A home golf simulator setup is becoming more common among the average player. Affordable packages from companies such as OptiShot, reduced the cost of these systems, making them accessible to more golfers. In this post I will explain the minimum ceiling height you need for a golf simulator.
I will explain what to watch out for and other measurements to factor in when setting up. In addition, I have offered tips on which are the best places in your house to turn into a golf simulator room.
Those on a budget should read our post on the top 10 golf simulators under $1000.
How High Should The Ceiling Be for an Indoor Golf Simulator?
Trackman recommends operating with a minimum ceiling height of 9’10 ft, or 3-meters for folks on the imperial system. Therefore, 10 ft offers enough clearance, even with your longest club. If your ceiling is lower than this, it restricts your ability to produce a full golf swing.
Ceiling height is necessary for two purposes. The first, is the height of the screen, and the second is to do with malicious damage to your property. Low hanging ceilings may cause your club head to crash into it at the top of your swing.
Foresight Sports provides a simulator configurator that highlights the factors to consider when designing your simulation layout. This makes you think about the room layout and where you should position the golf mat, net, and launch monitor.
Other Room Dimensions to Measure
Room Width
After measuring your ceiling height, the next step is to determine your room’s width. Like ceiling measurement, this is necessary for 2 reasons. The aim is to prevent you from slamming your golf club into the wall on your backswing. Plus, it ensures ample space for the width of your impact screen.
A narrow room restricts a full swing. That impacts your overall experience with golf simulator systems. The makers of the GC Quad, Foresight Sports, recommend an absolute minimum width of 13-feet for a comfortable swing diameter.
Room Depth
Once you have determined whether you have sufficient width to install a simulator system, you need to measure its depth. This is to ensure enough distance between the mat and impact screen. Plus, if your launch monitor uses dual radar technology, you will need additional space behind the hitting mat.
For example, the Trackman 4 uses dual radar technology, which requires the device to sit behind your golf ball. Therefore, you need a longer room. Different to the requirements of a photometric device that uses high-speed cameras. Photometric launch monitors sit parallel to the impact zone, reducing depth requirements.
Examples of photometric products include Skytrak and the GCQuad. In addition, products such as the OptiShot 2 use sensor-based technology to gather data on your shots. They are a space-efficient purchase.
Let us assume that you have a doppler radar launch monitor for this exercise. That means that your rooms require the maximum depth. Therefore, your minimum space requirement is 15-ft. You can even increase that to 16.
Distance From Hitting Mat To Impact Screen
Now that you have measured your room’s width, height, and depth, you need to prepare the positioning of your net, impact screen, and hitting mat. Do not place your mat too close to the screen. When there is insufficient distance for the launch monitor to accurately detect data related to your launch and ball flight.
Simulator manufacturers recommend leaving at least 12 ft between your golf ball and the screen.
Distance From Launch Monitor To Hitting Mat
Photo launch monitors require minimal space in this department, making them more efficient. These devices only need to sit 22-inches from the golf ball. However, you need to set up radar models 7 ft behind the impact zone.
Ideas of Places to Put Your Golf Simulator in Your House
Garage
If your garage is going to waste, it is time to change that. Clean out the dusty interior and plan out your home golf simulator setup. Garages often offer a wider, longer, and higher structure than the rooms in your house.
Many garages also feature fewer windows than the rooms inside, leaving less property for you to damage.
Basement
Your basement is another room that is great for a home golf simulator. Based on its location in the house, you are out of the way and can be left alone to play virtual golf courses and practice your game in peace.
The challenge with basements is that the ceiling may hang below your minimum height requirements. It is difficult to fix this challenge as it could impede any rooms directly above.
Spare Room
A spare room is just asking a golf simulator to be installed inside its walls. However, golfers who live in an apartment may lack the space required to make it work.
Living Room
Your living room can work for a golf simulator, so long as you do not intend on whacking any golf balls. Dirt cheap simulators such as the Phigolf Home System allows you to play inside your living room.
The package includes a swing stick that detects your angle of attack and impact to detect the outcome of your shot. The result is displayed on the screen in the form of the World Golf Tour (WGT) game.
I do not suggest setting up a complete simulator in your living room unless you are a golf-mad bachelor. It is inconvenient for you and others to set up and break down equipment. I take it your family won’t approve of a permanent simulator in their living quarters.
Bar
This is a dream come true for most golfers. You cannot beat a golf simulator set up in your bar. I don’t mean the local pub. I am instead referring to your man cave. If space permits, this is an ideal way to entertain your buddies and family at any time of the day.
It also gives you a private space to escape to after work to practice your game, without the noise and interference from your family.
FAQs
How Much Room Do You Need For An Indoor Golf Simulator?
You need a minimum space requirement of 13 x 10 x 19. That refers to 13 ft wide, 10 ft high, and 19 ft deep.
These measurements reflect the requirements for a doppler radar launch monitor simulator. Photometric models require less depth as they sit inches across from the golf ball.
What Size Room Do I Need For A SkyTrak?
SkyTrak is built for rooms that are 10 x 10 x 10. However, I recommend that the room is at least 13-ft wide for a comfortable swing diameter. In addition, I suggest that your space is at least 12 ft long. Because the SkyTrak is a photometric device, it does not take up copious amounts of depth, like radar models.
Is A Golf Simulator Worth It?
Yes, a golf simulator is well worth the purchase. It serves 2 purposes. The first is that it allows you to practice without going to the driving range. The second is that it provides endless entertainment for you and your family.
Having the platform at your disposal to work on your game anytime is a handy tool to help you improve your performance. Plus, it doesn’t harm that you can take on your friends in virtual rounds of golf and challengers to compete for superiority.
Do Pro Golfers Use Simulators?
Yes, professional golfers do use simulators. It gives them a tool to dial their game without heading to the practice range. Tiger Woods even credits his Full Swing Pro Simulator as aiding in his return to golf in 2018.
Eldrick is not alone in his use of technology. It turns out that Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Padraig Harrington, and Jim Furyk have home golf simulator setups. They all stick to the quality Full Swing Pro Simulator.
Matt Stevens
Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.