The Space Question
Will It Fit?
You need 10 feet of depth, 8 feet of ceiling, and a door you can close. That's it. Most garages, basements, and spare bedrooms already qualify. Here's how to know for sure.
23 guides covering every room, every constraint, every workaround. Start with the space requirements guide below.
Start Here
The One Guide to Read First
If you only read one thing, read this. It covers minimum dimensions, ceiling height requirements, room depth recommendations, and the three measurements that determine whether your space works.
Golf Simulator Room Size Guide: How Much Space Do You Really Need?
10ft deep, 12ft wide, 8ft ceiling. That's the magic number — and it's way smaller than you think. Covers every room type (garage, basement, living room), every LM placement scenario, and the exact measuring process. If you've been putting off measuring your space, start right here.
Read the space guide →By Room Type
Where Are You Building?
Every room type has its own playbook. Find yours below.
Best Golf Simulator for Garage
The garage is the #1 sim room. Two-car garage? You've got 20ft wide and plenty of depth. Single-car? Still works if you're okay with a retractable setup. Covers insulation, temperature, lighting, and the best LMs for garage depth constraints.
Garage guide →Best Golf Simulator for Basement
Basements come with low ceilings and weird support columns. The good news: camera-based LMs need less ball flight, so you can squeeze a sim into 8.5ft ceilings. The bad news: your follow-through will tell you exactly where that ceiling is.
Basement guide →Best Golf Simulator for Apartments
Apartment sims exist. Garmin R10 + Spornia net + iPad = a full sim that packs into a closet. Portable, quiet, zero permanent modifications. The apartment/renter guide covers noise concerns, floor protection, and the three setups that don't need a garage.
Apartment guide →Best Golf Simulator for Small Rooms
Under 10x10? You can still swing. This guide covers the smallest viable sim spaces — 8x8, 9x10, odd-shaped rooms, and the short-throw projector setups that make them work. Spoiler: camera LMs are your friend here.
Small room guide →Golf Simulator in a 12x12 Room
12x12 is the goldilocks size. Enough depth for radar LMs, enough width for a 9ft impact screen, and room left over for a small putting station. Here's the exact 12x12 floor plan.
12x12 guide →Golf Simulator Shed: The Ultimate Backyard Build Guide
No garage? Build a shed. 10x12 or 12x16 custom-built shed with power, lighting, and climate control. The full blueprint for building from scratch or converting an existing structure.
Shed guide →By Problem
Got a Specific Issue?
Low ceilings, weird room dimensions, no idea what LM works in your space. These guides solve the specific problems.
8-Foot Ceiling Guide
Yes, it works. Camera LMs need less ball flight. Shorter tees, irons only, no worries.
Read →Room Depth × LM Compatibility
Which LMs work in shallow rooms (8-10ft)? Which need 14ft+? Full compatibility matrix.
Read →Room Behind the Ball
Radar LMs need 6-8ft behind you. Camera LMs need 0ft. The exact placement guide.
Read →20 Floor Plan Layouts
20 different floor plans for every room shape — garage, basement, shed, living room.
Read →Indoor Swing Syndrome
Why your swing changes in tight spaces and how to fix the altered mechanics.
Read →Indoor + Outdoor?
Some LMs work both indoors and outdoors. Which ones, how to switch, and the trade-offs.
Read →Building the Space
Make Your Room Ready
Once you know your space works, here's how to optimize it for a real sim build.
Garage Sim Setup Guide
The complete step-by-step: insulation, flooring, lighting, enclosure mounting, temp control, and the exact order to do everything.
Read →How to Build an Enclosure
EMT conduit frame, screen tensioning, side curtains, and the exact bill of materials for a 10x8 enclosure that doesn't shake.
Read →Garage Heating & Cooling
Climate-zone specific recommendations. Mini-split vs space heater vs ceiling fan. What works in Minnesota vs Arizona.
Read →Soundproofing ROI Guide
How loud is a golf sim? Will the neighbors hear? Will your wife? The real decibel levels and which soundproofing actually matters.
Read →Simulator Lighting Guide
Bad lighting causes misreads on camera LMs. Ceiling cans vs track lighting vs full flood. The exact lux levels you need.
Read →Garage Door Openers
The hidden cost nobody mentions. Jackshaft vs trolley, track types, and the $200-500 surprise that shows up in every garage build.
Read →Still Not Sure?
Here's the Shortcut
If your room is at least 10ft deep and 8ft tall, you're building. If it's smaller, you're building differently — not giving up. The only question is which launch monitor and enclosure fit your specific dimensions.
Minimum depth
for radar LMs
Minimum ceiling
for full swing
Ideal width
for 9ft screen
If you have these three dimensions, you can build a full sim. Period.