Golf Simulator Setup Guide: Preparing Your Space
A practical checklist for preparing a room for a golf simulator — space, ceiling height, flooring, lighting, and power.
Before you buy anything, measure the room
Width, ceiling height, and depth from the hitting position to the screen all constrain which components will actually fit and work safely. Walk through this checklist before ordering a launch monitor or enclosure.
Space checklist
- Width: at least 10 feet to safely swing every club in the bag, including a driver.
- Ceiling height: at least 9 feet for most golfers; taller players or upright swings may need more clearance.
- Depth: 12-15 feet from the hitting mat to the impact screen, so the ball has room to travel before impact.
- Flooring: a flat, stable surface under the hitting mat — concrete, plywood, or firm existing flooring all work.
- Power: an outlet near the setup for the launch monitor, projector, and any computer or console running the software.
- Lighting: even, glare-free lighting that doesn’t reflect off the impact screen or interfere with camera-based tracking.
Camera-based systems need extra care
If you’re installing an overhead camera unit like the Uneekor EYE MINI, mounting position and calibration matter more than with mat-based units — this is the main reason professional installation is commonly recommended for that category.
Once the room is ready
With the space prepared, component selection comes down to budget and how much data accuracy you need — see our golf simulator buying guide and how to build a golf simulator for the full component breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special flooring under a hitting mat?
A hitting mat needs a flat, stable base. Concrete, plywood subfloor, or existing hard flooring all work; carpet can work too as long as the mat sits flat without shifting.
How much lighting do I need in a simulator room?
Even, glare-free lighting positioned to avoid reflecting off the impact screen improves both visibility and camera-based tracking accuracy. Avoid placing bright lights directly behind the screen.
