Mixed reality on Quest 3 continues to blur the line between digital gameplay and physical interaction, and Putt Window is leaning all the way into it. Rather than using virtual controllers or motion-tracked hands, this mini-golf app is built around real-world putting gear.
Players bring their own putter and golf ball to the setup. The app tracks the ball’s position in the real world and overlays a digital course around it. The result is a hybrid experience where physical swing mechanics control digital ball movement in real time.
Real putter, real ball, virtual course
The core mechanic is straightforward: you place a real golf ball on the floor and swing a real putter. Using the passthrough camera and spatial tracking, Putt Window detects the ball’s motion and simulates its trajectory inside the virtual course.
The game creates a portal-like window into the digital space. When the ball crosses into this window, it rolls onto a fully rendered virtual green, bouncing off virtual objects and obstacles. This layered setup keeps your environment visible while embedding gameplay inside it.
Setup designed for home use
One of the challenges with physical-input VR games is space and setup friction. Putt Window addresses that by requiring minimal calibration. You draw a rectangle on your floor to define the interaction zone, then place the ball at the starting position. The app handles the rest, aligning the digital elements with your real-world space.
It’s tailored for short sessions and casual play, with courses designed to fit within the size of a standard living room. Since players are using actual putters, the game also leans into physical accuracy no virtual swing meters or simulated force needed.
No artificial swing physics
Most VR golf games simulate club motion with controller input, which creates a buffer between what your hand does and what the game calculates. Putt Window skips that entirely. The ball’s movement is real. The app’s job is to blend that motion into a convincing digital layer.
That direct connection makes the experience feel more grounded. The challenge shifts from learning a control scheme to refining your actual putting. It’s not about gamified power-ups or exaggerated trick shots. It’s about physical skill within a virtual context.
A niche experiment that fits the hardware
This is a narrow use case, but it showcases what mixed reality can do when it’s focused. Rather than simulating full 18-hole courses or adding arcade elements, Putt Window narrows in on one mechanic putting and refines it around real-world input.
The app’s approach mirrors a broader trend in MR design: taking real-world activities and layering minimal but meaningful digital enhancements on top. It’s not about escaping reality. It’s about reshaping it just enough to add interactivity and challenge. Whether Putt Window expands beyond its current format remains to be seen, but as a demonstration of tactile MR design on Quest 3, it’s a sharp and focused proof of concept.
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