Minimum and recommended golf simulator room size
| Works for many setups | Recommended | Why | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling | 9 ft (2.7 m) if you are 5'8" or shorter | 10 ft (3.0 m); 10.5–11 ft if you are over 6'2" | Room for the club at the top of a driver swing and the follow-through |
| Width | 12 ft (3.7 m) for one-handed play, tee offset | 14 ft (4.3 m) | Centres the tee so left- and right-handers both fit |
| Depth | 15 ft (4.6 m) | 18 ft (5.5 m) | About 1 ft behind the screen, 10 ft from tee to screen, 7 ft behind the tee |
Rules of thumb from simulator install guides. Your launch monitor, projector and enclosure have their own requirements, so check them before you buy.
Ceiling height is usually the limit
Width and depth can be worked around by moving the tee. Ceiling height can't. The taller you are and the more upright your swing, the more room you need above you. A quick test: in the room, take your driver to the top of your backswing slowly and see how close it gets. If friends will play too, size it for the tallest one.
Garage, basement or spare room?
- Garage: usually deep enough. Measure the height under the door track, opener and lights, and plan for cold in winter.
- Basement: look out for low beams, ducts and pipes. A dropped ceiling can sometimes be removed to gain a few inches between joists.
- Spare room: often the right width but short on depth. Camera-based launch monitors next to the ball suit shorter rooms.
Frequently asked questions
What size room do I need for a golf simulator?
About 10 feet high, 14 feet wide and 18 feet deep is the size most install guides recommend (3.0 × 4.3 × 5.5 m). Many setups work in less: 9 feet of ceiling for golfers up to about 5'8", 12 feet of width if only right- or only left-handers play, and around 15 feet of depth with a shorter tee-to-screen distance.
Can I put a golf simulator in a room with an 8-foot ceiling?
Not for a full driver swing for most adults. Some golfers hit irons or wedges with a flatter swing under 8.5 feet, but you risk hitting the ceiling. Swing your longest club in the room first, slowly, and look at the clearance at the top of the backswing and the follow-through.
Is a one-car garage big enough for a golf simulator?
Often yes for depth (a typical single garage is about 20 feet deep) and sometimes for width (10–12 feet), which is enough for one-handed play with the tee offset. Ceiling height is usually the problem: measure under the garage door track and any lights, not just the ceiling.
How much room do left-handed golfers need?
The same height and depth, but if a left- and a right-hander share the simulator, the tee has to sit in the middle so both have room to swing. That is why about 14 feet of width is recommended. A room used by one golfer can offset the tee to one side and work in about 12 feet.
Does the launch monitor change the space I need?
Yes. Radar units usually sit behind the golfer and need extra depth behind the ball, while camera-based units placed beside the ball can work in shorter rooms. Check the specifications of the launch monitor you plan to buy.