here) VR can not replicate this experience fully. However, it is a useful tool if you can’t make it as often as you like to the course, and still want to put some practice in.
Also the headset is not just for golf it is a great educational tool if you have a family all can use it for different reasons. Which, luckily, give you a great excuse to buy it and give the reason as its for the whole family, not just for you to try a round at pebble beach!
Conclusion
VR technology definitely has potential to offer a number of benefits for golfers looking to improve their skills. Improved swing mechanics, enhanced visualization and mental preparation, and increased accessibility and convenience are just a few of the benefits that VR can provide.
Although it is early days with the rapid progression of this and other technologies the future looks exciting. While it is still more fun, and more useful to play at the golf course, there is certainly something attractive about waking up in the morning and putting on a VR headset and being transported to play a Virtual round of golf at flushing meadows, for basically free!
References
- https://vrlowdown.com/best-vr-golf-games/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikmatuszewski/2022/12/15/golf-teams-with-pga-tour-as-official-vr-platform/?sh=1ae6e43421cf
- https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2337198749686376/
- https://www.oculus.com/experiences/go/1908181425937092/
- https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2412327085529357/
