Do Foresight’s FSX Courses Offer the Best Simulator Golf Experience?

None of us are any longer locked into only one way to play simulator golf. We all have choices.

Golf launch monitor manufacturers have, smartly, realized that not every golfer has the same preference for sim software. It’s now become a selling point for these companies to make their products compatible with multiple platforms.

The more software agnostic a launch monitor is, the more appealing it is to a wider array of potential buyers. That seems to be developing as a universal model.

And to support that track, more simulator software is being developed and made available. Choices.

Some consumers want the cheapest option. Some are willing to pay whatever it takes for the most vivid graphics. Others are focused on finding a solution that works with the computer system they already own. The variables go on from there.

But one of the biggest considerations, for almost every would-be simulator golfer, is course selection. Consumers want to know what golf courses are available, how realistically they represent “the real thing,” and what they cost.

Which brings us to the Foresight Sports FSX simulator software suite. When we’re talking about simulator software and course libraries, this is a particularly interesting solution for a number of reasons.

First of all, there’s a very strong argument to be made that Foresight’s FSX software is the most realistic golf simulation experience available.

It also includes some of the most coveted golf courses in the world.

And FSX’s a la carte pricing model is going to be very appealing to the right type of user.

Still another reason for intrigue is that there are some hidden advantages within the FSX course library, especially when it comes to potential whole family entertainment. There might even be a way to leverage that angle to appeal to less-enthusiastic spouses (read on).

But the FSX software is exclusive to the Foresight or Bushnell launch monitors. It’s not a “third-party” solution like GSPro or E6 that is compatible with a wide range of devices. That means that if you want in on the FSX course library, you’ve got to go all-in on the Foresight ecosystem.

The question is, is it worth it?

Let’s unpack it all in an effort to help you decide whether this software and this menu of sim courses is the right choice for you.

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Pairing Best-In-Class Game Physics With Best-In-Class Launch Monitor Accuracy

Foresight Sports built its reputation on precision. Their photometric launch monitors provide some of the most accurate ball and club data available. There’s a reason that when you turn on the TV to watch the tour players warm up on the range, you’ll see more Foresight Sports GCQuads and QuadMAX than launch monitors from any other brand.

That precision extends to their FSX software. The physics engine behind FSX Play is designed to deliver the most true-to-life golf simulation experience, thanks to best-in-class measurement technology.

Every shot played in FSX is powered by exacting calculations that mimic real-world ball flight, including spin, launch angle, and environmental factors.

With the right setup—a solid projector, high-quality hitting mat, the right impact screen and enclosure, and FSX Play running at max settings—the realism is unmatched. This is as close as you can get to playing outside without stepping onto an actual course.

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Access to Courses You Might Never Get to Play

One of FSX’s major selling points is its collection of ultra-exclusive courses. The best example? Tara Iti Golf Club in New Zealand. Ranked No. 2 in the world outside of the U.S. by Golf Digest, this Tom Doak-designed masterpiece is nestled among towering dunes and offers one of the most breathtaking golf experiences anywhere.

For a one-time $250 payment, FSX users can tee it up at Tara Iti whenever they want without the need for an invitation or an expensive trip to New Zealand. That’s a small price to pay for a chance to experience one of the world’s most exclusive courses.

Access to elusive destinations like this are one of the big differentiators for the FSX course library. It’s about opening doors to experiences that are otherwise out of reach for most players. And the level of detail ensures that what you’re seeing in your sim setup is the next best thing to being there in person.

Bucket List Courses That You Can Own for Life

FSX’s course library also includes some of the most famous golf courses in the world. Think Pebble Beach, the Old Course at St. Andrews, Pinehurst No. 2, Spyglass Hill, Spanish Bay, and other famous tracks.

The thing about the FSX pricing model is that it’s a one-time purchase. You own each sim course that you buy forever. With other pay-as-you-go simulator software platforms, once you stop paying the subscription fee, you lose access to the courses.

Also, the FSX course library features scalable pricing. So, you can pay $500 for the type of course that’s going to host a major championship. Or you can pay $150 for a course that isn’t quite as famous but that you know is a great layout or has some sentimental value to you. Or perhaps you’re planning a trip and want to do a little scouting.

The higher-priced courses are the bigger-named tracks, but they are also the ones that get the most mapping detail. Foresight sends drone teams out to map these premium courses to get 3D elevation details that are within 20 centimeters of the actual ground. So every hump and bump is accounted for and reflected in the sim experience. You’ve got to see it to believe it.

Beyond that, Foresight does extra detail touches for their premium courses. Things like the Payne Stewart statue outside of Pinehurst’s clubhouse. It’s all part of the touch that makes the experience so lifelike.

Platform Exclusives Like The Cradle

FSX isn’t just about traditional 18-hole courses. The library also includes unique platform-exclusive options like the Cradle at Pinehurst Resort, a short course that has been dubbed “The Most Fun 10 Acres in All of Golf.”

Available for $150, this is a great way to mix up simulator sessions with a faster, more relaxed style of play.

Fun for the Whole Family and How You Can Leverage That Advantage

The FSX library includes $150 fantasy courses that introduce creative themes and layouts.

The Serengeti Golf Club is an African-themed fantasy course that includes a four-in-one layout, meaning you can play it as a pitch and putt, a par 3, an executive course, or a championship course.

Magnolia National is a Georgia-inspired fantasy course filled with dramatic elevation changes, challenging bunkers, and beautiful foliage.

The Pitch n Putt is perfect for beginners or short-game specialists. It offers a scaled-down challenge with undulating greens and strategic hazards, another course that makes simulator golf more approachable for all skill levels.

Now, let’s get creative with our thinking about this, shall we?

If you’re considering a Foresight golf launch monitor that’s going to be required to run the FSX software, chances are you’re a fairly serious golfer. Maybe these fantasy-themed courses don’t appeal to you at first consideration.

But…

If you’re buying one of these golf launch monitors and all of the accompanying components to build your dream sim setup, you’re looking at a pretty significant spend. And maybe, just maybe, you’re catching some side eye from your better half.

What if you could frame all of this as fun for everyone? The kids? The grandkids?

See where I’m going here? Do what you gotta do. We’re not judging you.

FSX Course Library Is Continuously Growing

Right now, you’ve got more than 300 sim golf courses to choose from in the FSX library.

They’re all available as a la carte purchases, and they generally range in price from $150 to $500.

Foresight also makes package deals available. For example, you can buy all of the even-numbered Pinehurst courses (that’s 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) plus the Cradle for $1,000. Or, you can get Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, and The LInks at Spanish Bay for $1,000. There are a bunch of bundle options.

And they’re adding courses to the library all the time.

Breaking news: Foresight Sports just announced the addition of Royal Liverpool to the FSX course library. That means yet another major championship site. And, while I’m not allowed to share it yet, plans are underway for another household-name, major championship track plus another very exciting bundle package. Stay tuned.

FSX Library Not the Only Sim Courses Option, but Is It the Best?

I think it’s pretty clear that you’re going to have a very hard time beating the graphics, realism, detail, and worthwhile options of the FSX sim software experience. Anyone who has played these simulator courses and compared them to the experience on other platforms is going to tell you that.

The real sticking point is that the FSX course library is only accessible for Foresight or Bushnell golf launch monitor users. That makes things slightly more complicated for a lot of people.

And while you could argue that this closed ecosystem is a reason not to buy into Foresight/Bushnell, I’d argue the opposite. I think the FSX course library is one of the biggest reasons to buy a Foresight or Bushnell golf launch monitor.

We already know that more tour pros are using a Foresight launch monitor than any other brand. So they obviously are incredibly accurate.

When you couple that with what is very likely the overall best simulator golf course experience, it’s a very compelling package. And one that I think is the right choice for golfers serious about achieving the most lifelike indoor golf experience.

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About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen

Marc Sheforgen is a golf writer whose passion for the game far exceeds his ability to play it well. Marc covers all things golf, from product reviews and equipment recommendations to event coverage and tournament analysis. When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about golf, he enjoys traveling (often golf-related), youth sports coaching, volunteering, and record collecting.