ExPutt EX500D Pro Golf Putting Simulator with High-Speed Camera, Putting Mat and TV Holder

Our Verdict

Most launch monitors are no help on the greens, and that is where the ExPutt comes in. It is a putting simulator rather than a launch monitor: a high-speed camera watches the putter and the ball as you hit a real putt on the supplied mat, and the software plays the rest of the putt out on your TV, on greens modelled on more than 70 real courses, according to ExPutt. Because the roll is simulated, it needs far less floor than a real long putt, which makes it one of the few golf gadgets that suits a living room or an apartment. Each stroke gets feedback on ball speed, putter path, face angle at impact and tempo, which is useful for distance control and starting the ball on line. There are practice, multiplayer and explorer modes, free online play against other owners and a Play9 mode for up to four players, so it doubles as a winter-evening game. You need your own putter, a TV with HDMI and USB sockets (the listing specifies a smart TV) and a Wi-Fi connection. It does nothing for the long game, and it is a big spend for putting alone, so it suits keen golfers whose full-swing practice is already sorted. Stock was low when we checked.

Key Features & Irish Specs

• High-speed camera tracks your putting stroke and the ball, and the software plays the putt out on a TV or mobile device
• Stroke feedback on ball speed, putter path, face angle at impact and tempo
• Greens modelled on more than 70 real-world courses, according to ExPutt
• Practice, multiplayer and explorer modes, free online play against other ExPutt users, and a Play9 mode for 1 to 4 players
• Needs a putter, a smart TV with HDMI and USB sockets, and Wi-Fi, according to the listing
• In the box: camera, HDMI and USB cables, TV holder, tripod and connecting rod, remote control, putter stickers and a putting mat