How we research, and what powers the calculator
FitMySim is an independent resource for people building a home golf simulator. This page explains exactly how our room-fit calculator reaches its verdict, where our numbers come from, and how we keep recommendations honest.
Last reviewed: June 2026 · Reviewed on every major content update.
How the room-fit calculator works
The calculator checks the three constraints that actually decide whether a golf simulator fits a room, in order of how often they're the blocker:
| Constraint | Comfortable | Workable | Too tight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling height (full swing) | 10 ft / 3.0 m | 9 ft / 2.7 m (you'll feel it); 8.5 ft only for players under ~5'8" with a flat swing | under ~8.5 ft → irons & data only |
| Width - one-handed (centred) | 12 ft+ / 3.7 m+ | 10–12 ft with an offset tee | under 10 ft |
| Width - both right & left | 15 ft+ / 4.6 m+ | 13–15 ft (offset per hand) | under 13 ft |
| Depth (ball-to-screen + stance) | 18 ft / 5.5 m (16 ft workable) | 15–17 ft; radar units need 17–20 ft | under ~12 ft (can't keep the 10 ft ball-to-screen safety gap) |
We adjust the ceiling requirement for player height (shorter / average / taller), because the limiting factor is the highest point of the club arc - usually the follow-through, not the top of the backswing, and not standing height alone. Aim for roughly 6–9 inches of clearance above that point. When ceiling, width or depth falls below "comfortable," the calculator recommends a side-placed camera launch monitor (it sits beside the ball, no overhead mount - not a behind-the-ball radar, which actually needs the most depth) and an offset hitting position. Important: a side / floor monitor removes the ceiling-mount requirement but does not create swing room - a low ceiling still limits the swing itself.
Where the numbers come from
The thresholds reflect widely published manufacturer space requirements for home simulators and common enclosure/screen dimensions, cross-checked against real garage, basement and spare-room builds. They are deliberately conservative: we'd rather tell you a room is "tight" and have it work than call it "fine" and have you clip the ceiling on a driver. One figure we treat as a hard safety floor, not a comfort trade-off: keep at least 10 ft (3 m) from the ball to the impact screen - a fast mishit ricochet needs that distance, and a short-throw projector does not shorten it.
Numbers are guidance, not a survey of your exact room. Always confirm with a tape measure and a slow practice swing to the lowest obstruction - a light fixture, beam, or garage-door track - before buying anything.
Editorial independence - how we make money
FitMySim is reader-supported. Some outbound links to retailers and brands are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. That never changes the calculator's verdict or which setup we recommend - recommendations are driven by your entered dimensions and budget, not by commission rates. If a product is wrong for your space, we say so. See our affiliate disclosure.
How we keep this current
Launch monitors, projectors and packages change fast. We review core pages (calculator logic, launch-monitor picks, prices) on a rolling schedule and stamp each guide with a "last updated" date. Prices and model availability shift - treat figures as approximate and confirm on the retailer's page.
Who's behind FitMySim
FitMySim is an independent project, not owned by any simulator brand or retailer. We build and maintain the calculator, research the gear, and write the guides. Spotted an error or have a room we should account for? We'd genuinely like to fix it - see the about page for contact.
Try the calculator
Put your room in and see the verdict for yourself: open the room-fit calculator.