I tested 1 of the most affordable golf simulators on the market

Ever heard of Phigolf? If you haven’t, that’s OK. I recently checked it out myself. The Phigolf 2 simulator is one of the most affordable on the market right now. It’s priced at just under $250 and you can snag one at Walmart.com (for 20% off) and Amazon.

But who the heck is Phigolf? I was wondering the same thing.

When I was at the PGA Show in Orlando, I met the founder and mastermind behind Phigolf, Mr. Hun Kim. He walked me through their newest system, the Phigolf 2 World Tour Edition, and even let me participate in a solo round of speed golf to beat a previous player’s time for a chance to win the new Phigolf 2 simulator.

For the newly added speed golf feature, you play the hole by setting up and taking a proper golf shot, and then you run in place until your player arrives at their ball’s location. I didn’t beat the record time, nor did I win the new system, but I did burn about 25 calories (which Phigolf calculates as you play) as I raced to finish the hole.

But that was just one of the many cool features Phigolf has to offer. As for what else it does, read up and find out.

Phigolf history

Phigolf has actually been around since 2008, honing the craft of the system, learning the market and expanding their business in South Korea. PhiNetworks, the parent company of Phigolf, was founded by Kim, who has a background in computer programming and a passion for golf. He later launched the first Phigolf simulator in 2017, quickly secured a licensing deal with Topgolf, and now they’ve expanded their business to allow golfers like you and me to enjoy golf at home for less.

PhiGolf 2 Golf Simulator (Sensor + Swing Stick)

Now $239 (Was $299)

The Phigolf 2 package includes a compact swing trainer club that simulates the feel of a real golf club, as well as a sensor that can be inserted into your own clubs for use with the simulator.

SHOP HERE

As for the product itself, the price is right, the home setup is seamless and it gives you access to over 38,000 golf courses around the world (including your home country club or local links). The best part? You don’t need a thousand-dollar gaming computer to run the system and there’s no need for 10-foot ceilings or even a net. (Although you may use a net, real clubs, and even real balls if you prefer, but more about this later.)

Each course is precisely measured by L1 Technologies’ mapping system, which is the same mapping used by Bushnell, Yamaha and GolfNow. Spots like St. Andrews, Pebble Beach and Wolf Creek are right at your fingertips.

The Phigolf simulator offers users a live 3D analysis of each swing (including putts) and you get immediate feedback on club head speed, swing tempo, club path, face angle, attack angle and estimated distance. With these metrics, you can track your progress and improve your golf skills in the comfort of your home.

So, how does it work?

This simulator is brilliantly accessible, especially to golfers who don’t have a large space or access to funds to set up a “fancy” simulator. With this device, you can play golf year-round, day or night, alone or with friends.

Imagine a Wii Sports system made specifically for golf. That’s a bit like what the Phigolf simulator reminds me of, but it’s even more simple to set up and play than a Wii. The only additional equipment needed is a smartphone (or an iPad) to run the app. However, if you’d like a larger view of your game, it’s your choice if you’d like to mirror your phone or tablet screen to a monitor or TV for a more immersive experience. If you have a smart TV, you may have the option to download the app directly to your big screen.

The Phigolf system comes with a motion sensor that sticks into the end of the provided compact weighted training stick, which is perfect for swinging in tighter spaces. The built-in weighted mechanism makes it feel like you’re swinging a real golf club. However, if you’d rather swing a real club, you can just as easily utilize a larger area and stick the provided motion sensor into the end of any club you’d prefer.

You can even take your setup a bit further or more seriously if you like. In addition to the option of using real clubs, you can also set up a net and use real (or fake) golf balls while you swing on your Phigolf simulator. Either way, just choose the course you want to play and swing your swing.

(A fun bonus: you can even participate in online global tournaments and/or play with friends and family remotely via Phigolf’s online platform.)

A 4-step set-up

The Phigolf set includes the sensor device along with a charging cable, a wrist strap and the instruction manual. To set up your device, just follow these four simple steps:

1. Attach the 9-axis motion sensor to the swing trainer or your golf club.

2. Connect the sensor to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, then download the Phigolf app.

3. Use the golf simulator app to calculate the trajectory of the ball based on the swing data.

4. The app will display the ball flight on your device. If you’re playing on your phone, you can mirror the app to a TV, or you can play the game through the app on your smart TV.

So if you’ve been wanting a golf simulator in your home but haven’t had the space or haven’t wanted to financially commit to a more expensive simulator, you might want to give the Phigolf 2 simulator a try. Or it could also be a thoughtful gift any time of the year for a golfer in your life. Tap here to shop.

Marley Sims

Golf.com Editor

Marley Sims is GOLF Magazine and Golf.com’s Associate Manager of Commerce. She manages editorial commerce content.