Trackman has introduced Virtual Golf 3 (VG3), bringing a visually enhanced experience to their already renowned indoor golf simulators. Released on September 24, 2024, VG3 focuses on graphics and gameplay refinements, elevating the immersive quality of virtual golf without overhauling the core mechanics. Paired with the TPS 10 software update, it offers improvements that enhance the experience for players, coaches, and golf enthusiasts alike.
What’s New in Virtual Golf 3?
While VG3 doesn’t completely revolutionize the indoor golf experience, it makes significant upgrades to the visuals and gameplay details, creating a more lifelike and engaging environment.
Key Features
- Enhanced Atmospherics
- Dynamic weather transitions, including morning fog, breathtaking sunsets, and evolving cloud systems, add a realistic touch to every round.
- Meticulously Rebuilt Courses
- Every course has been redesigned using an expanded assets library, from grass textures to lifelike trees.
- Enjoy immersive details like ball trails in bunkers, divots, pitch marks, and even tire tracks on cart paths.
- Improved Green Reading
- The updated green grid now includes a color-coded heatmap and directional dots to make undulations more intuitive for better putting precision.
- Progressive Time of Day
- Start your game at sunrise or sunset and watch the sun move across the sky, creating a dynamic visual experience.
- Realistic Water Physics and 3D Audio
- Waves, streams, and ponds come to life with next-gen water physics.
- Advanced 3D audio enhances immersion, making every shot and scene feel vivid and authentic.
TPS 10 Software Update
VG3 pairs seamlessly with the new TPS 10, which introduces features aimed at improving functionality for players and coaches alike:
- Coach Login & Player Library
- Coaches can now switch seamlessly between roles and access cloud-synced player data across multiple bays.
- Automatic Bay Offset
- The Trackman iO adjusts target alignment automatically as the ball moves within the tee area.
- Additional Data for Trackman 4
- New metrics like Low Point Height, Low Point Side, Swing Radius, and D Plane Tilt expand data insights for serious players.
- My Bag Integration
- Logged-in players can now see their personal bag during shot analysis, making it easier to track club-specific performance.
- Guest Conversion
- Guest players can scan a QR code post-round to create a Trackman profile and save session data.
Course Selection in VG3
VG3 launches with 15 courses rebuilt with its advanced graphics engine:
- Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, and Pinehurst No. 2
- St. Andrews – Old Course, Royal Melbourne, and more
Additional courses will roll out frequently, with options to purchase multi-course bundles.
New Entertainment Games
Trackman continues to expand its entertainment offerings, adding features that are perfect for social gatherings or casual play:
- Party Putt: A fun twist on traditional putting, available on all licenses except Trackman iO Home.
- Cannon Bowl: Hit pins for strikes and spares in this bowling-inspired game.
- Putting Mode in Entertainment Games: Switch between full strokes and putter-only modes to customize gameplay.
Is Virtual Golf 3 Worth It?
VG3 doesn’t reinvent indoor golf but significantly enhances the experience with its visual and gameplay refinements. Whether you’re a casual golfer, a competitive player, or an indoor golf venue operator, the improved visuals and user-friendly updates make this an enticing upgrade for Trackman users.
To fully enjoy VG3, Trackman recommends upgrading to TPS 10. For more information, visit Trackman Virtual Golf.
