How to Turn Any Room into a Golf Simulator: Closet to Clubhouse Guide

From Closet to Clubhouse: How to Turn Any Room into a Golf Simulator (2025 Guide)

So you don’t have a three-car garage, a vaulted-ceiling man cave, or a spare 20x20 studio waiting for a golf simulator. No problem.

What you do have is a spare bedroom, a closet that’s too big for clothes and too small for comfort, or maybe just the kind of raw ambition only golfers understand. This guide is for you.

We’re here to prove that yes—you can turn almost any space into a legit, swing-ready, data-driven golf simulator. Whether it’s your basement, attic, laundry room, or the empty corner in your home office, we’ll walk you through how to transform that “extra” space into your personal golf sanctuary.

No fluff. No $50K country club vibes. Just smart builds, clever tech, and a ton of fun.

? Why a Small Golf Simulator Setup Works (And Might Be Better)

Let’s start with some truth: most people don’t need a massive golf sim build. In fact, smaller spaces can offer:

  • Faster setup (you’re not wiring a warehouse)

  • Easier climate control (say goodbye to freezing garage rounds)

  • Quieter practice sessions (hello 10pm chipping drills)

  • Budget-friendly builds (we’ll show you how to do it without wrecking your wallet)

With modern overhead golf launch monitors, short-throw projectors, compact hitting mats, and simulation software like TGC 2019 and GSPro, you don’t need space—you need strategy. Whether you're creating a golf simulator for a small room, building a budget golf simulator, or looking to convert your home office into a golf studio, small can absolutely mean mighty.

? Minimum Room Dimensions: What Do You Really Need?

Here’s the big question we get all the time: “Can I really build a golf simulator in my [insert tiny room here]?”

Let’s break it down:

  • Ceiling Height: Ideally 9 feet. You can scrape by with 8’ if you don’t take full swings or use a shorter driver. Perfect for apartments or older homes.

  • Room Width: At least 10 feet wide to swing freely, especially for right- and left-handed use. In tight spots, single-user setups work.

  • Room Depth: Minimum 15 feet from tee to screen and projector space. Many setups make do with 12 feet if you're careful with club choice.

Need a golf simulator for an apartment, condo, or studio? You’re not alone. This guide is packed with compact golf simulator tips and golf sim layouts for tight spaces that actually work.

?️ Step-by-Step: How to Turn a Small Room Into a Golf Simulator

Step 1: Choose Your Space Wisely

Some of the best golf simulator setups we’ve seen were in:

  • Walk-in closets

  • Basements

  • Home offices

  • Garages (half-bays)

  • Laundry rooms

  • Attic spaces

  • Converted dining rooms

The key is clearance. If you can swing a 7-iron without breaking a lamp, you can probably build here. Searching for the smallest golf simulator footprint possible? Consider using portable launch monitors and foldable hitting mats.

Step 2: Select a Launch Monitor That Fits Your Space

Here’s where it gets fun. These are our favorites for small space builds:

✅ ProTee VX (our top pick)

  • Overhead mount = frees up floor space

  • No stickers or marked balls required

  • Works with GSPro, TGC 2019, E6 Connect

  • Ideal for garages, offices, basements, attics

✅ Uneekor EYE Mini

  • Compact floor-based unit

  • Very accurate but requires marked balls for full data

  • Better for some space-restricted setups

✅ FlightScope Mevo+

  • Great for portability

  • Requires ~16 feet of room (backs up farther than overhead)

  • Best for garage, outdoors, or hybrid builds

The best overhead golf simulator for small spaces? Easily the ProTee VX. It’s perfect for those looking to avoid clutter while getting full swing analysis.

Step 3: Use a Short-Throw or Ultra Short-Throw Projector

Don’t have 20 feet of space behind your mat? No worries.

Use a short-throw projector mounted just above or behind the hitting area. It allows crisp, bright projection even in golf simulator rooms under 12 feet deep.

If ceiling height is tight, go with a TV or large monitor golf simulator setup instead. Mount the screen on the wall behind your netting or swing cage.

Step 4: Install an Impact Screen (or Alternative)

Small spaces benefit from DIY impact screens using blackout curtains or heavy-duty netting. You don’t always need an enclosure kit.

Other options include:

  • Retractable impact screens

  • Drop-down curtain screens

  • Wall-mounted bungeed nets

Make sure your screen area is padded. A rogue wedge can ricochet.

Step 5: Add Golf Mat + Swing Space

Choose a compact hitting mat with enough stability to keep your feet grounded. For very narrow rooms, consider a single-lane hitting strip or folding mat setup.

You’ll need roughly:

  • 3-4 feet behind the mat

  • 7-8 feet in front of the mat for ball flight

Side netting protects walls and gives confidence in small swingspaces.

? Best Software for Small-Space Golf Simulators

When room is limited, the software matters. You want easy control, immersive visuals, and fast feedback.

? GSPro

  • Stunning realism, accurate physics

  • Great for serious practice + casual play

  • Best golf simulator software for small rooms

? TGC 2019

  • 150,000+ courses, multiplayer modes

  • Lower system requirements

  • Ideal for budget golf simulator builds

? E6 Connect

  • Beautiful graphics and family-friendly modes

  • Easy to control on TVs or compact monitors

  • Great for golf simulators for kids or beginners

Add a wireless mouse or foot pedal to keep things accessible.

? How Much Does It Cost to Build a Compact Golf Simulator?

Let’s take a realistic look at three build levels:

Item Entry DIY Mid-Range High-End
Launch Monitor $600 (Mevo+) $6,500 (ProTee VX) $10K+ (EYE XO)
Hitting Mat $150 $400 $1,000
Screen/Netting $250 $600 $1,200
Projector/Monitor $350 $800 $2,000
Software $0–$995 $995 $2,500+
Accessories $100 $300 $1,000
TOTAL ~$1,450 ~$8,200 $15K+

Closet golf simulators, apartment golf sims, and basement golf sim builds can be done on tight budgets. You’ll spend more for premium hardware, but your swing doesn’t care where the data comes from.

? Pro Tips to Maximize Any Golf Simulator Space

  • Use a folding golf mat if your space doubles as an office or bedroom

  • Install swing cameras for visual feedback in narrow swing lanes

  • Add ambient LED lighting for night play and mood

  • Use Bluetooth speakers for background noise, coaching, or immersive gameplay

  • Go wireless whenever possible — mouse, gamepad, projector control

Build once, then enjoy every shot without distraction.

?️‍♂️ Who Is This Setup For?

This closet-to-clubhouse guide is perfect for:

  • Golfers in apartments or condos

  • Parents building a family golf space

  • Players looking to train year-round

  • DIY home golf sim builders

  • Anyone who thought they didn’t have room

This isn’t just for the elite—it’s for the real golfers with real constraints and a real passion to improve.

? Final Thoughts: From Closet Dreams to Clubhouse Feels

In 2025, small-space golf simulators are more powerful than ever. Thanks to overhead launch monitors, short-throw projectors, and creative design solutions, there’s no excuse not to bring the game home.

Build your golf simulator in a closet, corner, den, or basement—and watch your game transform.

And when you’re ready…

? Build It With Spectrum Golf Simulators

We help golfers turn tight spaces into big dreams. From low-ceiling golf simulator installs to overhead launch monitor integration, we know how to make every square foot count.

  • Custom compact golf simulator builds

  • ProTee VX overhead launch monitor specialists

  • TGC 2019 and GSPro setups

  • Expert help with tight room dimensions

Spectrum Golf Simulators — Where Data Meets Drive™