GolfCore: ProTee’s Next Step in Golf Simulation
My firsthand impressions of ProTee United’s new Unreal Engine-powered software and what it means for the golf simulator market
Editor’s Note — New Update December 5, 2025:
Big news for all ProTee VX owners. ProTee United announced today that GolfCore is nearly here and will be completely free for every VX user.
Built on Unreal Engine, GolfCore brings next-level visuals, enhanced realism, and long-term replayability. It’s a major leap forward for the ProTee ecosystem and a huge value upgrade for VX customers.
Stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, if you’d like an overview of what GolfCore is and why it matters, you can read my full article below.
First Look: ProTee United’s GolfCore Simulator Software | Coming Q1 2026
If you’ve been following ProTee United, you’ve probably noticed the quiet buzz building around their next-generation golf simulation platform, GolfCore. Officially teased at last year’s PGA Show, it is now expected to debut in early 2026. After seeing it up close, I can tell you it is worth the wait.
Seeing GolfCore for the First Time
At the PGA Show last January, I was invited to try an early, unnamed beta of what we now know as GolfCore. The demo was simple, a par three from Cypress Point, but the difference was immediate. The visuals were crisp and vibrant, the motion fluid, and the overall feel surprisingly lifelike.
It was not just eye candy. The ball flight, launch physics, and impact feedback all mirrored what I have come to expect from premium systems like the ProTee VX. It was my first clue that this was not a minor update or facelift. It was a complete redesign of what simulator golf can look and feel like.
Built on Unreal Engine: A Game Changer
The biggest leap forward is under the hood. GolfCore runs on Unreal Engine 5, the same high-end platform behind blockbuster games like Fortnite and many of today’s most visually advanced titles.
This matters because Unreal Engine delivers photorealistic lighting, dynamic shadows, and ultra-smooth rendering. These capabilities set a new benchmark for simulator graphics and create a more lifelike playing experience than what golfers are familiar with today.
By moving to Unreal, ProTee United is not just catching up. They are moving the industry forward. The result will be courses that look, move, and feel more like real golf than ever before.
Why Software Matters for Golf Sims
As an authorized wholesale partner for ProTee United in Canada, I had the opportunity to sit down with their team to discuss updates and hear firsthand about their directional roadmap. Those conversations consistently reaffirm how much thought, innovation, and passion go into every software release.
It is clear that ProTee’s focus is squarely on evolving the player experience, putting software innovation ahead of new hardware development. The ProTee VX is already a proven piece of equipment, fast, accurate, and remarkably consistent, but the real power lies in the software that drives it. That is where GolfCore and ProTee Labs come in.
ProTee’s full-time development team in the Netherlands is dedicated to refining ball physics, user interface, data visualization, and the overall experience. Every update to ProTee Labs has made the platform smarter, more realistic, and more enjoyable to use.
GolfCore is the natural evolution of that same philosophy, pairing trusted tracking technology with a truly next-generation play engine.
Smarter Course Creation and Flexible Access
GolfCore will not only look better, it will be easier to build for. ProTee is developing a new course editor that speeds up design, improves accuracy, and integrates LiDAR mapping for real-world terrain detail. That means a faster-growing course library, with community-created layouts that look and play better than ever.
Pricing has not been finalized, but the plan is expected to mirror TGC 2019, offering both annual license and lifetime purchase options.
Recommended PC Readiness for GolfCore
GolfCore will introduce more advanced graphics and physics than previous simulator software. From my discussions with the ProTee team, a GeForce RTX 3080-class graphics card (or better) will be an ideal target for full visual quality and performance. If you are planning a future upgrade to your simulator PC, keeping this in mind will ensure you are ready when GolfCore officially launches.
What About TGC 2019?
If you are still enjoying TGC 2019, there is no need to worry. It will remain supported and reliable for the foreseeable future, but not forever. It has reached a point of maturity, stable but no longer evolving. There is nothing new planned beyond compatibility updates.
GolfCore is where future development will live. It is not replacing TGC 2019; it is simply the next chapter for players ready to move into a more modern, immersive experience.
The VX Still Leads the Way
After two years on the market, the ProTee VX remains one of the most accurate and dependable camera-based launch monitors available, and GolfCore will make it even better. You will not need new hardware. With regular updates, the system you already own will continue to grow in capability and value. That is one of the biggest advantages of ProTee’s approach. Loyalty is rewarded with evolution, not obsolescence.
ProTee also continues to impress with its strong 24/7 global customer support. Their team is responsive, knowledgeable, and committed to helping users get the most from their systems. It is a big part of what makes the ProTee ecosystem so dependable and easy to recommend.
Looking Ahead
GolfCore will make its official public debut at the upcoming PGA Show, and I will be there to see how far it has come since my first test. I will share hands-on impressions, PC spec recommendations, and setup insights once I have had time with the latest version.
What is clear already is that ProTee United has real momentum. Their focus on accuracy, realism, and customer experience has never been stronger, and they are building for the long game.
Final Thoughts
The ProTee VX remains the foundation, ProTee Labs continues to evolve, and GolfCore is set to complete the ecosystem. Together, they form a system that is not just about hitting golf balls indoors; it is about learning, improving, and experiencing golf in a way that feels truly real and immersive.
For anyone considering a simulator investment, this is an exciting moment. And for VX owners, rest assured your system’s best days are still ahead.
Tom Murray is the Founder and President of SimCaddy, a golf simulator design and supply company serving customers across Canada. As a CTS-certified audiovisual professional, Tom combines his AV expertise with a passion for golf simulators, specializing in designing and building advanced systems for both residential and commercial spaces. His focus is on delivering immersive, high-quality solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Built on Unreal Engine 5, GolfCore introduces a new level of visual realism to the world of golf simulation.
Dynamic lighting and natural shadows create an immersive experience that feels closer to real golf.
A then, yet to be named, GolfCore showcased at the 2025 PGA alongside the ProTee VX launch monitor and ProTee Labs software.
Every environment is designed to feel alive, with movement, energy, and authentic atmosphere.
An early developing, yet to be named, beta version of GolfCore showcased at the 2025 PGA.
SimCaddy will be at the 2026 PGA Show where GolfCore will be on Full Display.