InHome Golf designs and builds your dream simulator rooms - But how much space do you really need? Here we'll explore a couple of common issues we see all the time!
I am planning in my room too. This was great info. I have a 13' wide 20ft deep room, but the ceiling is a bit odd. It is vaulted and slants from 8ft at the left side to 15ft at the right side. Has exposed rafters at 10ft. I feel this space is plenty large to build my setup. What sort of enclosure kits do you have for that size room? Was planning on a Garmin R10 and a benq short throw projector mounted on one of those rafters.
Yes Indeed. Far too often I see simulator companies shoehorning enclosures with little care for function. We always ensure the client is clear if there are spatial limitations.
@@slicksalmon6948 great question. Most simulators can be set up offset to the centre line, but that raises two other issues: 1. Do you need to play both left and right handed? Side mounted launch monitors like Skytrak, GC2 and Quad look at the ball from one side so if you need left and right handed you can move, calibrate and play. That’s no issue for teachers and fitters but for recreational players that can be tedious. Similar issue with down-the-line systems like TrackMan, mevo + and Flightscope when using in an offset position. Ceiling mounted systems like Uneekor, Hawk etc are hard mounted so your offset ability is naturally limited to the range each device can ‘see’. Here at InHomeGolf we developed the IHG AutoSlider to allow a ceiling mounted system to move into an offset position and back again without recalibrating. I’ll post the video for you after this post. 2. Does your software auto align to a new centre position or do you have to visualize your shot offset? I know Uneekor has an offset function to move the target line, but I don’t think it’s player specific, which means it wouldn’t auto switch because you’re a leftie. What system are you looking at? How wide is the room you’re using?
@@inhomegolf I’m looking at lower end, consumer grade gear (OptiShot, SkyTrak and Mevo Pus). I have the usual problem of trying to stuff a simulator into an 11.5 ft wide garage bay. If I stand 7.5 ft from the side wall, My target line is almost 2 feet off center. Fortunately, it’s just me; I don’t have any left handed friends. I’m the only guy I have to please, so a static setup is fine. I don’t mind hitting into the right side of the screen provided that the target line has similarly been shifted to the right. Otherwise, targeting is thrown off. Most people don’t seem to care about this discrepancy, but I do because my swing method is highly visualization based. I don’t want to hit to a target that’s 2 feet behind me.
Hi! Great video, thanks for posting this! I’m currently building a home with my wife. We’re going to have 9 foot ceilings in the basement. The basement will be unfinished so that I can finish it myself as needed. I want to put a simulator down there using the GCQuad system. People keep telling me that 9 foot ceilings aren’t enough for a simulator, but your video seems to contradict that. I’m 5’11 and have a fairly flat swing plane with my driver, so I’m not concerned about myself as much. Should I be significantly concerned about other people’s ability to swing freely with only 9 foot ceilings? Really interested to hear your thoughts since you obviously have a ton of experience. I’m in Pennsylvania, US, so I’d also be interested in hiring you to design the sim if that’s something you’d be interested in.
Hi Rob, there are 2 primary factors that determine minimum height for a simulator.. the first is can you comfortably swing your clubs there. Sounds like you can. Most people can, although Some people finish high. There’s definitely a potential for a friend to clip the ceiling. We’ve built many simulators at 9’ without issue. Second factor is your tracking tech. Some of the ceiling mounted systems have a 9’ minimum. Foresight has a great advantage here with Quad because it sits on the floor and has no height requirement. In my opinion you’ll be fine. Where in PA are you? Im going to be in PA this week. Maybe we connect and look at your space? Please email me at james@inhomegolf.com
Have you successfully completed a room where the Uneekor EYEXO was mounted just under 9-feet? My ceiling height is 8-foot-9 inches and I am hoping to avoid having to cut into the ceiling.
Hi - no I have not installed an EyeXO at 8'9" - although I did do a QED at 8'10" with no issue. I would suggest you contact Uneekor support for their recommendation.
Hope you see this! We are building a new man cave. The current space we have setup for the sim is 11 foot ceiling. 19'4" length. 14'3" and 3/4 width. At the back of the room (not where the screen is) there is a soffit that drops down 12" so under that spot is 10'. From looking at your video I assume the width is cutting it close? Your rule is 25' long. That is the first time I have seen that large of a length recommended. Why so much? Ultimately though my question is do you think I would have plenty of room to not worry about my swing including with the longest driver?
Hey Bama! Your space is really close. For height your lowest point is 10'. Thats excellent. For width at 14'3" is great for a centre strike position. This means all of the ceiling mounted systems will work. Length of 19'4" is functional but the trouble occurs when you want to have a full group in there with you. The screen is 1' from the wall, then ideally the ball is at 12' from the screen, then 4' for swing radius (safety zone), and you're at 17'. So if you have 4 people, the all must stand in that last 19'4" or opposite you when you're swinging. Its possible but tight. You maybe can steal a foot back from the ball flight but it's still really tight. On the other hand - if the room is really just for you to improve your game - its perfect! Pricing depends on the launch monitor. There's lots of options. Please email me pictures of your room to james@inhomegolf.com and we can set up a call to discuss.
Even if you can physically swing a club in a space that tight, you might not like results as a ‘simulator’ room. Your height at 10’ is great. Your width at 10’ is too narrow for a centre strike position, so you’ll need a floor mounted tracking system like SkyTrack, Mevo, or Quad. Your width makes left/right handed play challenging. Your length is the real problem. Your screen or net will be 1’ off the wall so your effective length is 11’. You’ll need 6-7 feet for your swing radius so you’ll be really close to the screen which makes projector placement difficult, and definitely makes it too tight for more than one person. I like to see rooms that are 10’high x 15’w x 20’ or even 25’long.
Yes, they do. Shanked shots are by definition, shanks. So they don’t move fast. I’ve had them in my showroom for 5 years and while several balls have hit the curtain and the wall behind, there are no dents or obvious signs of impact.
Looking to build in a small room. Everyone is telling me I’m to close to the screen. It will wear faster and it’s dangerous. I’m about 8 feet away. Is that to close? Room is 17 feet long. 11 feet wide, 9.5 high
You're room is definitely tight. at 11'wide you can't hit from the centre line - you'll have to be offset, which is ok if your launch monitor accommodates that. at 8' form the screen its visually very close and depending on the quality of your impact screen you may have the ball kick back too far. Another issue is your head will likely cast a shadow from your projector depending on its plecement. at 9.5' high you'll need a really short throw projector to get close enough to not cause a shadow. From experience I recommend no closer than 10 from the screen for the strike zone. Of course you can build rooms that are less than ideal BUT then you need to adjust your expectations for the outcome.
Sure it is. It's just a little tight. You may have to offset the strike zone by 10-12". Send me a drawing of your room and we can discuss: james@inhomegolf.com
If you have a room that is 10 feet high - 16foot wide and 20foot long, do you believe there would be room to have a simulator and a sitting area, the sitting area a couch and a chair to watch the golfer?
Hi Grace, your width and height are excellent. 20' long is great for a simulator but sitting is tight. Generally we put the screen at 1' from the wall, ball flight is 12' and 4' for swing clearance means 17' minimum for the simulator. That leaves you 3' for sitting. A couch would be tight but bar chairs or stools would be ok.
So 8 foot high isn't high enough but the average player needs 6.5 feet of width to their swing? So how does clearance for the height = width. 8 foot is not high enough, I agree. But 8 foot width is more than enough, which makes your first graph incorrect.
Hey RJ, great question. There are a couple of things to consider: 1. Average golfer swings their driver on a 45 degree angle (Swing Plane) which means if the club goes back 6.5 ft then it also goes up 6.5 ft. HOWEVER, many people lift their club head up on the follow through. I see younger, more flexible players maintain a lower plane during follow through but older, less flexible players don't turn as much and thus the club head lifts with the momentum. In my experience a comfortable minimum height is 9'. This works for most players. 2. Most ceiling based tracking systems require 9' clearance. If you are comfortable swinging in 8' ceilings then fine, we can build a sim to fit that. But you're restricted to the technologies that can accommodate. Floor mounted units are your best bet. There are several pricepoints. SkyTrak to TrackMan and Quad.
