All launch monitors offered at Carl's Place can be used in a home setup, but some are just easier to use in a smaller area.
Uneekor's EYE MINI Lite launch monitor with a Carl's Place Golf Simulator Enclosure Kit is a winning combination for many homeowners. Together, this home golf simulator set up is compact, accurate, and protects your walls and ceilings.
The EYE MINI Lite launch monitor and Carl's Place DIY Enclosure give you the foundation to build your best home golf simulator at an affordable price. Add a hitting mat to soften your swing's impact. And a projector to show you your great shots - you've got an indoor golf simulator where everyone will want to play.
Other affordable launch monitors that pair well with Carl's DIY Enclosure for a home golf simulator setup include: SkyTrak+ (or original SkyTrak), Uneekor EYE Mini, Foresight GC3, Bushnell LPi, FlightScope Mevo+, Garmin R10 or R50, and the Full Swing KIT. Overhead mounted launch monitors are not always easy to use at home due to ceiling height limitations.
What is the best home golf simulator?
An indoor golf simulator package using an EYE MINI Lite launch monitor is our #1 recommendation for home setups with a moderate budget. It is a fan favorite, with numerous positive reviews online.
Why use an EYE MINI Lite launch monitor?
Unlike the Garmin Approach R10 and FlightScope Mevo+, the EYE MINI Lite Launch Monitor does not need 6-plus feet of space behind the hitting area. And overhead launch monitors, it doesn't need mounting at a certain height above the hitting area. It is a compact ball tracking system and sits about a foot next to the ball, and it's quite accurate.
If you have a large space in your home to accommodate a radar-based launch monitor, like the Mevo+, check out our next recommendation for Best Value Golf Simulator.
The best home golf simulator is the one that perfectly fits your space, whether it's a spare room, a garage, or a basement. Custom size your own home golf simulator with our Build Your Own Golf Simulator tool.
Carl's Choice for Best Value Golf Simulator
Carl's DIY Enclosure with FlightScope Mevo+
Best is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “better than all others.” Value is defined as “the monetary worth of something.” So which launch monitor’s monetary worth is better than all others?
For the combination of moderate cost and high accuracy, the value of the Flightscope Mevo+ Launch Monitor is hard to beat.
It’s not the least expensive launch monitor we offer for a golf simulator. (That’s the Garmin R10.) But it is far from the heaviest on the wallet.
When it comes to cost, the FlightScope Mevo+ Launch Monitor is in the low- to mid-price range.
The data and features you get with the Mevo+, especially with the Pro Package add-on and Face Impact Software, are top-notch. You get comparable tracking for thousands less than most other launch monitors. This high-value accuracy makes the Mevo+ Carl's Choice for Best Value Golf Simulator.
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Reasons to Buy: GSPro Software
- Realistic ball flight physics
- Stunningly detailed 4K graphics
- User-designed courses continually added
- Frequent updates
- Affordable subscription options
- Read full review
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- One time purchase
- 150,000+ golf courses including
Pebble Beach and Firethorn - Create your own local courses
- Multiplayer options - great online and remote
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Reasons to Buy: E6 APEX Software
- Realistic course-play experience
- Upgraded 4K graphics
- Club Fitting and Bag Mapping
- Fun and Serious Challenges
Reasons to Buy: Awesome Golf Software
- Fun to play
- Easy to navigate
- Customizable dashboards for training
- Lifetime license
Reasons to Buy: Creative Golf 3D Software
- Family-friendly games
- For golfers of all skill levels
- Realistic gameplay
- Transform your golf simulator
into family fun." Read full review
How much is a golf simulator?
A full indoor virtual golf simulator is made up of an enclosure, an impact screen, and technology that analyzes your swing. This type of golf simulator setup costs between $3,000 and upwards of $20,000. It varies depending on the level of professionalism you need.
- Cost: $3,000 - $20,000+
- Types: Packages for easy golf simulator setup or build your own
- We challenged our team to build their preferred golf simulator at several costs, check out our results.
- Golf sim for less than $3,000
- Golf sim for less than $5,000
- Golf sim for less than $10,000
- Golf sim for less than $20,000
How do golf simulators work?
A golf simulator is an indoor virtual golf setup, including an enclosure and screen, with the technology to see and analyze your swing.
Oftentimes, when people say “golf simulator” they're actually talking about the launch monitor. The launch monitor tracks your swing and ball to give you accurate information on where your ball virtually went. Whereas the golf simulator is the entire setup - the enclosure, impact screen, launch monitor, and accessories - that lets you experience indoor golf.
- A golfer hits the golf ball into the golf simulator enclosure. There it is "caught" by an impact screen that stops it from coming straight back at your head.
- A launch monitor tracks your swing and ball. Using golf simulator software, the launch monitor shows the golfer data on the shot like swing angle or smash factor.
- A projector places the image of a golf course, driving range, or game onto the impact screen. This is what gives indoor golfers the realistic feeling of golfing on a course.
Reasons to Buy: BenQ AH700ST Projector
- 16:10, 16:9, 4:3, Auto, Real aspect ratios
- 4,000 lumens
- Vertical and Horizontal Keystone
- 0.69-0.83:1 throw ratio
Reasons to Buy: Optoma ZH450ST Projector
- Flexible mounting with horizontal and vertical adjustments
- 4,200 lumens and 1080p HD images
- Dynamic contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1 for impressive visuals
- 0.496:1 throw ratio
- Comparable to the Optoma GT1090HDR
Reasons to Buy: LG ProBeam BU53RG Projector
- 4K resolution
- 5,000 lumens
- 3,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
- Lens Shift
- Horizontal and Vertical Keystone
Reasons to Buy: BenQ TH671ST Projector
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 3,000 lumens
- 16.4ms input lag
- 0.69:1 - 0.83:1 throw ratio
- Up to 15,000 hours of lamp life (Eco mode)
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Reasons to Buy: BenQ LK936ST Projector
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 5,100 lumens
- 0.81:1 0.89:1 throw ratio
- 4K resolution
- 3,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
Reasons to Buy: BenQ TK710STi Projector
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 3,000 lumens
- 4K resolution
- 0.90:1 - 1.08:1 throw ratio
- Up to 20,000 hours of life
See more of our best projector recommendations.
How To Build Your Own Golf Simulator
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Measure your space.
You need to consider the space you need for your golf swing. The bare minimum space to build a golf simulator is a ceiling height of at least 8' so you have room to install one of our 7.7' tall enclosures. However, that height will likely restrict what clubs you're able to swing. You need a 9’ width so you don't hit the wall and a 16' depth to accommodate the screen and tee-off area. For a more comfortable swing, we recommend closer to 9'-10' ceiling height and 12'-15' width.But there are some considerations that might need extra space for your golf simulator:
- Taller golfers will need taller ceilings.
- Golfers using long drivers will need more space than if you're working only with irons.
- If you want to accommodate left- and right-handed golfers you'll need a wider space.
- Golfers who just want to be more comfortable swinging a golf club and moving around will want to stay closer to the 10' ceiling and 15' width. This leaves space for your golf club to swing freely.
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Select a golf enclosure kit with impact screen.
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Choose your technology.
Adding projector and launch monitor is what gives you that realistic analysis of your shots. -
Accessorize for the perfect setup. Use hitting mats, swing cameras, and software to get the golf simulator experience you love.
Follow these helpful hints on how to set up a golf simulator for a game-changing practice. Or check out our Build My Simulator tool to customize and quote a golf simulator package just for you.
Carl's Choice for Best Portable Golf Simulator
Foresight Sports GC3
Portable launch monitors are important for 2 big reasons:
- Moving your equipment out of the way in dual-purpose spaces
- Taking it from indoors to outdoors, to the driving range or golf course
We offer a few different portable launch monitors, including the Foresight Sports GC3 or GCQuad/QuadMAX, Uneekor EYE MINI, SkyTrak+, Mevo+, and Garmin R10 or R50.
The GC3 and GCQuad/QuadMAX, EYE Mini, and SkyTrak+ units are best for their small footprint and have performed well, considering the conditions, when we tested them at the driving range. Check out all our launch monitor driving range tests on our YouTube channel.
What is the best portable golf launch monitor?
All of the floor-mounted launch monitors are great, portable options, but the Foresight Sports GC3 stands out the most. It's lightweight but durable, and has proven to be more accurate than its competitors. Plus, you don't need another device to see your numbers - just use the built-in screen to get your data instantaneously.
The Foresight GC3 is Carl's #1 choice for a portable launch monitor.
Foresight GC3 Accuracy Field Test
We tested out the GC3 for accuracy at the driving range, and it performed better than all its competitors. Portability is important, but it means nothing if you don't get accurate numbers wherever you plan to swing.
How To Choose the Best Golf Simulator for You
Consider your priorities, your budget, your space, and how much you want to do yourself. If you're on a budget and good at DIY projects, you can piece together an impact screen and accessories to build your own indoor golf simulator. Need something more ready to assemble? Creating your own golf simulator package is going to be more your style.
This buying guide recommends options for each unique customer's needs. When buying a golf simulator, if you're focused on budget, look at the overall value and longevity of the equipment. Price is a good measurement, but the long-term value in high-quality impact screens will serve you better.
For golfers seeking a better swing, the performance of the Best Training Golf Simulator is hard to beat.
Regardless of what you need in a golf simulator, we know it's out there. We know because we custom build solutions for people like you every day. Just let us know what you need.
At Carl's Place, we stand behind every single piece of equipment we sell. You'll see it in our top-notch customer service and the care we put behind every resource we provide. We test out the products we sell and recommend as if we were the ones purchasing them.
If you ever need help with a golf simulator build, want to talk it out with someone, our team of customer service specialists is happy to help you. For custom golf simulators, this Build Your Own Golf Simulator tool lets you customize your golf simulator package.
