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Golf Launchpad - Watch the Golf Launchpad in action... They have 3 lots of video of this in action.

Improve your golf - easily, anywhere - including the office! The Golfing LAunchpad is a USB-friendly accessory into your computer and you can play your favourite golfing video games with your own clubs

How the golf launchpad works:
To the computer, Golf Launchpad looks like a USB mouse or joystick. Simply plug it into your PC or Mac and you're ready to play major golf titles like EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004.

Golf Launchpad plug and play. There are no drivers to install or configurations to change in your computer. Golf Launchpad™ works with any computer with a USB interface running Microsoft Windows XP, 2000, ME and 98, or Mac OS X, with sufficient RAM and disk space to run EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 .

The Physics of the golfing launch pad
Clubhead ball collision is a complex, violent phenomenon. Take a driver traveling at 120 mph, for instance. The collision with the golf ball lasts for less than one-half of a millisecond (1/2000 s) during which forces of up to a ton are imparted by the club-face to the ball. The ball is compressed and the two travel together for about an inch (25mm) before the ball recoils to leave the clubface.

Golf Launchpad's tethered ball has been designed to reproduce the impact-physics of a free ball. Utilizing a flexible tether which permits the ball to spin, and an ultra-low friction, double ball-bearing mounted pivot, with masses and inertias calibrated precisely, Golf Launchpad's tethered ball is designed to impart the same forces to the club as would a free ball. Which means that your hands feel and your ears hear what they should: the thwack of your irons and the ping of your woods, unmistakably reproduced for that exquisite playing experience.

The Computation
Swing, and the optical sensors embedded deep under the turf track your club over the sensor grid, measuring vast quantities of data off your club, such as angle, velocity, path and so forth. A proprietary digital signal processing algorithms, called a.li.an™, map this data in real-time into dynamical information that is then further processed so that the game's output is unmatched in accuracy. The a.li.an™ algorithm has been engineered and robot tested for accuracy.

The Result:
Lifelike accuracy in feel and sound, and superb shot rendering precision. Play real golf on the best courses, anywhere, anytime.

Package contents:

Golf Launchpad unit with 8' (2.4m) USB cable.
Netting, and support struts.
Tethered regulation golf ball on precision ball bearing pivot.
Tethered tee.
Custom developed turf and rubber polymer base for authentic feel and comfort.
Spare turf.
EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 Windows Edition (Windows XP, ME, 2000 or 98 required. See system requirements below).
Swing analysis software (LPDR) is not included, however, it is available for free download. Please see information below.
Golf clubs and computer not included.
Swing analysis software (LPDR):
LPDR is a sophisticated software driving range simulator for Golf Launchpad. LPDR provides swing and shot analysis, featuring aircraft style instrumentation, shot speed and angle, as well as ball launch data and trajectory graphs.

LPDR requires Golf Launchpad and a PC with with Windows 98 or later. LPDR requires about 25Mb of disk space.

Click here to download LPDR

System requirements for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004:

OS: Windows XP, Me, 2000 or 98
CPU: 333 MHz Pentium II (500 MHz without 3D)
RAM: 128 MB or more
Disk Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive
Hard Drive: 1.3 GB or more of free space
Video: DirectX 9.0b compatible video card*
Sound: DirectX 9.0b compatible sound card

* Video card must be 4 NB or more. 3D accelerated mode requires 16 MB and one of these chipsets: ATI Rage 128, Radeon or greater; NVIDIA TNT or TNT2, GeForce or greater; PowerVR Kyro or Kyro II
Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What are the system requirements for Golf Launchpad?
A: Golf Launchpad is a USB device compatible with Windows XP/2000/ME/98 and with Mac OS X. For system requirements of Tiger Woods 2004 on the PC platform please see below.

Q: Does Golf Launchpad work with game consoles?
A: Golf Launchpad is currently only available for PC and Mac.

Q: Will Golf Launchpad be compatible with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005?
A: Even though Golf Launchpad still ships with Tiger 04 (because of the 18 course selection and amazing graphics) it is fully compatible with 05.

Q: When will I need to purchase consumables for Golf Launchpad?
A: Certain components of Golf Launchpad will experience wear and will require replacement over time. These are the tethered ball, the turf, and to a lesser extent, the net, all of which are easily replaceable. The frequency of replacement depends on amount of use.

For instance, the Golf Launchpad's tethered ball is made from Dupont Surlyn, the way most golf balls are made, so that the tethered ball provides the same sound and feel as a regular golf ball. Sound and feel are the primary ways in which a golfer knows how well he or she has hit the ball and is an integral part of the Golf Launchpad experience. Golf Launchpad's ball will generally provide anywhere between 200 and 500 drives; however some users will get much more from the ball. Eventually the Surlyn will wear and the ball must be replaced.

Q: Why a tethered ball?
A: Golf Launchpad's tethered ball is removable, so you have the best of both worlds. A tethered ball is more practical for indoor play, and playing isn't the same unless you feel the ball. And you wouldn't know you're hitting a tethered ball because the tethering system has been designed so that the dynamic mass of the tethered ball (think of dynamic mass like the swing weight of a club, which is different from the static weight of the club) closely approximates the mass of a free ball.

Combined with a strong, light-weight, and flexible tether that allows for free ball rotation, and real Surlyn construction the sound and feel are indistinguishable from your experience on the course. And, should you want to practice at the range with Launchpad, simply remove the tethered ball (no tools required) and hit a regular one.

Q: Can I putt with Golf Launchpad?
A: You most certainly can! With the custom engineered turf, putting feel is in no way compromised, yet you can hit irons with confidence and comfort.

Please note:
The Golf Launchpad is designed for use with clubs or drivers that have a reflective surface. Clubs should be kept clean for best results. Clubs or drivers with a black or matte finish are not recommended.