Safety Warning: Indoor golf carries risks. Please read our Full Safety Disclaimer before building.
There is a medical condition that affects 50% of garage golfers. It’s not tennis elbow. It’s called “Indoor Swing Syndrome.”
Here is the symptom: You have measured your ceiling. The tape measure says 9 feet. You know you can swing a driver in 9 feet.
But when you step onto the mat, your brain panics. You sub-consciously pull your arms in. You shorten your backswing. You flinch at the top. You look like a T-Rex trying to hit a tee shot.
If you can’t swing freely, your $5,000 simulator is useless. You will actually ruin your real-world swing by practicing bad habits in a cramped box.
Before you buy a single piece of gear, you need to pass the SimGolfLab “Swing & DUCK” Test.
The Test: How to Check Your Clearance (Safely)
Do not just swing a club and hope for the best. You will eventually hit something. Use this method instead.
Step 1: The “Cardboard Ceiling”
Go to your garage or spare room. Find the exact spot where you plan to hit the ball.
- Get an empty cardboard box (cereal box or Amazon box).
- Tape it to the ceiling directly above where your head/swing arc will be.
- If you have a ceiling fan or garage door opener track nearby, tape a box to that, too.
Step 2: The Graduated Swing
- Take your shortest club (Wedge). Swing at 50% speed.
- Move to a 7-iron. Swing at 75% speed.
- Move to your Driver. Swing at 100% speed.
Step 3: The Verdict
- Result A: You hit the box.
- Verdict: FAIL. If you hit the box, you would have shattered your club or broken your wrist. Do not build a full sim here.
- Result B: You missed the box, but you “flinched” or felt scared.
- Verdict: FAIL. This is the “Duck” factor. If you are scared of the ceiling, you will never improve.
- Result C: You swung full speed and forgot the box was even there.
- Verdict: PASS. Open your wallet. It’s time to build.
The “Hard Numbers” Cheat Sheet
If you are still in the planning phase, here are the minimum dimensions you need based on what you want to play.
(Note: “Depth” includes the space for the launch monitor and safety buffer).
| Setup Goal | Min Height | Min Width | Min Depth | Recommended Monitor |
| The “Iron-Only” Gym | 8ft 6in | 9ft | 10ft | SkyTrak+ (Camera) |
| The “Standard” Build | 9ft 0in | 10ft | 12ft | SkyTrak+ or Garmin |
| The “No Compromise” | 10ft 0in | 14ft | 16ft+ | Mevo+ (Radar) |
The “Depth” Trap
Notice the depth requirements.
- Camera units: SkyTrak+ sits next to the ball. You only need enough depth to swing the club safely (roughly 10ft total).
- Radar units: Mevo+ sits behind you and needs to see the ball fly. If you only have a 12ft deep room, do not buy a radar unit. You will be hitting the wall with your backswing.
I Failed the Test… Now What? (The Cheats)
So, your ceiling is 8 feet. Or your room is too narrow. Do you have to quit? No. You just have to change the goal.
Here are the three “Cheats” to building a sim in a tiny room.
Cheat #1: The “Iron-Only” Rule
Be honest with yourself. How often do you hit Driver on the course? 14 times. How often do you hit irons and wedges? 60 times.
- The Fix: Build a simulator exclusively for irons. 8.5-foot ceilings are plenty for a 5-iron.
- The Gear: The SkyTrak+ is the king of tight spaces because it has zero footprint. Set your software to “Par 3 Course” mode. You can play thousands of famous Par 3 holes and get dialled in with your scoring clubs. Save the Driver for the outdoor range.
Cheat #2: The “Shortee” Trainer
If you absolutely must swing a driver in a low-ceiling room, use a simulator training club.
- The Fix: These are weighted clubs that are only ~20 inches long. They have a “clicker” mechanism that breaks when you release the club properly.
- The Gear: Phigolf 2 Simulator.
- Concept: Phigolf is a sensor that goes into the end of a short stick. You can play a full round of golf on your TV without ever swinging a real club. It’s more “arcade” than “simulation,” but it scratches the itch and fits in any living room.
Cheat #3: Offset The Mat
If your room is narrow (e.g., 10 feet wide), you cannot hit from the center of the room.
- The Fix: Place your hitting mat closer to the right-hand wall (if you are a righty). This gives your backswing more clearance in the center of the room.
- The Cost: You can never host a Lefty friend. This is a solo setup now.
Lab Verdict: Don’t Force It
We want you to build a simulator. But we don’t want you to put a hole in your ceiling.
If you have 8-foot ceilings, stop looking at projectors and screens. Buy a PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer and a chipping net.
If you have 9-foot ceilings, you are in the “Yellow Zone.” Do the Box Test.
If you have 10-foot ceilings, congratulations. You are in the “Green Zone.” The only thing stopping you is your budget.
Speaking of budget…