For any Canadian golfer, the worst part of winter is, well, the fact that you can't golf.
You can get your fix at a number of places — from indoor driving ranges to mini-putt (for the really desperate) — but at any substitute you can only work on one aspect of your game at a time. You can't solve that pesky tendency to draw left when the distance is measured by how hard your ball hits a screen, and while indoor driving ranges can give you a better idea of the flight of your ball, you'll get kicked off the range if you pull out your putter.
Woodbridge, Ontario's Electric Spin may have the answer. Golf Launchpad is a full-size home golf simulator, and you can pick it up for the same price as a new 3-wood. All you need is a PC or PlayStation 2, a set of clubs, and somewhat high ceilings in the living room.
The whole assembly is about the same size as a pizza box, and works pretty much like you'd expect a golf simulator to work. There's a ball connected to a lightweight swing arm that stops the ball flying into the TV, a green mat, and a tee. The mat — inlaid with a group of infrared sensors — measures a number of variables to determine the flight of your ball, such as club speed, acceleration and angle. It even measures the deceleration of the club after it hits the ball to get an idea of the shot power.
Electric Spin's Golf Launchpad lets you practise your swing in you own house – and even take on the pros (Electric Spin)
After your swing, the data from the sensors is sent to your PC (Windows or Mac), and is displayed on your screen by a virtual golfer. Slice left and the video game-like character will slice left. A small net stops the swing arm and once your ball rolls to a rest on the screen, you can reset the swing arm, choose your next club and take your next shot.
According to Anees Munshi, Electric Spin's president, the ball contributes a critical component. Because the ball is connected to the lightweight swing arm, which lets it move freely, and because it's made from regulation materials, every swing feels and sounds natural.
"It not only gives you a target that you can physically connect with, it's also what you derive your own physical connection from. Sound and feel are part of how we know how a shot went," Mr. Munshi said.
Don't worry if you've got long arms or short ceilings. According to Electric Spin, most people can swing a 6-iron in a room with only 8 foot ceilings. You can replace your driver with a shorter club because the sensors only measure movement, not club size. Though you'll notice the difference, the computer won't.
If you'd rather play on your TV, no problem. You can use your PlayStation 2 (and the PS2 version of Tiger Woods) with Golf Launchpad's PS2 model, or use the USB version with the PS2 adaptor.
They also have versions for the PS3 and Xbox 360 in the works right now, so regardless of which system you want to use it with now, you're probably better off buying the USB version and an adaptor. The company is aiming to keep forward compatibility with the USB version, and you'll be able to either transfer your Launchpad to a newer system, or use it with the next version they are working on. The way cooler version.
And for those of you eager for more than just practice, soon you'll have it. Electric Spin is partnering with
