Garage Golf Simulator Ideas: 6 Setups From Simple Net to Finished Bay

The best garage golf simulator ideas range from a $280 net-and-screen cage you can set up on a Saturday to a finished, permanent hitting bay that stays up year-round. The right one depends on three things: how much of the garage you can give up, whether the car still needs to park inside, and how much you want to spend.

Below are six setups we see work in real garages, from simplest to most finished, with the actual products and prices from our store so you can compare. Prices are current at the time of writing; check each product page for the latest.

Before you pick an idea: measure three things

• Ceiling height. Take a slow, full driver swing and check you clear the ceiling and any garage door track. Our ceiling height guide covers this in detail.
• Width of the open bay. Measure wall to wall (or wall to car) and leave room on each side of the enclosure.
• Depth. You need the enclosure depth, plus space for your stance, plus room for your backswing and a launch monitor behind you.

If you are not sure your space works, start with Will a Golf Simulator Fit in My Garage?

Idea 1: A practice cage for ball-striking only

If you just want to hit balls in winter and do not need to see the shot on a screen, a net cage is the simplest option.

• Golf Driving Cage – Black Net ($379.99–$419.99): steel frame with foam-padded poles, double netting, and a 24 x 36 in hitting mat and target included. Five sizes from 8 x 8 x 5 ft to 10 x 10 x 10 ft.

Good for: a backyard-and-garage hybrid, or anyone not ready to buy a projector yet.

Idea 2: A budget screen cage you can project onto

Want a screen without enclosure pricing? These cages include an impact screen.

• Golf Range Cage with Impact Screen ($279.99): 10 ft wide, 8 ft tall, 5 ft deep.
• Golf Simulator Cage with Impact Screen – Metal Frame ($549.99–$579.99): metal frame with foam covers, outer protective net, and a tri-turf hitting mat. Same five sizes as the cage above.

Projector, launch monitor and computer are sold separately.

Idea 3: A fold-away bay so the car still fits

For a one-car garage or a shared space, the GolfBays EasySim ($799) is the easiest real enclosure to live with. It is about 10 ft 10 in wide, 8 ft 2 in tall and just 3 ft 3 in deep, sets up without tools, and comes down when you need the space back. It includes a Lite impact screen in a 4:3 aspect ratio, which makes matching a projector simpler.

Idea 4: A permanent single bay sized to your garage

If the simulator can stay up, the GolfBays SimBox ($1,529.10–$2,199) is the enclosure most garage builds use. It comes in seven sizes, with widths from 8 ft 6 in to 13 ft 2 in and heights from 8 ft 2 in to 9 ft 10 in, so you pick the one that fits your bay. The impact screen is included and the blackout side walls help contain mishits and improve the picture.

Comparing all three GolfBays enclosures? See SimBox vs EasySim vs Lux.

Idea 5: A finished golf room

For a converted garage, bonus room or home bar, the GolfBays Lux ($2,999–$4,899) has premium non-reflective fabric walls, a full-size impact screen, and no exposed framing. It is compatible with ceiling-mounted launch monitors.

Finishing touches that make any bay feel built-in:

• Foam Wedge Protection Pelmet ($251.99–$413.99): seals the gap between mat and screen so low shots don't roll under.
• Blackout Side Screens ($233.99–$350.99): stop projector light bleeding through for better contrast.
• GolfBays Club Storage Rack ($299.99): holds 14 clubs.

Idea 6: A short-game corner

No room for full swings? Most strokes happen within 100 yards anyway. A corner of the garage is enough for:

• Wedge Game ($179.99–$399.99): chipping net with targets and auto ball return, used from about 4–8 ft away.
• Chiputt Tour-Grade Putting Mat ($229.49–$382.49): rolls at about 10 on the stimp, includes a chipping mat.
• Indoor Putting Green with Auto Ball Return ($131.99): rolls up for storage.

What every full-swing idea still needs

• A hitting mat. The GolfBays Academy mat ($349, or $608 with rubber base) is sized for GolfBays bays. Want real wooden tees? The 5 x 5 Super Tee mat ($399.99) has shock-absorbent foam under the turf.
• A launch monitor. The Garmin Approach R10 ($599.99) sits behind you and measures club speed, ball speed, spin, launch and carry. Course play may need a paid subscription or software license.
• A projector if you want to see the shot on screen (not needed for practice-only setups).

Common mistakes

• Measuring the empty garage, then forgetting the water heater, shelving or garage door track.
• Buying the widest enclosure that fits, leaving no room to walk around it.
• Skipping the mat-to-screen gap. Low shots roll under the screen without a pelmet or similar fix.
• Assuming the launch monitor price covers course play. Check subscription or software costs first.
• Expecting a net-only setup to work with a projector. You need an impact screen for that.

Not sure which idea fits your garage?

Send us your ceiling height, open bay width and depth, plus whether the car needs to park inside. We'll tell you honestly which setup fits. Use the chat button on this page, text (714) 343-7110, or email info@gryngolf.com. We ship within the US.