As stimulating as it is to play the latest sports games on your PC, there is always an underlying problem. No matter how many top corner screamers you put into the net, how often you outpot Jimmy White, or pull off a hole in one, you are perpetually aware that you are only playing a game. Digital skill sadly doesn’t translate into real life skill.

But that’s all about to change with the announcement of the Golf Launchpad from Firebox.com. Physical interaction with games is now very real alternative. Rather than use the mouse or keyboard to control your favourite golf game, you can just plug the Launchpad into your PC or laptop and use your very own golf clubs to take in-game shots.

The Launchpad consists of a real golf ball leashed onto a driving mat and a length of realistic turf set on a rubber-polymer base. This turf has underlying optical sensors that detect and measure data from your club, including incline, velocity, direction and spin.

As well as the ability to play popular golf games, there is also a swing analyser that helps you improve your swings and drives by ascertaining ways in which you could get better. And unlike traditional gaming peripherals, this gadget does actually improve your real life skills.

Possibly the only restriction on this exciting device is that you’ll need plenty of room to set it out, so as to avoid smashing the TV or computer with some of your wilder swings. Ideal if you want to take your laptop into the garden though.

We’ll bring you a more detailed analysis if we manage to get our mitts on one of these intriguing contraptions.

Adam Shirley