Dancin Dogg Golf Simulator

**TA 845** · 03-15-2009 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by CPaul

Could you tell me where you picked up the cordura impact screen in Ottawa -- I'm just using my laptop right now with my indoor golf sim, but at some point it would be great to upgrade to the full projector / screen experience...

bubba22 lives in Barrie, they probably have more fabric stores in that neck of the woods! You might want to try Rockland Textiles on Kaladar Ave, (I would call first) if they don't have any E-Bay is probably you next best bet. I received my order within 10 days and did not pay any duties...

**CPaul** · 03-15-2009 01:03 PM

thx for the suggestions!

Originally Posted by TA 845

bubba22 lives in Barrie, they probably have more fabric stores in that neck of the woods! You might want to try Rockland Textiles on Kaladar Ave, (I would call first) if they don't have any E-Bay is probably you next best bet. I received my order within 10 days and did not pay any duties...

**holdarien** · 03-17-2009 09:16 AM

On Saturday I had the possibility to go to the range for finding out my actual shot lengths. I have seen that when I use the foam ball on the optishot system (in the 3DD enviroment) the distances are calculated very well. They are pretty accurate compared to my distances outside (with all irons). I think over winter I have forgotten how much power and speed is needed to get the desired distances. The woods seam to be a bit too long in 3DD, I do not hit 250 meters with my driver (I wish I could). In the practice zone also the driver length matches my experiences on the range. So TA I think we have got the same results on tests on club length calculation. I think the calculation with the "no ball" option is not good, but everything else is really exact. Since I have installed a net for catching the foam balls I will not need to play without a ball. I have also ordered almost golf balls (yes they are available in Germany too

) for getting a better feel of impact. I hope they are good, but I think I can trust your experiences and recommendations.

cu guys

**KH29** · 03-19-2009 07:12 AM

I have been looking at the Optishot as well as the P3PROSWING Claret model. The PROSWING is quite a bit more expensive(about $900 more now!). I'm wondering if anybody has used it and if so are the extra $$$ justified. Also, the Dancin' Dogg website says that woods may not register correctly. They offer their own driver which is supposed to make up for that. Are those of you that are using the Optishot using your own woods or did you buy their driver as well.

**holdarien** · 03-19-2009 08:35 AM

Hi KH29,

I use my own driver, wilson spine and normal fairway woods. I think they work well with the optishot system and the feedback seams to be accurate, maybe a bit too long (see previous posts). But Yesterday, I had the possibility to play on an state of the art commercial simulator. And it gave me almost the same feedback as the optishot system (with all clubs, also the woods and it indicated also 250 meters with a full driver swing, which seams to be too far for me, but maybe the simulator air gives me extra power

), but it provided better analysis of my swing (exact swing path visualization, and some other additional parameters, which I did not understand

).

I have not tried a P3Pro Swing, because I did not want to spend so much money for golf training at home. For me I can say that I have found a good golf home trainer with optishot, which I can trust in terms of accuracy and which is not too expensive. During my internet research for a home golf solution I have seen that the P3Pro has more sensors and also better visualized path of the club head and some other parameters, which should provide better feedback for easier learning. Therefore, I think the P3Pro Swing is better for golf teachers. But the system is expensive (especially here in Europe) and also the software extensions are not cheap. Also the taping of the clubs seamed to be too much effort for me (I do not have two club sets). So I decided to buy the optishot system and I am happy with my decision.

If it is possible for you, you should try both systems before buying them and maybe you can post your experiences here. I did the same with the launchpad and the optishot system and it turned out, that the launchpad did not meet my expectations and that for my home simulator, optishot is a very good solution.

cu
holdarien

**KH29** · 03-19-2009 12:19 PM

Holdarien,

I would love to be able to try both systems first but I don't see how I could. No dealers for either around my area. I may just start with the Optishot and then return if I don't like it. I've also read plenty about both on the inet. In general the Proswing gets more favorable reviews but it is about 3x the $$$. The price just went up yesterday. They're bundling a new course and video capture software with the Claret package now, hence the $300 increase. I don't think taping the clubs would be a problem. As with the Optishot, most irons should read fine without it. The woods are the problem and I agree that taping over and over would get old. I've just ordered a new computer (needed it anyway so not figured into the budget). Once it arrives I'll give the Optishot a try. From all I've read it sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for the help. I'll let you know how it goes.

**mgoblue3** · 03-20-2009 03:54 PM

Great information here people~~
Couple of questions.....I would like to get a simulator setup but was wondering (living in the US) what would be the cheapest projector that would look good, where to get the screen and where do you normally mount the projector in relation to where you stand to strike the ball?

**Powerdraw** · 03-21-2009 09:49 AM

local indoor range has a proswing and it is always broken and very long to get parts from the US

**bubba22** · 03-23-2009 10:45 AM

Sorry for the delay, away for Mar Break. I got my screen from a tent and awning store in Barrie. I am sure there is one in Ottawa.

**bubba22** · 03-23-2009 05:57 PM

You will not be disappointed with the dancing dogg 3dd. The 3d look is awesome. The irons are spot on. I do agree that the woods are slightly off at times but overall not bad. The cost is obviouslty a fraction of the proswing. I have not tried the proswing (and really can afford it), but I am very happy with the optishot and see no need in wasting extra dough for what seems to be little gain. Spend the extra dough in setting up a screen with a projector.

**ForeontheFloor** · 03-23-2009 06:26 PM

Here's what I did when I needed a simulator. It doesn't fit in the basement but it does travel well.

**bubba22** · 03-23-2009 07:05 PM

Looks great but needs room and money. Can't be cheap.

**ForeontheFloor** · 03-23-2009 07:39 PM

Yes and yes

**NETHGOLF** · 03-25-2009 02:57 PM

Hey,

Great to read all info on Optishot. I am thinking about buying it myself, but does anybody know something about:
1) Is it possible to put out the hole? Does it read the puttinglines correctly?

2) Does it do well with chips and pitches?
3) What size of impactscreen would you recommend?

Thanks,

Nethgolf

**holdarien** · 03-26-2009 03:19 AM

Hi,

1) Yes you can make putts on the system and I think optishot calculates the feedback quite good. The greens in 3DD are too slow for me, but it is ok for practicing. Putting in Tiger Woods 2008 is even better (with difficulty advanced). But in general I would not recommend to buy optishot for practicing putting. It works and the putter face angel and the speed are detected well, but, like on every other simulator I have tried until now, it isn't like putting outside where you can read the surface of the green and ...
2) Yes, pitching and chipping is really good in 3DD. The shots are calculated exactly. Chipping is also very good in Tiger Woods, but the longer the shots the more the flight model of the ball comes into play, which is much better in 3DD. It is also ok in the Tiger Woods game, but 3DD comes closer to the real ball behavior.
3) No idea, I use the optishot system with a net and a monitor, but my next investment for golf will also be a projector and an impactscreen for the simulator.

cu

**TA 845** · 03-26-2009 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by mgoblue3

Great information here people~~
Couple of questions.....I would like to get a simulator setup but was wondering (living in the US) what would be the cheapest projector that would look good, where to get the screen and where do you normally mount the projector in relation to where you stand to strike the ball?

Any projector with VGA or higher output (XGA) will work well, you can probably get one for between $300-$400 that will do the job.

The screen can be made or you can buy a pre-made impact screen (pre-made will be expensive). Buy some heavy canvas and cover with white material (Cordura) - this will resist impacts and give a good image at the same time.

The projector is ceiling mounted a few feet behind from where I stand, it is approx. 12' from the screen and projects an image 6' wide x 5' high.

**TA 845** · 03-26-2009 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by NETHGOLF

Hey,

Great to read all info on Optishot. I am thinking about buying it myself, but does anybody know something about:
1) Is it possible to put out the hole? Does it read the puttinglines correctly?

2) Does it do well with chips and pitches?
3) What size of impactscreen would you recommend?

Thanks,

Nethgolf

As Holdarien has said, the putting works on face angle and club head speed, it is hard to read the greens accurately so putting can be tricky at times.

The software cannot really distinguish between a chip and a pitch, it's all about the clubhead speed, face angle and swing path

The size of you impact screen would depend on the area you have to hit in and the distance from where you are hitting. Example, my screen is 8' wide x 7' high - the projected image from 12' away is approx. 6' wide x 5' high. My hitting mat is approx. 9' from the screen.

**bubba22** · 03-27-2009 08:08 PM

Set up complete. Got a video projector OX PRO Series 4, HDMI Video Projector from Bestavstore. Projecting on to a 7 by 9 screen. Overall very, very happy with this project. Thanks for all the help. Those who are thinking of buying the Dancing Dogg, do it. You will not be disapointed. I am a 4 handicap and I must say, I find it very accurate. Hitting in to the screen and watching the ball flight is most impressive.

**TA 845** · 03-28-2009 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by bubba22

Set up complete. Got a video projector OX PRO Series 4, HDMI Video Projector from Bestavstore. Projecting on to a 7 by 9 screen. Overall very, very happy with this project. Thanks for all the help. Those who are thinking of buying the Dancing Dogg, do it. You will not be disapointed. I am a 4 handicap and I must say, I find it very accurate. Hitting in to the screen and watching the ball flight is most impressive.

Bubba,
Glad to hear you are enjoying the unit also. Are you using the P3 Almost Golf balls? If so, how do you find them?

I'm looking forward to the next update with more courses, I have heard it will be Bethpage Black - just in time for the US Open!

**bubba22** · 03-28-2009 08:59 PM

I am using the P3 Almost golf balls and really like them. I think they are the best for in door play. Thanks to you for the advise. I too heard that Bethpage may be the next course released. It would be nice to have a driving range with markers and the ability in the 3dd to give average stats as the practice zone. Hopefully that is in the works. Thanks TA.

**TA 845** · 03-28-2009 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by bubba22

I am using the P3 Almost golf balls and really like them. I think they are the best for in door play. Thanks to you for the advise. I too heard that Bethpage may be the next course released. It would be nice to have a driving range with markers and the ability in the 3dd to give average stats as the practice zone. Hopefully that is in the works. Thanks TA.

I have already requested a simple driving range during my Beta testing, hopefully they will include one in the next update... send them a "request a feature" and if enough ask I'm sure they will accomodate us.

**bubba22** · 03-29-2009 09:28 AM

Good idea.

**simtime** · 04-02-2009 07:10 AM

Hi everyone, I am brand new to the forum. I signed up while on my commute home last night to open the boxes my new Dell arrived in. My new Dancin Dogg dedicated machine. I (correctly) assumed I too would need the help of this fine group. I bought the shot sim on ebay from a dad whose kid never looked at it, and upgraded to the 3DD, March 13th, after following this thread. I've been chomping at the bit to get up and running, so I was very happy my PC finally arived. You are also to thank for saving me a few $$, because I asked for and received the discount on the upgrade, even though the promotion had ended just a few days earlier from the dancin dogg web site.

First impressions:
A)There is a bit if a wow factor first time you look at 3DD. This is really fun. My goal was to do something about the monotony of hitting into a net, and this will certainly cure that.
B) Projector and Impact screen: there is no doubt that the experience will be tenfold greater with a proper setup, instead of a 20" monitor. I will be looking for something that can take hits from real balls. I have seen discussions on heavy nylon and codura. Willthat stand up to real hits?

Questions:
1) I am a lefty and I am positive I have set the game up as a lefty. In practice mode, swing readouts are showing my clubface as severely open (8-16 degrees), and when I make a swing with an exaggerated closed face, it displays a range from 1.5 degrees open to 1.5 degrees closed. In other words as a lefty it seems I need to swing a bit outside in with an exaggerated closed face for the practice mode to give me a decent shot shape. Any ideas?

2) I did not seem to experience anything to this degree in play mode. I think it worked fine. I also only played for approx 45 min as it was getting late.

3) Is there any need/bonus/pros to using the Tiger Woods game at this point, or is 3DD the place to be.

Side note: Being from Long Island I can play Bethpage Black for $50 USD. If 3DD is anything like the real thing you may not want to go on it. Just kidding! HARD course but really a great experience!
When I called Dancin Dogg they said they are trying to release it before the US Open (this year it is being played there)

4) I have seen discussions on heavy nylon and codura. Willthat stand up to real hits with real balls?

Sorry for being terribly long winded. I will keep to minimum going forward. I appreciate any feedback you can give.

**TA 845** · 04-02-2009 08:46 AM