There are four distinct types of golf simulators that you should familiarize yourself with if you’re thinking about investing in your own. We’re going to help you choose the right one based on your goals, space, and budget.
Because while some golfers want a dedicated space to play their favorite courses virtually, others need something more flexible. The best first step is connecting with our golf simulator design experts. We can help set you up for success with 2D plans, 3D renderings, and an itemized equipment list for you to purchase.
Key Takeaways
- Permanent home simulators are the most popular style. You just need a space you can dedicate to the setup (garage, basement, spare room, etc.).
- Portable golf simulators set up and break down in the home or outside for flexibility.
- Commercial simulators range from training bays to fitting studios.
- Launch monitor simulators can be set up at your local range or simply paired with a net/mat in the backyard.
The Different Types of Golf Simulators You Can Set Up
The bare minimum for any golf simulator is a hitting mat and launch monitor. Other than that, you can decide how sophisticated you want your simulator to be. Do you add an enclosure? An impact screen and projector?
This is why it’s so important to understand the types of golf simulators. Knowing what’s possible is the first step to picking the right setup for YOUR space, goals, and budget.
Permanent Home Golf Simulators
This is what most people building a golf simulator are interested in - a fully featured indoor home golf simulator, be it in the basement, garage, a spare bedroom, or anywhere in between with ample ceiling height and room depth.
The golf simulator enclosure mounts to the wall/ceiling and doesn’t go anywhere. The projector hangs overhead or behind the hitting area. Same goes for the launch monitor (although floor-based models can work in permanent builds as well).
This build brings you the best image quality, superior shot tracking, and an unparalleled experience for all to enjoy. You get full-swing feedback on a large projected screen and access to tons of courses and practice modes. This is what the vast majority of our customers ask us for help building.
You just have to make sure you have room for it. Ceiling height dictates what clubs you can swing and which projectors fit. It’s so important to map your golf simulator floor plan and set expectations on what you can actually create. This will also save you costly mistakes down the road.
We have detailed guides on building garage golf simulators and bringing basement golf simulator ideas to life if you’re ready to take the next steps.
Portable Golf Simulators
Not everyone can dedicate a permanent space in their home to simulator play. You might need something that you can set up and tear down within the same day. Look no further than a portable simulator space!
An inflatable golf simulator enclosure can be erected in minutes using a built-in air pump. It collapses flat for storage and can go in a closet or against a wall. On the other hand, a retractable golf simulator enclosure folds along a track system and tucks against the ceiling when you're done.
Either way, you get the space back when you’re done playing or practicing. This is common in garages or in multi-purpose entertainment rooms. Your projector (and maybe even launch monitor) stays mounted between sessions.
The trade-off, of course, is setup time. Even though it’s not a laborious process, you still have to set everything up. You can of course leave it that way and only tear it down when you need to.
Commercial Golf Simulators
Bars, restaurants, golf academies, corporate offices, and entertainment venues all run commercial-grade simulator setups. The hardware is no different from a permanent home build. The only difference is scale.
Enclosures must be capable of handling ns of sessions per day from players at different skill levels. Projectors need higher brightness to cut through ambient light in open-floor venues. And you may even have multiple bays fit into the same room.
Commercial installs almost always feature an overhead launch monitor. This keeps the floor area completely clear and also accommodates left-handed and right-handed play equally well. It’s worth investing in professional golf simulator installation for these types of golf simulators.
Launch Monitor Golf Simulators
This is technically a type of portable simulator, but it deserves its own highlight because of how unique it is. There are certain portable launch monitors that actually include everything you need to simulate play, from the tracking technology itself to the screen!
What we love about these is how you can turn any range session into an immersive play experience. Our personal favorite is the Garmin Approach R50. You gain access to 43,000+ courses from around the world. High-speed impact footage pops up on the vibrant 10-inch color touchscreen display. You can complete the setup at home with a net and a hitting mat. That’s it!
There are cheaper alternatives, too. The Garmin Approach R10 is under $500. The Blue Tees Rainmaker is under $600. Just don’t expect the same performance as the $5,000 Approach R50 by Garmin.
Which is Right For Your Space and Vision?
No matter which of these types of golf simulators aligns with your goals, Indoor Golf Outlet is here to help bring your vision to life. We carry the latest and greatest equipment from the most well-respected brands the industry has to offer:
- Uneekor
- Garmin
- BenQ
- Trackman
- Foresight Sports
- Carl’s Place
- The Indoor Golf Shop
- VTrack
- And many, many more
But other than the products, you’re gaining access to unparalleled customer service from A to Z. Our experts have built countless golf simulators over the years, and our recommendations are always based on what’s best for you. Not the bottom line. We’re brand agnostic.
You get the lowest price online and exceptional support long after the sale. So, take the next step by connecting with our team today. Or, shop the selection and piece the simulator together from the best of the best!
