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Two-Car Garage → Golf Simulator Room
Transform a two-car garage into a dedicated golf simulator room with a launch monitor, impact screen, projector, turf hitting mat, enclosure netting, climate control, and lounge area for year-round practice regardless of weather.
Cost Range
$8,000 – $30,000
Timeline
2–6 weeks
Materials Cost
$17,610
Permits Cost
$750
Golf simulators have strict minimum space requirements. Your garage must provide at least 10 feet of width (for a full swing without hitting walls), 10 feet of depth from the hitting position to the screen (for accurate ball tracking), and 9 to 10 feet of ceiling height (to swing a driver without hitting the ceiling — this is the most common deal-breaker). Measure your garage carefully. A standard two-car garage (20x20 feet with 8-9 foot ceilings) typically works for shorter golfers and mid-iron practice. Taller golfers (over 6 feet) or those wanting a full driver swing may need a ceiling height modification or should position the hitting area at the lowest point of the ceiling. Plan the layout with the impact screen on the wall opposite the garage door, the hitting area 10 to 15 feet from the screen, and a lounge or seating area behind the hitting position.
Estimated time: 2 days
Like any garage conversion, you need to control temperature and light. For a golf simulator, light control is especially important because the projected image must be clearly visible. Replace the garage door with an insulated solid wall (best option for climate control and total darkness) or insulate the existing garage door with rigid foam panels and add a blackout curtain system in front of it (cheaper option that preserves the ability to open the door). Insulate all walls and the ceiling with fiberglass batts (R-13 walls, R-30 ceiling). This is essential for both climate control and sound dampening — golf ball impacts on the screen are loud.
Estimated time: 7 days
The impact screen is a specialized fabric that absorbs the force of a golf ball traveling up to 200 mph while also serving as the projection surface for the simulator image. Mount a commercial-grade impact screen on the far wall using a rigid frame or ceiling-mounted roller system. Screen sizes range from 10x8 feet (minimum) to 14x10 feet (ideal for immersive experience). Surround the screen with side netting and a ceiling net to catch mishits that miss the screen. The enclosure prevents errant balls from damaging walls, windows, equipment, and people. A complete enclosure kit with screen, frame, side nets, and ceiling net costs $500 to $2,000.
Estimated time: 3 days
The launch monitor is the technology that tracks your ball and club data (speed, spin, angle, distance) and feeds it to the simulator software that displays virtual golf courses on the impact screen. Launch monitor options range widely in price and capability. Budget options ($500 to $2,000): devices like the Garmin Approach R10 or FlightScope Mevo+ provide accurate data for practice and casual play. Mid-range ($3,000 to $8,000): devices like the Uneekor Eye XO2 or Foresight GC3 provide club and ball data accurate enough for serious practice and club fitting. Premium ($10,000 to $25,000): devices like the Trackman or Full Swing Kit deliver tour-level accuracy used by professional golfers and instructors. Simulator software (like E6 Connect, TGC 2019, or GSPro) costs $100 to $500 per year and provides access to thousands of virtual courses.
Estimated time: 3 days
A short-throw or ultra-short-throw projector is recommended for garage simulators because it can produce a large image from a short distance, keeping the projector out of the ball flight path. Mount the projector on the ceiling 3 to 5 feet from the impact screen (for ultra-short-throw) or 8 to 12 feet back (for standard short-throw). The projector should produce at least 3,500 lumens for a visible image in a dimly lit room and at least 5,000 lumens if any ambient light is present. Resolution of 1080p is the minimum for a good experience, and 4K provides noticeably sharper course imagery. Connect the projector to a gaming PC or laptop running the simulator software via HDMI. Budget $500 to $2,000 for the projector.
Estimated time: 2 days
The hitting mat is where you stand and swing. A quality golf hitting mat with realistic turf feel costs $200 to $500 for a 5x5 foot mat. Choose a mat with multiple turf lengths (fairway, rough, tee box) for varied practice. The mat should be at least 1.5 inches thick for joint protection during extended practice sessions. Place the mat on the garage floor — rubber flooring tiles underneath prevent it from sliding and protect the concrete. Surround the hitting mat area with artificial turf or carpet to define the hitting zone and add comfort for your feet during practice. The turf area should extend at least 2 feet behind and beside the mat.
Estimated time: 2 days
A ductless mini-split provides efficient heating and cooling for the simulator room. A 12,000 BTU unit handles a standard two-car garage. This is important because you will be physically active (swinging a club generates body heat) in a sealed, insulated space. For lighting, install dimmable LED fixtures that can be turned off during simulation for the best projected image quality, and turned on for equipment setup and general use. For sound, add a soundbar or surround speakers for immersive course audio — wind, birds, water, and the satisfying crack of a well-struck drive. A Bluetooth speaker system works but dedicated speakers connected to the simulator PC provide better synchronized audio.
Estimated time: 4 days
Behind the hitting position, create a lounge area where friends can sit, watch, and wait for their turn. Add comfortable seating (a couch, recliners, or pub-height table with stools), a mini fridge for drinks, and a small TV or monitor showing the leaderboard or live shot data. Mount a storage rack on the wall for golf clubs, balls, gloves, and accessories. Add a small shelf or cabinet for the simulator PC, router, and accessories. Paint the walls dark colors (dark gray or black) in the simulator zone for best image quality, and lighter colors in the lounge area for contrast. Add acoustic panels on the walls around the impact screen to dampen the sound of ball strikes.
Estimated time: 3 days
| Material | Est. Cost | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Garage Door Wall Replacement or Insulation | $2,500 | Required |
| Wall and Ceiling Insulation (fiberglass batts) | $1,200 | Required |
| Impact Screen (10x8 to 14x10 foot) | $600 | Required |
| Screen Frame and Mounting Hardware | $300 | Required |
| Side and Ceiling Enclosure Netting | $300 | Required |
| Launch Monitor (budget to mid-range) | $3,000 | Required |
| Simulator Software (annual license) | $300 | Required |
| Gaming PC or Laptop (runs simulator software) | $1,200 | Required |
| Short-Throw Projector (3500+ lumens, 1080p+) | $1,000 | Required |
| Projector Ceiling Mount | $50 | Required |
| HDMI Cable (long run, ceiling routed) | $30 | Required |
| Golf Hitting Mat (5x5 foot, multi-turf) | $350 | Required |
| Artificial Turf or Carpet (surrounding area) | $300 | Optional |
| Rubber Flooring Tiles (under mat area) | $200 | Required |
| Ductless Mini-Split HVAC (12,000 BTU) | $3,000 | Required |
| Dimmable LED Lighting | $150 | Required |
| Sound System (soundbar or speakers) | $200 | Optional |
| Acoustic Panels (around impact zone) | $300 | Optional |
| Drywall, Paint (dark for sim zone, light for lounge) | $1,000 | Required |
| Lounge Seating | $600 | Optional |
| Mini Fridge | $150 | Optional |
| Club Storage Rack | $80 | Optional |
| Electrical Upgrades (dedicated circuits, outlets) | $800 | Required |
Required if replacing the garage door with a wall. May not be required if only adding interior finishes and keeping the garage door.
$500
Required for new circuits, mini-split wiring, and any panel modifications. Licensed electrician pulls this permit.
$250