The Golf Simulator Computer Problem and How To Make This Easy on Yourself

I write about golf technology for a living.

I can tell you the differences between a photometric and radar launch monitor in my sleep. I know which software works with which unit, what metrics matter most, how to dial in your setup, and which products probably best fit whatever your situation.

But ask me to spec out a gaming PC? Please. I’m completely lost.

And if I’m lost as someone who spends literally every day working with golf technology, I know there are plenty of golfers who are frustrated, intimidated, and confused when they’re trying to figure out what computer they need for their home simulator.

You don’t get into simulators because you love computers. You get into them because you love golf.

So if you’re like me and you just want to play Spyglass Hill on a Tuesday night in your garage, or work on your swing when it’s 20 degrees outside, or talk trash with your buddies over a few beers, and you don’t want to study computer science, just know you’re among friends.

I got you.

Actually, it’s not me who’s got you. SurfThing’s got you. This is a computer company that does nothing other than make really high performing gaming PCs specifically designed to run golf simulator software.

That’s all they do. Just golf-optimized computers.

So if you’re ready to make this easy on yourself, ready to get to the good stuff of hitting golf shots, and ready to finally end the insanity of trying to figure out this whole golf simulator computer step, let’s go. SurfThing makes it so easy.

Putting an End to the Best Computer for Golf Simulator Research Rabbit Hole

Enough already.

You’re a golfer. As to how good a golfer, well, whatever. But you’re a golfer. Point is, you’re not a computer nerd.

Now, listen, if you are a computer nerd, that’s great. If you want to do deep-dive research on computers, or you love building your own, God bless. You’re better than I am.

But assuming you got into this whole golf simulator thing because you loved golf so much that you wanted to be able to do it anywhere at any time, then there’s already enough for you to learn about.

You’ve got to figure out which golf launch monitor to get. Then there’s the impact screen, the projector, the hitting mat, the enclosure.

Bottom line is that there is plenty for you to concern yourself with without having to learn the inner workings of a computer. If you like researching, don’t worry, you’ll still have more than enough opportunities. Trust me.

It’s just that you don’t need to learn about GPU architectures or understand the difference between DDR4 and DDR5 RAM.

You can actually choose an already optimized computer that’s guaranteed to work with whatever golf launch monitor you’re using. No research required. It’s a simple point-and-click purchase that’s fully warranty protected.

But I know what you’re thinking. You're thinking that the payoff of researching is that you’re going to save some money.

Well…

The Risk of Cheaping Out

There’s no free lunch. Not here. Not anywhere. I hate to sound annoying, but you really do get what you pay for. That’s an absolute certainty when it comes to golf technology. And it turns out it’s just as true about computers.

It may very well be tempting to find the cheapest option you can that fits the minimum specs listed with the golf simulator software you’re considering. But you’re asking for long-term frustrations.

For example, if you’re choosing a cheaper option that has an integrated graphics card rather than a dedicated one, you’re not going to have the adequate firepower to run demanding sim software like GSPro or FSX Play.

Getting these high-graphics-quality, detailed renderings of these golf courses really requires having a lot under the hood. Going cheap is where you run into the lagging, crashing, and won’t-load troubles that just suck the life out of any good time.

The other issue is physical durability. You need something that’s going to hold up, ideally for several years, even if you’re keeping it in places like your garage.

Cheaper computers are largely cheaper because they’re made up of cheaper parts. The gear just isn’t built and designed to last as long.

So the risk of cheaping out is a worse experience and a shorter lifespan with that worse experience. Not an awesome scenario or one I’d pair with dream golf simulator setup.

SurfThing: It’s Just Golf Simulator Computers

SurfThing basically solved the exact problems I’ve been walking you through or that you may have encountered yourself. It’s like someone just finally did the work so that the rest of us don’t have to think about that part if we don’t want to.

And I’m not ashamed to admit that I don’t really want to. I mean, I will. For you. But I don’t want to.

This is all that SurfThing does. They don’t build computers for other applications. They build computers for golf simulators. That’s the entire business.

Which means every component choice, every optimization, every design decision is made with  the single objective of making the golf simulator experience better.

Their builds have been tested over and over with GSPro, FSX Play, E6 Connect and Apex, Trackman, CoursePlay — all the platforms that sim golfers use. They figured out what specs matter, optimized the cooling, the power supply, the network settings, everything.

All so that you don’t have to worry about Jack.

SurfThing is like us. It’s all about the golf. And because they’re only building for golf sims, they’re not trying to cram in features you’ll never use or skimp on things that actually matter for simulator performance.

And the best part is that they make it dead simple to know which computer you need.

Your Gaming PC for Golf Simulator Options Without the Headache

Let me break down your SurfThing options in the simplest possible terms. (If you want to dive deeper, check out our Complete Guide to Choosing a Gaming PC for Your Home Golf Simulator.)

If you’re running a 1080p projector (which, let’s be honest, still looks outstanding and is what most people have), you want either the SG3-5602 or the SG3-5702. The 5702 is a bit faster and smoother if you want that extra performance, but both will handle your simulator software beautifully.

If you’re running a 4K projector, you need more horsepower. The SG3-5702 will work for most 4K sim software, but if you want maximum compatibility and the smoothest experience, I’d go SG3-5702Ti. It gives you about 15 percent more graphics power, which is going to make everything perfect.

If you’re a power user running swing cameras, multiple monitors, maybe creating content or teaching lessons, the SG3-5802 is your machine. It’s built for golfers who are doing more than just playing rounds.

If you need portability, the M3H Gaming Laptop gives you serious performance in a portable package. It’s not ideal for 4K projection, but for 1080p on the go, it’s perfect.

But the beautiful part of whatever SurfThing computer you choose is that you’re not building anything. You’re not configuring BIOS settings or optimizing Windows or any of that nonsense. I cannot overstate how refreshingly easy they make it.

Here’s What It Comes Down To

Is SurfThing your least expensive golf simulator computer option?

I don’t think so. I think you could find cheaper if you shopped. Though long-term or replacement costs might end up biting you in the end. But the bigger issue with going cheaper, I think, is the likelihood of a diminished experience. Still, you most likely do have the option to find something less expensive.

But for a lot of us, why would we want to? Why when SurfThing has already optimized the thing we understand the least specifically for the thing we want to do the most, why would we want to overthink it?

That’s my take on this. I know this post sounds a little more salesy than most I write, but I feel strongly about this one. Again, if you’re into computers, that’s cool. If shopping for or building a tricked-out gaming PC is part of the fun of this project, by all means go for it.

But if you’re like a lot of people who dread this part so much that it’s actually caused their entire golf simulator dreams to be put on hold, well, this is an invitation to stop driving yourself crazy. It really doesn’t have to be that difficult now that we’ve got these SurfThing golf-sim-optimized computers.

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.