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How to build a golf simulator at home

Nine steps from tape measure to first shot: measure the room, choose the launch monitor, software, screen, projector and mat, and make the room safe. Each step links to the tool or guide you need.

  1. Measure the room

    Measure the ceiling at its lowest point above where you will stand, the width across your swing and the depth from the back wall to where the screen will go. Note doors, windows, lights, beams and garage-door rails. The ceiling is usually the limit: most golfers need 2.74–3.2 m (9–10 ft 6 in), depending on their height.

    Check your room in the calculator · Ceiling height by golfer height

  2. Set a budget, yearly costs included

    ThePricer puts a basic setup at $2,000–5,000, a complete mid-range simulator at $7,000–15,000 and a premium room at $15,000–30,000. Many launch monitors also need a subscription for courses, club data or third-party software, up to about $1,200 a year.

    What a simulator costs

  3. Choose the launch monitor

    Where it sits decides the room you need. Camera units beside the ball need about 4 m (13 ft) with the 2.5 m minimum from ball to screen, or 4.5 m (15 ft) with the 3 m Carl’s Place recommends; radars behind you need 4.5–5.2 m (15–17 ft) or more. Ceiling units need the right ceiling height but leave the floor clear.

    Compare launch monitors · Head-to-head comparisons

  4. Pick software and decide on a PC

    Some launch monitors run on a phone or iPad, and the Garmin R50 has the simulator built in. GSPro, Trackman, Uneekor and Foresight need a Windows PC with a graphics card; Trackman and Uneekor ask for an RTX 4070 Ti or better.

    Software and PC requirements

  5. Choose the screen and enclosure

    Impact screens are usually 4:3. Leave 2–3 in (5–8 cm) above and beside the frame and 12–16 in (30–40 cm) between the screen and the wall behind it. A multi-layer screen gives a sharper image and less bounce-back.

    Screens and enclosures

  6. Choose and mount the projector

    Measure from where the projector will hang to the screen and work out the throw ratio you need. A short-throw projector above or slightly behind the tee is the most common choice and casts the least shadow. Mount it square to the screen: keystone correction softens the image and adds lag.

    Throw ratio calculator and projectors

  7. Choose the hitting mat

    Mats are 3–7 cm thick, and every centimetre comes off your ceiling clearance. A replaceable hitting strip lets the club glide like on turf.

    Hitting mats

  8. Make it safe

    Trackman and Garmin allow about 2.5 m (8 ft) from ball to screen, but Carl’s Place recommends at least 3 m (10 ft) to limit bounce-back. Hang safety baffles from the ceiling in front of the screen, pad the frame and protect lights and walls within reach of a stray shot.

    Safety and clearances

  9. Set up, align and test

    Follow the maker’s setup guide for where the launch monitor sits and how it is aligned. Then take slow swings with your longest club under the lowest point of the ceiling before you swing at full speed.

    Draw your swing in the room

How long it takes

MinGolf.no estimates 1–3 hours for a simple setup, 1–2 days for a fixed simulator with a screen and several days for a room built from scratch.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to build a golf simulator?

MinGolf.no estimates 1–3 hours for a simple setup, 1–2 days for a fixed simulator with a screen and several days for a room built from scratch.

Can I build a golf simulator myself?

Yes. Enclosure kits such as Carl’s Place DIY kit come with the screen while you supply the pipes, and complete packages exist for most launch monitors. Ceiling units need a secure fixing: Foresight says the ceiling must hold at least 75 lb (34 kg) for the Falcon.

What do I need for a golf simulator?

A launch monitor, software, a computer or tablet, a projector, an impact screen or a net, and a hitting mat.

Sources

Independent: no maker pays to be listed or ranked. How we earn money. Prices and specifications checked October 12, 2026.