7 Best Home Golf Simulators in 2022: Reviews for Every Budget

Whether you’re a serious golfer or want entertainment for the entire family, having the best golf simulator is a great way to play golf at home. You can start up the virtual range and get some practice in or get the kids hitting some shots.

If the rain is pelting down outside, no problem. You can fire up your golf simulator and play 18 holes in the comfort of your home or garage.

Have you always dreamed of playing iconic golf courses like Pebble Beach? You can make that dream a reality with a golf simulator.

These are the seven best home golf simulators in 2022.

Overall, the SkyTrak Bronze Golf Simulator Package is the best golf simulator. It has everything you need to set up a fantastic golf simulator in the comfort of your home.

For everyday golfers, the SkyTrak golf launch monitor is a brilliant choice. It gives you fantastic accuracy at a fraction of the cost of other launch monitors.

This launch monitor gives accurate data for metrics like launch angle, ball spin, backspin, and carry distance. It’s great for identifying what you need to work on to improve your game.

It’s easy to set up and use, so you don’t have to worry about wasting practice time starting it up. And it’s conveniently compatible with iOS, Android, and PC devices.

A short-throw golf simulator projector displays the simulation on the screen. You get a clear and bright picture with a 1080p resolution and 3800 lumens.

You also get the SkyTrak Play & Improve Software. It lets you play 12 world-famous WGT golf courses (iOS only) in single-player mode. And you get additional multi-player golf course play options.

If you want to get some practice in, there’s a 3D Driving Range with Shot Tracer Technology. You can hit balls down the range and see how they fly, and it’s a great way to record your distances for each club.

For the screen and enclosure, you can choose between The Net Return Home Series V2 and the Pro Series V2. Both are excellent options for your home setup, offering protection for the surrounding area.

With this package, you’ll hit balls off The Net Return Pro Turf Golf Mat. This is six feet wide and 10 feet long, fitting nicely with The Net Return enclosure.

The FlightScope Mevo+ Bronze Golf Simulator Package is the best value golf simulator. It’s excellent for improving your game and is fun for the entire family.

The Mevo+ launch monitor gives you 15 accurate performance data parameters, and you can get video clips with data overlay. This is great for analyzing your game and making any needed adjustments to your swing.

With five simulated golf courses and 17 practice ranges, you can play a full round in your home or get heaps of practice in. You can save your practice sessions and upload them to the free app. And a darts mini-game makes playing on the simulator fun for the whole family.

There’s also a paid option for the Pro Package, which adds 11 more tracking metrics to the launch monitor. These include Speed Profile, Club Path, and Face to Path/Target.

With a choice between The Net Return Home Series V2 and the Pro Series V2, you get a net and screen that can handle golf ball speeds of up to 225 MPH. This enclosure is durable enough for years of use.

The Foresight Sports GC3 SIG12 Golf Simulator Package is a phenomenal professional option. It offers one of the best golf simulator experiences in this higher price range.

The GC3 launch monitor competes with the best of them. It gives you accurate ball and club data such as ball speed and clubhead speed. And it’s portable so that you can move it around with no hassle.

This package includes 11 realistic golf courses, skill training, and competitions against other players worldwide. And a software add-on allows you to purchase 10 additional courses, including the iconic Pebble Beach.

The software combined with the Panasonic VMZ50U Golf Simulator Projector gives you a hyper-realistic experience. You’ll feel like you’re out on the course from the comfort of your own home.

Also, you get the fantastic SIG12 Golf Simulator Enclosure. It looks amazing, is super durable, and gives you an ultimate simulation experience.

The TruGolf Vista 8 Golf Simulator is the best golf simulator for smaller spaces. If you don’t have the space for a larger simulator but want fantastic performance, this is your choice.

The TruFlight 2 tracking system accurately captures club and ball data, so you can get readings to help your game. Also, this system works well if you want to practice shaping shots like draws and fades.

It comes with a 116” impact screen – measured diagonally – to give you a real-life experience. And the whole enclosure looks very professional.

An E6 basic one-year subscription is included, allowing you to play 27 golf courses worldwide. And you can buy an extended subscription that gives you 33 extra courses and the ones already included.

You can get this golf simulator in both Base and Pro Models.

The SwingLogic SLX MicroSim Home Golf Simulator is the best golf simulator for those on a budget. This option allows you to save money and improve your game.

This simulator packs its features into a high-quality swing stick and sensor device. And it runs the powerful E6 Connect software, allowing you to practice and play various golf courses.

You can use the included swing stick or your golf clubs. It’s just a matter of clipping the included SLX MicroSim sensor onto the swing stick or your own club and then following the detailed guide to set it up.

This simulator is supported on iOS, PC, and Android devices. It displays distance, club speed, spin, tempo, and even clubface data.

The OptiShot 2 Golf Simulator is great for entertainment. It’s easy to set up, so the entire family can enjoy it in no time.

Gaming and entertainment are the main appeal of this golf simulator. You can play various game modes with your family or your buddies. Also, you’ll be able to play online and in tournaments.

Up to four players can play using their own clubs. And 15 OptiShot courses are available where you can play formats including stroke, match play, and skins. You can also practice on the range with target greens, precision rings, and accuracy grids.

The OptiShot 2 Golf Simulator is a standalone system, so you must use foam balls, plastic balls, or no balls at all. However, there are five other options at various prices, ranging from the OptiShot 2 Golf-In-A-Box Simulator to the Golf-In-A-Box Pro.

The Uneekor QED SIG12 Golf Simulator is a phenomenal premium option. This golf simulator offers a unique real-life experience.

The Uneekor QED launch monitor gives you excellent accuracy on both ball and club. It’s equipped with two hyper-speed cameras and sensors that give you real-time footage at impact.

Also, it’s mounted on the ceiling so you can swing freely. And a ceiling-mounted launch monitor means right-handed and left-handed golfers can play away with no dramas.

This golf simulator comes with QED Ignite software, including a 3D driving range and a swing motion analysis tool. However, you must buy additional software to play golf courses.

You get the awesome Panasonic VMZ50U Golf Simulator Projector and the classy SIG12 Golf Simulator Enclosure with this golf simulator. These items add to the overall premium experience of this golf simulator.

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What is a Golf Simulator?

A golf simulator gives golfers a virtual representation of the golf course or driving range. It allows golfers to play worldwide golf courses and to practice in the comfort of their homes.

Some of the cheaper golf simulators are like video-game-type systems used for entertainment. However, dearer golf simulators are super accurate and offer a real-life simulation experience of golf courses worldwide.

How to Choose a Golf Simulator

To choose a golf simulator, you should consider the space, equipment, reason for buying, and price.

Space

The space you have for a golf simulator is probably the most important thing to consider. This affects everything from the launch monitor you can get, to the size of the enclosure that’s suitable, to the projector you’ll use.

It’s super important to measure the available space for your golf simulator. You’ll want to know the width, height, and depth measurements.

Usually, golf simulators need a space of 10 feet wide x 8.5 feet high x 10 feet deep. However, this depends on the simulator, and it’s always best to check the requirements. Also, the height specifications may change if you’re very tall.

Equipment

The equipment needed for a golf simulator may vary depending on individual needs. You’ll also need a launch monitor of some sort, but you don’t necessarily need a screen or a projector.

Many golfers set up their simulators with an iPad. So you’ll view the shots on the iPad instead of a screen.

However, the screen and enclosure combined with a projector give you the best home golf simulator experience. You can get really immersed in the virtual golf course that way.

Also, various software has different requirements to run the simulation. Some software needs a gaming laptop (or one with a powerful graphics card) rather than an average laptop to run, which is something else to consider.

Reason for Buying

People buy golf simulators for different reasons. You might be a serious golfer who wants the best golf simulator to improve your game or a recreational golfer who wants a simulator to entertain the family.

Whatever the reason, this will affect your choice. You likely won’t need to get a professional option like the Foresight GC3 if you just want entertainment for the entire family.

A cheaper option like the OptiShot 2 Golf Simulator will likely do the trick for that.

Price

The price is also something to consider when choosing a golf simulator. Like with anything, the more you pay for a simulator, the better it will be.

However, the price also relates to the reason you’re buying it. Golfers who want to improve their games need an accurate golf simulator.

So, you’ll likely have to make a trade-off between accuracy and price. The good news is that there’s not much difference in accuracy between high-range and mid-range simulators.

Other Needs for Home Golf Simulator Setup

Other home golf simulator setup needs are impact screens and enclosures, projectors, mats, and nets.

Impact Screens and Enclosures

You’ll need impact screens and enclosures for a home golf simulator setup. The impact screen must give you a high-quality picture while being durable enough to withstand the impact of golf balls smashing against it.

The enclosure will offer some protection to the surrounding area. Also, the enclosure often gives your simulator a classy, professional look.

Check out the Best Golf Simulator Impact Screens & Enclosures for more information and the best options out there.

Projectors

Projectors are responsible for putting the image onto the screen. You want a projector that will give you a clear picture and the best simulator experience.

The available space you have will affect what kind of projector you’ll need. A short-throw projector is suitable for limited spaces, while a long-throw projector works best for bigger spaces.

For more information and the best projectors, check out the Best Golf Simulator Projectors.

Mats

You’ll need a mat to hit golf balls from for a home golf simulator setup. It’s best to get a mat that feels realistic, making your practice on the simulator transferable to the course.

You’ll also want a durable mat that can stand up to many hours on the simulator. You can read the Best Golf Mats for more information and great options.

Nets

Nets are also another need for a home golf simulator setup if you can’t have an impact screen. You can hit the ball into the net and see the simulation on your laptop or TV.

It’s essential to consider the size and durability of the net. Check out the Best Golf Practice Hitting Nets for more information and amazing options.

Is Buying a Golf Simulator Worth It?

Yes, buying a golf simulator is worth it. Not only can buying a golf simulator improve your game, but having one can be great fun for the entire family.

You can get in some practice even on those rainy days. And it’s a fantastic way to get the kids into golf.

There are many reasons why buying a golf simulator is worth it. For a more detailed analysis, you can read Golf Simulators: Are they Really Worth the Money?

Conclusion

SkyTrak is the best golf simulator overall. Giving you amazing accuracy, the SkyTrak launch monitor is perfect for practicing or playing courses worldwide.

The projector gives you a clear picture, while the enclosure offers great protection for your home. If you’re looking to improve your game, this is an excellent option.

The SwingLogic SLX MicroSim Home Golf Simulator is the best golf simulator for those on a budget. It’s easy to set up and use anywhere in your home.

You can use the included swing stick or clip the sensor onto your clubs. It’s a fantastic way to practice without breaking the bank.