Golf simulator enclosures
The short answer
The enclosure constrains your room as hard as the sensor does, and it is the part most buyers size last. Rear clearance for the frame fittings is the number people forget, and it is the reason a screen that looks like it fits does not.
| Enclosure | Outer size | Room it needs | Rear clearance |
|---|---|---|---|
SIG10 Golf Simulator Enclosure The Indoor Golf Shop | 10 ft 10 in w by 8 ft 4 in h | 12 ft wide, 9 ft ceiling | — |
SkyTrak 8' Studio Enclosure SkyTrak | 8 ft w by 7 ft 6 in h | 8 ft 6 in wide, 8 ft ceiling | — |
SkyTrak 10' Studio Enclosure SkyTrak | 10 ft w by 8 ft 6 in h | 11 ft wide, 9 ft ceiling | — |
SkyTrak 12' Studio Enclosure SkyTrak | 12 ft w by 8 ft 6 in h | 13 ft wide, 9 ft ceiling | — |
SkyTrak 13' Deep Studio Enclosure SkyTrak | 13 ft w by 10 ft h | 14 ft wide, 10 ft 6 in ceiling | — |
Carl's Place DIY Golf Simulator Enclosure Carl's Place | 8 ft 6 in w by 8 ft 6 in hBuilt to order | — | 8.25 in |
SwingBay 8x10 Enclosure Rain or Shine Golf | 10 ft 5 in w by 8 ft h | 11 ft wide, 8 ft 2 in ceiling | — |
Rear clearance is the space the frame fittings need behind the screen, which is more than the screen itself suggests and is the number most often missed. A dash means the vendor does not publish it, and for a built-to-order enclosure there is no fixed size to publish.
What to check before you commit
Add the rear clearance to your depth, not to the screen
The frame fittings need space behind the screen that the screen dimension does not include. Carl’s Place asks for 8.25 in on a DIY frame and 9.5 in on a Pro frame, and recommends 12 in.
Match the enclosure width to your handedness plan
A screen wide enough for a centred tee is wider than one for an offset tee. Deciding whether a left handed golfer will use the bay changes the enclosure before it changes the sensor.
Check the projector throw against the enclosure depth
The screen width sets the throw ratio you need. Choosing the enclosure first and the projector second is the right order, because screens come in fewer sizes than projectors do.
What to avoid
- Buying a screen sized to your wall rather than to your swing.
- Forgetting side netting. A shank leaves the enclosure sideways, not forwards.
- Assuming a custom-built enclosure has a fixed size you can look up. Built to order means measured to your room.
Keep reading
Room fit calculator
Check your own ceiling, depth and width against every unit
Room size guide
The three distances that add up to room depth
What it costs
Sensor, enclosure, projector and the subscription after
Complete packages
Sensor, enclosure, screen and mat in one purchase
Under $5,000
Complete builds that land under five thousand
Under $10,000
Where a better sensor starts to be the upgrade
Common questions
How much space do you need behind a simulator enclosure?+
Enough for the rear frame fittings, which is more than the screen itself suggests. Carl’s Place requires 8.25 in behind a DIY frame and 9.5 in behind a Pro frame, and recommends 12 in.
What is the difference between an enclosure and a net?+
An enclosure holds a projection screen you play onto and contains the ball on all sides. A net only stops the ball. If you want to see the shot rather than just hit into something, you need the enclosure.
Can you build your own simulator enclosure?+
Yes, and several vendors sell DIY frame kits for exactly that. The figure people miss is rear clearance for the frame fittings, which is more than the screen itself suggests.