Golf simulators are all the rage these days. It’s a great way to work on your swing, stay sharp in the off-season, or just bond with your buddies. But how many times have you been unable to get a time slot because your favorite simulator facility was all booked up, your friends weren’t available, or you just didn’t feel like driving. There’s a solution: set up a simulator right in your backyard.
It may sound indulgent, but it’s a fast-growing trend. If you’ve got ample space on your property, you can use an existing large shed or have one built to house the golf simulator equipment of your choice. Then you’ll be able to work on your swing whenever the fancy strikes, even in the middle of the night if you wish. Not only that, but it will transform your at-home entertainment: your private golf simulator will become an instant party place and the favorite gathering spot for your fairway friends.
Sizing Your Backyard Golf Simulator Building
Since swinging a golf club requires ample space above, behind, and to the sides of the person, a shed used for an at-home golf simulator will need to be adequately sized. The last thing you want to do is underestimate the room you’ll need, lest you find yourself altering your stance and swing because you’re afraid you’ll clunk your club against the wall or ceiling.
Given that there should be 10 to 12 feet between the golfer and the far wall, behind the screen, the starting point for building length is 18 feet – although more depth will be even better. Width is just as critical. If, like most folks, you swing right-handed, don’t forget your lefty friends who will also want to use your setup: leave room on both sides of your virtual tee so that all can swing. A minimum width of 12 feet should be your baseline, but you will probably want even more so that everyone has a place to sit or stand and watch while they’re waiting their turn. The simulator equipment you select will be a factor as well: some units are compact, while others take up more space. If you’re building a custom outbuilding, you’d do well to choose the
As for height, the absolute minimum would be nine feet, not just at the centerline of the ceiling but across the whole width of the swing area. That means the peak height may be considerably more when the slope of the roof toward the sides is taken into account. And if you’re taller than average (or one of your golfing buddies is), some additional height is a good idea.
Home Golf-Sim Logistics to Consider
Now that you’re seriously thinking of setting up a place to golf virtually on your property, there are a few nuts and bolts to consider. The first essential item is to make sure your municipality has no ordinances against such a structure. Once you’ve cleared that, you’ll need to find out about any permitting requirements. The approval process can take significant time, so prepare to be patient – as excited as you are to take that first swing on your very own green screen.
Next, you’ll need adequate electricity in the space for running the equipment, lighting, and heating or cooling. Besides keeping the building comfortable year-round for the virtual golfers, you may need to protect that expensive sim computer and the related gear from humidity and extreme heat or cold. Whether you’re building a custom shed for the purpose or repurposing an existing structure, consult with a qualified electrician to make sure there’s enough electricity – and enough sockets – for everything. Plugging six things into a power strip is not a safe plan. Check your Internet signal as well to make sure that it’s strong enough in the outbuilding. In a good-sized yard, the signal from the home may not reach the shed adequately to keep the sim program running consistently.
Virtual Golf in Your Own Backyard: Priceless
At this point, you’re probably wondering how much it will cost to set up a home golf simulator. The main factor is whether you already have the right size shed or you need to build or add on to one. As for equipment costs, simulator units and screens vary greatly in price. It’s easy to research the available models, and a half-hour or so of Internet surfing should give you a ballpark idea of what you’ll spend. Once you arrive at an estimated dollar amount for setting up virtual golfing at your home, keep in mind that you’ll no longer have to drive to a golf simulation facility and pay for using their system. Take that fee and multiply it by the average number of visits you make there in a year. That’ll give you a basic idea of how soon your at-home simulator will pay for itself.
The fun doesn’t have to end at virtual golf, either. After you have your shed and screen set up, the uses will go as far as your imagination dictates. Imagine a video fitness studio for early-morning workouts, a climate-controlled backyard cinema, or even a video game hideaway for the kids – if you’re willing to let them in!
