Having a garage golf simulator setup can be a great way to play golf indoors year round from the comfort of your own home.
There are many different golf simulator products out there, but for a garage you might be looking for something particular due to spacing concerns.
A golf simulator for garage use requires some common equipment to ensure that you can get the most out of it. You will need the following products: a launch monitor which will give you all of the key shot data that you need, either a hitting net or a screen, a hitting mat and potentially a projector for a golf simulator if you want the most realistic experience possible.
No matter what your budget or spacing requirements are this guide has you covered. We will review a wide range of garage golf simulator choices that are designed to give you all of the crucial information that you need to make the best buying decision possible.
Best Garage Golf Simulator: Quick Picks
| NAME | COMMENT | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| NAME: SkyTrak Retractable | COMMENT: Overall #1 Pick | PRICE: |
| NAME: TruGolf Vista 10 | COMMENT: Best Premium Option | PRICE: |
| NAME: Optishot Practice 2 | COMMENT: Budget Option | PRICE: |
| NAME: SkyTrak SwingNet | COMMENT: Best For Tight Spaces | PRICE: |
Setup Considerations
When choosing a golf simulator for garage use you will want to take into consideration several different key factors. In this section we will cover some of the key different setup considerations that you should take into account when building a garage golf simulator.
Price
Demand for simulators are high and it is an industry that is growing each year. (Bloomberg) Part of the reason for this increase is demand is the fact that golf simulators have come down in price over the past several years which has made them much more accessible to the average consumer. With that being said, there are still several key considerations that you will want to factor in when choosing a garage simulator. For example you may want a complete setup with a screen or a basic indoor golf simulator with no frills.
Space Required
The type of simulator setup that you create will depend largely on the amount of space that you have. The most important thing to do initially is ensure that you have the minimum space for a simulator. We cover more about the exact dimensions you may require here. Space could affect the type of hitting mat that you use or if you decide to use a screen.
Ease Of Setup
When it comes to creating a simulator setup for garage use it is important to factor in how easy the simulator is to both setup and bring down. This is because chances are with a garage simulator you will be using a multipurpose area which other people or yourself may want to use for different purposes. You don’t want to purchase something that is going to be difficult to setup or store.
Full Experience Vs No Frills
The type of golf simulator that you choose will largely vary on some of the consideration criteria that we have highlighted above such as price or space required. If you are looking to spend more and have plenty of room to work with then you could opt for a more advanced setup. However, if you want a simulator but don’t want to spend much money or don’t have much space or height is limited then you are likely to choose a more no frills setup without additional features such as a simulator enclosure and a golf specific projector. This can have a severe impact on your simulator experience in terms of game play, tracked data and graphics quality.
In Detail: Best Golf Simulators For Garage Use
Next, we will cover some of our top golf simulator packages for the garage across a wide range of options ranging from choices for a full experience to budget alternatives.
Choice #1: Skytrak Retractable Package
Overall #1 Pick
SkyTrak Retractable Package is a great option for creating a simulator within your garage while still getting access to the full golf simulation experience. No matter whether you want to sharpen up your driver skills or work through the golf clubs in your bag with this setup you really can get all of your key game data while accessing leading golf courses.
Compared to other options here what you get with the SkyTrak budget package is something that isn’t the most expensive option on the market, yet is still versatile and offers a comprehensive golf simulation experience.
With this budget package from SkyTrak you get access to SkyTrak launch monitor, the Pro Series Golf Net and the Pro Series screen which means you will require space in your garage. If you do have the space and ceiling height for it then the SkyTrak launch monitor and home golf simulator package will be a leading choice for those who aren’t worried about budget or space and want the best possible option that is still budget conscious.
Pros:
- Flexibility
- Reasonably Priced
- Reliable
- Advanced Game Data
Cons:
- None
Find Out More: SkyTrak Golf Review
Choice #2: TruGolf Vista 10
Best Premium Option
There are a number of differences between this option and some of the others, with the biggest being a much deeper enclosure and the improved core performance that you will experience. You get wide ranging feedback which gives you all of the valuable launch monitor data that you would expect such as launch angle, smash factor, swing speed etc. Additionally, as this is a premium option the graphics are leading and you really will get a full experience within a garage setup if you have the space to accommodate this simulator.
This simulator has come a long way since the earlier models such as the Vista 8 and comes with better graphics and more courses than ever which means you will never run out of games to play. Albeit bulkier than some of the more budget friendly options on this list, this really is an excellent premium choice.
Choice #3: Optishot Practice 2
Budget Option
The Optishot 2 golf simulator gives something a little different for those who are desperate to create a garage setup but really don’t have the budget to spend a small fortune to get up and running. This smaller product still gives you the ability to play golf from the comfort of your garage but comes without all of the frills of some of the other simulators on this list.
This really is a cheap golf simulator, however despite this you will still get access to a wide range of golf courses thanks to their software. You are also still able to track some key game data so that you aren’t just practicing aimlessly.
Compared to SkyTrak this really is a much more basic offering but like we have already stated in this guide, there are so many different factors that come into play when choosing a simulator for garage use and we know for so many golfers out there this will fit the bill from a price and spacing standpoint.
Find Out More: Optishot 2 Review
Choice #4: SkyTrak SwingNet Package
Best For Tight Spaces
The final choice that we want to present is the SkyTrak SwingNet Package. When it comes to an indoor golf option and the consideration of tight spaces but still wanting a full simulation experience then this could be your pick.
As we’ve already discussed, garages can be really tight spaces and not ideal for setting up a permanent simulator. This is why you want something that is both flexible and won’t take up much room.
Due to its highly convenient and straightforward structure, the entire package can be set up or taken down in a matter of minutes. Additionally, it comes with the Skytrak Golf Launch Monitor, one of the most reputable launch monitors currently available on the market. (You can read our full list of the best golf launch monitors here)
This product bundle really stacks up for golfers who are looking for a quality and flexible option.
Choice #5: PhiGolf
If you're looking for a home simulator that is easy to setup and a space saver then the Phigolf could be a good fit for you.
- Great price
- Sensor technology
- Track a range of swing data point
- Play real life golf courses
- Easy setup
The Phigolf is an interesting option for those looking for a budget indoor simulator, however the very low price is a little deceptive. This may be great for beginners to get their feet wet with but it really won’t meet most golfers expectations when it comes to quality.
It utilizes sensors that are designed to detect the ball and then give you the distance of your shot. Using the WGT software you will gain access to popular golf courses from around the world and the various game modes make playing with friends from the comfort of your own home easy.
Read our full PhiGolf review here.
Choice#6: Tittle X Golf Simulator
Tittle X is a great affordable choice if you are looking for a golf simulator on a budget. It utilizes sensors and comes with a swing stick so that you can enjoy various game modes from the comfort of your own home.
- Affordable
- Easy To Setup
- Low Space Requirements
Another golf simulation option that is quite similar to the PhiGolf listed above is the Tittle X Home Golf Simulator. It uses an E6 Connect system to give you access to leading golf courses and offers various game modes that mean you can work on your own individual golf practice or focus on playing rounds of golf with friends year round.
Not only is it a space saver but it is more budget-friendly than more premium options. However, the downside to this is that you will receive a lower quality output in terms of club data.
Read our full Tittle X Home Golf Simulator review here.
Benefits
In Summary: They give you the ability to play and practice golf year round while helping you to learn more about your game.
As you can see, no matter what your budget or space requirements are there are plenty of great choices out there for choosing a simulator for the garage. Below we will cover some of the benefits that you will experience from investing in one.
Play Year Round
One of the first things to note that you will experience with a simulator for garage use is that you will now be able to play and practice golf year round no matter what the weather is outside! This is great for golfers who live in locations where it isn’t warm 365 days of the year. On top of that you will also get access to leading golf courses which means even if it is snowing you can play some of the best golf courses in the world from the comfort of your home.
Learn Game Data
Utilizing the launch monitor data will be key in giving you the ability to discover key insights about your game such as learning ball speed, launch angle, club head speed and much more. This will help you to identify what works for you and also what some key game improvement areas are.
To Conclude: Which Is The Best Golf Simulator For Garage?
Which indoor golf simulator for garage use you opt for will really depend on your own buying criteria. However, for many golfers who do have plenty of space and want to invest in something for the garage that will be a good long term choice the SkyTrak Budget Package can give you everything that you need to get started. This will allow you to learn more about your game while playing at leading golf courses year round.
However, many other golfers are going to be in the market for something that costs much less. If this is the case and you are looking to build your first garage simulator then you might prefer to go for something such as the OptiShot Golf In A Box product. This is a great choice if you are looking for your first product and want to learn more about how the products work as well as discovering if it is something that you are likely to use regularly.
More and more golf courses and constantly being added to simulation software which is likely to increase their appeal for years to come (PGA Tour). With this in mind and the cost of a golf simulator reducing over the years whichever product you choose, utilizing your garage space for a simulator setup is a great way for golfers to get their fix of the game even if it is snowing or raining outside!
