How to Build a Home Golf Simulator (The Complete Step-by-Step Guide)

Building a home golf simulator used to be a “someday” project reserved for country clubs and tour pros. Today, with purpose-built enclosures, launch monitors, and golf-optimized projectors, you can turn a spare bay in your garage or basement into a year-round training studio and entertainment space.

This guide walks through every major decision—from room sizing and enclosure selection to launch monitors, projectors, and turnkey bundles—using Elite Sim Golf components as concrete examples. Along the way, we’ll link directly to recommended enclosures, launch monitors, projectors, and plug-n-play bundles so you can go from planning to playing with as little friction as possible.

Step 1: Define Your Goals, Budget, and Timeline

Before you start shopping, get clear on what you actually want your simulator to do:

• Game improvement: Are you trying to dial in yardages, tighten dispersion, and track practice over time?
• Entertainment: Do you care most about playing full rounds with friends on realistic virtual courses?
• Coaching / junior development: Will multiple players (including lefties/righties) be using the bay regularly?
• Mixed-use space: Will the room still function as a garage, theater, or family game room?

Your answers influence everything that follows—especially the size of enclosure, the type of launch monitor, and whether you lean toward value-focused projectors or top-tier 4K systems.

Step 2: Measure Your Space (Ceiling Height, Width, and Depth)

Accurate measurements will save you from painful surprises during install. At minimum, you’ll want to measure:

• Ceiling height:
  • Most golfers are comfortable swinging a driver with at least 9’–10’ of clear height.
  • Overhead launch monitors like the VTrack Golf Launch Monitor require a minimum 106" ceiling height for proper installation and performance.
• Room width:
  • 10’ is the bare minimum; 12’–13’ gives you a more forgiving hitting zone and centered stance.
• Room depth:
  • Allow ~1’ behind the screen, 9’–11’ ball-to-screen distance, and 4’–6’ behind the hitting mat for a comfortable swing and launch monitor placement.

If your ceiling height, width, or depth are tight, don’t worry—you can still build a great bay. You’ll just want to choose a simulator enclosure and launch monitor that play nicely with your dimensions.

Step 3: Choose the Right Simulator Enclosure

The enclosure is the backbone of your build. It frames the hitting area, holds your impact screen, and sets the overall “feel” of the space. Elite Sim Golf’s enclosure lineup is designed so almost any room can get a premium bay:

Albatross 13 – Flagship, Full-Size Bay

If you have the room and want a “no compromises” simulator, the Albatross 13 Golf Simulator Enclosure is your flagship option. It combines a wide hitting area with a deep enclosure footprint for maximum ball containment and visual immersion, making it ideal for dedicated sim rooms and high-end builds.

• Generous 13’ class width for centered or offset hitting positions
• Extended-depth design for better safety and image framing
• Premium impact screen and enclosure walls for a polished, studio-grade look

Choose the Albatross 13 if you want a “tour-studio” feel and you’re working with a larger room.

Eagle 12 – The Sweet-Spot, Most Popular Size

The Eagle 12 Golf Simulator Enclosure is the most popular footprint because it balances width, depth, and cost. At roughly 12’ wide, it fits comfortably in many basements and garages while still feeling like a true simulator bay rather than a net in the corner.

• Perfect size for centered hitting and comfortable stance width
• Plays beautifully with both 1080p and 4K short-throw projectors
• Used as the standard enclosure in multiple R50 and VTrack plug-n-play bundles

If you’re not sure where to start, Eagle 12 is the go-to baseline for a “proper” sim bay.

Birdie 10 – Compact, Single-Stall Garage Solution

Building in a tight garage or multi-use room? The Birdie 10 Golf Simulator Enclosure is a more compact single-stall bay that still looks and feels premium.

• Ideal for 10’ wide bays or single garage stalls
• Same high-quality impact screen and enclosure materials as larger models
• Great pairing with value-oriented 1080p projectors and both R50 and VTrack

Birdie 10 is a fantastic choice when space is tight but you still want a proper enclosure—not a DIY tarp and net.

Step 4: Select a Launch Monitor (Heart of the Simulator)

Your launch monitor is where the “sim” magic happens. It tracks ball and club data, powers virtual courses, and determines how realistic your practice sessions and rounds will feel.

While there are many options on the market, two premium choices stand out for home simulators: the overhead, markerless VTrack and the all-in-one touchscreen Garmin Approach R50.

VTrack Golf Launch Monitor – Clean Overhead Performance

The VTrack Golf Launch Monitor is a ceiling-mounted, high-speed photometric system that keeps the floor completely clear and supports both right- and left-handed golfers in the same bay.

• Overhead, camera-based tracking – no unit on the floor or behind you
• Markerless technology – no club stickers or special balls required
• 25+ ball and club parameters, including ball speed, spin, club speed, path, face angle, and more
• Fast feedback (~200–250 ms) for realistic practice and sim play
• Minimum 106" ceiling height required for proper installation

If you want a clean, professional bay with nothing on the ground and full data on both ball and club, VTrack is one of the best overhead options available around the $5,000 mark.

For a deep dive into performance, setup, and data, you can also read the full VTrack launch monitor review and buyer’s guide.

Garmin Approach R50 – All-in-One Touchscreen Sim Hub

The Garmin Approach R50 Launch Monitor is a premium, tri-camera launch monitor with a built-in 10" color touchscreen and 43,000+ virtual courses available through Home Tee Hero (Garmin Golf membership required).

• Three high-speed cameras for direct ball and club measurement
• 10" built-in touchscreen so you can run the sim without a PC if you want
• Tracks key metrics like ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, spin axis, club speed, face angle, and more
• Impact video replay for every shot
• Supports popular third-party simulator software in addition to Home Tee Hero

The R50 is ideal if you want a portable unit that can live in your sim bay most of the time but also travel to the range or course. No laptop required to get up and running, and the touchscreen makes the experience very user-friendly for guests and family.

For more detailed comparisons (including Uneekor Eye Mini and Foresight GC3), check out the full Garmin Approach R50 review and buyer’s guide.

Step 5: Pick the Right Projector (Good / Better / Best)

A great launch monitor plugged into a dull projector will always feel flat. Because golf simulators use large 4:3-ish impact screens at relatively short distances, you need a short-throw projector with enough brightness and good motion handling. Elite Sim Golf offers several BenQ models that slot naturally into a good, better, best structure.

Good: BenQ AW30ST – Value 1080p LED Golf Projector

The BenQ AW30ST 3200-Lumen Short-Throw LED 1080P Golf Projector is a fantastic “good” option for golfers who want a bright, clean 1080p image without going all-in on laser or 4K yet.

• 1080p resolution – sharp enough for most sim software and streaming
• 3200 lumens – solid brightness for controlled lighting environments
• Short-throw design tailored for golf bays
• LED light source for long life and low maintenance

Pair the AW30ST with a Birdie 10 or Eagle 12 enclosure for a high-value, home-friendly build that still looks great on screen.

Better: BenQ AH700ST – Brighter 1080p Laser Performance

Moving up a tier, the BenQ AH700ST Golf Simulator Projector brings higher brightness and a laser light source while staying in the 1080p category.

• 1080p Full HD optimized for golf simulator graphics
• 4000 lumens – a big step up for larger screens or brighter rooms
• Laser light source for improved longevity and consistent brightness
• Short-throw optics tuned for golf sim setups

This is an excellent match for an Eagle 12 or Albatross 13 build where you want a punchy image in a mixed-light environment.

Best: BenQ AK700ST & LK936ST – 4K Flagships

At the top end, you have two 4K workhorses that deliver elite-level clarity for premium bays.

The BenQ AK700ST is BenQ’s ACE-series flagship golf projector, built specifically for short-throw golf bays with Auto Screen Fit and 4K resolution.

• 4K UHD resolution – razor-sharp detail for 4K simulator output
• 4000 lumens laser – bright, punchy image even at large screen sizes
• Golf-tuned color modes and features like Auto Screen Fit and Quick Focus
• Ideal for high-end Albatross 13 or Eagle 12 builds where image quality is top priority

The BenQ LK936ST is another 4K short-throw laser projector commonly used in commercial and luxury home bays. It delivers a traditional chassis style with golf-ready brightness and throw distances tailored for larger 4:3 impact screens.

• 4K BlueCore laser – commercial-grade brightness and durability
• Excellent for oversize screens and long-term, heavy-use environments
• Great match for dedicated sim rooms with Albatross-class enclosures

In short:

• Good: AW30ST – entry 1080p for value builds
• Better: AH700ST – brighter 1080p laser for most serious home bays
• Best: AK700ST / LK936ST – 4K laser for premium and commercial-grade simulators

For a deeper breakdown of the ACE-series projectors specifically, see the BenQ ACE Series projector guide.

Step 6: Build Out the Rest of the Bay

With the core components picked (enclosure, launch monitor, projector), you’re ready to round out the space:

• Hitting mat & turf: A quality mat with a replaceable hitting strip will protect your joints and give consistent readings. Many Elite Sim Golf bundles use ProTee-style 5x5 or 5x10 mats with removable inserts for longevity.
• PC or device:
  • R50 can run in no-PC mode directly from the touchscreen, with a PC added later for more advanced software.
  • VTrack is typically paired with a capable Windows PC running GSPro, E6 Connect, or similar sim software.
• Mounting & cabling: Use a proper projector mount plus long-run HDMI and power cables (often included or available in projector install kits) to keep the bay clean and safe.
• Lighting: Consider dimmable cans or track lighting positioned outside the direct projector beam.
• Quality of life extras: Sidewall padding, WormBurner-style base guards, cable management, ball trays, and club racks all help the bay feel finished.

Step 7: Choose a Turnkey Bundle vs. Piecing It Together

If you like the idea of picking every component individually, you can absolutely build a custom package around an Albatross 13, Eagle 12, or Birdie 10 plus your preferred launch monitor and projector.

But if you’d rather skip the guesswork, Elite Sim Golf also offers curated plug-n-play bundles that pair the right enclosure, launch monitor, projector, and mat.

Garmin R50 Plug-n-Play Bundles (Eagle 12)

• Garmin R50 Standard Plug-n-Play Bundle (12ft Enclosure) – a comprehensive package pairing the R50 with an Eagle 12 enclosure, 1080p short-throw projector, hitting mat, mount, and wireless HDMI for a complete, value-driven build.
• Garmin R50 Premium Plug-n-Play Bundle (12ft Enclosure) – upgrades the projector and components for a more premium studio-style experience while keeping the same easy setup and Eagle 12 footprint.

VTrack Overhead Premium Bundles (Eagle 12)

• VTrack Overhead Premium 1080p Bundle with 12ft Enclosure – combines the VTrack overhead launch monitor with an Eagle 12 enclosure, 1080p projector, and supporting hardware for a markerless, ceiling-mounted setup at a mid-premium price point.
• VTrack Overhead Premium 4K Bundle with 12ft Enclosure – steps up to a 4K projector for max visual fidelity, ideal for high-end Eagle 12 or Albatross-style builds with a focus on both performance data and immersion.

Bringing It All Together

A great golf simulator doesn’t happen by accident—it comes from matching the right enclosure, launch monitor, and projector to your room and your goals:

• Need a compact bay? Start with the Birdie 10, pair it with a Garmin R50, and a BenQ AW30ST for a premium-feeling yet space-efficient build.
• Want the best all-around home bay? Build around the Eagle 12, choose either VTrack or R50, and pair it with a BenQ AH700ST.
• Going fully flagship? Step up to the Albatross 13, run VTrack overhead, and light it up with a 4K AK700ST or LK936ST.

Whether you choose a curated plug-n-play bundle or build your own combo of enclosure, launch monitor, and projector, the key is alignment: match your space, your goals, and your budget—and let the tech do the rest.

From there, it’s simple: turn on the lights, pick your course, and enjoy a tee time on demand.