Garages. Basements. Attics. Spare rooms. We've seen customers fit a golf simulator pretty much everywhere.
But, how do you measure for a golf simulator? It's a question we get asked a lot. Here are some tips on how to measure your space for an indoor golf simulator, from your friends at Carl’s Place.
Can My Space Fit a Golf Simulator?
Know the room size you need for a golf simulator. Golf simulator space requirements vary by both the golfer and the equipment. In general, though, most indoor golfers are comfortable in a room 14' wide, 18' deep, with 9' ceilings. But we can help you make accommodations for smaller spaces. We do it all the time.
Test out your golf swing in the space. You are the one who needs to swing your clubs without knocking over lamps and hitting ceiling fans. Get out your clubs and test your space.
Understand the space requirements for your equipment. Each launch monitor and projector has different space requirements which we'll help you with.
Sizing your golf simulator room doesn't sound all that hard, right? You have to have enough room to comfortably swing your golf club. And then, any requirements for your launch monitor and projector. Easy. Let's dig in.
Indoor Golf Simulator Room Dimensions
1. Ceiling Height for Golf Simulator
How tall do ceilings need to be for a golf simulator?
The average golfer needs a 9-10’ ceiling to golf indoors. Otherwise, you and your club will suffer. Depending on your height, arm length, and club length you might be comfortable in less. Carl's Place's shortest enclosure is 7.7' tall, which fits an 8' ceiling height.
With a shorter ceiling, you won't be able to swing a driver. But, practicing with your shorter irons is better than nothing!
Take your longest golf club to the space you want to use for your golf simulator. Take a few practice swings. You’ll quickly be able to tell whether the height available is going to work for you. If you can swing easily, without modifying how you swing, the space should work.
2. Width
The swing area to the left and right of the tee is also important. If you have both right and left-handed friends, a wider golf simulator room lets both golf easily.
How wide should my golf simulator be?
To golf indoors, you need a room at least 9'-10’ wide. But, most golfers will be more comfortable swinging in a space closer to 14' wide. Ultimately, make sure you have enough room to swing without hitting a wall. If you'll have both right and left-handed golfers using your sim, make sure there's room on both sides.
3. Depth
Easily one of the most debated topics for golf simulators is how much depth you need. Often times the launch monitor you use in your golf simulator room will dictate the dimensions you need. Or vice versa, you'll need to choose a launch monitor, based on the golf simulator room dimensions you have available.
Regardless, the ideal depth for a golf simulator room includes:
Space from the tee to the impact screen
Buffer space behind the screen
Room to safely swing
How deep should my golf simulator be?
At least 18'. Here's how we get that. Your impact screen should be 12"-16” away from the wall behind it. Then, it's a best practice to place your tee 10'-12' away from the impact screen. Lastly, give yourself 7' behind the tee to swing easily.
In total, at least 18' deep is ideal for a golf simulator room. But if you have a small simulator space, let us know! We'll see what we can do to help get you your perfect setup.
Another thing most golfers set up in their simulator is a projector. Choosing a projector for a golf simulator can be a challenge. There are specifications for the distance a projector can project an image, so make sure you're reviewing the specs on your projector as well.
Now, you can DIY a golf simulator with dimensions that fit all of these requirements. Or, you can use an enclosure kit. Carl's Place sells 2 main types. Our DIY Golf Simulator Enclosure Kit for home golf simulators. And our Pro Golf Simulator Enclosure Kit for high-end or commercial setups.
It's all about your swing. Many golfers feel good golfing in a 10'H x 14'W x 18'D golf simulator. Some fit golf simulators into a more compact space, but most indoor golfers go as large as they can with the space they have.
Also, before you buy, read the directions on your launch monitor. Yep, we said it - Read. The. Directions.
The launch monitor is what reads your swing and/or your ball to give you an idea of how you did. Each launch monitor has certain space requirements in order to do that.
Get to the launch monitor page. Open that user manual. Check the setup and space needs. You'll thank us later.
Let’s look at the golf simulator space requirements for popular launch monitors.
Golf Simulator Space Requirements
Uneekor QED Space Requirements
The QED is an overhead golf launch monitor that you can mount to a Carl’s Place Pro Enclosure, or your ceiling. Ceiling-mounted launch monitors typically let golfers feel more comfortable swinging in the golf simulator hitting area.
Space Required for QED Launch Monitor
QED Sensor must be mounted 9-10.5 ft from the ground
QED must be mounted 3.5' behind the tee
QED must have 12' from tee to screen, according to Uneekor, though we have seen golfers use the QED with less room in front of them
Space Recommended for Swing
Swing Area: 7' around the golfer in every direction
The hitting mat and launch monitor can be offset from the center to allow for more room while swinging.
Also ceiling-mounted, the Uneekor EYE XO, compared to the Uneekor QED, is a higher resolution launch monitor with better video graphics and additional ball data metrics.
Swing area: 13 Ft diameter with player in the center (Recommended)
Ceiling height: 9-10.5 Ft (Required)
Player’s distance from hitting screen: 12 Ft or more (Recommended)
Space Required for EYE XO Launch Monitor
EYE XO Sensor must be mounted 9-10 ft from the ground
EYE XO must be mounted 3.5' in front of the tee
Space Recommended for Swing
Swing Area: 7' around the golfer in every direction
Player’s distance from hitting screen: 10'-12'
FlightScope Mevo+ Space Requirements
The Mevo+ golf simulator sits 8 feet behind the golfer, keeping it out of the way of swinging clubs and errant shots. And there's no need to move the Mevo+ if alternating between right- and left-handed golfers.
Space Required for Mevo+ Launch Monitor
Mevo+ must be placed 8' behind the tee
Space Recommended for Swing
Swing Area: 7' around the golfer in every direction
Player’s distance from hitting screen: 10'-12'
Ceiling Height: 9'-10'
SkyTrak Space Requirements
Unlike other launch monitors, SkyTrak does not have specific space requirements. You just need to follow the general space requirements of a comfortable golf simulator.
Takeaway: SkyTrak is great for small spaces and low ceilings.
Space Recommended for Swing
Swing Area: 7' around the golfer in every direction
Player’s distance from hitting screen: 10'-12'
Ceiling Height: 9'-10'
Garmin R10 Approach Space Requirements
The Garmin R10 Launch Monitor sits on the floor behind the tee keeping it out of the way of swinging clubs. It's compact and portable, making it great for indoor and outdoor practice.
Space Required for Garmin R10 Launch Monitor
Garmin R10 must be placed 6'-8' behind the tee
Space Recommended for Swing
Swing Area: 7' around the golfer in every direction
Player’s distance from hitting screen: 10'-12'
Ceiling Height: 9'-10'
Full Swing KIT Space Requirements
You'll need 10' of space behind the tee to accommodate the Full Swing KIT Launch Monitor. And even then, since KIT is a radar-based launch monitor, the more space the better. It will use that extra ball travel to measure more data. This Tiger Wood's favorite is sleek and compact, but it does need a fair bit of room in order to get solid data indoors.
Space Required for Full Swing KIT Launch Monitor
Full Swing KIT must be placed 10' behind the tee
Space Recommended for Swing
Swing Area: 7' around the golfer in every direction
Player’s distance from hitting screen: 10'-12'
Ceiling Height: 9'-10'
The Wrap Up
If you skimmed this article, (no offense taken) here's the takeaway.If you want a golf simulator to fit your space right, you've got to measure right.
Follow our advice for height, width and depth of the ideal golf simulator room dimensions. And don't forget to check the specs of the launch monitor you choose.