Speak To A Simulator Expert: 0800-288-8805
Whether it’s a garage or a spare room, you’ll need enough height and lateral space for a full swing. More if you want to make it a social space and enjoy your virtual rounds with friends and family.
These are the minimum room dimensions for you to feel "comfortable", there can be exceptions where we can go slightly smaller but these are our recommended minimum dimensions.
So get rid of the clutter, consider potential obstacles - we’re talking pipes, vents, or low-hanging fixtures - and get accurate measurements for the space you have to work with.
Then you can start to think about how much you want to spend on your home golf setup. There are options to suit all budgets, whether you’re looking for a casual round every so often or a professional coaching aid.
Unsure if your space is big enough or just want a second opinion? Schedule a video call with our experts. We’ll help you decide on layout, gear, and take you through the options to suit your budget.
Picking the right launch monitor is often the trickiest part of building a golf simulator. There’s a dizzying amount of options and price points. To help narrow things down, it’s useful to think about things from two perspectives:
Let’s start with the tech.
Launch monitors are either radar-based (Doppler) or camera-based (photometric). Both capture key details like ball speed, spin, and the launch angle of your shots. Radar systems bounce radio frequency signals off the ball, while camera units rely on high-speed photography to measure those metrics frame by frame.
It’s not that one method is better or more accurate than the other. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Plus, there are a bunch of things that have an impact beyond the system you’re using, including the quality of its parts and sensors, your software of choice, and more general setup factors.
It’s also worth noting that some radar systems such as the Trackman 4 and the Rapsodo MLM 2 Pro also include optical sensors, but it’s usually for alignment or swing-video capture rather than ball data measurements.
Camera-based systems give you ‘closed data’. They measure launch conditions at the moment of impact, which means wind and other outside elements aren’t factored into your metrics. Meanwhile, radar devices use ‘open data’ - they track the ball further downrange, which is ideal if you want to see how conditions beyond your swing are impacting your shots. With this in mind, you can see why radar-based systems tend to be preferred for use outdoors.
Nailing your spin metrics is where camera-based systems excel. By capturing the ball’s dimple pattern frame by frame, they can track exactly how fast - and on what axis - your ball is spinning. Radar systems also measure spin, but tend to infer it based on the flight path of your ball. That makes sense outdoors, but isn’t always best for indoor setups.
Some radar units approximate clubface position from behind, which can lead to minor inaccuracies in your metrics, especially on toe or heel strikes. Camera-based devices often see the entire clubface for a crystal-clear look at how and where you’re striking the ball. If super-detailed club data is a priority, a camera-based launch monitor might be best.
If you regularly host games for both righties and lefties, placement flexibility becomes a big deal. Overhead camera systems typically mount to the ceiling, so there’s no need to reposition them between swings. Floor-based camera units, on the other hand, will require a quick shift from one side to the other when you switch hitting hands. Radar-based monitors generally sit behind the tee, so they’re also hassle-free when it comes to multi-user play.
Radar-Based Monitors often come in at a lower price point and offer excellent ball-flight realism, especially outdoors. However, they typically need more space - both behind and in front of the hitting area. When you’re indoors and space is tight, radar units tend to estimate certain data points.
Camera-Based Monitors can be ceiling-mounted, floor-mounted, or occasionally both. They use less space overall (a few feet of ball flight is plenty), which is a game-changer if your simulator setup is snug or if you want to keep your floor clear on commercial premises. Overhead models offer a sleek, out-of-the-way install, while floor-based units have obvious portability benefits.
Choosing between radar or camera launch monitors comes down to your space, your budget, and how you plan to use the simulator. Both technologies provide reliably accurate data. The trick is finding a system whose hardware, software, and sensor quality align with your goals. Looking to tuck a sleek unit on the ceiling and keep your room clutter-free? Camera-based might be your best bet. Want to spend a bit less or use your system outdoors? Radar could be the way to go.
Loved by 10,000+ Happy Golfers
