Comments on: Optishot 2 Review – Best Affordable Golf Simulator?

By: Drake Ner

Drake Ner — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 16:38:13 +0000

Hey Sean, great review. Very detailed and through. I’ve had the same results with my Optishot. I was very surprised with how well it does, especially for its price point. When I first got it, I had some really off numbers, like one drive went 500 yards. I wish I could hit that out on the golf course.

I figured out that part of the problem was that I didn’t have my feet level with the sensor pad. I got a turf mat, and put interlocking foam squares underneath it. That made a huge difference and numbers where way more realistic after that.

I slowly added to my set up and now have an awesome simulator in my basement. I added a Net Return Pro Series net, plus a Simulator screen. The last thing I added was a projector. The graphics aren’t great, but if you want to keep practicing year round it’s definitely worth it.

The first winter I used it, I hadn’t figured out that my feet needed to be level with the sensor pad. It totally messed up my swing and took me about halfway through the summer before I got my swing back.

Once I got level with that pad my numbers were more on point, and practicing actually helped. I’ve been able to shave off some numbers from my HC, and hit consistently in the mid 90’s where before I was always over 100.

This system is definitely not for someone that is a few HC over par, but for the average golfer it is a great tool to have. It’s affordable, costs $299. My total after putting together my sim was $2800 ( I got all my items from shopindoorgolf.com)

It’s also a lot of fun to have the guys over for beers and play courses. We keep the competition going year round.

By: Lem Clevenger

Lem Clevenger — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 01:02:23 +0000

I bought one of these a couple years ago. I’ve got it set up in my basement and I hit into a net. It is a great setup for the winter. Fortunately, my ceiling is pretty high so I can swing comfortably. One of the things I found that was a bit help to me was to place a sheet of 3/4 MDF on the ground to stand on so my feet were at the same level as the sensors. It also allowed me to fix a small piece of 1x to the front that helps to secure the Optishot sensor in place. If I find some time, I might route a small channel to better secure the 1x and clean up the overall look.

By: Tony L

Tony L — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 18:22:28 +0000

Hints: 1) Hitting mat/platforms left in a used garage will be dripped on from overhead wet/parked car and will short out the Optishot device circuit. Cover sensor slots after each use and tape off device bottom. 2) Hitting net/screen can be placed within 8 inches of back wall if heavy blankets placed behind screen. Hot water heater blanket works best. 3) Hitting real balls at full speed tend to bounce off taunt screens and come back at you. Hang screen with bungee cords to absorb the hit, place a length of thick foam padding on floor in front of screen to prevent a second bounce. 4) Steam jet cleaners will remove “ball dirt” from expensive white hitting screens. 5) Fat hits will ruin mat along back sensor row, esp. with beginners. A thin heavy duty impact mat placed right behind the back senor row absorbs the errand blows. 6) Vacuum out and inspect sensor row for particulate matter. “Mat hair” may need to be cut back so sensors are completely uncovered. 7) Secure Optishot device under full mats by building a mat/platform with device cut out in platform. This will prevent sensors from being knocked out of position under the full mat sensor slots.

By: Sean Ogle

Sean Ogle — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 17:58:21 +0000

In reply to Mitchell Burns. Nope.

By: Mitchell Burns

Mitchell Burns — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 14:39:54 +0000

Do you have to hit off the tee for iron shots?

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 16:04:14 +0000

Hey All. Looks like its been a while since anyone’s been on this thread but I’ll give everyone my setup. This was all for under 2k –
Optishot with extra mat – $325
Optishot Hitting mat 4’X5′(2) – 100/ea
Carl’s 250mph hitting screen – $260
BenQ short throw HD proj – $560
Lenovo Ideapad – $300
Ceiling and side hitting net 10×25 – $150
I have 9’5″ ceilings in my garage so hitting driver is not an issue, however, you’ll also want to make sure you have about a 9’5″ radius around where you’re hitting as well. Things like the garage opener can get in the way and most people don’t consider it until after they’ve got everything in place. Lighting can also be an issue. The less daylight in the room the better off you are. I ended up hanging blackout blinds in my garage. I also hung a light(using a 100w LED bulb) over the Optishot so my main lights in the garage are off while I’m playing. The Optishot works best with LED or fluorescent lighting.
I hung a shelf near where I’m hitting for my laptop. You’ll want to have easy access to it to make updates. I hung the HD projector from the ceiling. You’ll want to ensure you get a short throw b/c you want the projector in front of you and not behind you or you’ll cause a shadow on the screen. I used 3/4″ PVC to frame my screen and also hung it from the ceiling. When its not in use I can raise it up to the ceiling and still use my garage for what’s its built for! Here’s some extra helpful hints – don’t order the optishot with the extra pad. The pad that comes with the Optishot is crap. I highly recommend ordering a $65 optishot mat from arsene golf(jagmanjoe cover). They make one specifically for the Optishot and its much thicker. You won’t feel like you’re going to break your Optishot with every swing. The Optishot mats are also crap. I wish I would have waited to order them until I got my Jagmanjoe cover. First of all they are super thin and you’ll need to order 2 just to get level with the optishot. So the plan now is to just build a frame that’s level with the Jagmanjoe cover. This will probably be around $60 so still cheaper than buying a single Optishot mat.

By: Tace

Tace — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 18:57:36 +0000

In reply to Andy. Andy this is great to read. I've read so much online directing towards the Skytrak version of indoor golf simulation. I have a 10ft wide garage, but the pitched roof starts at a meagre 7ft with horizontal beams going horizontally across. I think I can get the beams raised to 9ft whilst still having enough width to swing. So for a first timer, do you think the optishot is the way forward instead of shelling out a scary amount for sky tram? I'm a 28 handicapper and just want to improve!

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 03 Dec 2017 04:53:18 +0000

Many of you must be quite tech-savvy. I have had nothing but problems with Opti-Shot. I’ve tried numerous lighting set ups all to no avail. I constantly have to calibrate to get anything remotely accurate and it really never is. I’m an 8hcp and strike the ball pretty nicely usually. Over and over with the Opti-shot it will show 9i go 109yds with a slice? Really? Yeah no. Drives go 160yds? Yeah no. I got this as a gift so I’m quite disappointed as I was so excited to receive it. Even for those who seem to have a nice review, it appears that basically you spend $500 for the system (which is in fact cheap for a golf simulator) but then you end up needing to spend hundreds of dollars to get a good set up for it to work properly. Projector, screen, lighting, hitting surface. Overall a mess for me. Sorry.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 20:20:20 +0000

My question is it quiet. Can I install this in an apartment building? Are the foam balls quiet when you hit them? Does the mat make a big thud sound when I hit it. I have neighbors below me and above me and next to me. I don’t want to get evicted.
Thanks

By: Hane alabdallat

Hane alabdallat — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 12:07:04 +0000

i have optishot2 i was wondering how much it holds up if you hit a wrong shot , lets say if you hit before the ball or if hit the mat itself , my kid 5 years old hit his club directly on the sensors in front of the ball and broke a piece of plastic around the senors