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The Best Golf Simulators for the Family Room
It is the dream of most avid golf enthusiasts to one day own their own private course. Something that they can enjoy privately, or with friends, whenever they so choose. Of course, none of us will really be able to own our own course, but thanks to advancements in technology, we will all be able to simulate the experience —and without ever leaving the house.
Technology today has gotten to the point that with a little extra room, you can set up your own high-end golf simulation experience, and with all the added features and functions, it can easily double it as a new full-sized entertainment system.
However, finding the best options for your family room comes with a couple of extra challenges. You need a simulator that is powerful but that can also be easily moved for various events and functions. You also want a system that can entertain multiple people at once or that has a high level of versatility when it comes to screen/projector usage. With the right choice, you can get a system that will help improve your game and provide countless hours of fun for the whole family. In this article, we will go over our top options and some things to consider when buying a simulator for your living room or den.
More Affordable than Ever!
Simulators that used to cost a homeowner $20,000 can now be purchased for less than $10,000, and competitive equivalents can go as low as only $5,000! In fact, almost all of the simulators we will suggest in this article fall between the $5,000 and $7,5000 price range.
Top Golf Simulators for the Family Room or Den
These are the golf simulators that our experts and our customers feel provide the best value for a family room or den.
Launch Pro Retractable Simulator Package
The Launch Pro Retractable Simulator package offers a great combination of full-sized entertainment with easy storage and versatility options. The main components in this set that makes it such an excellent option for the family room are the Launch Pro Launch Monitor and the HomeCourse® Golf ProScreen 180 Hitting Bay. With these two items, you are getting an exceptional golfing experience in a relatively small profile and easy-to-store assembly.
The Launch Pro launch monitor is a state-of-the-art piece of equipment that is easy to store and only requires minimal space to pick up the essential data point of your shot. The secret is high-speed/high-resolution cameras with infrared light that can offer the same tour-level performance and accuracy that the pros rely on.
The HOMECOURSE® GOLF PRO SCREEN 180 is a retractable golf screen with a unique design that allows it to fold out and turn into a three-sided enclosure perfect for ensuring there are no errant hits. The screen itself is also projectable, so you can put the simulation directly on it, or it can be used as a large screen on movie night. Then click the remote, and the screen is back up and away in thirty seconds, and you have the room back to the way it was.
SkyTrak Simulator Packages
The SkyTrak Simulator Packages are a fantastic series of packages, each one offering you the perfect all-in-one simulation experience (depending on available room size). For example, the SkyTrak Majestic 12 Simulator Package comes with the Majestic Series 12 Hitting Bay (a 12' foot width) while the Sim 8 Simulator Package has the 8' wide Net Return™ Simulator Series Golf Net and Screen.
All of the packages come with:
- SkyTrak Launch Monitor and Simulator
- Choice of Golf Mats
- Choice Simulator Projectors
- 1 Year Subscription to World Golf Tour (WGT)
The Skytrak launch monitor is the perfect solution for the home since it only requires a small space in order to read ball flight and is able to give you professional-level results in tight family room spaces. As long as you have room for your swing and space for the screen, you can fit a SkyTrak simulator.
The SkyTrak won the 2021 Golf Digest Editor's Choice for Best Launch Monitor under $2,000.
You can even link up your SkyTrak to your TV so that you can watch your simulation in style. You can also integrate it with software options like the E6 Connect and the World Golf Tour (WGT) where you'll be able to play world-famous courses like TPC Sawgrass or even Augusta National. There are also skills challenges that help you benchmark your skills and track progress, or challenge friends and family to see who really does have the best drive.
Planning Out the Space in Your Family Room
Obviously, the biggest issue, and the one that will ultimately dictate which simulator set-up is best for you, is the space you have available in your family room. Most compact simulators require about ten feet of width, ten feet of length, and about ten feet in height (you will need to be able to take a full golf swing without clipping the ceiling. You also need space to put the projector, screen, mat, and launch monitor. In fact, the SkyTrak packages we listed earlier in this article generally require a space of 10'x10' and a height that allows for a full swing. The larger packages get a little wider.
Ready to Put a Golf Simulator in Your Family Den?
As these tips and suggestions should have been made clear, you have plenty of options when it comes to simulators for the family room, and thanks to modern tech and materials, the space needed and the options for storage are better than ever. With such low prices and such versatility, you must be asking yourself about how you can get a simulator into your home!
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: