Thinking about setting up your own golf simulator? Whether you're starting a mobile golf simulator rental business, creating a backyard golf experience, or building an indoor practice facility, getting started requires more than just an enclosure and a set of golf clubs.
The good news is that building a complete golf simulator doesn't have to be complicated. Once you understand the major components and how they work together, you can choose the equipment that fits your space, budget, and intended use.
Here's what you'll need to get started.
1. Start With the Golf Simulator Enclosure
The enclosure provides the foundation for your simulator. It creates a contained hitting environment, supports the impact screen, and helps protect the surrounding area from golf balls.
At All Sports Inflatables (ASI), we offer several commercial-grade inflatable golf simulator enclosures designed for indoor and outdoor use.
12×16 Inflatable Golf Simulator Enclosure
Our most portable and affordable option, starting at $2,999. Ideal for mobile golf simulator operators, backyard setups, and locations with limited space. This enclosure requires an offset hitting position.
16×16 Inflatable Golf Simulator Enclosure
Starting at $4,999, this larger enclosure accommodates center hitting, making it a popular choice for businesses, events, and golfers who want additional flexibility.
16×20 Inflatable Golf Simulator Enclosure
Starting at $5,999, this enclosure provides additional depth for equipment placement, player movement, and larger simulator configurations.
Each ASI enclosure includes an impact screen, protective netting, and an electric inflation pump.
Important: Before selecting an enclosure, measure your available space, including ceiling height, and confirm there is sufficient room for a full golf swing and any required equipment clearances.
2. Choose a Golf Launch Monitor
The launch monitor is the technology that measures your golf shots and provides the information used by your simulator software.
Depending on the system, launch monitors can measure or calculate ball speed, launch angle, spin, carry distance, club data, and other performance metrics.
There are two main categories to consider:
Radar-Based Launch Monitors
Examples include the FlightScope Mevo Gen 2 and Rapsodo MLM. These systems generally sit behind the golfer and require sufficient distance between the monitor, golf ball, and impact screen.
Camera-Based Launch Monitors
Examples include SkyTrak and overhead camera-based systems. These use cameras to capture shot information, with equipment placement requirements varying by model.
The right launch monitor depends on your enclosure size, available space, budget, and whether you need to accommodate both right- and left-handed golfers.
For mobile simulator operators, portability and ease of calibration are especially important.
3. Select Your Golf Simulator Software
Your launch monitor collects the shot data, but simulator software brings the golf experience to life.
Popular software options include GSPro and E6 CONNECT, along with software offered by launch monitor manufacturers.
Depending on the platform, you can enjoy virtual golf courses, driving ranges, skills challenges, practice sessions, and multiplayer competitions.
Before purchasing, verify that your chosen software is compatible with your launch monitor and computer.
Some systems require subscriptions or additional licenses, so remember to include those costs in your budget.
4. Add a Projector
A projector displays the golf course or simulator software onto the enclosure's impact screen.
For inflatable golf simulator enclosures, projector selection is especially important because screen size, aspect ratio, available light, and mounting distance all affect image quality.
We generally recommend considering:
- Short-throw projection: Helps produce a large image within the available enclosure depth.
- Brightness: Higher-brightness projectors are particularly useful for events and environments where ambient light cannot be fully controlled.
- Aspect ratio: Match the projector output to the impact screen dimensions.
- Mounting location: Choose overhead or protected floor mounting based on your setup.
Outdoor daytime projection presents additional challenges. Accessories such as sun visors, front curtains, and ASI's Light Control Extension can help reduce ambient light entering the enclosure.
5. Choose a Computer or Gaming Laptop
Most full-featured golf simulator software requires a compatible computer.
For mobile golf simulator businesses, a gaming laptop is often the most practical solution because it is portable and easy to transport between events.
Your computer should meet the requirements of both your launch monitor and simulator software.
Pay particular attention to the graphics card, processor, memory, and video output capabilities.
A system designed for basic practice software may not deliver the same performance when running detailed golf courses at higher resolutions.
6. Don't Forget the Golf Hitting Mat
A quality hitting mat is an important part of any golf simulator setup.
It provides a consistent hitting surface while helping protect the golfer and underlying floor.
Choose a mat based on your enclosure dimensions and hitting position.
For example, our 12×16 enclosure requires an offset hitting position, while our larger 16×16 enclosure accommodates center hitting.
Consider durability, portability, and whether the mat can comfortably accommodate both right- and left-handed players.
Artificial turf can also be added to improve the overall appearance of the simulator, but it is separate from the actual hitting mat.
7. Include the Accessories Needed for Setup
It's easy to focus on the enclosure, launch monitor, and projector while overlooking the smaller items needed to make everything work.
Depending on your configuration, these may include:
- Projector mounting equipment or an ASI Tube Clip
- Laptop and launch monitor cabinet or stand
- HDMI and power cables
- Cable management accessories
- Sandbags or other appropriate anchoring equipment
- Storage and transportation bags
- Sun visor or front curtain for light control
- Artificial turf or decorative flooring
- Golf clubs and balls
For mobile golf simulator operators, cable management, anchoring, and transportation equipment are particularly important because the entire system may be assembled and disassembled frequently.
8. How Much Does a Complete Golf Simulator Cost?
The total cost depends on the enclosure size, launch monitor, projector, computer, software, and accessories you choose.
A basic configuration may include an inflatable enclosure, launch monitor, hitting mat, compatible computer, and simulator software.
More advanced configurations may add a high-brightness projector, overhead mounting equipment, light-control accessories, upgraded launch monitor technology, and professional presentation accessories.
The enclosure is only one part of the investment. Planning the complete equipment package from the beginning helps prevent compatibility issues and unexpected expenses.
9. Can I Use My Golf Simulator Indoors and Outdoors?
Yes. ASI inflatable golf simulator enclosures are designed for both indoor and outdoor applications, provided the installation environment is suitable.
For indoor installations, ceiling height, available floor space, and swing clearance are major considerations.
For outdoor installations, you'll also need to consider wind, anchoring, weather conditions, electrical access, and ambient light.
A portable inflatable enclosure offers the flexibility to set up at different locations without requiring a permanent structure.
Where Should I Start?
Start by answering three questions:
- Where will you use the simulator? Indoors, outdoors, at home, or at mobile events?
- How much space do you have? This helps determine enclosure size and equipment compatibility.
- What's your total budget? Include the simulator technology, projector, computer, mat, and supporting accessories—not just the enclosure.
At All Sports Inflatables, we can help you select an enclosure and identify the equipment needed to build a complete golf simulator around your intended use.
Whether you're creating a personal practice space or launching a mobile golf simulator business, our goal is to help you build a system that's practical, portable, and ready to play.
Explore our inflatable golf simulator enclosures or contact All Sports Inflatables to discuss your complete golf simulator setup.