Does anyone know how realistic the VR swing is with a golf game like TGC? In addition to the lack of weight and strange feel of using a controller to swing, I would be surprised if even using a club replica as controller would be much like a real golf swing. I know when I've tried the Wi golf game (not VR though), my regular golf swing did not work well within the game. Instead, I had to execute a very "wristy" move with the controller to get good results. I suppose someone could create a pretty realistic club replica using sensors that could detect speed and position of the club head, but ball contact and turf interaction would be hard to measure at lost cost. And we know how expensive even low-cost launch monitors are, so measuring ball flight accurately wouldn't be easy/cheap.
I"m sure a well-executed VR system would create a more immersive game experience for a computer golf gamer, but I would be surprised if a club-like controller could be built at low cost to respond realistically to an actual golf swing any time soon. For now, the full-sim option using a launch monitor like SkyTrak or GC2 with a game like JNPG provides the most realistic way to play virtual golf using a real swing. I can see where a VR option could be fun, though, if you like the visuals of the VR experience and don't mind using a controller to swing.
I've been playing TGC VR for about 3 weeks now and I'd say that the swing is very realistic. You're not going to get away with a wrist flick or some doctored up shortcut swing and be successful in the game. The controller tracking is very precise. There's an in-game swing analyzer that will show you your exact swing path and from this you will get an appreciation of exactly how precise it is.
The biggest issue with VR golf at the moment is the controller and the lack or weight and proper weight distribution. For those that have played a lot of real life golf it can be difficult to conduct a good swing this way because you're lacking the weight of the club to help keep your swing on path. It doesn't take long to get used to but it is an adjustment. It's not an issue on pitches or chips as much as it is on full swings. Putting is similar in that because there is no weight to the club it's very difficult to keep the club head straight and on path. It's almost like the putting motion needs a little numbness in the sensitivity settings to keep it from being so twitchy. But again, you adapt to this pretty quickly as well.
I currently have a propensity to not bring the club down on the same path as I take it back. In other words, if I line up my club head directly behind the ball it's likely that my downswing path will be on the other side of the ball from me. Again, this is due to the lack of weight. I am starting to adjust on this as well but it's taking a little longer.
But trust me when I say that the swing is very accurate and true to your form. And the game itself is super immersive and fun. The short game (including putting) is just ridiculously good.
I'm a 13 handicapper in real life and I've yet to break 90 in this game. So in some ways I'd say it's harder than real golf at the moment due to the lack of club weight. But I'm getting better and better the more I play.
