There are simulators in golf, and then there is About Golf.

As recreational devices, video screens with simulated ball flight have been around for more than 20 years. But, many have lacked sophistication, provided little real or credible data, and the simulations depicted did not have much to do with the reality of outdoor play.

Based in Maumee, Ohio, About Golf has been making high-tech simulators for nearly four years. And, although they provide a high-quality game experience, they are much more. With over 500 About Golf simulators spread across the U.S. and worldwide, and another 300-plus expected to be installed in the next year or so, AG’s equipment also is being used for teaching and clubfitting.

“The simulator is the ultimate launch monitor,” said Bill Bales, AG’s CEO who has nearly 20 years experience working on golf software. “The goal of About Golf, in addition to having fun, is to apply simulator technology in ways that will help golfers improve their games. We do not see ourselves competing with golf courses. In fact, in-season, just as much as the offseason [in colder climates], this is where you go to get good. The course is where you go to play golf.”

About 40 percent of About Golf simulators now in action are located at retail locations and another 40 percent are being used by indoor golf centers. The remainder are available as rentals for special events or were purchased privately. Housed in a 15 x 22 foot booth, the cost of buying an AG simulator, complete with hitting bay, screen, netting and electronics, is about $40,000, installed.

About Golf simulators cost about $40,000 installed.

As specialty shops have increased offering custom-fitting for customers buying clubs, AG simulators have become a very popular choice to assist in the process. The company has deals to supply simulators to many retail chains, including the latest locations for the PGA TOUR Superstore, Golf Galaxy, Golf Town, Edwin Watts, various Pro Golf Discount and Nevada Bob’s locations, plus Golf 5 in Japan and Decathlon in Europe.

Expansion might include private clubs that can afford and want to offer an extra, special amenity to their members.

About Golf indoor simulators use the latest in sensor technology and golf software design. AG’s Sim Sensor applies 3D phased-array microwave technology that operates at 7,000 cycles per second, geared to provide accurate tracking of the ball for an entire flight. Sim Sensor translates tracking data into shot results that might include collisions with 3D trees, rocks, cart paths, sloped lies and all types of terrain.

Graphics feature clear resolution and detail, including varying weather conditions that must be accounted for -- such as wind and rain -- along with moving clouds, realistic grass and flags that blow in the direction and with the intensity of the wind.

“We only have 14 feet from tee to net, so it’s very critical [for the tracking devices] to figure out what’s going on,” said Bales. “Computations need to be instantaneously computed for all launch data, clubhead speed, trajectory. In many ways, this is a lot like a flight simulator.”

The About Golf simulators are housed in a 15 x 22 foot booth.

Using EDH Sport’s military-derived FlightScope technology, About Golf’s simulators track balls in flight for up to 300 yards. FlightScope provides teaching professionals and clubfitters, along with golfers, the ability to measure actual club and ball dynamics during a shot.

The Sim Sensor reveals head speed, vertical and horizontal strike vector, face angle at impact and “smash” factor as it pertains to the club. After impact, the ball’s velocity, vertical and horizontal launch angles, and side and back spin are also measured.

Thus, a golfer might find out that his or her ball speed was 125.5 mph at 3,947 rpm with a clubhead speed of 105.6 mph and a trajectory 4.1 degrees to the right. For the flight, data might reveal a ball that carried 212.7 yards in the air with a total distance, including roll, of 230.5 yards.

In addition to all that, About Golf offers DataTrac, an online tracking service whereby users can access their simulator practice data on a personal Web page to help analyze practice sessions, track progress, and upload and store video swing clips. VideoTrac enables up to four cameras to be managed by the simulator software.

As a game, About Golf offers more than 30 courses for play, and expects to double that number in the next few years. Courses currently available include Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Casa de Campo’s Teeth of the Dog and Bay Harbor. Putting is accomplished in the space between the tee and screen.

The average time for one golfer to play an 18-hole round is one hour. A twosome should be able to play a course in two hours. Indoor golf center costs, per game, reportedly range $20 to $40 per player.

In a recent playing session with a group of GolfWeb testers at an urban indoor location, players labeled the AG experience “highly satisfactory” and “very realistic.” Many of the players said the simulator was the best they had ever tried.

“It’s a high-level game experience,” said Bales. “It is very much like real golf in terms of what happens with the ball.”

How realistic, really, is About Golf’s simulated game? According to AG’s literature, it’s actually possible to hit the ball into the cup holder on a golf cart. Not that anyone would want to. But, if it does happen, well. .. USGA rules will apply.