For our 2023 picks, we considered 12 golf simulators and launch monitors from 7 manufacturers, and for the third year in a row, Foresight’s GCQuad came out on top. Find out why we picked the GCQuad as the best golf simulator this year, and check out our other recommended simulators below, with options to fit all budgets.
Contents
Which golf simulator is right for you? A quick summary
We’ll begin this overview by saying that probably the biggest factor in determining which golf simulator setup is right for you is your budget.
It might sound like a cop out, but it’s the truth.
Because if you want the best of the best — and the sim setup that most pros use — you’re looking at a GCQuad. But they don’t come cheap.
The good news however is that for most amateur golfers a mid-range sim (somewhere between $4K and $8K for the full setup) is going to be more than sufficient. And the mid-range is very well served with excellent options from Mevo and SkyTrak, particularly the brand new SkyTrak+.
Additionally, most retailers will offer credit terms that let you spread the cost of the sim over 12-24 months. So even if you do decide to splash out for one of the top of the line models you’re not necessarily going to have to pay everything out in a lump sum.
Here’s our top pick for each price point. For more detailed comparisons and choices, check out the individual sections.
Foresight GCQuad (best overall) – right at the top of the golf simulator tree we have Foresight’s GCQuad simulators. These are the sims you’ll see the top online golf instructors like Rick Shiels using in their videos. They’re the best golf simulators on the market, and they are priced accordingly. The GCQuad launch monitor alone is $14K (with sim software), and for a full simulator setup you’ll be looking at around $20-$27K. But the good news is, we can help you save up to $1,000 from quoted prices at the 3 main sim retailers. So be sure to find out how before buying.
Update (April 2023): While the GCQuad remains Foresight’s flagship launch monitor, the GC3 is an impressive addition to their line-up. The GC3 features 3 cameras, rather than the 4 cameras on the GCQuad, which means it can’t track face to path, impact location and loft at impact. But for shot tracking, accuracy is similar (and better than SkyTrak), and you can get a full sim setup for $13K, which is less than you’d pay for just the GCQuad launch monitor.
SkyTrak (mid range) – In the mid range, we’ve got the ever popular SkyTrak system. This is going to set you back anywhere from $2K for just the launch monitor, to mid 4 figures for a full setup including hitting cage, mat, projector etc. It’s expensive, sure, but SkyTrak is close to pro (and in fact “pro enough” for 99% of golfers), and is coming in at least 50% cheaper than the high end golf simulators.
Which is why, I’d recommend SkyTrak to most golfers who have a reasonable budget and are looking for a true “at home” golfing experience. It’s not quite got the accuracy of the high-end sims like the GCQuad and TruGolf’s Apogee, but it’s still a great simulator.
Update (May 2023) – SkyTrak have just launched an updated model, the SkyTrak+, which has an improved radar and camera system, and utilizes machine learning (AI) for their most accurate stats to date. The SkyTrak+ will begin shipping at the beginning of June and is available to pre-order with $300 off here. For now, the original SkyTrak is still available (and remains a great choice if you need your sim in a hurry). We’ve included both models in our full review section.
Garmin (budget) – at the true budget end there isn’t much choice for what we’d class as a genuine simulator (as opposed to a “golf game”). But for just $1,699 you can get a full training setup with a Garmin launch monitor here.
Or stretch the budget a little higher, and you can grab a SkyTrak package (without side netting or projector) for just $3,289 here.
And if budget is mega tight? While not a true launch monitor, the cheap and cheerful OptiShot 2 will at least allow you to play golf and hit balls at home. Stats on the OptiShot will be spotty, but they’re not going to be a million miles out.
Today’s Best Affordable Sim Deals
Garmin R10
SkyTrak Training
OptiShot 2
So that’s your options. For many golfers, the Garmin might be sufficient. For those looking for more accurate feedback, SkyTrak is going to do the trick. But if you want a truly accurate indoor golf experience, then GCQuad is where you’ll want to be investing your money.
What about TrackMan?
While TrackMan continues to be the benchmark against which all other golf simulators are measured, we consider it to be for pro use, rather than a home setup. It’s going to set you back double the price of an all singing, all dancing GCQuad setup, and we feel that any gain in accuracy over the GCQuad is minimal enough to be a non-issue.
Now let’s look at each of the simulators in a bit more detail.
Reviews: The best golf simulators this year
As mentioned above, we split our picks into 3 categories; high-end ($10K+), mid-range ($3-10K), and budget (under $3K).
Ultimately, as you would expect, the very best simulators fall into the high-end range. But every sim we picked, and particularly those in the mid-range (like SkyTrak+), are excellent golf simulators with stats that will be accurate enough for most amateur golfers.
Here are our picks for the best golf simulators in 2023:
- SkyTrak+ – best mid-range
- SkyTrak (original) – runner-up, mid-range
- Foresight GC Quad – best high-end, best overall
- Garmin R10 – best affordable
- TruGolf Apogee – best graphics
- Flightscope Mevo+ – SkyTrak alternative
- OptiShot 2 – under $1,000
1. SkyTrak+
Our pick for: best mid-range golf simulator in 2023
Price range: $5K-$10K
SkyTrak has topped our selection of mid-range golf sims for the past 3 years. But it’s finally been toppled… by… well, SkyTrak. Specifically the brand-new SkyTrak+.
So what’s new with the SkyTrak+?
Firstly, there’s an upgrade to the Doppler radar system SkyTrak uses to track and calculate ball flight. And they’ve also improved their photometric camera system, which is going to improve accuracy, and help performance when you take your SkyTrak+ launch monitor out of your sim setup and onto the range.
We were anticipating these upgrades, as the original SkyTrak has been around for a while now. But more notably, SkyTrak has jumped on the “machine learning” (in other words AI) bandwagon with the SkyTrak+. And in their testing, they’ve found that their AI-enhanced stats are now matching up to high-end (considerably more expensive) launch monitors.
Now, we should point out that the SkyTrak+ is brand new. In fact, it’s not actually shipping until the beginning of June (you can preorder here). So at the moment, we’re kind of taking their word for it.
But since launch, SkyTrak’s tracking and data has always stood out in the mid-range category — so we’ve no reason to doubt that with the new radar and camera tech, and a sprinkling of AI magic, they’ll be running the likes of Foresight and Trackman closer than ever. And that’s why the SkyTrak+ is now our number one pick in the mid-range golf simulator category.
For the moment, the original SkyTrak is still available (and is around $1,000 cheaper), so we’ve decided to keep it on our list. So if you need your sim in a hurry, it’s still an excellent choice.
Today’s Best SkyTrak+ Deals
SkyTrak+ SwingBay
SkyTrak+ SIG10
SkyTrak+ PerfectBay
2. SkyTrak (original)
Our pick for: runner up, mid-range
Price range: $5K-$10K
The original SkyTrak remains one of our top recommendations for most golfers who have a reasonable budget and are looking to accurately measure their stats and play golf at home.
Sure, it’s not got all the bells and whistles of the truly high end golf simulators. But it’s a big step up from the Garmin at the affordable end and is close enough to “pro” as most amateur golfers will need.
Price wise, you’ll be able to pick up a SkyTrak simulator setup for somewhere between $5,000 and $9,000 (depending on the options you pick). But even at the top end, that’s still coming in a lot cheaper than the most “affordable” TruGolf and GCQuad simulators.
The main difference between the SkyTrak and budget simulators like the OptiShot 2 (which we’ll cover below) is that the SkyTrak is an actual golf launch monitor. It uses high speed cameras to track your ball flight immediately after impact. Which means it can accurately measure speed, spin, trajectory etc, and give you stats that are much more precise than the clubface tracking of the OptiShot.
For each shot you’ll get:
- Ball Speed
- Launch Angle
- Back Spin
- Side Spin
- Side Angle
- Carry/Total Distance
- Distance Offline
- Roll Distance
- Flightpath
- Clubhead Speed
- Angle of Descent
Head to head studies have shown that SkyTrak’s stats are 98% as accurate as Trackman, which for many years has been considered to be the gold standard of golf simulator/launch monitor accuracy. And as a Trackman system will set you back somewhere between $25K and $50K, a 2% difference in accuracy seems more than acceptable.
In summary
Game play on the SkyTrak is great, and unlike cheaper sims like OptiShot you’ll get properly named PGA Tour courses. Playing “closest to the pin” at Pebble Beach is a great way to while away the hours, and teeing it up in front of the R&A headquarters at St. Andrews will give any golfer the chills — even if it’s only in pixel form.
3. Foresight GCQuad
Our pick for: the best golf simulator in 2023
Price range: $18K-$30K
Foresight’s GCQuad remains the leading launch monitor in the consumer market. If accuracy is what you need, then GCQuad is the golf simulator for you.
I’m not going to go big into features (we’ve got a full GCQuad review here). Suffice to say the GCQuad is insanely accurate. It’s trusted by PGA pros like Rickie Fowler and Francesco Molinari. You’ll see Martin Hall using it on the golf channel. You’ll see YouTube golf gurus using it to test clubs in their videos.
If every mm and fraction of an angle matters. If you need an exact RPM for spin. If you need to know your distances to the yard for every club, then Foresight’s GCQuad golf simulator is what you need.
What will it set you back? Anywhere between $14K (for the launch monitor and sim software) to $26K for a premium setup with all add-ons. Our top pick is the SIG10 setup (pictured) that currently comes in at just under $25K with the clubhead add on (which you’ll want).
We also like the SwingBay package from Rain or Shine Golf which comes in at around $26,500 with a projector and the clubhead add on.
It’s an investment in your game for sure. But like all things in life, you get what you pay for, and the GCQuad is the best of the best.
Save On GCQuad Simulator Packages
We partner with the major golf simulator retailers and can negotiate a deal on your behalf, which could save you up to $1,000 from the list price quoted on their website. Fill in the form below (and preferred package if applicable) and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours with your exclusive price.
4. Garmin R10
Our pick for: best affordable golf simulator in 2023
Price range: $2K-$3K
If you’re looking for an affordable golf simulator, the Garmin R10, which can be picked up in a sim package for between $2K and $3K is our top choice.
Garmin are known for their excellent golf GPS watches, which we’ve long found to be the most accurate on the market. I wear one myself.
So it’s not a huge surprise to see them venture into the golf simulator (or at least launch monitor) space.
The Garmin R10 is a doppler radar launch monitor. But unlike the Mevo+ it’s not going to be tracking your ball in flight, it’s using the radar to track your club (speed, distance, path etc) through impact.
Accuracy wise, it’s reasonable. But if you need precise measurements then you’ll really have to go for a mid range sim.
Here’s what Garmin say about their stats:
Measured by Radar
- Club head speed accuracy: +/- 3 mph
- Ball speed accuracy: +/- 1 mph
- Launch angle accuracy: +/- 1 degree
- Launch direction accuracy: +/- 1 degree
Calculated by Algorithm
- Club face angle accuracy: +/- 2 degrees
- Apex height accuracy: +/- 5 feet
- Carry distance accuracy: +/- 5 yards
So you’re saving cash, but you will be losing a bit of accuracy on stats. There’s always going to be a trade off.
In terms of functioning as a golf simulator though (i.e. playing a simulated golf course rather than geeking out over stats) the Garmin is probably on a par with the mid-range sims. Garmin’s E6 connect system is impressive, and gives you the option to play 100 different courses — more than most of its competitors.
You can grab a Garmin training setup for under $2K. And if that suits your budget, it’s going to be a great choice.
Today’s Best Garmin R10 Deals
Garmin R10 Practice
Garmin R10 Bronze
Garmin R10 Home
5. TruGolf Apogee
Our pick for: best graphics
Price range: $15K-$20K
Highly accurate launch and impact statistics, instant feedback, and stunning graphics (at up to 4K) make the TruGolf Apogee a truly pro level golf simulator.
TruGolf’s Apogee sim, is going to set you back anywhere between $15K and $20K depending on the package you choose.
There’s a step up in accuracy from mid range sims such as SkyTrak. And really here, you’re looking at Trackman levels of precision with regards to launch conditions. Not only are the cameras that little bit faster and sharper for capturing ball flight, TruGolf have invested a ton of time (and we assume money) researching the physics of golf impact, to get as close as you can to simulating how a real golf ball will fly based on that first foot or so of launch.
If you hit it 5 yards offline in real life, you’ll hit it 5 yards offline on a TruGolf simulator. If you hit it 30 yards offline in real life… well you know what I’m going to say.
But as much as the stat tracking is a level up, what really impresses us is the way the courses look. Quite simply they are stunning. And while SkyTrak has nice looking golf courses, there’s no doubt they have that digital look. You know you’re playing a game. TruGolf’s courses look about as real as you can get with modern tech. To put the difference in simple terms, it’s like comparing a PS5 (TruGolf) with a PS2 (SkyTrak).
The speed of feedback is also impressive. As soon as you hit the ball you’ll be able to see your stats and ball flight on the screen. There’s literally no delay.
6. FlightScope Mevo+
Our pick for: SkyTrak alternative
Price range: $5K-$10K
FlightScope’s Mevo+ is an excellent mid-range golf simulator and a worthy SkyTrak alternative.
FlightScope’s Mevo+ is a Doppler Radar tracking launch monitor. Which means it actually tracks the golf ball in flight similar to Trackman, rather than calculating stats based on impact conditions and initial launch.
Does that make it more accurate than SkyTrak? Perhaps ever so slightly, but in our experience (and in other tests we’ve seen) we’d say the difference was negligible.
Certainly the Mevo+ is not as accurate as the GCQuad (which like SkyTrak is photometric) so we can safely say that Doppler tracking isn’t inherently better than photometric tracking.
What we can say for sure is you’ll be happy with the accuracy of the stats you’ll get from your Mevo+. And you will get a few more numbers to chew over from a Mevo+ setup when compared to a SkyTrak, including:
- carry distance
- clubhead speed
- smash factor
- apex height
- flight time
- spin rate
- vertical launch angle
- horizontal launch angle
- angle of attack
- total distance
- roll distance
- spin axis
- spin loft
- shot shape
If you need even more there’s also an add on that will unlock 11 additional metrics, including club path, low point, and dynamic loft.
On the sim itself, you can choose from 5 different courses to play, or if you prefer to simulate being on the range, there are 17 different choices. Mevo even threw in a mini darts game, because… why not?
At a space friendly 6.8″W x 4.6″H the Mevo+ is one of the smallest launch monitors on the market. Which means if you want to take it out of your home setup and onto the range it’s easy to carry around with you.
All in, the Mevo+ is an excellent launch monitor, which makes for a great home golf simulator setup. We do prefer SkyTrak, but there’s really not a lot in it, and you’re going to be happy with either choice.
Check out FlightScope Mevo+ packages here.
7. OptiShot 2
Our pick for: best golf simulator under $1,000
If you’re looking for an affordable golf simulator that will give you some valuable feedback on your swing, and just let you “play” golf at home, then the OptiShot 2 should be your choice.
It’s the world’s best selling affordable golf simulator, and it’s easy to see why.
Their “golf in a box” package gives you everything you need to get started for under $800, which is ridiculously cheap when compared with the higher end golf sims.
You’ll get 15, 3D rendered courses pre-loaded onto the OptiShot, with the option to add another 45 with a subscription. The courses have slightly different names to the ones they emulate (we assume for budget/licensing reasons), but it’s easy to figure out what’s what, and the emulations are pretty faithful. Bottom line: you’ll be playing PGA tour courses on your OptiShot 2.
The OptiShot 2 tracks your club using sixteen precisely-tuned, high-speed 48MHz infrared sensors. And I say “your club” for a reason, as the OptiShot isn’t actually tracking your ball, it’s tracking the path of your clubface. Which means you can hit real golf balls, foam balls, or even no ball at all.
Of course, while this is an advantage to some degree (you don’t even necessarily need a hitting net), the fact that the OptiShot is not actually tracking your ball means the stats should be taken with a healthy grain of salt. There’s no substitute for hitting real balls and observing true ball flight.
And in terms of the stats, you’ll get club speed, club path, face angle, tempo, distance, and estimated contact location on the clubface. Club path is particularly useful if you’re looking to groove a more in to out swing/fix over the top.
In summary
The OptiShot is not a pro level golf simulator. But you’ll get some useful stats and can play a simulated round of golf at home for a wallet friendly price.
Which is why the OptiShot 2 is our pick for the best golf simulator under $1,000 this year. In fact, it’s the only full golf sim we considered in this category.
If that’s what you’re after, then no need to read any further. Just go here and buy it.
Where To Buy An Indoor Golf Simulator In 2023
While there are some sim deals available on general retailers/marketplaces like Amazon, we’d recommend buying your golf simulator from a specialist retailer based in the USA.
Golf sims are not cheap, so you want to make sure you’re getting the real deal, and that your sim will be fully covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
Here’s where we recommend shopping for your golf simulator.
1. The Indoor Golf Shop
From their base in Dallas, Texas, The Indoor Golf Shop (previously Shop Indoor Golf) build and ship simulators across the USA.
They have a great selection of sim setups from SkyTrak, TruGolf, Foresight, Optishot, and Flightscope, with a range of packages to suit all budgets.
Financing is available to help spread the cost of your sim, and you can choose to pay over 3, 6, 12, or 24 months. 0% APR is available on the 12 month financing options.
Check out the Indoor Golf Shop here.
2. Rain Or Shine Golf
Rain Or Shine Golf is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and ship their sims across the USA.
They have a wide range of sim packages available from brands including SkyTrak, Flightscope, TruGolf, and Uneekor.
Again, financing is available (max $15K) with 0% APR up to 12 months, and other finance deals available up to 36 months.
Check out Rain Or Shine Golf here.
Golf Simulator Cost: Everything You Need To Know Before You Buy
Wondering how much setting up a home golf simulator will cost?
Below we breakdown the costs of everything you’ll need in a typical home simulator setup.
We’ve included multiple options to cover various price points. So whether your total budget is $1,000 or $30,000 you’ll find all the information you need below.
What you need for a home golf simulator setup (total costs)
Let’s start by looking at what you’ll need for a home golf simulator setup.
We won’t go into specifics here (we’ll cover each item separately after). Instead we’ll look at high and low costs in a table summary.
| Item | Required | Cost (low) | Cost (high) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch monitor | yes | $499 | $14,000 |
| Simulator software | yes | $0 | $950 |
| Hitting mat | yes | $150 | $4,000 |
| Hitting net | yes | $159 | $2,495 |
| Projector | no | $699 | $1,419 |
| Projector screen | no | $249 | $295 |
| Side barrier netting | no | $200 | $230 |
| Total (required) | $808 | $21,445 | |
| Total (all) | $1,956 | $23,389 |
So buying items individually (instead of a package deal which we recommend), the cost of a home golf simulator setup could vary from $808 with just the basic minimums, to $26,889 for a premium simulator with all extras.
Note: we marked the projector and screen as non-essential as technically you view ballflight on your laptop or iPad. However, for most home simulator setups (and a more golf like experience), you’ll want both a projector and screen.
Now let’s take a look at the individual elements in a typical golf simulator setup and their associated costs.
Launch monitor costs
Price range: $499 – $14,000
The launch monitor is the brains of the golf simulator. Basic launch monitors will track the path of the club face through impact (less accurate), while more advanced launch monitors will track initial ball flight, and use this to calculate full flight (more accurate).
Generally, the more expensive the launch monitor, the more accurate simulated ball flight (and associated statistics) will be.
Note: technically monitors which track club path are not true launch monitors, however, we have included one here (the OptiShot 2) for simplicity.
Let’s look at costs for some of the most popular launch monitors used in golf simulators this year.
| Launch monitor | Tracking | Accuracy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| OptiShot 2 | Club path | Acceptable | $499 |
| SkyTrak | Ball flight | High | $1,995 |
| Foresight GC2 | Ball flight | Pro | $9,500 |
| Foresight GC Quad | Ball flight | Pro | $14,000 |
At the affordable end ($499) we have the OptiShot 2 system, which tracks club path rather than ball flight, and is therefore not technically classed as a launch monitor. According to OptiShot, accuracy is within 2 mph of club head speed, 1.5 degrees of face angle and 1.9 degrees of swing path. So while the OptiShot will do a reasonable job simulating ball flight on screen, stats should be taken with a healthy grain of salt.
There’s a considerable jump in price to the SkyTrak ($1,995). But that’s because it’s a true launch monitor which tracks the golf ball in the early stages of flight. Accuracy is considerably higher – at least 98% as accurate as TrackMan, the industry benchmark, which uses radar to track the full flight of the golf ball.
And at the pro level we have the GC2 ($9,500) and GC Quad ($14,000) launch monitors from Foresight. Again, both these launch monitors track impact and early ball flight (not full flight), but accuracy is comparable to TrackMan – particularly on the GC Quad.
For most golfers SkyTrak will be accurate enough, and it continues to be the most popular golf simulator on the market. However, serious golfers who need precise stats (and have the budget), may want to invest in a Foresight launch monitor.
Check out our guide to the best golf launch monitors in 2023.
Hitting mat costs
Price range: $150 – $4,000
Unless you plan on tearing up your carpet, you’ll need a hitting mat. And while there are some super cheap options available, we’d recommend steering clear of them. You need a little bit of give in your hitting mat, otherwise you’re going to quickly injure your elbow, or at least groove a swing that’s too shallow as you’re scared of impacting the mat.
There’s a wide variation in hitting mat costs. At the lower end, you’re looking at around $150 for a very basic, smaller mat with some cushioning. In the mid range $500-$900 will get you a TrueStrike mat (which have excellent turf like give). And at the high end, a premium mat such as one from Fiberbuilt can set you back anywhere from $1,199 to $4,000.
Hitting net costs
Price range: $159 – $2,495
Your home golf simulator setup is going to need a hitting net. And again, there’s a big variation in pricing between the lower end nets and the high end hitting nets.
For under $200, you’ll be able to pick up a basic hitting net like the Cimarron Super Swing Master.
In the mid range, Net Return have some decent nets in the $500-$1,000 bracket.
And Net Return also cater for the premium market, with their flagship Simulator Series golf net tipping the scales at a cool $2,495.
Projector costs
Price range: $699 – $1,419
Your projector is responsible for, well projecting, the visuals from your golf simulator onto the screen. And generally, the more expensive the projector, the brighter and sharper the image will be.
For example, the mid range $699 Optoma X318ST projects images with a brightness level of 3,300 lumens, while the high end $1,419 Maxell MC-EX5001 projects 5,200 lumens. The Maxwell also features HDCR2, which delivers a sharper, higher contrast projection.
But with that being said, while the Maxwell projector will certainly deliver a brighter, sharper image, and is recommended if you have the budget, the Optoma X318ST should be sufficient for most home setups.
Simulator screen costs
Price range: $249 – $295
We recommend you go with either the Net Return Home simulator screen ($249), or the Net
Return Pro simulator screen ($295).
The only difference here is the size of the screen, with the Home screen being 80” H x 82” W, and the Pro being 83” H x 94” W.
Choose the simulator screen that fits best with your hitting net.
Side barrier netting costs
Price range: $200 – $230
If you’re certain that you’ll never shank the ball, you might get away without side barrier netting for your home golf simulator setup.
But if you’re prone to the odd hosel rocket, then you’ll definitely want to have some side netting in place.
Side netting will set you back between $200 and $230.
Why you’ll get best value out of a golf simulator package deal
As you can see, the total cost of setting up your own home golf simulator can range from under $1,000 at the low end, to well over $20K at the high end.
So to save yourself some money (and hassle), we’d recommend going for a golf simulator package deal.
Generally you’ll save around 10-15% when compared with buying the items required for a home golf simulator individually. And the package deal will also include all leads and cables required for setup.
Below are some indicative package deal costs for two of the most popular golf simulators.
SkyTrak simulator package costs
Price range: $3,399.99 – $10,000
A SkyTrak home golf simulator package will cost you between $3,399.99 and $10,000, with the premium options including a projector, and high end projector enclosure.
Today’s Best SkyTrak Deals
SkyTrak SwingBay
from $8,099
SkyTrak SIG8
from $7,699
SkyTrak PerfectBay
from $6,038
Foresight golf simulator package costs
Price range: $14,999.99 – $27,399.99
Foresight golf simulator packages range from $14,999.99 for GC2 setups, up to $27,399.99 for GC Quad setups. All Foresight simulator packages include full simulator enclosures, high end projectors, and hitting mats.
Today’s Best GCQuad Deals
GCQuad SwingBay
from $20,299
GCQuad SIG10
from $20,999
GCQuad PerfectBay
from $17,399
Golf Simulator FAQs
answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about golf simulators
A launch monitor is part of a golf simulator setup and is the “brains” that measures what’s happening at impact, and how the golf ball will fly. These measurements (which include statistics such as club path, clubhead speed, spin, trajectory, distance) can be read in isolation on a stand alone launch monitor, or used to simulate ball flight on a screen as part of a simulator setup.
For a basic home golf simulator setup you’ll need a launch monitor, a hitting mat, a hitting net, and a connected device (iPad, laptop, phone) for viewing the simulated ball flight. However to get the most out of your home golf simulator setup, it’s recommended to also purchase a projector and screen, rather than viewing ball flight on a small device.
Golf simulator costs range from under $1,000 for a full setup at the lower end (OptiShot package) to over $20K for premium simulator setups such as TruGolf and GCQuad.
Check out our full golf simulator cost guide here.
The minimum recommended room height for a golf simulator will vary depending on the exact setup, however, a good rule of thumb is that a simulator setup will require a room height of at least 8.5 feet.
The exact space required for a golf simulator will depend on the setup, however, most golf simulators will require a minimum space of 10’W x 10’L x 8.5’H.
The accuracy of a golf simulator will correlate roughly with the cost. A high end golf simulator such as GCQuad can simulate ball flight with an accuracy of around 95%.
Ready to choose your new golf simulator?
As I said at the start, a lot of what drives your choice here is going to be budget.
If you’re just looking for some basic stats, and to play golf at home, then the OptiShot 2 will get you going. The SkyTrak system takes things up a level. And then at the top end you’re choosing between TruGolf and Foresight GCQuad.
There are several other golf simulators on the market, but we wouldn’t look beyond these 4 when making your decision.
Hopefully we’ve covered what you need to know. But if you have any questions, then just drop a comment below and we’ll get back to you asap.
Looking for more ideas for practicing golf at home? Check out our guide to the best home golf drills here or our guide to this year’s best indoor putting greens.
About David McSweeney
Our Picks
1. SkyTrak+
best mid-range
2. SkyTrak (original)
runner-up, mid-range
3. Foresight GCQuad
best overall
4. Garmin R10
best affordable
5. TruGolf Apogee
best graphics
6. FlightScope Mevo+
SkyTrak alternative
7. Optishot 2
under $1,000