Golf Launchpad for Pc/mac Review

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(More customer reviews)This review is for the Golf Launchpad for the PC computer with Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 2006.Set up is a snap. Takes a few minutes (5 to 10) to connect the net, and insert the ball unit; after that, just use the included USB cord and connect to your laptop or desktop PC.For me I attached it to my Dell XPS M140 Laptop.Next you load the 3-disk software PC version of Tiger Woods PGA 2006 onto the PC - this took about 30 minutes and you need the "course" disk inserted in the computer to play the game.Once everything is loaded you can launch the game, which took about 2 to 3 minutes to load - might be faster on a newer/faster PC.You can start from scratch (create a player) or choose from a list of players including Tiger Woods (default).All you need to supply is your own golf clubs.

By default your player always starts on the middle of the TEE, but you can move the player (left or right, backward or slightly forward) or turn their body slightly using the left or right arrow keys on the keyboard.There are drop down menus to choose what type of swing (full, extra spin, pitch, bump & run etc.), as well as a golf bag with full set of "virtual" clubs that are calibrated for each player on the list.There are about 15 different players to choose from.For Tiger, using the virtual 9-iron is equivalent to 149 yards; the virtual driver is 311 yards, lob wedge 91 yards etc.Distance to the hole, lie, and overview diagram of the hole are also on the screen.

As i've mentioned in the Title, this is not exactly golf, while you can choose the specific virtual club from the bag, the distances are already pre-calibrated; thus all you do is choose your virtual club, then swing (any real club) that your room (space)allows, over the launchpad base unit that has several "sensors" on it.Based on what the sensor picks up from your swing, the golf ball on the computer screen will go close to that particular distance and direction.At the end of each shot, there will be a meter telling you what percentage strength you hit the ball with, a bunch of other information, such as slight draw, hit inside out, etc.

For example, swinging Tiger's virtual driver (calibrated at 311 yards) at 85% strength, means your "golf ball" will travel approximately 264 yards.I can achieve this distance whether i'm using my own real driver or a real pitching wedge - as long as the computer senses a "swing" over the base unit sensors, it will calculate the speed of that swing and will determine the "strength" of the hit. You can even swing your open palm across the sensors, and the computer will register that as a "hit".One good feature is that you don't have to hit the ball mechanism connected to the launchpad, just glide your club over the sensors, and it will register the "hit".

Chip shots, putting are all "hit" similarly.

Likes:
-Graphics are beautiful
-Great overview of golf courses i may never get a chance to play in real life.
-swinging a real club instead of using a joystick or using the mouse.
Cons:
-responsiveness of software ok.Ocassionally your swing does not register on the computer and you need to reposition the player before you can re-swing.
-You might "ruin" your true golf swing - since you don't get a real feel for the flight of the golf ball, or spin off the face of your club, you might simply swing harder just to get the strength meter to register higher i.e. to 100% - so the true "feel" of the game is missing.
-Putting is all computerized - again no true "feel" of putting the ball, wedge shots, reading the green, etc.

Summary: The Golf Launchpad is a great input device specifically designed for golf games and works with the included EA Sports TW Tour 2006 (i have not tried other golf titles) It's better than using a computer joystick or mouse, which is the main purpose of the unit.However, don't expect to improve your real golf game using this device; with each hit, especially in Novice mode, it registers as a near perfect hit; getting pars and birdies were relatively easy, but you also miss very "makable" putts, as well as make fantastic chip shots from 25 yards out, which causes me to think it's a programming software issue, and not from improved "golf skills".

Nevertheless, for a friendly game with family and friends at courses you may never get a chance to play on, this is a neat way to "experience" it. To improve your golf skills, nothing beats hitting a bucket of balls at the range and putting on the greens with the proper instructions/instructor.

Note: Children should be supervised when using this device. Be mindful, you're still swinging a real golf club that can cause bodily/property damage.

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Product Description:
Electric Spin Golf Launchpad Simulator :What's the point of playing golf games on the computer if you have to use a joystick - or worse, the keyboard - to play a round of golf? It's a nice distraction, but you're not really even close to playing golf. The Golf Launchpad changes all of that. Now you can play all of your favorite golf video games with your own golf clubs - just plug the Launchpad into a PC or Mac USB port and start swinging those clubs like you mean it. And if you haven't started playing any games yet, the Launchpad comes witha free copy of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 2004(Windows Edition) by EA SPORTS.Feel your clubs and hear their sound as if you were actually playing. It's notexactlylike being there, but it can't be beat on those days (or nights) that you can't make it out. Golf Launchpad's high-quality turf on a custom formulated rubber base allows for confident iron play while optical digital signal processing provides unmatched accuracy. You can also use the included software to simulate a driving range and get immediate feedback on your shot. Features: Optical Digital Signal Processing technology Tethered regulation golf ball on precision ball bearing pivot Custom developed turf and rubber polymer base for authentic feel and comfort Includes: 8-foot USB cable Spare turf EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour

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