In recent years golf simulators have exploded in popularity amongst homeowners. Part of the reason for this popularity growth is that new technological advances have allowed the simulator setups to become smaller, more affordable, and more effective than ever before.

However, no matter how much technology advances, a golf simulator will still require you to get a full swing with a golf club, and for the ball you strike to travel some distance before impacting. This means that even if you buy the most advanced simulator on the market, you will still need to spend some time considering where and how you will fit it into your home.

In this article, we will briefly go over some of the essentials for planning a simulator room and deciding where an optimal location may be.

Finding the Right Room for Your Golf Simulator

When deciding on the room for your golf simulator, you first need to consider the minimum space required for a viable golf experience. This really revolves around the space you need for your full swing. Most golfers need a minimum area of about 10 feet by 10 feet and about 12 feet of depth. You will want to check to see which rooms allow you a full swing and which have the required depth to receive the hit ball.

This amount of depth may seem excessive, but remember you also need the hitting net, and you don't want the net flush against the wall. The impact screen will actually want to be about at least a foot away from the wall, and you want your tee about 10’-15' away from the screen. Of course, you also need enough room behind the tee for your swing.

The room's height needs to be at least 9' to 10' to accommodate a full swing. If you plan on mounting a projector, make sure you can arrange it, so it is not within the arc of your swing. Many like to mount their projectors to the ceiling, but this will require the extra space for a platform. To check the possible rooms that are tall enough, go to the room with your longest golf club and take a few practice swings. You should be able to tell pretty quickly if the space is adequate.

Space Requirements in a nutshell

So, when it comes to the space required, you need to be aware of:

• Room for your swing
• Ceiling clearance
• Space for the simulator components

Generally, you should allow room space of a minimum of 10' length, 10' width, and 8.5' height. For most people, this space is sufficient. Check your own swing to make sure that these dimensions work for you. Some of our larger hitting bays require up to 12' width and 9' height, and 16' length of room space.

Pay attention to the dimensions of the hitting bay when you are purchasing a golf simulator, as this will dictate the minimum width you will need to set up your simulator. Some hitting bays are relatively narrow, while others may have added side barriers or privacy screens that can increase the overall size.

Alternatives to a Full Room Simulator

Something else to consider is the fact that you don't necessarily need to convert an entire room to a simulator space permanently. Many simulators can be broken down or set back up reasonably quickly, while others are designed to take up very minimal space when not in use. You also have the option of setting up your golf experience somewhere else, like the garage or yard.

Putting a Golf Simulator in the Garage

Another popular alternative when it comes to golf simulator placement is the usage of the garage. The garage often has more room to spare than rooms in many people's houses, and by using the garage, the simulator has less of a chance of disturbing other residents when being used.

Keeping a simulator in a garage isn't always a perfect solution, though, as this can often mean needing to share space with vehicles or other storage. For this reason, many prefer to get simulator setups that are easily retracted or disassembled when they choose to put them in the garage.

Tools for Practicing Golf in the Yard

While golf simulators are a great way to get in some practice at home, for those with extra room outdoors and less to spare indoors, a putting green, chipping green, or target green may be a more strategic choice. These simple-to-use greens allow you to make the best use of the room at your disposal and let you piece together a number of challenges from a wide array of shot distances.

To get a better idea of what these types of products entail, you can check out our list of the Top Outdoor Putting Greens for 2024.

Ready to Try a Golf Simulator for Yourself?

As this article should have made clear, as long as you have a minimum amount of room, either indoors, in the garage, or in your yard, you have an option for improving your game at home, or simply taking a few swings at the end of the day to blow off steam. Of course, there is never going to be a perfect substitution for a day out on the course, but a good simulator in the right room is easily the next best thing and, with today's technology, provides a truly incredible experience. Additionally, a golf simulator may be the eBay way to isolate the weakest part of your games and make significant improvements. When you can do this from home, the benefits to your game are almost priceless. So, are you ready to try a golf simulator for yourself?

Looking for the top golf simulators? Browse our complete collection of Golf Simulators today! Want to learn more about golf simulators first? Check out our other helpful guides:

• Click here to read our comprehensive guide to Golf Simulators.
• Read Our list of the best golf simulators in 2024.