Phigolf Vs Trugolf – What’s The Best Buy?

Phigolf Vs Trugolf – What’s The Best Buy?

The Phigolf System

The Phigolf simulation system is one of the simplest on the market.

You simply set up the motion sensor at the end of the shot stick, your smartphone and your TV and you’re pretty much ready to go.

You can also attach the sensor to one of your clubs if you want to make the experience more realistic.

Connected apps give you access to hundreds of beautifully rendered courses that you can display on your smartphone or on your TV screen.

Phigolf Software and Courses

The Phigolf system comes with the branded Phigolf software and can be connected with WGT TopGolf and E6 Connect – the latter being one of our favorite golf simulation suites.

E6 Connect gives you access to great simulated courses including Pinehurst, The Olympic Club, Bethpage Black, St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, Wolf Creek and more.

Phigolf Pros & Cons

Pros:

• You can practice in a smaller space than most simulators
• You can easily set it up in your living room
• Includes multiplayer game modes
• It’s great for entertaining guests
• It’s very affordable
• You can play online with other Phigolf users

Cons:

• It’s more of a simulator and less of a launch monitor
• Not as accurate as the Trugolf system
• Some swing statistics are wildly inaccurate
• The sensor’s battery life is pretty short

The Trugolf System

The Trugolf system is much more involved than the Phigolf. For one thing, it has to be professionally installed.

Instead of a motion sensor you put on the end of your club, the Trugolf system relies on high speed cameras to gather shot metrics.

The data can be sent to your computer or you can set up a projection screen for a much more immersive experience.

In fact, the Trugolf system is mainly reserved for commercial use and professional fittings.

Trugolf Software & Courses

Like the Phigolf system, your Trugolf setup can be powered by E6 Connect software. So you essentially get all the same simulation courses as the Phigolf system.

In fact, the software on the Trugolf system is a bit more limited.

Of course, you do get much more shot data as this system was designed to be more of a professional launch monitor.

Trugolf Pros & Cons

Pros:

• You get much more in-depth shot data
• The experience in general is much more immersive than the Phigolf system
• Professional-grade accuracy
• It’s amazingly accurate with putts
• Great for commercial use
• Much more useful as a launch monitor

Cons:

• You need a lot of room to have it installed
• It is very expensive
• Software choices are a bit limited
• Apex height readings seem a bit dubious

What you Get with Each

If you are reading this and are considering getting a Trugolf system set up in your own home or place of business, please be aware that the system has to be professionally installed.

A high-tech camera rig has to be affixed somewhere in a large space or room (typically the ceiling).

The Trugolf system includes the cameras and the E6 Connect software suite but the setup will depend on your space and installation needs.

The Phigolf system comes with the simulation shot stick, the motion sensor, Phigolf app, WGT TopGolf app and the E6 Connect app. Plus, you get free lifetime course updates.

Accuracy and Performance Comparison

Check out how both systems performed with different types of shots and clubs in the following breakdown:

• Drivers – The Trugolf system felt way more accurate with drives. It was accurate to within 2 yards most of the time while the Phigolf system couldn’t really be checked because you aren’t actually hitting a ball. The drive readings seemed dubious most of the time though.
• Irons – Irons are where the Trugolf system seemed to falter a bit. Long irons were fine but with most of our 8 and 9 iron shots, apex height readings seemed low. The phigolf system was more on point with iron shots overall.
• Chipping – Short game performance is where the Trugolf system really shines. We had no question that it was getting correct readings on distance, apex height, spin rates and ball speed on chip shots. The Phigolf simulator was obviously off on chip distances by at least 3 yards.
• Putting – There was no comparison here either. We were amazed that the Trugolf system even picked up short putts and tap-ins but it did – every time. With the Phigolf system, it wouldn’t even register some of our shorter putts.

Price Comparison

This is the crux for a lot of players. The Trugolf system will run you $9000 for the basic setup. The Phigolf system can be had for just $250.

Honorable Mentions

You may not have found what you were looking for in today’s article, so here are some other devices worth your attention:

• Flightscope Mevo – The Flightscope Mevo has the ability to do what neither the Trugolf or Phigolf system can: play outdoors. It’s a portable launch monitor that reads carry distance, club head speed, smash factor, apex height, flight time, ball speed and more.
• Rapsodo MLM – Here’s another device that, like the Phigolf system, uses your smartphone and is very affordable. It can also be played outdoors and indoors and gives readings for shot shape, smash factor, launch angle, launch direction and more.

Which is the Best?

The better question may be, “how much do you have to spend.” The price points couldn’t be more different between the Trugolf and Phigolf system.

Overall though, we like the superior accuracy and immersion of the Trugolf system.

As we alluded to at the top of the article, the Phigolf system is really more of a simulator than a launch monitor system.