Most standard garages can fit a golf simulator, but you'll need at least 10 feet wide, 18 feet deep, and 9-10 feet tall for comfortable swings. A typical single-car garage at 12x20 feet works but feels cramped, while a two-car garage offers much better flexibility. If you're over 6 feet tall or want to accommodate both lefty and righty players, you'll want 14 feet of width and 10+ foot ceilings. The details below break down exactly what dimensions work best for your height and swing style.
Three critical measurements will make or break your golf simulator setup in a garage: height, width, and depth. For height, you'll need a minimum of 9 feet for driver swings, though 10 feet is ideal to avoid those annoying ceiling taps. Width-wise, 10 feet works for basic setups, but if you've got both lefty and righty players, you're looking at 14 feet to keep everyone happy. Depth is where things get serious; 18 feet gives you proper swing room plus those essential buffer zones. This includes 10-12 feet to your impact screen and 4 feet behind the ball. Remember to add an extra inch or two for mat thickness. Camera-based systems can squeeze into tighter spaces, while radar models demand more room. Smaller spaces increase the risk of ricochets and restrict your natural swing, making accurate measurements critical for a safe and enjoyable setup. For optimal safety and equipment organization, plan for 6 feet of space on each side of your hitting area.
How exactly do you know if your single-car garage can accommodate a golf simulator? The reality is: most single-car garages measure 12x20 feet, giving you 240 square feet to work with. That's pretty tight for a full simulator setup, which typically needs 10-15 feet of width and 15-20 feet of depth. Your standard 12-foot width leaves minimal room for side movement, and the 20-foot depth won't give you adequate ball flight space. However, if you've got an oversized version measuring 14x24 feet (336 square feet), you're in better shape! The extra depth to 24 feet provides enough distance for most swing monitors, while the 14-foot width lets you position your hitting area without bumping walls. Compact garage options at 10x18 feet will severely limit your ability to install a simulator due to restricted storage and movement. Keep in mind that local building codes may influence whether you can modify your garage dimensions to create additional space for your simulator setup.
When you're sizing up a two-car garage for your golf simulator, you'll want to understand the difference between "good enough" and "this is perfect." A comfortable setup works with what most folks already have, think 9-foot ceilings, 15 feet of depth, and somewhere around 10 to 12 feet of width. That'll handle most golfers swinging a driver without knuckle-scraping the ceiling, and it fits standard enclosures like the SwingBay 8'x10.5'. Now, ideal specs bump things up: 10-foot ceilings eliminate any backswing worries, 18 feet of depth gives you proper hitting distance plus buffer zones, and 14 feet of width lets you swing confidently without feeling cramped. The fact is, standard two-car garages typically offer 12x20 feet minimum, making them considerably better than single-car options for simulator life. Taller players may benefit from ceiling heights up to 12 feet to ensure unrestricted swings with any club. You'll also need to account for one to two feet of clearance on either side of your hitting area to prevent accidental club strikes against walls or stored items.
If you're serious about avoiding wall-banging disasters during your backswing, width is where most garage simulator plans live or die. You'll need 10 feet bare minimum for basic swings, but the reality is that a tight setup only works if you're playing solo and sticking to one hand preference. Planning to switch between right- and left-handed players? You're looking at 14 feet minimum, which gives you 7 feet of clearance per side for safe backswings. Most golfers feel boxed in below 15 feet when alternating handedness. Left-handed players naturally need more room than righties due to their stance mechanics. If you're installing launch monitors or planning full driver swings from a centered position, budget 14+ feet to avoid constantly repositioning your mat. When using longer clubs like drivers and woods, wider room dimensions prevent clipping walls during your follow-through and ensure you can execute a full, natural swing path. Your height directly impacts your swing arc, so taller golfers should factor in additional width clearance to accommodate their naturally wider swing plane.
Your garage ceiling height will make or break your golf simulator dreams, and this is what you actually need to know. For most golfers, you'll want 9-10 feet minimum to swing comfortably without destroying your ceiling. The reality is—if you're over 6 feet tall, bump that requirement to 10 feet or more for unrestricted driver swings. Shorter golfers under 5'6" can work with 8.5-9 feet pretty effectively.
The magic number everyone talks about? Ten feet for drivers, no question. You need 6-12 inches of clearance above your highest swing point, which gives you that psychological comfort to really let loose. Launch monitors typically need at least 10 feet of clearance to track your ball flight accurately. Before committing to your setup, test your actual driver swing in the space, measure your backswing peak, then add 1-2 feet for safety! Check your simulator brand's setup instructions for their specific dimension requirements, as these recommendations can vary based on their equipment configuration.
Height sorted? Now let's tackle tight spaces. Wall-mounted equipment changes everything. A Liftmaster 8500 garage door opener mounts to your wall instead of hanging overhead, clearing your hitting area completely. You can even keep using your garage for cars since nothing needs relocating. Camera-based launch monitors like the R50 need less depth than radar systems, fitting in just 10 feet wide by 10 feet deep. That's essential because standard SwingBay Enclosures measure 8 by 10 feet or 9 by 12 feet, perfect for single-car garage bays. The point is: overhead projector mounts keep your floor space free, and self-contained systems eliminate laptop clutter. Just remember to measure 6 to 12 inches of clearance around everything!
You'll probably need permits if you're doing major electrical work or structural changes to your garage. Most basic simulator setups won't trigger permit requirements since you're just placing equipment in an existing space. HOA approval's different, though, check your covenants initially! Some associations restrict business activities or exterior modifications. If you're keeping everything inside with no external changes, you're likely fine. Always verify locally before starting.
You're looking at $10,000–$20,000 for a solid, complete setup. That covers your launch monitor, enclosure, screen, projector, hitting mat, and basic installation. If you want premium components like a Trackman iO, you'll push past $40,000. Budget-conscious? You can build a DIY starter for under $4,500 with a decent monitor, turf, and screen. Professional installation typically adds $1,000–$3,000 for calibration and electrical work.
Through shared walls, you'll generate 60-80 dB during impacts, think TV at normal volume or a washing machine. Your driver strikes hit 70-90 dB, matching a vacuum cleaner's noise level. The reality is: without soundproofing, neighbors will definitely hear those thuds. Add a 1/2-inch underlay beneath your mat to cut noise by 35-50%, plus install acoustic panels on shared walls to absorb echoes and keep the peace!
You can definitely make it work with smart planning! Retractable screens and insulation panels let you switch between simulator mode and regular storage. If you've got a two-car garage, you're golden. Dedicate one bay to your sim and keep the car in the other. For single-car setups, consider relocating bulky items to a shed or attic, then use ceiling-mounted storage racks for seasonal gear above your hitting area.
You'll want padded turf mats with foam backing to cushion your joints and protect that concrete floor. The best setup uses 3/8" foam padding underneath, which runs about $120 per linear foot for 15-foot widths. If you're on a tighter budget, interlocking carpet tiles work great at around $10 per tile; they don't need adhesive and cover 4 square feet each. Just lay down a vapor barrier initially to prevent moisture issues!
So, can your garage handle a golf simulator? Absolutely, if you've got at least 10 feet wide, 9 feet high, and 15 feet deep to work with. Most two-car garages clear this easily, while single-car setups need creative solutions. The point is: you don't need a mansion-sized space to practice your swing year-round. Measure twice, plan once, and you'll be teeing off in your garage before you know it!
