I was one of the first in the US to try this new golf simulator — and it's as good as it gets
A new player has entered the space in the U.S. named Golf VX (it's been popular in Korea for some time), and I was one of the first in the U.S. to try it and write about my experience.
And what an experience it was. With its beautiful graphics, moving floor, and various hitting surfaces, Golf VX delivers an experience closer to real golf than any other simulator I've tried.
Right now, locations are few and far between. I went to the North Dartmouth, MA, location to sample the experience, and there's also a flagship location in Arlington Heights, IL (near Chicago).
There's a third location coming to Clawson, MI, though I haven't heard exactly when that'll open. However, based on how good this technolgy is, I expect it to find its way to cities around the U.S. soon.
If you're near either of those locations, the Golf VX website is where you'll need to go to book your tee time.
To oversimplify, a golf simulator consists of three main components: the launch monitor (which detects ball and club data), the software, and the enclosure. There are different components within each of these (for example, the mat in the enclosure), but at the core, these are what make a simulator function.
The relative quality of these parts determines the overall quality of the experience. The way everything comes together to create a fast, cohesive experience will make or break a golf simulator.
Thankfully, since I drove more than two hours to try it, Golf VX delivers top-tier experiences on all fronts. The pricey launch monitor technology felt incredibly accurate.
That is to say, all of my clubs traveled the distance I expected them to, and shots were directionally where they looked they'd be on an actual course based on feel and look of the shot as it slammed into the impact screen.
And that's where the software comes into play — the shots left the club face in the real world and quickly showed on the screen with gorgeous graphics. The wealth of settings and tweaks you can make to customize the experience is unmatched in any other simulator I've tried (including the great and beloved Trackman).
But what takes it a step further is the hitting area. Rather than just a mat with some rubber tees, you get a moving floor that simulates lies with the ball above or below your feet.
You also get a sand and rough area to drop your ball when hitting out of those areas on the screen, creating a more authentic experience. And most importantly, hitting out of the rough and sand feels like it should in real life, or at least close enough to the real thing to not feel off.
Perhaps my favorite thing about Golf VX's simulator is that putting is actually enjoyable (and accurate).
The biggest thing I can say about the experience of playing and practicing with Golf VX is that it's fun and intuitive. Every detail feels thoughtfully crafted, from selecting courses and adjusting the settings on the touchscreen to swinging and hitting shots.
Outside of the golf, the particular location I visited in North Dartmouth, MA, felt upscale, with beautiful wood accents, a high-end bar, and all the other amenities you expect from a high-end golf simulator lounge.
I'm eager for Golf VX to expand its presence in the U.S., as it would be my go-to simulator spot if one were closer. With the technology being as good as it is, it definitely puts all of the other golf simulator companies on notice.
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Forbes
3 days ago
- Forbes
Are All Launch Monitors Equal?
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New York Times
11-07-2025
- New York Times
High-upside high schoolers: Why the Phillies lean into drafting, developing prep prospects
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Fox Sports
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- Fox Sports
Mexico Beats USA in Gold Cup Final: What Stood Out and What's Next?
Mexico beat the U.S. men's national team 2-1 to win back-to-back Gold Cup titles for its 10th overall crown. El Tri had not defeated the Americans in a competitive match in six years, the last victory coming in the 2019 final of this tournament. The Americans set the tone early when Chris Richards headed home a pinpoint free-kick by Sebastian Berhalter in the fourth minute. But after that, Mexico dominated. Backed by a deafening crowd of more than 70,000 fans at Houston's NRG Stadium, El Tri dictated the pace for the majority of the match. For most of the first half, anytime the U.S. showed a glimpse of momentum or created something, Mexico quickly won the ball back. In the 27th minute, star forward Raúl Jiménez beat former Fulham teammate Tim Ream to the ball and blasted a shot past goalkeeper Matt Freese to equalize. It was a goal that felt like a long time coming. Later in the 77th minute, Edson Alvarez scored what became the game-winning goal off a header from a free kick, making it the fifth time Mexico had found the back of the net following a set piece in this Gold Cup. Here are takeaways from the match: Set Pieces Make A Difference The USMNT has made set pieces a point of emphasis under manager Mauricio Pochettino. And in the fourth minute, Berhalter delivered a dime of a free-kick to Richards, whose header hit the underside of the crossbar before bouncing over the goal line to give the U.S. a fast 1-0 lead. It was very similar to the winning goal Richards scored off a Berhalter free kick in the USMNT's second group stage match against Saudi Arabia a few weeks ago. And it's the kind of scenario the squad has been working on consistently throughout this tournament. As FOX Sports learned, the USMNT has been using a technology called TrackMan to assist in their set piece preparation , and the team has been working on these plays for at least 15-20 minutes before every Gold Cup game. Mexico, however, has also been spending extra time on set pieces. And late in the second half, Alvarez scored a header off a free-kick to deliver the final 2-1 scoreline. Mexico also dominated the match when it came to corner kicks, taking 12 while the U.S. had zero - although Mexico didn't score off one. No Moral Victories, But … The U.S. men's team got this summer off to a near-disastrous start. The squad lost consecutive friendlies – the first a 2-1 defeat to Türkiye, the second a 4-0 throttling by Switzerland – just days before the Gold Cup kicked off. Those results were preceded by surprising news that star players like Christian Pulisic, Antonee "Jedi" Robinson, Yunus Musah and other mainstays wouldn't be part of the 26-player roster for various reasons. While that reality caused drama inside and outside the program, the players who were called up by Pochettino seized their opportunity and many raised their profiles and likely put themselves in contention for a roster spot at next summer's World Cup on home soil. The U.S. won its Gold Cup group, benefited from the heroics of Freese in a quarterfinal penalty shootout victory over Costa Rica, and showed its fight in a semifinal win over Guatemala before advancing to the final against rival Mexico. Ultimately, a younger and less experienced version of the USMNT fell victim to tired legs against a more quality opponent in Mexico. This was the last competitive match the Americans will play before the World Cup. Surely Pochettino has learned a lot about the player pool he has. Now, can some form of this group mixed with players who weren't there find a way to compete and win games next summer? That is the question. What's Next: Pulisic and Stars Back In September? The U.S. will host Korea Republic and Japan in a pair of friendlies on Sept. 6 in Harrison N.J., and on Sept. 9 in Columbus, Ohio, respectively. Both opponents have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. This will be a compelling next camp for the USMNT for several reasons, one being the intrigue surrounding which players Pochettino will invite. Will Pulisic, Robinson and Musah be back with the squad? What about Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Gio Reyna, who were unable to participate at the Gold Cup while their club teams simultaneously competed at the FIFA Club World Cup? After the performances they put on this past month, it seems like a no-brainer that guys like Diego Luna and Malik Tillman, who have developed a chemistry, as well as Berhalter and Freese will be there. Same goes for Richards, Ream and Tyler Adams, who have risen to the challenge of leading the group. Who else makes up that team will provide insight as to what Pochettino is thinking in terms of his roster for the World Cup. As a reminder, because the U.S. is co-hosting the World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, it doesn't have to go through qualifying for the tournament. The matchups in September should serve the USMNT, as both opponents will preview different styles the squad might face next summer. Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman . recommended Get more from Gold Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
