Safety Warning: Indoor golf carries risks. Please read our Full Safety Disclaimer before building.
The golf simulator industry has a dirty secret.
If you watch YouTube, you will be convinced that you need $25,000 to build a simulator. They show you a Trackman iO, a custom upholstered enclosure, and a dedicated shed.
That is the “Ferrari” build. It’s nice, but you don’t need a Ferrari to drive to the grocery store.
At SimGolfLab, we specialize in the “Toyota Tacoma” build. It’s reliable, it does the job perfectly, and it doesn’t require a second mortgage.
We are going to build a True 4K, Impact-Ready, GSPro-Compatible simulator for under $4,000.
Here is the exact shopping list to get it done.
The Bill of Materials (The Shopping List)
Prices are estimates based on current Amazon pricing.
| Component | The Recommendation | Est. Price |
| The Brain (PC) | CyberPower Gaming PC (RTX 4060) | $900 – $1,100 |
| The Eye (Projector) | BenQ TK700STi (4K Short Throw) | $1,499 |
| The Screen | GoSports 10ft Impact Screen | $150 |
| The Frame | SimGolfLab DIY Pipe Build | $350 |
| The Sensor | Garmin Approach R10 | $599 |
| The Turf | Champkey Professional Mat | $150 |
| TOTAL | ~$3,850 |
1. The Brain: Why You Need a PC (~$1,000)
The Trap: Most budget builders buy a launch monitor and run it on an iPad. The Reality: iPad golf software looks like a cartoon from 2010.
If you want the “Premium Experience” (4K graphics, shadows, real physics), you need to run GSPro software. And GSPro requires a Windows Gaming PC.
- The Specs: You need a PC with at least an NVIDIA RTX 3060 or RTX 4060 graphics card.
- The Pick: You don’t need to build it yourself. Pre-built towers from MSI or CyberPowerPC are often cheaper than buying the parts separately.
- Check Price for RTX 4060 Gaming PC
2. The Eye: The BenQ TK700STi (~$1,499)
The Trap: Buying a cheap $200 “Projector” on Amazon. The Reality: Those are “Long Throw.” To fill a 10ft screen, they have to be mounted 15 feet back—which is behind you. You will cast a shadow on the screen.
You need Short Throw. The BenQ TK700STi is the undisputed king of this price point.
- Why: It mounts ~8 feet from the screen (safely above your head). It is True 4K. It is bright enough (3000 lumens) to handle some ambient light.
3. The Screen: GoSports Impact Screen (~$150)
The Trap: Buying a white tarp. It will be loud and dangerous. The Reality: For a “Phase 1” build, you don’t need a $600 raw fabric screen yet.
- The Pick: The GoSports Golf Simulator Impact Screen is the perfect “starter” screen.
- Why: It costs a fraction of the premium brands. It has grommets for easy hanging. It takes a real golf ball without tearing.
- Upgrade Path: Use this for a year. When you eventually wear a hole in it (which takes thousands of shots), upgrade to a premium Carl’s Place screen then.
4. The Frame: The DIY Build (~$350)
The Trap: Buying a pre-made metal kit for $2,000. The Reality: It’s just metal pipe.
Use our SimGolfLab DIY Guide. Go to Home Depot, buy 11 sticks of EMT conduit, and order the corners online. You save $1,500 instantly by spending 3 hours cutting pipe in your driveway.
5. The Sensor: Garmin Approach R10 (~$600)
The Secret: This is how we stay under budget.
A SkyTrak+ costs $3,000. A Bushnell Launch Pro costs $3,500. The Garmin Approach R10 costs $599.
- Does it track spin as well as the $3k units? No. It estimates spin based on ball flight.
- Does it matter for a Friday night beer league? Absolutely not.
- It connects to the PC. It plays GSPro. It tracks your distance and direction accurately. It is the perfect “Gateway Drug” into simulator golf.
- Pro Tip: If you love the sim and want to upgrade later, you can sell the Garmin R10 on eBay for $400 in a heartbeat. It holds value incredibly well.
The “Hidden” Costs (To Be Transparent)
We are the Lab, so we don’t hide costs. Here is what else you might need:
- Software Subscription: GSPro costs $250/year. It is worth every penny.
- Cables: You need a long 25ft HDMI Cable to run from your PC to the projector. (~$30).
- Flooring: You need some gym tiles or turf to cover the concrete between the mat and the screen so the ball doesn’t bounce wildly. (~$100 at Home Depot).
Final Verdict: Stop Waiting
For roughly $3,800, you are getting a setup that:
- Has 4K Graphics (PC + BenQ).
- Has a durable Impact Screen (GoSports).
- Is safe and fun (Garmin R10).
The only compromise is the launch monitor. And honestly? For 95% of amateur golfers, the Garmin is more than enough to fix that slice.
Build the frame this weekend. Order the parts today. Your garage is waiting.