Build Your Own Golf Simulator
Wisconsin golfers are among the most dedicated in the country. Beat the Milwaukee winters by building your own home simulator - perfect for that basement or heated garage setup.
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Choose Your Budget
Select a starting point based on your investment level
Complete Home Simulator
5 items - Everything you need
Launch Monitors Compared
The heart of your simulator - choose wisely
| Feature | Best Value Garmin Approach R10 (2,847) | Most Popular Rapsodo MLM2PRO (1,523) | Editor's Choice FlightScope Mevo+ (892) | SkyTrak+ (1,245) | Bushnell Launch Pro (634) | New Garmin Approach R50 (127) |
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| Price | $549 - $599 | $699 - $799 | $1,999 - $2,199 | $2,995 | $2,999 - $3,500 | $4,999 |
| Tier | budget | mid-range | mid-range | premium | premium | premium |
| Best For | Beginners and budget-conscious golfers | Serious amateurs wanting video analysis | Dedicated home simulator setups | Premium home simulator builds | Golfers demanding tour-level data | Golfers wanting the ultimate all-in-one solution |
| Accuracy | Good | Very Good | Excellent | Excellent | Tour-level | - |
| Metrics | 13 ball/club metrics | 13 ball metrics + video | 16 ball/club metrics | 12 ball + club metrics | 16+ metrics | - |
| Battery | 10+ hours | - | - | - | - | 4 hours |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth/WiFi | - | - | - | WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI |
| Display | - | Mobile app required | - | - | - | 10" touchscreen |
| Indoor Space | - | - | 8+ ft ball flight | - | - | - |
| Sim Software | - | - | E6, GSPro, TGC | WGT, TGC, E6, GSPro | - | - |
| Setup | - | - | - | 5 minutes | - | - |
| Technology | - | - | - | - | Foresight GC3 | - |
| Portability | - | - | - | - | Excellent | - |
| Courses | - | - | - | - | - | 43,000+ |
| Cameras | - | - | - | - | - | 3 high-speed |
| Weight | - | - | - | - | - | 9 lbs |
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Garmin Approach R10
Portable radar launch monitor. 13 metrics, works indoors and out. The budget king.
Beginners and budget-conscious golfers
Why We Love It
- Best value launch monitor on the market
- Portable and easy to set up in minutes
- Works indoors and outdoors
- Free Garmin Golf app with virtual courses
Consider
- -Premium subscription unlocks more features
- -Less accurate than $2K+ options
- -Battery-powered (4+ hours life)
Golf Mats
Quality turf that protects your clubs and joints.
Country Club Elite Real Feel Golf Mat
Shock-absorbing base, realistic feel. Easy on joints for longer practice sessions.
Regular practice and simulator use
Why We Love It
- Excellent premium turf quality
- Joint-friendly shock absorption
- Multiple size options available
- Very durable - lasts for years
Consider
- -Heavier than budget options
- -Takes up more space
- -Higher price point
More Options
Callaway Supersoft Golf Mat
Entry-level hitting mat with forgiving surface. Good for casual practice sessions without breaking the bank.
Casual golfers and beginners
Pros
- Most affordable quality option
- Portable and lightweight
- Decent durability for price
Cons
- Thinner than premium options
- Shows wear with heavy use
Free shipping on orders over $35
SIG Pro Softy 4x7
Large hitting mat with integrated stance area. Commercial-grade turf built for high-volume practice sessions.
Dedicated simulator rooms
Pros
- Extra large hitting area
- Stance mat included
- Commercial-grade turf
Cons
- Requires dedicated space
- Heavy to move
Free shipping on orders over $35
Impact Screens
Catches balls and displays your sim graphics.
GoSports Golf Simulator Impact Screen
Popular home sim screen with great image quality. Designed for projector use and high-speed ball strikes.
Most home simulator setups
Why We Love It
- Excellent image quality for projection
- Handles high club speeds
- Multiple sizes available
- Easy to install
Consider
- -Requires tensioning system
- -Frame sold separately
- -May need reinforcement for heavy use
More Options
SIG Pro Golf Simulator Screen
Commercial-grade impact screen with reinforced edges. Designed for driving ranges and high-volume home use.
Heavy use and commercial settings
Pros
- Commercial-grade durability
- Reinforced edges prevent tearing
- Excellent ball absorption
Cons
- Heavier material
- Frame required
Free shipping on orders over $35
SIG Golf Simulator Enclosure
Complete professional enclosure kit with SIGPRO Premium Impact Screen, frame, and padding. All-in-one solution.
Serious home simulator setups wanting a complete solution
Pros
- Complete all-in-one kit
- Professional-grade impact screen included
- Easy push-pin assembly
Cons
- Premium price point
- Requires dedicated space
Free shipping on orders over $35
Golf Nets
Practice nets for non-simulator setups or backup protection.
Spornia SPG-7 Golf Net
The best-selling golf practice net on Amazon. Automatic ball return feature and sets up in under a minute.
Practice nets and simulator backup protection
Why We Love It
- Quick 1-minute setup
- Automatic ball return
- Handles 150+ mph swing speeds
- Extremely portable design
Consider
- -Not designed for screen projection
- -Ball return can be loud
- -Net shows wear after 2-3 years
More Options
GoSports Elite Golf Practice Net
Heavy-duty golf net with steel frame. Available in 10ft or 7ft sizes for serious practice.
Dedicated practice areas
Pros
- Steel frame construction
- Multiple size options (7ft or 10ft)
- Durable netting material
Cons
- Heavier than portable options
- No automatic ball return
Free shipping on orders over $35
The Net Return Pro Series V2
Premium practice net used by PGA Tour players. Patented design provides the best ball return on the market.
Serious golfers wanting tour-quality equipment
Pros
- Used by PGA Tour professionals
- Best ball return in the industry
- Extremely durable construction
Cons
- Premium price
- Larger footprint needed
Free shipping on orders over $35
Projectors
Low-lag, high-brightness displays built for simulators.
BenQ TH690ST Short Throw
Built for sims. 8.3ms input lag, short throw. The 2024 go-to projector.
Serious golf simulator setups
Why We Love It
- Ultra-low 8.3ms input lag
- Short throw ratio (0.69)
- Bright 2300 lumens
- Full HD 1080p at 120Hz
Consider
- -Not 4K native
- -Fan noise at full brightness
- -Pricier than older models
More Options
Optoma UHD35STx Short Throw 4K
True 4K short throw projector with incredible image quality. HDR10 support and gaming-grade 4ms response time.
Premium 4K simulator experiences
Pros
- True 4K resolution
- 4ms response time
- HDR10 and HLG support
Cons
- Premium price point
- 2800 lumens (moderate)
Free shipping on orders over $35
BenQ TH671ST Short Throw
Reliable short throw projector that's been the go-to for simulator builds. Great balance of performance and value.
Budget-conscious full simulator builds
Pros
- Low input lag (16ms)
- Short throw design
- Bright 3000 lumens
Cons
- Older model
- Fan noise noticeable
Free shipping on orders over $35
Optoma GT1090HDR Short Throw
High brightness short throw perfect for garages and rooms with ambient light. HDR support enhances realism.
Bright garages and rooms with windows
Pros
- Very bright 4200 lumens
- HDR support
- Short throw design
Cons
- Higher price point
- 1080p native resolution
Free shipping on orders over $35
ViewSonic PX701-4K
True 4K projector at a mid-range price. Great image quality for immersive golf simulation if you have ceiling mounting space.
Larger dedicated rooms with ceiling mounting
Pros
- True 4K resolution
- Excellent color accuracy
- Low input lag mode (5ms)
Cons
- Not short throw - needs distance
- Requires 10+ ft throw distance
Free shipping on orders over $35
Complete Simulator Packages
Curated bundles with everything you need at each budget level. Just pick and buy.
Starter Practice Kit
Best ValueLaunch monitor + net + mat. Solid practice setup, no sim required.
- Garmin Approach R10launch monitors
- Callaway Supersoft Matmats
- Spornia SPG-7 Netnets
Complete Home Simulator
Most PopularFull sim experience. Quality at every level. Our most popular package.
- FlightScope Mevo+launch monitors
- Country Club Elite Matmats
- GoSports Impact Screenscreens
- Spornia SPG-7 (backup)nets
- BenQ TH690ST Projectorprojectors
Garage-Friendly Retractable Setup
Retractable screen rolls up in 60 seconds. Park your car and practice golf.
- Rapsodo MLM2PROlaunch monitors
- SIG Pro Softy Matmats
- SIG Pro Screenscreens
- BenQ TH690ST Projectorprojectors
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about building your home simulator
Do I need a subscription for these launch monitors?
Most work fine without one. R10 is great standalone; Garmin Golf ($99/yr) adds more courses. R50 includes everything on-device. SkyTrak and Mevo+ have optional sim software subscriptions.
How much space do I need?
Minimum: 10x12x9 ft. Recommended: 12x15x10 ft for comfortable driver swings. Ceiling height is key - measure at the top of your backswing.
Can I set this up in my garage?
Yes - garages are the most popular choice. Get a retractable screen if you still park cars there. Electronics work in 40-100F, so a space heater helps in winter.
What's the best budget option?
Garmin R10 ($599) + Spornia net ($299) + basic mat ($100). Under $1K for solid swing practice. Add screen and projector later for full sim.
Short throw vs regular projector?
Short throw (0.5-0.7 ratio) sits a few feet from the screen, behind you. Regular projectors need 10+ ft throw distance. Go short throw for most setups.
Is the Garmin R50 worth $5K?
If you want simplicity, yes. No computer or phone needed - just unbox and play 43,000+ courses on the built-in screen. For budget builds, R10 + sim software gets you close.
Space Requirements
Make sure you have enough room before you buy
Minimum
Tight but workable. Good for nets or compact setups.
Recommended
Full swings with any club. Sweet spot for garages.
Ideal
Room for seating, multiple players, premium gear.
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Prefer to Play at a Venue?
Not ready to build your own? Check out the best golf simulator venues in Milwaukee for hourly rates, memberships, and more.
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