What Golf Simulator Software Works With the TruGolf LaunchBox?

Most articles in this “What Golf Simulator Software Works With…” series spend a lot of time listing all the different golf simulator options that work with a given launch monitor.

The TruGolf LaunchBox is a different kind of article.

The LaunchBox works with TruGolf’s own E6 software — E6 Connect and E6 Apex — and that’s it. No third party software compatibility.

That’s what you’d expect from a software-first company. TruGolf has been doing E6 for much longer than they’ve been doing launch monitors.

And while that may sound limiting (and it is for some), I actually think this simple setup works quite well for a lot of golfers.

For one thing, E6 is outstanding. Connect is fantastic as it is. Apex is totally next level and a legitimate competitor to the top-shelf options in the space.

Another reason this works well is that it eliminates one more option from what can already feel like an overwhelming tree of choices having to do with anyone’s golf simulator setup. With the LaunchBox, you don’t worry about anything. The choice is already made, and it’s a good one.

And, finally, it’s a brilliant solution because of its out-of-the-box simplicity. You’re good to go, starting with something as simple as a smartphone and scaling all the way up to a gaming PC if you want to go for the max-level experience. All of your access and payments are already set up upon purchase of the LaunchBox. You’re not left having to put together the remainder of the puzzle.

For some golfers, that is an incredibly attractive value proposition. For others, the closed ecosystem is a non-starter.

What we’re going to do here is tell you exactly what you can do with the LaunchBox, what kind of computer you’ll need to do it, and what it’s going to cost you. After that, you’ll have everything you need to know about whether this device and its software story makes sense for you.

TruGolf LaunchBox and E6 Connect Compatibility

E6 Connect is TruGolf’s core simulation platform and one of the most well-established golf simulator software packages in the industry. Pretty much every single golf launch monitor that can interface with sim software works with E6 Connect. It’s an industry cornerstone.

TruGolf built the LaunchBox basically with the express purpose of running E6 Connect as simply as possible.

With the LaunchBox, E6 Connect isn’t a third-party add-on. It’s baked in. The LaunchBox comes with an E6 Connect Home license right out of the box. That means 27 owned simulator golf courses with no annual subscription required. You pay for them once, as part of the device purchase, and they’re yours for the life of the LaunchBox.

Those 27 included courses are:

• Auburn Grand National Links
• Aviara Golf Club & Resort
• Banff Springs Golf Course
• Barton Creek - Fazio Foothills
• The Belfry Golf Course
• Bountiful Ridge Golf Club
• Cabo Del Sol: Ocean Course
• Chateau Whistler Golf Club
• Gleneagles - The Centenary Course
• Greywolf Golf Course
• Golf Resort: Kuneticka Hora
• Club at Hokuli’a
• Latrobe Country Club
• Loch Lomond Golf Club
• Oslo Golf Club
• Panther Lake
• Par 3 Ocean Course
• Pelican Hill Golf Club
• Pine Canyon Golf Club
• Pinehurst No. 8
• The Sanctuary Golf Club
• Stone Canyon Golf Club
• Tazegzout Golf Course
• Thanksgiving Point Golf Course
• Troon North - Monument Course
• Wade Hampton Golf Club
• Wolf Peak

Beyond simulator course play, the included E6 Connect Home license also gives you stroke play, scramble, best ball, and Stableford formats; closest to the pin and long drive competitions; driving, chipping, and putting ranges; and real-time online events. It’s a complete practice and course-play experience.

For golfers who want to add Pebble Beach, Oakmont, and St. Andrews, TruGolf offers those prestigious courses as an upgrade. The LaunchBox plus E6 Connect Home plus Premium Courses bundle runs $3,499.

One of the nicest things about the E6 Connect experience with the LaunchBox is the flexibility in how you run it. E6 Connect works on both PC and iOS, which means whether you’re running it through a gaming computer connected to a projector and impact screen or just an iPad, you’re covered.

What kind of computer do I need to run E6 Connect with the LaunchBox?

E6 Connect is usable with both PC and iOS systems.

PC System Requirements:

• Intel i5 processor - 8 GB RAM
• Nvidia 1070 graphics card or equivalent (dedicated GPU with DirectX 11 support)
• 25 GB of hard drive space - Windows 10 64-bit (required)
• Internet connection

iOS Requirements:

• iPad Pro 1 or later
• iPad 5 or later
• iPad Air 3 or later
• iPad Mini 5 or later
• iPhone 8 or later

What does E6 Connect cost with the LaunchBox?

Here’s where the LaunchBox’s value story really shines. The E6 Connect Home license, which again is 27 courses with no annual subscription, is included in the base price of $2,999. There is nothing additional you need to pay to play sim golf with those 27 courses.

If you want the premium course package (Pebble Beach, Oakmont, St. Andrews), the total package is $3,499. Those courses are also owned, not subscribed.

If you want to expand your E6 Connect experience beyond the included content, TruGolf does offer subscription options that give you access to a broader course library and additional features:

• E6 Connect 1-Year Basic Subscription: $300 per year, access to a rotating selection of courses and mini-games
• E6 Connect 1-Year Expanded Subscription: $600 per year, access to the full E6 Connect library excluding premium content

For most LaunchBox users, the 27 included courses provide a substantial starting point that could stretch for a very long time before boredom sets in. And the no-subscription structure is a legitimate differentiator in this price range.

TruGolf LaunchBox and E6 Apex Compatibility

E6 Apex is TruGolf’s next-generation simulation platform, and it represents a serious step up from E6 Connect in terms of graphics, course selection, and game improvement features. We’re talking 4K visuals, thousands of virtual courses, embedded coaching content, club fitting modules, bag mapping, and a lot more.

It also requires a much more capable PC and a subscription to access. That makes it a different kind of commitment than the included E6 Connect experience. But for the golfer who wants the highest-level sim experience available within the TruGolf ecosystem, Apex is where you go.

TruGolf offers a 10-day free trial of Apex for LaunchBox users, which is worth taking advantage of if you have the computing setup for it. If you find that the Apex experience is compelling, you can decide whether the ongoing subscription cost makes sense for you.

What kind of computer do I need to run E6 Apex with the LaunchBox?

Unlike E6 Connect, E6 Apex is PC-only. There is no iOS version. It also requires a significantly more powerful machine than E6 Connect, which is worth understanding before committing to the Apex path.

PC System Requirements:

• Windows 10 64-bit
• Intel i7 10th Gen Processor or newer
• 16 GB RAM 2400 MHz DDR4 or better
• M.2 NVMe SSD 256 GB or better
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 with 12 GB VRAM or better
• WiFi 5 (802.11AC)
• Full USB 3 Connectivity
• Gigabit Ethernet

What does E6 Apex cost?

E6 Apex is a subscription-based platform. TruGolf has structured it into three tiers, each designed around a different type of usage:

• Play Subscription: $300 per year, which includes access to 1,000-plus virtual courses with 4K graphics and full course play
• Improve Subscription: $150 per year, which includes a game-improvement suite with dynamic practice ranges, club fitting, bag mapping, skills challenges, and embedded coaching videos (does not include course play)
• Enjoy Subscription: $450 per year gets you the complete package, combining both Play and Improve features

Everything You Need To Know About TruGolf LaunchBox Simulator Options

The TruGolf LaunchBox software story is, by design, a closed one. And whether that’s a feature or a drawback depends entirely on what kind of sim golfer you are.

If you’re happy living in the E6 world — and there’s a very good chance you will be — the LaunchBox is a great option. Twenty-seven owned courses right out of the box, no ongoing subscription required, and a software platform that’s been refined and trusted in the simulator industry for years. That’s a friction-free pathway for $2,999.

The upgrade path to E6 Apex is available for the golfer who wants to push into premium graphics and deep game improvement tools. Just understand that it requires a more powerful PC and a subscription commitment.

But if you’re someone who knows they want to access GSPro’s community-created courses, or you want the flexibility to play Awesome Golf, the LaunchBox is not built for you.

The no-subscription story on the included E6 Connect experience is the LaunchBox’s most powerful selling point. In a market where ongoing software costs can add hundreds of dollars a year to your total ownership cost, that 27-course owned library has definite value. If that sounds good to you, buy with full confidence.

About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen

Marc "Shef" 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.