GOLFZON’s new DDR MAX simulator has everything (plus a little more)

A few weeks ago I visited Chantilly, Virginia, to see what may be the best-kept secret in simulators. So what is GOLFZON’s new DDR MAX all about and why should you worry about it? I’m glad you asked.

The first thing I realized during my time at GOLFZON’s US headquarters is that the DDR MAX is an extremely well thought out simulator solution. It has everything: an easy-to-use touchscreen, a display, a pressure plate under your feet plus cameras galore. (Oh, and they also include the projector and gaming console.) You can also double up on the launch monitor, face camera, and screens for less than the cost of what another launch monitor would cost. It is a value worth discovering.

Although one misconception I encountered was that these were built for commercial purposes, intended to be installed in multi-unit areas within a business, or for coaches and mechanics. But I was wrong! These builds are ready for home installations. Once you have the structure in place (screen, bay, hitting surface, etc.) they can come in and set you up with the DDR MAX and you’re on your way.

Here are four more things I learned about the GOLFZON GDR MAX. (Click here for more information or inquire about pricing options, which vary based on customizable options.)

1. GOLFZON vertical integration

The most underrated part of the whole GOLFZON experience is that they own, operate, manage and build everything themselves. They own all the hardware and all the software, so the experience is seamless across the board. Super low latency from impact to visual on screen. Seamless transitions in the software when switching screens. Responsive touchscreens. Very little delay in the menus or in the software when changing holes while playing golf. Experience never gets in the way. Everything belongs in the structure and everything works together. There is no software problem held up by a hardware problem or a hardware problem held up by software.

They can also customize the software as they see fit. More and more features will be introduced, so there will always be tweaks to the software, courses to be updated, and new coaching and customization features to be requested as the experience evolves.

2. I would feel comfortable with DDR MAX

If you know me a little, you know that my golf world revolves around club fitting, testing and data. When I start using a simulator system, or even playing some indoor golf with my friends, I get really bothered when I know the data isn’t giving me accurate numbers. My default is Foresight QuadMax, and I know what range my numbers should fall in whether I’m having an elite day or a tough day.

But I can confidently say that I would enjoy becoming a friend who uses the DDR MAX system for a number of reasons. The first is that I tested it to my standard, and the numbers were about as comparable as they could have been. The other reason is the data they capture that the installer has access to, especially in the dynamic data. I’m a big believer that dynamic club data (the data that measures the actual club in motion rather than the static measurements the clubs are being made on) is more important in a club fitting than anything else. How the club behaves is the biggest star for club fitting, and there was nothing lacking in the DDR MAX experience I would have with the more commonly accepted fitting technologies in a fitting department.

The user interface is also of a higher level. Using the touch screen feels like a natural progression in today’s tech world, and everything you want happens without much ‘finding’. It’s very easy to switch in and out of the exact data you want to see and you can navigate the software seamlessly without feeling like you need a guide. User experience is the quickest way to lose interest in a SIM system, but that wasn’t the case here.

3. Coaches and mechanics both have houses

I’m not a very coaching-oriented golfer. I think coaching technology is great, but my philosophy is that a coach should have access to all possible tools because every golfer learns differently. Some golfers or students in general want visuals, some want feel, some want it to be super technical, and some want to be left to figure it out on their own. And that’s the best part of the DDR MAX system. They’ve thought about it everything. Printing plate? Bill. Cameras? Bill. Determining the joint position on the body and following the swing path? Bill. Turn the entire screen into data tiles? Certainly. Want to turn everything off and work with your coach while playing sim golf? Finished. Every student has the ability to learn exactly the way they want.

As far as I’m concerned, this is the best approach to coaching. Give them all the tools and let them scale it back as much as they want. As the learner evolves with the coach, they can add more tools, change the approach, or unlock new goals without ever adding a new subscription, downloading a new software package, or moving to a new section of the software.

4. It’s incredibly simple

We’ve talked a lot about the data, hardware and software, but the good news is that it’s all simple. Even if you didn’t have a demo (like I did), you could spend a few minutes pushing buttons and figuring out how to navigate every part of the software, including playing sim golf, using the customization tools, and all the coaching tools.

Here the connection with the home user is fantastic. The ability to load a foursome of friends into the software and start playing golf at home is easy. There are tons of courses to choose from, you can set the parameters of the round exactly how you want it and, bingo, you’ll be playing golf in no time. There is little interruption between holes or shots, and the golf flow is never interrupted by the DDR MAX system. It’s just increased.

Separating thoughts

The DDR MAX system surprised me. That’s the best way for me to explain it. I wasn’t even aware of GOLFZON’s consumer options in the first place, as I only had experience with their commercial systems and the super high-end GOLFZON Socials. But I could confidently use the DDR MAX in any golf sim situation. Appropriate? No problem. Coaching? No problem. Indoor golf with buddies at home? Fantastic. You get the premium fitting or coaching experience you would expect at the best clubs or facilities, with the user golf experience you would expect in the homes of gated communities. And what’s not to like about that?

For more information about the GOLFZON GDR MAX, including pricing and build-out information, please visit their website here.

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