Enter room dimensions to find launch monitors, projectors, and screens that fit
Building a home golf simulator is equal parts physics, room geometry, and budget planning. The most common mistake buyers make is focusing on the launch monitor first and hoping the room will accommodate it. In practice, room constraints usually dictate which systems are actually viable.
Radar-based launch monitors, such as TrackMan, Garmin R10, and FlightScope Mevo, work by bouncing radio waves off the club head and ball. Because the sensor sits behind the golfer, these systems need clear space behind the tee—usually eight feet or more—before the impact screen or wall. If the room is too short, radar accuracy degrades and bounce-backs become a safety hazard.
Camera-based systems, including SkyTrak and Foresight GCQuad, rely on high-speed imaging of the ball at impact. They are typically positioned to the side of the ball rather than directly behind it, which changes the width and clearance requirements. Camera systems often need less depth behind the tee, but they usually demand more lateral room width, especially if both right-handed and left-handed players will use the same setup.
Width is the most overlooked constraint. A golfer needs room for their normal swing arc, mat placement, and enough clearance so that off-center hits do not damage walls or club heads. Camera systems that sit offset require even more width when multiple handednesses are involved. If a room must serve both right-handed and left-handed players, plan for the larger requirement rather than trying to move equipment between sessions.
Depth controls both launch monitor placement and screen size. A larger screen improves immersion, but it also requires more distance from the tee to preserve safe viewing angles and avoid neck strain. As a rule of thumb, screen size in inches should generally not exceed about 3.5 times the room depth in feet, and the projector should be placed roughly 1.2 times the screen diagonal away from the screen for optimal focus.
The mat should match the room width without leaving dangerous overhangs. Standard simulator mats range from 5x5 feet in very small spaces up to 24x30+ feet in premium setups. Enclosures scale with tee-to-screen distance: short rooms often need only a net, while deeper rooms benefit from a full impact-screen enclosure with side netting. Ceiling height is critical for high-lofted shots and for avoiding club-head contact with overhead structures.
Launch monitor prices range from a few hundred dollars for portable radar units to nearly twenty thousand dollars for premium systems. Many users start with a portable radar unit and add a screen, projector, mat, and enclosure over time. If you are on a budget, prioritize a monitor that fits your current room now rather than planning a future renovation around an expensive fixed system.
Use the calculator above to test your exact dimensions, handedness preference, and budget. For deeper reviews, real-world installation notes, and head-to-head comparisons, visit simgolfbenchmarks.com.