The Phigolf Simulator: Practice Anywhere With On-the-Go Tech
Every golf simulator available today serves a slightly different audience, and the Phigolf Simulator is no different.
Trackman is ideal for professionals and serious amateurs who need a 360-degree look at their game, no matter the cost. Personal launch monitors like the Mevo+ are great for golfers who are willing to invest in their game improvement but still have a budget.
The Phigolf Simulator hits the mark for golfers looking for an affordable way to fuel their golf passion indoors, without a robust setup or the need to hit golf balls all over the house or apartment. Although, that’s still an option.
What Is the Phigolf Simulator?
The Phigolf Simulator is a sensor that attaches to the end of either an actual golf club or the shortened Phigolf wand that’s low-ceiling friendly. Pair the sensor with one of the corresponding apps, and swing away. The simulator allows you to play a round of golf on the simulator app, or analyze your swing with a variety of metrics.
The sensor captures club head speed, tempo, club path, face angle and attack angle, and gives total distance as well. For the best experience, pair your tablet or smartphone to a TV to play virtual golf on a bigger screen. There are three apps that work with the Phigolf sensor, the Phigolf app, WGT Game app, and E6 Connect.
The Phigolf app is the only one of the three that’s completely free and includes nine courses, tournaments, multiplayer options and virtual practice facilities. Each of the other apps offer free and subscription versions. Here’s a head-to-head-to-head comparison of the three.
App | Cost | Courses |
Phigolf | Free | 9 |
WGT | Free-$1.99/month | 1 (free)/20+ (subscription) |
E6 | Free-$10/month | 1 (free)/40+ (subscription) |
Phigolf Pros
Phigolf provides something that resembles golf for a lot of players who otherwise have no outlet over the long winter, and there are a lot of pros to the simulator.
Possibly the most appealing thing about the Phigolf Simulator is the affordable price. For around $250, there is not much competition in that price range for any type of golf simulator. The fact that it can be used indoors and the wand eliminates any ceiling-height requirement, combined with the fact that you don’t have to hit a real, or even a fake golf ball, makes the Phigolf Simulator an option for almost any golfer.
For those golfers who have the space to swing a real club, the sensor fits into any grip and can collect your actual swing data. You can even hit real golf balls using the Phigolf sensor in a real club, if your home golf setup allows.
Having three apps to choose from gives you plenty of golf course options and the ability to pick which price point and user experience you prefer.
Where Phigolf Comes Up Short
Despite all there is to like about the Phigolf Simulator, there are some drawbacks to consider. First of all, since the simulator is a sensor that attaches to a club, it is only capable of collecting club data, no ball data, even if you put it in a club and hit a real ball. Even though you get more than enough data to get some insights about your swing, there are important metrics the device simply can’t pick up, like strike location, for starters.
If you take advantage of the ability to use the Phigolf sensor in real clubs, you’ll quickly realize you need to pop it in and out every time you want to change clubs. Even alternating between an iron and putter for a round of virtual golf could become a chore.
The Bottom Line on Phigolf
Every golf simulator and launch monitor has its audience, and the Phigolf Simulator arguably has the largest audience of all, given its affordability at the $250 price point and the ease of use in almost any room. It’s great for scratching your golf itch or having some fun with friends and family.
If you’re looking for a serious launch monitor or simulator to take your game to the next level from the comfort of your own home, consider investing in a more advanced launch monitor that combines club and ball data to give you deeper insights into your swing.