In Thailand recently, I visited Wilding Golf Performance Center that is founded and operated by renowned Australian golf coach Shane Wilding. The center is staffed by a team of professional instructors and operates 4 golf simulators as well as a so-called "putting studio" where the art of putting can be perfected.

The large synthetic putting green is meticulously designed to deliver the perfect putting surface – free of variables and other obstacles that can impede your shot.

A V1 Visual Putting System accurately detects and measures variables that affect motion of the putter head and its action on the ball. This data enables instructors to prescribe specific practice drills to improve your performance and increase consistency.

"Aided by multiple angle video cameras, swing and putting analysis software, motion sensors and launch monitors, at Wilding Golf Performance Center golfers book their practice sessions purely to get the technique right, that later, and out on the course, will help them tremendously", one of the Wilding instructors said.

Since the early introduction of the first low-tech golf simulator, more than a decade ago, much has changed. Today's golf simulator systems are fully modular, using high performance 3D graphics in real time while they are equipped with high accuracy sensors that detect club head speed to within 0.0137 mph, club face angle to within 0.001 degrees and club head path to within 1.0 degrees.

Detailed swing analysis allow golfers to see why the ball flew the way it did. High-speed optical sensors are built into the swing mat to capture all elements of the club face at impact with the ball and the ball's true launch angles and speed. This data is shown graphically in analysis windows after every shot.

The graphic system is one of high resolution and high performance operating at 70 frames per second and build up of some 16.7 million brilliant colors that allows you to move around the course in real time.

The system is so fast that it seems instantaneous. Course flyovers and multiple simultaneous views are all standard features, while the (sensor) hitting mat allows golfers to use their own clubs (from driver to putter) without any modification.

Globally, and off late, indoor golf aided by state of the art golf simulators is taking a spectacular flight.

In the United States and Europe, highly sophisticated golf simulators create recreational indoor golf options that allow golfers to actually play golf in the comfort of their own home or in that of an indoor golf facility.

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