Garage Golf Simulator: An Easy DIY Setup

Convert your garage into a golf simulator with this easy DIY how-to from Carl's Place. How to lay out your garage space for a golf simulator. Where to put the equipment. How much space you need. Finding the perfect space in your house can be difficult, you might just find enough room for a garage golf simulator though. Let's see!

How Much Space is Needed? | What's Needed for a Garage Golf Simulator? | Heating Your Garage | Golf Mats in a Garage | Mounting Equipment

Did we just spark a little voice in your brain telling you that your full-of-junk garage, or separate storage space, might be the best spot for a golf simulator? It might require decluttering that room that has been filled to the brim for years. Yup, time to get off the couch and get cleaning!

Garage Golf Simulator Ideas

Garages can certainly store valuable items, such as a fancy car, but what’s more valuable than a golf simulator that can help you improve your game? Maybe it’s time to give that car or valuable item the boot to make room for golf.

We talk with customers daily about adding golf simulators to these spaces,” said Nate, a customer service representative at Carl’s Place. “Many are either looking to add one to their garage, or have a pole barn building with free space available for sim options.

Now that we’re on the same page, let’s talk about how we can transform a garage from a boring storage space to an exciting entertainment area for anybody from beginner to experienced golfers, or those just looking for a great time.

Space Needed For A Garage Golf Simulator

One reason a garage or separate storage space is great for a golf simulator: space. The more room you have to put together and place your garage golf setup, the better. Many garage or storage spaces have enough room for a Carl’s Place Pro Enclosure, which provides many more benefits to a golfer than a golf net alone.

"I've found that with separate garage or storage space setups, customers often have more space, or have built the space with a simulator in mind,” Nate said. “I'd still try to find out more about what features are most important to them, and steer them in the right direction from there, but in cases where the customer is looking for more of that permanent polished setup, and has the space, I would recommend one of our Pro Enclosures.”

Fortunately, garages make great places to add a golf simulator, since they often have the room needed for one. To make sure you've got enough room, test out the space by taking a few swings with your golf clubs. Pretend you're on the golf course. You don't want to continually worry about taking out an overhead garage door when you're teeing off.

What are the space requirements for a garage golf simulator?

A lot depends on the height and swing of the golfer, and the equipment used. For a golf simulator, it's ideal if the space in your garage is 14'W by 18'D by 10'H. TellMeMoreGolf.com breaks it down further. However, we help golfers fit golf simulators in smaller spaces all the time!

Need help fitting a golf simulator in your garage?

The launch monitor you choose is typically the biggest influencer of how much space you need for your golf simulator, garage, or otherwise. The 18' depth we say is ideal will accommodate most launch monitors.

The Carl's Place Pro Golf Enclosure is our larger size golf simulator - up to 10-feet tall, 20-feet wide and 20-feet deep - it's the best for a home garage golf simulator because it gives you a large area to play golf. You'll have the most immersive experience, shooting golf balls at a virtual driving range. Teeing up on famous golf courses in your DIY golf simulator garage. Carl's Pro Golf Enclosure gives you enough room for both righties and lefties to swing comfortably without feeling like you’re stuck in a box.

Mounting Golf Simulator Equipment in a Garage

Are your ceilings too high in your storage space and you can’t find a spot to mount your launch monitor, such as a Uneekor EYE XO or QED, and your projector? The pro enclosure is sturdy enough to hold both, and launch monitor and projector mounts can be purchased with the kit.

“I've found that many of the customers adding golf simulators to pole barns have rather new builds, and actually had the simulator in mind when figuring out their space,” Nate said. “For customers looking to add the simulator to their garages, they're looking to maximize the use of their existing garage space, and especially to give them an option for poor weather months.”

A Carl’s Place DIY Golf Simulator Kit comes in smaller sizes, which might work better for that third garage space you’ve been either trying to fill, or need to clean out. We don’t suggest mounting electronics to the DIY enclosures, so our recommendations for great golf launch monitors to go with them include options from FlightScope, SkyTrak, Foresight and Uneekor. 

Considerations When Building A Golf Simulator In Your Garage

“I would first ask the golfer more about how that space is used otherwise,” Nate said. “Many customers say that they still plan to use the garage for vehicles or other storage, and need to limit the size of the enclosure or get one that's easier to take down and set back up at times. If this is the case, I would typically recommend one of our DIY enclosure options, and often some additional safety options such as net extensions.”

"My starting point is to ask the customer what's most important to them, and showing them the items that will help best,” Nate said.

Measuring Your Garage For A Golf Simulator

Once you have your spot selected and cleared out, you will want to measure your space - height, width and depth - to help you decide which enclosure might be best for you. Also, make sure you have plenty of power outlet options in convenient locations. Pieces of a home golf simulator set up that will need power will include your launch monitor, projector, computer/tablet, any extra lighting you might set up, and so on.

What’s Needed For A Garage Golf Simulator

• Enclosure

• Impact Screen

• Launch Monitor & Golf Simulator Software

• Projector

• Hitting Mat

Projectors

An overlooked part of a DIY garage golf simulator setup could be what projector to choose. If your garage has windows or a lot of ambient light, you will want a projector with higher lumen output, which means a brighter image. The BenQ LU710 has 4,000 lumens and a high contrast ratio, which work great with competing ambient light.

In order for your simulated golf courses to look realistic - bright, high-contrast images are important. In small golf rooms, you'll want to focus on throw distance as well.

Our short throw projector options - the BenQ TH671ST, LH600ST, LK936ST and TK700STi - also have great lumen output and, with a shorter throw ratio, provide more flexibility for tighter spaces. Just be sure to protect it with a Carl’s Place Floor Mounted Projector Enclosure.

Read more about how to set up a golf simulator projector.

Hitting Mats

Another important piece to keep in mind is that most garages have cement flooring, so you’ll need a softer surface to hit from and a separate one to stop the golf balls from bouncing away after hitting the impact screen. A golf mat is a necessity in a garage golf simulator.

For durability, a clean look and realistic feel, TrueStrike has a lot of great options for golf mats, ranging from its single gel turf piece to a significantly larger mat with multiple hitting areas.

Artificial grass or turf can be purchased from Carl or many big box stores for reasonable prices.

If you have extra space after setting up your golf simulator enclosure, you could fill it with some comfortable furniture - maybe even some of those old sofas and chairs you had stored in that area before. Just make sure to clean the dust off of them so when you have family or friends over, they aren’t constantly sneezing.

Speaking of dust … make sure your garage is relatively clean and dry before installing a Carl’s Place golf impact screen with your enclosure. If you do get a little dirt on your screen, we’ve got some tips on how to clean it.

Custom Golf Room Design

Maybe you just want to take care of decluttering your extra garage space and let someone else handle the design of a golf simulator enclosure in that space. We’ve got you covered with our Custom Golf Room Design Service.

It’s like magic - we give you the floor plan, measurements, and shopping list of the products you need to turn that unused garage space into a golfer's dream.

• Golf simulators give you a space that adds value to your home
• Provide great fitness and entertainment opportunities
• Indoor golf lets you work on game improvement 24/7

We can't wait to see your new golf swing!

Heating Your Garage Golf Simulator

If your garage or storage area is just a four-wall wind and precipitation blocker, we’ve got some tips from the experts on how to heat it up so you can keep playing golf all winter on your simulator.

HOW TO HEAT A GARAGE

Golfers are heating their garages for their golf sim in many different ways, but what is the safest and most effective way? Pete Harms, owner of RW Heating and Cooling in our hometown of Milton, Wis., gave us three great options to make your garage feel a little more like you’re actually on a golf course.

1. First, Harms suggested a ceiling-mount electric garage heater because it can be added to almost any garage.

2. Second was tube heat or a radiant garage heater where it can be installed, because with that type of heat, you will warm the objects before the air and create a comfortable heat.

3. His third suggestion was infrared heat, even though you have to maintain clearance of all other objects.

“There are space heaters that run on propane/natural gas. Our choice is a Lennox ceiling mount gas heater,” Harms said. “There are several sizes to choose from.”

Warning from the expert: Harms advised us, “There are unvented units that hang on the garage wall, but I do not recommend them as they can be very dangerous.”

Another option is a ductless, mini split air conditioner/heating unit. The New York Times published an article about the best uses for a mini split.

GARAGE HEATER INSTALLATION COST

Our local expert added that the biggest mistake people make is trying to save a few hundred dollars by installing a garage heater that might not do the job.

“Get at least two estimates and listen to the experts,” Harms said. “That way, you can talk about what you want and the best way to achieve your heating goals … A normal garage temp should be around 50 degrees. That is plenty warm to melt the snow off and still be efficient.”

Now, if you’re in the process of building a house, you’ve got a couple more options for keeping your garage warm in the winter when trying to improve your golf game.

HOW TO INSULATE A GARAGE

Wisconsin-based home builder Dave Gunderson said it is best to think about insulating your garage in the planning stages.

But, if you forget to add that to the plans, or have an existing finished garage without insulation, it is possible to drill holes in between studs and blow some spray foam insulation in the cavities.

However, Gunderson said it’s easier and less expensive to just use fiberglass batt insulation and then drywall over that.

“My garage has fiberglass batting insulation in it, and I don’t ever turn my heater on hardly and it still stays above 40 degrees in there, even in the dead of winter,” Gunderson said. “Even when it’s below zero, it’s going to stay 35-40 degrees in there. It’s never going to get below freezing.”

“A lot of guys will hang a heater from the ceiling then and it takes a short time to heat up their garage. It takes the chill off very quick.”

Gunderson added that the spray foam insulation, although more expensive, is great for sealing up electrical outlets as it fits the corners and crevices tighter.

“If you’re going to build a new house and finish the garage, you should insulate it, too,” Gunderson said. “It’s not that much more of a cost.”

For more helpful insulation ideas, visit this piece on types of insulation from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Hopefully, these garage warming tips will help you keep practicing golf in your DIY garage golf simulator throughout the winter.

Whether a person is looking to work on their game in the offseason, or just have some fun golfing a little extra from home, putting a golf sim in these places can be a great opportunity to have more access to golf without ever having to leave your home,” Nate concluded.

Want to see how easy it is to set up Carl’s Place DIY Golf Simulator Kit?

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