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What do you actually need for a home golf simulator?
Tom Hayward, founder of OpenGolfer · Last reviewed · 2 min read
The short answer
Six things: a launch monitor, an enclosure with an impact screen, a hitting mat, a projector, software, and something to run it on. Our SimSpace room packages include the first four plus a rubber mat base; side netting is an add-on. Whether you also need a PC depends on the launch monitor and the software you want to play.
The checklist
Every home simulator is built from the same parts. The table on this page shows what our SimSpace room packages include. This is what each part is for.
1. Launch monitor
Measures each shot. It decides accuracy, room length and software, so choose it first. How a golf simulator works explains radar and camera.
2. Enclosure and impact screen
A frame with an impact screen at the front and fabric sides and top. Our packages use a SimSpace enclosure in the size you pick, from SIM 0 to SIM 6; side netting is an add-on. Leave at least 30cm clear behind the screen; it should never touch a wall.
3. Hitting mat and base
The packages include a SimSpace Tee Turf hitting mat on a rubber base. The base takes some of the shock out of each strike, which your wrists and back will notice over a winter.
4. Projector
Our room packages include a BenQ AH500ST short-throw laser projector with a floor case or mount. It's 4,000 lumens with a sealed laser rated for 20,000 hours, so there's no lamp to replace. If the room gets a lot of daylight, the SimSpace UltraMAX grey screen gives a stronger picture.
5. Software
This is where launch monitors differ most. Some include their own simulator, some include an app for the range and your numbers, and some charge yearly for courses. How much a simulator costs lists the running costs.
6. Something to run it on
- Nothing extra: the Garmin R50 runs its simulator on its own touchscreen and sends it to the projector over HDMI.
- A phone or tablet: Square Golf plays through its app. The Mevo Gen2 and Full Swing KIT apps cover the range and your numbers.
- A Windows PC or gaming laptop: needed for Foresight+ on the Foresight GC3, and for GSPro or E6 Connect on any launch monitor that supports them.
What isn't in the box
- A PC or laptop. Of our packages, only the Full Swing KIT Studio Plus includes one.
- Course subscriptions beyond what comes with the launch monitor.
- Cables for your layout. An HDMI cable isn't included in our SimSpace packages; we sell a 10m 4K/8K HDMI 2.1 cable as an add-on, which covers the run from a PC or launch monitor to the projector in most rooms. The KIT Studio packages do include cables and adaptors.
- Balls. Use new, clean ones; scuffed, marked and soft premium balls wear a screen faster.
- A ball tray or tees. Neither is on the box list.
- Extra protection. A foam backing layer for the screen, a foam pelmet, base-bar bumpers and wall foam tiles are optional extras.
- Building work. Power, lighting, blackout for windows or raising a ceiling is for you or your builder.
Package or separate parts?
A room package puts the launch monitor, enclosure, mat, base and projector in one order, with side netting as an add-on, sized to your room, with parts we know work together. Buying separately makes sense if you already own some of it, such as a launch monitor, a projector or a gaming PC, or if you want to start with the launch monitor and build the room later. Every launch monitor we sell is one we fit in our SimSpace rooms, so that route works.
The step I'd never skip is measuring the room. Start with Will a golf simulator fit my room?
At a glance
| Part | In the room package? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Launch monitor | Yes | The one named on the package |
| SimSpace enclosure with impact screen | Yes | Your choice of size, SIM 0 to SIM 6 |
| Side netting | Add-on | Net panels either side of the bay that catch mishits; the SIM 0 bay comes with its own |
| SimSpace Tee Turf hitting mat | Yes | On a rubber base, also included |
| BenQ AH500ST projector | Yes | With a floor case or mount |
| PC or gaming laptop | No | Not needed to start with the Garmin R50 or Square Golf; needed for Foresight+, GSPro or E6 Connect |
| Course subscriptions | Depends | Varies by launch monitor |
| HDMI cable | Not included | Add our 10m HDMI 2.1 cable (£29.99) |
| Screen backing, pelmet, bumpers, wall tiles | No | Optional extras |
From the box lists on the live package pages. The Foresight GCQuad package differs: its projector is an optional extra. The Full Swing KIT Studio packages use their own frame and include cables; Studio Plus adds a gaming laptop.
Best practice
- Choose the launch monitor before the roomIt sets the room length, the software and whether you need a PC. The enclosure, mat and projector follow from it.
- Decide where the software runsThe R50's own screen, a phone or tablet app, or a Windows PC. Settle this before comparing prices, because a PC changes the total.
- Plan the cable and power runsWork out where the projector and any PC will sit, then measure the HDMI and power runs before delivery day.
- Leave 30cm behind the screenThe screen needs room to give when the ball hits it. Keep at least 30cm clear behind it and 8cm each side of the frame.
- Keep a set of new balls for the simClean, unmarked balls are kinder to the screen. Scuffed, marked and soft premium balls wear it faster.
Gotchas to avoid
- Leaving the PC out of the budgetIf your software needs a Windows PC and you don't own a capable one, that's a big extra line. Check before you set the budget.
- Assuming small extras are includedBall trays, tees and balls aren't on the package box lists. Read the box list on the product page before you order.
- Activating add-on software too earlySome launch monitor software locks to the device once registered and can't be refunded. Make sure the unit works in your room before you activate it.
- Treating wall padding as a screenFoam and fabric catch stray shots, not full-speed ones. A padded room still needs a proper impact screen where you hit.
Our recommendation
Starting from nothing, I'd take a room package and decide where the software runs before anything else.
- If you already own a launch monitor
- Add a SimSpace enclosure in the right size with a mat, plus a projector.
- If you don't want a PC in the room
- The Garmin R50 package, or Square Golf, which plays through an app.
- If you want GSPro or E6 Connect
- Budget for a Windows gaming PC or laptop as well as the course subscription.
- If your room gets a lot of daylight
- Ask about the SimSpace UltraMAX grey screen for a stronger picture.
For your room we'd pick…
If you want everything in one order for the leastSquare Golf Home Golf Simulator Package for Garage - Complete Setup, UKOur lowest-cost complete SimSpace room, and it plays through an app, so you don't need a PC to start.from£3,599
If you don't want a computer in the roomGarmin Approach R50 Home Golf Simulator Package - Complete Setup, UKThe R50 runs its simulator on its own screen and sends it to the included projector over HDMI.from£7,199
If your launch monitor needs a PCGolf Simulator Gaming PC (HD Spec)A Windows gaming PC built to run GSPro, E6 Connect and Foresight+, and it pairs with any camera or radar launch monitor.£1,790
The add-on most people forget4K/8K HDMI 2.1 Cable 10mNot included in SimSpace packages. 10m covers the run from a PC or launch monitor to the projector in most rooms.£29.99
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Tom Hayward, founder · usually replies within the hour, 8am–8pm
Questions people ask
Do I need a PC for a golf simulator?
Not always. The Garmin R50 runs its simulator on its own screen, and Square Golf plays through an app on a phone or tablet. You need a Windows PC or gaming laptop for Foresight+ on the Foresight GC3, and for GSPro or E6 Connect on any launch monitor.
Is the projector included in your packages?
Yes, in our SimSpace room packages: a BenQ AH500ST short-throw projector with a floor case or mount. The Foresight GCQuad package is the exception; there it's an optional extra.
Can I start without a projector?
Yes. Hit into the screen and read your numbers on the launch monitor's own screen, a phone or a tablet, then add the projector later. It changes the experience rather than the data.
Can I pad the walls instead of buying an enclosure?
You can build a padded room around a framed impact screen, and we sell the screens, pelmet and foam tiles for it. The padding is only for stray shots. Full-speed shots need an impact screen with about 30cm clear behind it.
How long does the enclosure take to put up?
A SimSpace enclosure is a six-step build that takes well under an hour. Lay the poles out in size order first and the rest is straightforward.
Still unsure? Ask SIM:ON about this page. It knows our full range and live prices, and can pass your room to Tom.
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