Building the Ultimate $20K Golf Simulator

If you're a golf lover ready to invest around $20,000 into a top-tier home simulator, you're in for some impressive options. With this budget, you can design a truly immersive, pro-level experience without leaving your house.

Or maybe you’re not ready to spend that much; we also built out golf sims for around $5,000 and $10,000 as well.

Below, we’ll walk you through a few builds that will help you get the most out of your investment. Whether you're after cutting-edge visuals, maximum versatility, or a clean, modern look, there's a perfect setup for you.

Best Golf Simulator for $20,000

Whew, this was a tough one, despite the larger budget. We aimed to strike the perfect balance between immersion and having one of the most accurate launch monitors on the market. We’re confident we’ve achieved a fantastic setup that stays within that $20,000 range, giving you the best of both worlds without compromising on quality.

Enclosure and Impact Screen

10x15.5x15 Pro Enclosure With Foam Insert Kit and Back Cover Kit

We opted for the 10x15.5x15 Pro Enclosure, a spacious design that enhances the immersive experience. With the golfer always hitting inside the enclosure, it provides excellent safety alongside that immersive feel.

The deeper enclosure and back cover kit effectively block out ambient light, ensuring a more focused gameplay experience. Plus, the back cover adds a polished finish to the exterior.

To top it off, the foam insert kit offers added protection for both the pipe framing and the golfer, minimizing the risk of ricocheting balls.

Hitting Mat

Carl’s 4x9 HotShot Hitting Mat With All Three Hitting Strips

While it may not reach the level of TrueStrike or Fiberbuilt, Carl’s 4x9 HotShot Hitting Mat is a fantastic option thanks to its versatility. You can easily swap out the Standard Hitting Strip for either the Foam or Gel Strip.

The Foam Strip is perfect for frequent play, providing comfort and durability, while the Gel Strip delivers a realistic feel, allowing you to truly experience the consequences of chunked shots. It’s an excellent choice for golfers looking to enhance their practice sessions without breaking the bank.

Launch Monitor

Uneekor EYE XO and GSPro

With increased competition in the market, Uneekor has lowered the prices on their launch monitors, making them an even more attractive option without sacrificing quality. The Uneekor EYE XO has been a top choice for us for years, and it fits perfectly within this setup, easily mounting to the crossbar inside the Pro Enclosure. Plus, we don’t require the larger hitting area that the EYE XO2 offers.

One great feature from the EYE XO is its overhead club-at-impact replay feature in the native View software, which enhances your practice sessions. It also boasts seamless compatibility with third-party software, including GSPro—one of the best value options in the golf simulator software market. This combination of features makes it a standout choice for any serious golfer.

Projector

BenQ LK936ST

The BenQ LK936ST stands out as one of the most popular high-end projectors in the golf simulator industry, if not the top choice.

With its 4K resolution and impressive brightness, it delivers crystal-clear images that enhance your gameplay experience. Its flexible mounting options make it suitable for virtually any room or setup, ensuring you can create the perfect environment for your simulator without any hassle.

Whether you’re practicing your swing or enjoying a round with friends, the LK936ST is an excellent addition to your golf simulator setup.

Most Accurate Golf Simulator for $20,000

To find the most accurate golf simulator within a $20,000 budget, you’ll want to center your setup around one of the industry's top launch monitors. This ensures that you're not only investing in high-quality technology but also maximizing your performance and practice potential. By focusing on precision, you can create an exceptional golfing experience right in the comfort of your own home.

Enclosure and Impact Screen

9x12x5 DIY Enclosure With Premium Impact Screen, Pipe Framing Kit and Foam Insert Kit

If you're aiming for accuracy in your golf simulator, investing in a quality launch monitor is essential, and that often comes with a higher price tag. To keep costs down, we opted for a more budget-friendly DIY enclosure in a 9x12 size, which still provides ample space for everyone to enjoy the experience.

We included the pipe framing kit to save you time and effort, but if you’re looking to cut expenses further, you can source and cut your own pipes from a local hardware or big-box store. Additionally, we added a foam insert kit to ensure both the pipes and players are protected from any stray shots, keeping your setup safe and user-friendly.

Hitting Mat

Carl’s 4x9 HotShot Hitting Mat

We opted for Carl’s HotShot Hitting Mat, which offers excellent value for your investment. When making these choices, we often find it hard to select anything outside of this great option, allowing us to allocate those savings toward other essentials, like electronics.

The HotShot Mat with the Standard Strip delivers honest feedback on every shot and offers the flexibility to upgrade to the foam or gel strip when needed. The gel strip, in particular, provides the most realistic feedback, closely mimicking the experience of hitting off fairway grass, making it a fantastic choice for serious golfers looking to enhance their practice sessions.

Launch Monitor

Foresight GCQuad

The Foresight GCQuad has established itself as one of the most accurate launch monitors on the market, trusted by PGA TOUR professionals for its precision. With its four-camera system, it provides reliable data that every golfer can count on.

We also looked at the ceiling-mounted Foresight Falcon, which offers similar quality and accuracy. However, it does require the right setup for installation, making it essential to consider your space before choosing this option. Both monitors deliver outstanding performance, ensuring that you get the most accurate readings for your game.

Projector

BenQ TK700STi (or TK710STi)

The BenQ TK700STi, or its upgraded counterpart, the TK710STi, is an excellent choice for a 4K projector that won’t break the bank. Within a $20,000 budget, having a 4K projector feels almost essential to enhance the overall experience.

However, with the investment in a higher-priced launch monitor, it was crucial to find a projector that offers the best value without compromising on quality. Both options deliver stunning visuals that elevate your golf simulator setup while remaining budget-friendly.

The Best Golf Simulator Carl Can Offer

Since we’re working with such generous budgets, we decided to pull together one of the best setups that Carl has to offer as of October 2024. Prepare yourself for a lengthy list of top-notch components …

Enclosure and Impact Screen

10x20x20 Pro Enclosure With Pipe Framing Kit, Foam Insert Kit, Baffle, Back Cover Kit and Back Cover Pipe Kit

We chose a fully maxed-out Pro Enclosure measuring 10 feet tall, 20 feet wide, and 20 feet deep. This spacious design ensures that the entire hitting area is enclosed, enhancing both safety and immersiveness, so you won’t have to worry about clipping anything during your swing.

To maximize safety, we included all the necessary accessories, such as a foam insert kit to prevent balls from ricocheting off the pipes and a safety baffle to catch those high lofted shots.

Additionally, we added a back cover kit to eliminate light leakage from the back of the screen and give the exterior a polished, finished look.

Hitting Mat

Fiberbuilt 4x10 Player Preferred Series Center Hitting Studio Mat

The Fiberbuilt Player Preferred Series is one of the best and most trusted hitting mats we offer. It provides excellent joint forgiveness while still holding you accountable, punishing poor or chunked shots instead of giving a false sense of security.

With its durable construction and heavyweight design, this mat remains stable during your swing, ensuring it won’t shift or slide out of place. It’s a reliable choice for serious golfers looking to enhance their practice experience.

Launch Monitor

Trackman iO Home Complete

When you mention Trackman, you’ve really said it all. It boasts incredible accuracy, impressive native software, and stunning graphics—essentially everything you could want in a launch monitor.

While it lacks third-party compatibility, you likely won’t miss it, thanks to the comprehensive training and course play features that Trackman offers. It’s a powerhouse that delivers an exceptional golfing experience right at your fingertips.

Projector

BenQ LK936ST

The BenQ LK936ST is arguably the most popular high-end projector in the golf simulator industry. With its 4K resolution, brightness, and flexible mounting options, it fits seamlessly into virtually any room or setup.

This versatility makes it an ideal choice for creating an immersive golfing experience, ensuring that you enjoy crystal-clear visuals every time you step up to play.

Conclusion

In conclusion, building a high-quality golf simulator for around $20,000 gives you the opportunity to bring a professional-grade experience into your home. Whether you’re focused on stunning graphics, versatility, or a sleek and polished setup, the options we’ve outlined offer something for every type of golfer.

With the right combination of technology and design, your dream of practicing and improving your game year-round, rain or shine, is just a few swings away. Now, it's time to choose your perfect setup and start enjoying the ultimate indoor golf experience!