Table of Content
- Can I Put a Golf Simulator in My Basement?
- How Much is a Basement Golf Simulator?
- Basement Golf Simulator Ceiling Height – What Do I Need?
- Where Else in the Home is Best for A Golf Simulator?
- How Much Does it Cost to Build a Home Golf Simulator?
- What Do You Need to Set up a Golf Simulator at Home?
- Where Can I Pick up Golf Simulator Equipment Cheap?
- Conclusion
Installing a golf simulator is an excellent option if you have sufficient space in your home and want to experience playing thousands of courses from around the world without having to travel anywhere.
If your home has a basement, then it’s the ideal place to install a golf simulator, but there are several things you need to consider before pressing ahead with an installation.
Below, we look at the logic behind installing a golf simulator for the basement and introduce some top tips that will make the installation process a little bit easier and cheaper.
Can I Put a Golf Simulator in My Basement?
Yes! – Your basement is the perfect place to install a golf simulator. You have plenty of space to build a full-size and realistic simulator that includes a full screen, hitting mat, and flooring area to safely replicate a true golf course experience at home.
With a home setup, you can effectively turn your basement into your very own golf practice space and even add a practice putting surface to work on all aspects of your game.
One of the biggest advantages of installing a golf simulator in your basement is that you don’t need to worry about noise proofing, as the space does a great job of keeping things private and ensuring you aren’t disturbing your family or neighbors with errant balls!
Another big plus is that basements are free from a great deal of natural light. While this would be a disadvantage in almost any other setting, it reduces glare and ensures you can enjoy the full benefits of the projection on your big screen.
Overall, we’d go as far as to say that putting a golf simulator in the basement is pretty much the best place you can install it!
Read on to find out everything you need to know about basement golf simulators, so you can transform your home space and set about improving your golf game simultaneously.
How Much is a Basement Golf Simulator?
While prices of golf simulators vary significantly, this highly-rated simulator from FlightScope is available for under $2000. With multiple simulated courses and seventeen practice ranges, you can mix up your golf game from the comfort of your own home.
FlightScope’s simulator has everything you need from a high-performing home unit.
What’s more, the simulator allows you to track 16 unique data parameters including clubhead speed, carry distance, and ball speed to give you real-time insight into your on-the-course performance.
You can also track your ball flight and look for ways to improve your long and short games from home. The simulator is good for use inside or outside and works from your tablet or PC when paired up with a net or projector screen.
Overall, for the price, this basement golf simulator from FlightScope offers great value for money and has all the features you need to improve your golf game at home.
Basement Golf Simulator Ceiling Height – What Do I Need?
In most instances, you need a minimum of 8.5 feet from floor to ceiling to set up and use a golf simulator. Lots of companies recommend a 10-foot space to be on the safe side, but you should get away with 8.5 feet if you’re of an average height.
Naturally, if you’re particularly tall, you will need more space to swing a golf club indoors!
However, there are other height considerations you need to think about when it comes to installing a basement golf simulator. For instance, if your projector needs to be ceiling mounted, you will need to bear this in mind when it comes to the available space.
The position of the projector is vital, as it ensures the picture is clear on the screen in front of you and prevents the casting of shadows.
Another thing to think about is width. While most simulators don’t stipulate how wide your space should be, you don’t want to feel as if you’re packed into your basement like a sardine in a tin.
It’s a good idea to take a golf club down into the basement and ensure you can swing accurately, both from above and to the sides.
Providing you can swing uninhibited and meet the minimum requirements as stipulated by the simulator manufacturer, your basement should be big enough to install a simulator.
Where Else in the Home is Best for A Golf Simulator?
The next best place to install a golf simulator at home would be your garage. Your first consideration should be the space in your garage. Take a slow backswing and ensure your club doesn’t hit the ceiling. Again, you will need at least 8.5 feet to install a simulator in the garage.
Just like the basement, your garage is ideal because it doesn’t have a great deal of natural light and is somewhat separate from the rest of the house.
If you’re planning to use the garage for your golf simulator, make sure you clear out as many bits and pieces as you can, as you want the space to be free from junk and conducive to swinging freely.
Alternatively, you could install a golf simulator in an outhouse or garden summerhouse house, providing it is big enough.
You might be in a position to build an outhouse in your backyard specifically for a golf simulator, ensuring you can design it to the exact specs recommended by the manufacturer.
However, we wouldn’t recommend installing a golf simulator in your family’s main living room. This is because the space is for your whole family to enjoy, and commandeering it for the use of a golf simulator is a little disruptive to family life.
You will also need to consider the space required for the simulator, meaning you would have to remove lots of furniture to accommodate it.
Ultimately, an underused room in or outside your house that doesn’t have a great deal of natural light is the best place to install a golf simulator.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Home Golf Simulator?
Given the huge range of golf simulators on the market (as well as some interesting DIY options), it can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $35,000 to build a home golf simulator.
The price range is so wide because there are so many factors that you need to consider before investing in a golf simulator, which will ultimately affect the price you need to pay.
The table below indicates just some of the costs that you will need to think about covering:
| Item | Price range |
|---|---|
| Launch monitor | $500 – $15,000 |
| Simulator software | $100 – $1,000 |
| Hitting mat | $100 – $4,000 |
| Hitting net | $150 – $2,000 |
| Projector | $500 – $1,500 |
| Projector screen | $250 – $500 |
| Renovations | $0 – $10,000 |
| Total | $1,600 – $34,000 |
The costs above are just indicative of what you can reasonably expect to pay for a home golf simulator and should only be used as a guide.
As you can see, the two biggest costs are likely to be the launch monitor and any renovations that you need to make to the space in which the golf simulator will be installed.
A word of warning – don’t try and install a golf simulator at home on the cheap. While there are ways that you can save money, buying the cheapest equipment will impact the quality of your home golfing experience.
As such, prepare a budget before you invest in a home simulator and try and save as much money as you can before getting started. This way, you can build a simulator that is full of features and performs well.
What Do You Need to Set up a Golf Simulator at Home?
First, you will need to have a room in your home or an outbuilding that is suitable in which to install a golf simulator. As mentioned, the basement or the garage is ideal for installing a simulator, as they’re spacious, devoid of natural light, and not necessarily in use for other reasons.
Thereafter, you will need the following items:
- Launch monitor & simulator software
- Hitting mat and net
- Projector and projector screen
- Golf clubs and balls
The above items will be enough to get you started, but you will find that you can add a broad range of accessories to your home golf simulator once the initial setup has been installed.
As each golf simulator is slightly different, make sure you review the requirements as stipulated by the manufacturer so you have everything you need before getting started.
Where Can I Pick up Golf Simulator Equipment Cheap?
The best place to look for cheap golf simulator equipment is on eBay or Craigslist. You will almost certainly save money by picking up used golf simulator gear where possible. It’s much better to buy top-of-the-range equipment that has been used, as opposed to cheaper equipment that is still new.
You can save thousands of dollars on used equipment from some of the biggest brands in the business; you will just need to keep your eyes peeled on platforms like eBay and Craigslist.
If you are planning to buy used equipment, it’s vital that you check its condition before committing to a sale.
Look for “like new” descriptions and always request a demo to ensure the simulator works. You should also check the sellers’ feedback to ensure they come highly rated and don’t have a track record of selling sub-standard products.
If you can buy from established vendors or even golf outlets on these channels, you’re much more likely to get a decent product at a great price.
Conclusion
Your basement is the perfect place to install a golf simulator, as it’s somewhat detached from the rest of your home and free from natural light, meaning your screen won’t experience the dreaded glare that often comes off the windows.
Make sure you thoroughly research the product and equipment that you’re investing in and consider looking on eBay and Craigslist for used gear that is still in good condition if you’re looking to save yourself some money.
Just make sure that your basement has sufficient space to host a golf simulator, or consider your garage or an outbuilding in the backyard as a viable alternative if not.