$10k Budget Golf Simulator Setup Ideas

How much does a golf simulator cost? At Carl’s Place, we believe you can build a great indoor golf setup no matter your budget.

Think $5,000 won’t cut it, but $20,000 feels way out of reach? If you're wondering what you can get for around $10,000, we’ve put together a few options to help you create your dream golf simulator without breaking the bank.

CARL'S TIP: With Carl's clearance page, you might be able to save even more money on enclosures and screens, and then use those savings on a higher-end launch monitor, projector, etc.!

Golf Simulators For Around $10,000

There are several ways you can approach building your golf simulator—should you focus most of your budget on the launch monitor? The projector? Or maybe the enclosure and impact screen?

It all depends on what you want from your setup and the space you have available. If pinpoint accuracy is your top priority, investing in a higher-end launch monitor makes sense. If you're after an immersive, cinema-like experience, a 4K projector might be your best bet. Or, if you want a top-tier enclosure and impact screen, consider upgrading to Carl’s Pro Enclosure or Built-In Kit.

That said, here’s how we’d build it out with no space limitations. We used our golf simulator customizer tool, and all prices listed are as of October 2024.

Best All-Around Golf Simulator For $10,000

Enclosure and Impact Screen

9x12 DIY Enclosure with Premium Impact Screen, Pipe Kit and Foam Insert Kit

We opted for the budget-friendly DIY enclosure to save more for the electronics. That’s one of the great things about Carl—he provides multiple options for different budget levels, giving you the freedom to invest where it matters most to you.

The 9x12 DIY enclosure is plenty large and with the premium screen, you’ll get a high-end feel without breaking the bank. We included Carl’s pipe kit to make setup easier, but you can save a bit by sourcing and cutting the pipes yourself. We also added foam padding to protect the pipes and reduce ball bounce-back.

Hitting Mat

Carl’s 4x9 HotShot Hitting Mat with Standard Strip

We chose the largest hitting mat Carl offers because it’s arguably the best value out there. With a central hitting area, both righties and lefties can hit from the same spot. Plus, Carl’s mat is versatile—you can easily upgrade the standard hitting strip to a foam or gel strip down the line.

Launch Monitor

ProTee VX with GSPro

We've been fans of the ProTee VX since day one—it’s one of the best value options out there.

Here are a few reasons why:

• Easy setup
• High-quality native software (with club-at-impact replays)
• User-friendly interface
• Instant data feedback
• Simple integration with third-party software like GSPro

Naturally, we opted for GSPro for course play thanks to its affordable pricing, stunning graphics, and wide course selection.

Projector

BenQ TH671ST

While the budget constraints led us to the BenQ TH671ST, it's still a solid projector choice. We’ll just need to manage the surrounding ambient light since it doesn’t offer the brightness of some higher-end models. But for the reasonable price, it gets the job done.

Most Realistic Golf Simulator For $10,000

For this build, we aimed to create the most realistic and immersive golf simulator possible, focusing on the projected image, hitting surface, and third-party software—all while keeping the total cost under $10K!

Enclosure and Impact Screen

9x12 DIY Enclosure and Premium Impact Screen With Pipe Framing Kit And Foam Insert Kit

We stuck with the 9x12 DIY enclosure for the same reasons as before: saving some cash for our projector investment, while still getting a large enough setup for great immersion—if that’s even a word!

We included Carl’s pipe kit because, well, you need pipes to hold up the enclosure. But you can always save a few bucks by sourcing and cutting them yourself. We also added foam padding to protect the pipes and reduce ball bounce-back.

Back Cover Kit With Back Cover Pipe Kit

We also added the back cover kit, along with the pipes, to block out any ambient light sneaking in behind the enclosure for optimal image quality. Plus, the back cover gives the enclosure a more polished, professional look—a nice bonus for an investment of this size.

Hitting Mat

Carl’s 4x9 HotShot Hitting Mat with Gel Strip

The 4x9 from Carl is one of the best values on the market for its size, making it tough to pass up—especially when saving for electronics.

Since we aimed to create a super realistic simulator, we opted for the gel hitting strip instead of the standard one. The gel is designed to mimic hitting off a fairway, so your shot outcomes (distance and direction) will be affected if you chunk a shot.

We’d also consider adding some turf to enhance the overall immersion in the simulator.

Launch Monitor

FlightScope Mevo+ with GSPro

Choosing between the Mevo+ and the Uneekor EYE MINI or EYE MINI Lite was a tough call, but we ultimately went with the Mevo+ for its user-friendly design for both righties and lefties. With the ground-mounted Uneekor units, you’d have to manually adjust them for each player, which isn’t ideal.

The Mevo+ sits directly behind the hitting zone and doesn’t require moving for opposite-handed players. Plus, it’s compatible with GSPro, which, thanks to its stunning graphics, is arguably the most realistic golf simulator software on the market as of this article's publication.

Projector

LG ProBeam BU53RG

To achieve the most immersive experience, we determined that a bright 4K image was essential. This narrowed our options to the BenQ LK936ST and LG ProBeam BU53RG.

We opted for the LG BU53RG primarily due to its better price point for similar specs. However, both projectors are excellent choices, and the Panasonic PT-VMZ51 is also a solid, bright, and budget-friendly option.

Best Training Golf Simulator for $10,000

Creating the ultimate golf simulator for training or coaching involves a lot of considerations, and we found it challenging to determine our priorities. As a result, we went just slightly over budget, but let us explain.

Enclosure and Impact Screen

10x15.5x5 Pro Enclosure with Foam Insert Kit

We chose the Pro Enclosure for its upscale appearance and larger size options. Whether you're a seasoned pro refining your swing or a complete newbie, having a bigger hitting area can be incredibly beneficial.

To stay within our budget, we limited the enclosure to 5 feet deep, but Pro Enclosures can expand up to 20 feet deep, fully surrounding the hitting area and preventing errant shots from escaping. You can also add net wall extensions to catch any wayward hosel rockets.
One thing to mention is that we opted not to include the 2” EMT pipe kit from Carl. Shipping those large pipes via freight can get pricey, so we decided to source our own locally.

Hitting Mat

Fiberbuilt 4x10 Player Preferred Series Center Hitting Studio Mat

While the price of this mat made it a tight fit within our budget (yes, we nearly went with Carl’s 4x9 mat again!), it’s definitely one of our top choices for hitting. It offers a great balance of joint support for frequent players while still challenging your game when you hit poorly or chunk a shot.

Launch Monitor

Uneekor EYE MINI (or Lite)

While there are several excellent training and coaching launch monitors that could work with adjustments in other areas, we chose the Uneekor EYE MINI or EYE MINI Lite for one main reason: the native software that comes free with the unit provides valuable data and instant club-at-impact replays.

Plus, it offers easy compatibility with third-party software, although that may not be necessary for training or coaching.

Although the EYE MINI options aren’t the easiest to move between righties and lefties, we figured that wouldn’t be a frequent issue in this setting, as it wouldn’t require constant switching after every shot or two.

We also included Carl’s swing cameras since they are easy to use and easily integrate into Uneekor View software so that you can see instant swing replays.

Projector

BenQ TH671ST

Like our first build, we chose to invest more in the launch monitor, enclosure, and hitting mat rather than the projector. The BenQ TH671ST will definitely get the job done in this setup, but it's important to ensure you’re in a darker environment to prevent the image from washing out.

Conclusion

While you can certainly assemble a decent golf simulator setup for around $5,000, a budget of $10,000 offers significantly more flexibility in selecting the right products to create your ideal system.

With this budget, you can invest in higher-quality components, enhancing your overall experience and performance. Whether you prioritize a premium projector, advanced launch monitor, or a spacious hitting mat, the options available within this price range can truly elevate your indoor golfing experience.

So, take the time to explore and choose the elements that will best suit your needs, and get ready to enjoy a realistic and immersive golfing experience from the comfort of your own home!