5 Things You Need to Build a Golf Simulator

There is no shortage of motivation for golf enthusiasts to get on the course, but tee times, weather, or just wanting to play in the comfort of your own home can make you consider getting a golf simulator. There are many options when it comes to building your golf sim depending on if you get a pre-built package or whether you decide to go the more custom route and purchase everything individually. But where do you start? What do you need? And do you have the space? Let's dive into the top five things you need to build a golf sim.

You might think you need an entire room dedicated to your golf sim, and while you can do that, most people opt to put them in a shared space like a garage or media room. There are some impact screens that are 10 feet wide and 8 feet high for small spaces. On the other hand, you can have a frame that is 9’4 ft. high and 12’2 ft. wide. Your screen size will depend on the space you choose, but if you have enough room to swing a club, chances are you can fit in a golf simulator.

Golf simulator launch monitors are becoming more accurate and affordable. In addition to ceiling-mounted models like About Golf and Foresight GC Hawk, portable models such as the Uneekor Eye Mini and Garmin R10 now allow you to take on the course when you aren’t using it indoors with your golf sim set up. Normally, the launch monitors that are camera-based are used for smaller spaces, while the ones that have a radar are normally for larger setups.

A quality impact screen is essential for absorbing the energy of your golf ball and can also double as a family movie screen when matched with a high-quality projector. To protect your wall and ceiling from mishits a fabric enclosure goes around the impact screen, with protective padding and a side barrier that can extend towards the hitting area to make sure that the balls stay in a confined space. One other benefit is that a good enclosure also helps the screen look better when used with a good short-throw projector such as the BenQ LH820ST. 

With hitting mats, quality is everything. Indoor golfers tend to hit a lot more balls than the average golfer, so a poor-quality mat could mean pain and aches in the long run. There are varied materials that are used, and the latest mats now have dedicated hitting area inserts to simulate the bounce of the club when taking a divot. There are both indoor and outdoor mats available, as well as ones designed for putting with nifty alignment tools.

Having a projector with features dedicated to golf sim is one of the best things you can do to get that “play like you’re there” feel. The LH820ST, for example, has golf mode that is specifically designed to bring out colors so realistic that you’ll be able to tell the difference between Bermuda and Poa Annua grass. It also has a throw ratio of .5, making it perfect for shadowless projection. The sealed laser light source means it is maintenance-free for more uninterrupted playtime.