You'll need a room at least 14-15 feet wide and 10 feet tall to give both righties and lefties proper swing clearance without wall contact. Choose an overhead launch monitor like the Uneekor EYE XO2 or MEVO Gen 2, which work for both handedness without repositioning. Center your hitting mat so players have equal space on either side, and use a double-sided impact screen positioned 12-16 inches from the wall for clean visuals. Keep reading to uncover the specific installation techniques that'll make setup and switching between players completely seamless.
Why does handedness matter so much when you're building a golf simulator? The key point is: your swing direction completely changes where you need space and equipment. If you're a righty sharing with a lefty family member, you'll both swing from opposite sides of the hitting zone. That means your backswing clearance zones don't overlap; you each need roughly 7 feet on your respective sides. Floor-based photometric units become a nightmare since they require repositioning between users, while radar systems like Trackman sit directly behind and work for both automatically. Central hitting positions demand at least 14-15 feet of total width to prevent wall contact during backswings. Ceiling-mounted camera systems like Uneekor offer another solution by eliminating the need for any adjustments between right and left-handed players. A 16:9 widescreen projector ensures the visual experience works optimally for players hitting from either direction. Skip the ambidextrous setup if everyone swings in the same direction; you'll save money and space.
Once you've figured out whether you need an ambidextrous setup, it's time to nail down the actual room dimensions, and this is where most people either build something perfect or end up with a cramped box that ruins the experience. For width, you'll want at least 13 feet, but 15 feet is your sweet spot for both righties and lefties swinging comfortably. Anything under 12 feet feels tight, trust me. Height-wise, aim for 10 feet minimum so your driver swing doesn't scrape the ceiling. For depth, don't go below 16 feet—18 to 20 feet gives your launch monitor proper tracking space. The key point: center your hitting mat so both swing directions get equal clearance, preventing those annoying wall clips mid-backswing! Proper room dimensions also ensure accurate tracking data from sensors or cameras positioned to capture swings from both sides. A width of at least 14 feet 9 inches is recommended for group play, ensuring comfort for both right- and left-handed golfers without swing adjustments.
When you're setting up a dual-sided hitting space, your launch monitor choice literally makes or breaks the multiplayer experience, because nobody wants to crawl around repositioning equipment every time a lefty and righty swap turns.
Overhead units like the Uneekor EYE XO2 or Foresight GCHawk mount above your hitting area, letting both handedness types play without touching anything. Floor-based monitors like the Garmin R10 or Flightscope Mevo Gen2 sit behind you, which means rearranging them for opposite-handed players. The MEVO Gen 2 works well for dual-sided setups since it's ambidextrous and requires approximately 16 feet in the simulator room.
Here's the thing: central mounting saves headaches. The Rapsodo MLM2PRO excels under $1,000 with radar and dual cameras, adjusting well to central placement. The MLM2 Pro uses Doppler technology to track ball flight and requires a $199 annual subscription for full functionality.
For visuals, pair your launch monitor with an overhead projector instead of a standard monitor; it maintains visibility from both sides without repositioning.
Your impact screen needs to do more than just catch golf balls; it's gotta deliver crisp visuals from both hitting positions while surviving thousands of shots without turning into Swiss cheese. That's where SimSpace's double-sided design changes everything. The dual-layer construction means righties and lefties can pound away from either side without repositioning your entire setup, which doubles the screen's lifespan since wear distributes across both surfaces. You're looking at reinforced eyelets that handle ball speeds over 180 mph with minimal bounce-back, thanks to a cushioned nylon core that eliminates the need for backing nets. The tight-weave polyester blend maintains HD projection quality even after thousands of impacts, so your virtual rounds stay theater-sharp. Standard size measures 230 x 257.5 cm, though options extend up to 5 x 3m for larger enclosures. The HD image quality from both sides creates an immersive experience, whether you're hitting from the right or left position. Keep your screen 12-16 inches from walls and adjust tension to ensure a flat surface that maximizes both image quality and impact absorption.
With your screen ready to handle punishment from both sides, the hitting mat setup determines whether you'll actually use that flexibility or just admire it.
You've got two main approaches here. Cut a hole in your turf and drop the mat in flush with the surface, or lay it on top as a removable element. The flush method looks cleaner, but the catch is that replacing worn sections means cutting new holes. Lying on top? Just swap it out when needed.
For dual-handed use, you'll need a mat wide enough for both stances. Use a laser level to align your hitting strip squarely, then secure it with double-sided carpet tape along the edges. Position everything so lefties and righties can swing without repositioning the whole setup.
When cutting your mat to size, score the turf with an X-Acto knife before switching to a utility knife for the tougher foam backing.
Consider adding fringe turf around the hitting mat to create visual contrast and define the playable zones for both right and left-handed golfers.
You can't effectively use the same physical clubs for both right and left-handed practice; they're designed specifically for one orientation. However, the key point is: you're allowed to carry a left-handed club in your right-handed set under Rule 4.1a, and it counts toward your 14-club limit. For home simulators, you'll need separate sets or VR attachments that switch between left and right-handed modes instantly.
You're looking at spending between $5,000 and $13,000 for a solid ambidextrous setup. The Uneekor QED at $7,000 gives you overhead tracking that works perfectly for both righties and lefties, while the EYEXO at $10,000 handles any ball type. If you're on a tighter budget, the Full Swing KIT at $4,999 delivers accurate data without handedness restrictions. Premium systems can push past $26,000 if you want top-tier features.
You don't need special lights, but you do need smart placement. The key is positioning multiple light sources to eliminate shadows from both swing directions. Install LED spotlights with 20–30° beam angles on sideways track lighting, so they brighten the hitting area evenly whether you're swinging righty or lefty. Aim for 300-500 lux with 5000K color temperature for ideal ball tracking, and keep lights flicker-free to support launch monitor cameras.
Yes, you'll get individual profile support across most simulation software! GSPro lets you create unlimited player profiles right from the main menu, tracking everyone's stats separately. SkyTrak allows one primary account with up to fourteen sub-accounts. E6 Connect stores every swing per user and maintains custom handicaps. Uneekor supports five user-specific accounts, while Full Swing GOLF also features individual profile tracking for your entire family.
You'll want to budget $800 to $1,600 annually for your simulator. Software subscriptions run $300 to $600 per year, giving you access to courses and updates. Set aside another $500 to $1,000 for wear-and-tear replacements like hitting mats and impact screens, which will need renewing every few years, depending on use. Don't forget utilities, internet costs, and occasional calibration services to keep everything running smoothly!
Building a golf simulator that works for both righties and lefties doesn't have to be complicated. You've got the key points now. Measure your space carefully, pick equipment that handles dual-sided setups, and position everything for easy switching. The extra planning upfront means everyone in your household can practice their swing without constantly rearranging gear. That's a win-win situation! Now you're ready to create a setup that'll keep improving your game year-round.
