Much Space Do You Need for a Golf Simulator? | CAVES Game Room Design

Thinking about bringing a golf simulator into your home? The biggest hurdle for most people isn't the price tag — it's figuring out whether their space can actually handle it. The good news: with the right launch monitor, you probably need less room than you think. And the even better news — you don't have to figure any of this out alone. CAVES designs and installs custom golf simulator setups for homeowners across Minot, Bismarck, and Dickinson, and we'll measure your space for you before you spend a dime.

The Short Answer

For a basic simulator setup using a compact camera-based launch monitor, plan on:

• Ceiling height: minimum 10 feet for comfort
• Width: 10 feet minimum, 12–13 feet recommended
• Depth: 10 feet minimum, 12–15 feet recommended

Want the full "golf bay" experience with an enclosure and big-screen impact display? You're looking closer to an 18-by-16-foot room with 10-foot ceilings. Not sure which category your space falls into? That's exactly what a CAVES walkthrough is for.

Breaking Down Each Dimension

Ceiling Height
This is where most garages and basements run into trouble. Taller golfers with longer swings need more clearance than shorter golfers. The safest move is to swing a driver slowly in the space before buying anything — or better yet, let CAVES do a free in-home assessment so you're not guessing.

Width
Simulator makers generally recommend a minimum width of 13 feet for a comfortable swing diameter, though turnkey packages exist in 10-, 12-, or 13-foot options. If your space is tighter than that, don't count yourself out — CAVES has installed simulators in garages, basements, and bonus rooms across Minot, Bismarck, and Dickinson that homeowners assumed were "too small."

Depth (Hitting Distance to Screen)
Modern camera-based systems need far less depth than older radar setups — some radar systems need up to 21 feet of room depth, while a compact system needs closer to 10–12 feet. Getting this measurement right is critical for safety and shot accuracy, which is exactly why CAVES handles equipment selection and layout as part of every install — you get a system matched to your actual room, not a generic package.

Can You Fit One in a Smaller Space?

Often, yes:

• Side-mounted camera systems don't waste depth behind or in front of the ball, unlike dual-radar systems.
• A room as small as 10' x 10' x 9' can genuinely work with the right equipment.
• Hitting mat sizing, monitor placement, and screen distance all have to line up correctly — small misjudgments here can mean sensor errors or damaged walls. This is the kind of detail CAVES accounts for during design, so you don't find out the hard way.

Don't Forget These Extras

• Side clearance for a golf bag, chair, or drink rail
• Enclosure and screen sizing to match your actual width
• Flooring — hitting mat plus turf or rubber flooring
• Lighting and audio — CAVES can integrate simulator lighting and sound into the same install for a true game room feel

The Bottom Line

Whether you've got a 10x10 bonus room or a full garage bay to dedicate, the right golf simulator setup starts with getting your measurements right. Skip the guesswork — CAVES will come measure your space, recommend the right launch monitor and screen setup for your room, and handle the full installation from start to finish.

Ready to see what your space can do? Contact CAVES today to schedule your free golf simulator consultation in Minot, Bismarck, or Dickinson.