Indoor golf

Choosing a golf simulator enclosure. Net or enclosure, screen size, aspect ratio and the gap behind.

An enclosure contains the ball and frames the screen. Whether you need one, which size, what impact screen to pair with it, and how much gap to leave behind it all follow from the room. This guide covers each decision and ends at the builder.

Check your room in the builder See golf simulator packages
GolfBays EasySim Golf Simulator Enclosure
Enclosure or netImpact screensSide netting

Enclosure or net

A net catches, an enclosure frames. Pick the net if you have no projector yet.

A practice net catches the ball and lets a launch monitor run to a tablet or monitor, so it is the simplest start. An enclosure frames an impact screen you hit into and keeps the ball in the bay, and it is what the projector image lands on. If you plan to project the round, you need an enclosure with an impact screen. Practice net cages have no impact screen for a projected image.

  • Net

    Catches the ball. The launch monitor runs to a tablet or monitor. Smaller footprint.

  • Enclosure

    Frames an impact screen and keeps the ball in the bay. Needed for a projected image.

Enclosure sizes

Freestanding frame or built-in. Most bays use a freestanding frame with the screen included.

A freestanding enclosure stands in the room with its own frame; the SimBox, EasySim and Lux include an impact screen. The SimBox comes in seven sizes, from 8 ft 6 in to 13 ft 2 in wide, 8 ft 2 in to 9 ft 10 in high and 4 ft 11 in to 9 ft 10 in deep. A built-in enclosure sets the screen and padding into framing or cabinetry, which is a custom job.

  • SimBox

    Seven sizes, 8 ft 6 in to 13 ft 2 in wide, 8 ft 2 in to 9 ft 10 in high, 4 ft 11 in to 9 ft 10 in deep.

  • GolfBays EasySim and Lux

    EasySim: 10 ft 9 in wide, 8 ft 2 in high, 3 ft 3 in deep. Lux: 12 ft 4 in wide, 8 ft 10 in high, 4 ft 11 in deep.

  • Built-in

    Screen and padding set into framing or cabinetry. Planned to the room; see the custom page.

Impact screens

Size, aspect ratio and gap. Set by the enclosure opening and the projector.

Screen size is measured edge to edge and should match the enclosure opening. Aspect ratio should match the projector's native aspect ratio, or part of the screen goes unused. The screen needs a gap to the backing or wall so the ball can push it back without hitting anything solid behind. Each screen page states its own figures, and if your enclosure includes a screen, you do not need a separate one.

  • Size, edge to edge

    SIG screens run from 7 ft 7 in × 7 ft 7 in up to 10 ft × 17 ft 6 in. Match the enclosure opening.

  • Aspect ratio

    SIG screens come in 1:1, 4:3, 16:10 and 16:9. Match the projector's native aspect ratio where you can.

  • Gap to the wall

    An impact screen needs a gap to the backing or wall. Follow the screen maker's instructions.

Side netting

For the shot that misses the screen. Both sides of the screen.

Side netting hangs on both sides of the screen and catches the shank or the hook that would otherwise find a wall or a window. Some netting is sized for one enclosure; the product page says which. If you build an open frame, add it from the start.

Padding and turf

Quiet the bay and finish the floor. Padding where the ball can reach, turf where the player stands.

Padding goes on any wall the ball can reach; in a venue it goes on every side. It protects the room and softens the strike. Turf fills the bay around the hitting mat so the floor is finished between the mat and the screen. A mat should be large enough for the stance and the hitting area.

Who answers what

Partners for enclosures, QualGear for mounts. Enclosures and screens ship from partners; mounts and cables from us.

Golf products are sold by QualGear and fulfilled by our partners, who ship them directly and handle product support, warranty and returns. Contact us first and we will route your request. QualGear projector mounts and HDMI cables are our own products: US-based support — real people, Mon–Fri 9–5 CT, 972-423-5015 — and orders for QualGear items placed by 2:00 pm CT ship the same business day. Installation and labor are not included.

Questions

Enclosure and screen questions

Enclosure or net: which do I need?
If you plan to project the round onto a screen, you need an enclosure with an impact screen. If you are starting with a launch monitor and a tablet or monitor, a practice net and a mat are enough and take less room. Many players start with a net and add an enclosure, screen and projector later.
What size enclosure fits my room?
One whose outside height clears your ceiling at its lowest point and whose width and depth fit the room, with swing room on the side you hit from. The SimBox comes in seven sizes from 8 ft 6 in to 13 ft 2 in wide. The builder checks each size and any maker's minimum room against your numbers.
Can I mount the projector to the enclosure frame?
Mount it to the ceiling structure instead. QualGear sells projector mount kits for flat, drop, sloped and truss ceilings, and each mount lists a weight rating on its product page. A ceiling mount keeps the projector still when the frame takes a strike.
How far from the wall does the screen need to be?
An impact screen needs a gap to the backing or wall so the ball can push it back without hitting anything solid behind. Follow the screen or enclosure maker's instructions for the gap.
Which aspect ratio should I choose?
The one that matches your projector's native aspect ratio, so the image fills the screen. SIG screens come in 1:1, 4:3, 16:10 and 16:9; the BenQ LK936ST in our catalog is 16:9. The projector guide explains how resolution and aspect ratio relate.
Who handles warranty and returns on enclosures and screens?
Golf products are sold by QualGear and fulfilled by our partners, who ship them directly and handle product support, warranty and returns. Contact us first and we will route your request. For QualGear mounts and cables, contact QualGear support directly, Mon–Fri 9–5 CT.
Still have questions? Contact us

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Check your room size

Ceiling, width and depth decide what fits.

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