Space Needed for a Golf Simulator

Golf simulators can be fitted in most spaces, but anyone considering one should be aware of the space needed to swing a club as this really defines the size of the simulator space. Scratch players may swing tight and therefore require less space behind and above the player. However, in commercial applications, all playing abilities need to be considered. For example - if a golf simulator is to be installed for home use, then you could reduce the width if you only intend to use the system right handed. Moreover, you could reduce the height and depth if you do not intend to use a driver. However, in commercial installations, players will be using drivers, space is needed behind the player for safety reasons and height and width needs to be sufficient to allow for left handed and right handed players, who may also be tall and have a high angled swing.

So, what are the correct dimensions? Well, considering that a driver at full extension on the back swing can take up about 1.80m, and a similar distance for follow through, the shortest depth would be 3.60m. But, although possible, would that really allow for a comfortable game if players are nearly touching the projection screen during their swing? Cowlens Golf recommends that the simulator space is 6.00m deep to allow for 2.00m back swing, 2.00m follow through and a reasonable distance for ball flight. The height of the simulator can range between 2.85m and 3.00m, which will be sufficient for all types of swing. The simulator would need to be 4.50m wide to cater for left handed and right handed players so that the club does not come into contact with the framework.

Okay, some spaces do not allow for these dimensions. In which case, lets have a look at the smallest spaces possible. A right handed only system for example, can be as narrow as 3.0m and the player would stand to the right of the bay. Height wise, the absolute minimum would be 2.65m - however, this will compromise driver shots and clubs would need to be shortened by about 10cm. As stated earlier in this post, the shortest depth would be 3.60m.

How to Perfect Your Swing

Every golfer, not only Professionals know that balance is key to the swing. Anyone that wishes to maintain a consistent strike will need to know how the body should be balanced. PGA professional trainers can help, but there's two drawbacks. Firstly, the player never actually sees their swing (unless it is recorded for them) and secondly, time with a professional trainer can get expensive even for short lessons.
Fortunately, there are several alternatives out there to assist with your golf swing. Here's some of them.


Balance Plate

Swingia produces a balance plate system that measures weight transference throughout the swing. The system uses a USB connection to a laptop or PC running the Swingia software. Weight transfer and force on the ground at impact is shown during the swing and recorded for later analysis. The system is relatively inexpensive and can be bolted on to most modern golf simulator systems. Read more about Swingia

Depth Motion Cameras

Swinguru is an easy-to-use interactive golf swing analysis software program that uses cameras with infra red depth motion technology. Image capture is in 3D which is then represented on screen providing a self learning & training golf experience. Instantaneous feedback is a must for practicing golfers and this software offers just that to allow for rapid game improvement. The software represents the player on screen in a raster format not dissimilar to heat recognition images. The swing is captured and replayed with graphical overlays displaying the swing path. The software also incorporates a virtual balance plate whereby data is also captured using the depth motion technology. Read more about Swing Guru.

High Speed Cameras

Modern golf simulators use high speed cameras that can observe swing very accurately. Provided enough statistical data is displayed, golfers can visualise exactly where their swing is causing problems. Sports Coach systems, who offer extensive feedback following every swing incorporates this technology in their simulators. You can read more about extensive feedback at Cowlens Golf.

Digital Video

Digital video is also a very useful tool for displaying swing technique to help golfers improve. Using one face on camera or two cameras (one face on and one from behind), golfers can review their last shot with video footage feedback after each shot. This technology is normally found in high end golf simulator systems. Sports Coach Systems offer this functionality with any golf simulator at additional cost. Read more about Digital Video.

Assessing Different Types of Golf Simulator

The typical dimensions of a golf simulator are about 4 × 6 meters in the area and just over 3 meters in height, allowing freedom of movement whilst swinging.
A computer calculates the expected trajectory of the golf ball from data gathered on the swing, which can be obtained by infrared, ultrasonic, high speed camera or radar measurements. The image of the golf ball is then simulated on the screen via a projector. Different systems obtain different data measurements using any of these techniques, or by combining them.

Simulator Mats

Earlier golf simulator systems used a sensor mat, which is essentially a rectangular mat containing several infrared sensors and microchips that can monitor the speed of the club as it passes the back sensor, the angle of the club and club speed as the ball and club pass the second sensor following impact and the direction of the ball as the club passes the third sensor. This technology is pretty outdated now, as new technologies have improved accuracy. With that in consideration, these simulators should be the most affordable. In fact, they are not. A second hand simulator will still cost you £8000 or more, and a new one around £15,000. Yes, they are at the lower end of the simulator price list but consider this: 1. If a club comes into contact with the hitting mat and breaks it, how much will that cost to replace? Well, it will be between £2000 and £3000, if you can still even get one. 2. The simulator mat will always come into some contact wit the club, so, you will need to service it regularly. Even without heavy use, the grass surface will need replacing from time to time and this can set you back between £500 - £800 a time, so keep that in mind. 4. If you want to putt on this system, you will need a separate putting mat. Its very similar, a row of infra red sensors. Add this to your running costs, because these get damaged too and cost around £800 to replace. 5. Last of all, consider how much usage time and return on investment you will gain by using technology that has now been surpassed by most modern simulators.

Radar Systems

Radar systems are complex beasts. They sit aside the player and are typically about 60cm high by 30cm wide. The way they work is by emmitting a microwave that reflects off any moving object which returns to the sensor. The system can then record trajectory, launch angle, speed and direction. Additional physics is applied to these figures to calculate spin, axis and tilt. These types of system can be used indoors or outdoors and are traditionally expensive pieces of kit. They are very useful as launch monitors, and they work very effectively. Several professionals make use of them to analyse their game in real environments. Although these systems are great as launch monitors, they are not so good at picking up short game shots such as short pitches and putts. In addition, they are not really golf simulators. They are training aids. You would need additional software, a simulator cage, projector and screen to incorporate these into a simulator solution. So, if you are looking for an indoor golf simulator, this is probably not the sort of kit for you as the total cost would be considerable.

Optical Sensor Systems

This method uses two banks of IR sensors that scan accross the bay in both X and Y directions.The ball passes through the first set of sensors and its XY coordinate is captured. The ball then passes another set of sensors and the second X and Y coordinates are captured.  The two co-ordinates are then compared to determine the vertical launch angle, ball path and speed. The system is very accurate but ridiculously expensive to construct as you need hundreds of optical sensors and emitters to catch the coordinates of the ball in both sensor positions. The main disadvantage is that the ball must always pass through both sensors with a fast shot so that there is no downward curve in the ball's trajectory before hitting the screen.That means that chipping and putting will not work too well. Expect to pay around £40,000 for one of these.

Camera Systems


Cameras are becoming the the norm in golf simulation. In general, one, two, three or four cameras are used that continously monitor the play area. The downward swing path, impact, club face angle, launch angle and ball speed are all captured by the high speed cameras, normally running at around 100 to 150 frames per second. Camera data is processed using complex physics algorithms to produce a multitude of data such as back spin, side spin, trajectory, club face angle, swing path, loft, distance, carry and roll. One of the most accurate systems in the world that use this method is Sports Coach Systems who manufacture and sell golf simulators worldwide. They also happen to be our manufacturer of choice - see Cowlens Golf

We have done a little research for this blog entry as its pretty hard to find solid details about any golf simulator. Two really good sites will show you more detail. Special thanks to Martin gardiner of GSA Golf who has an excellent piece that explains how they work in more detail, and GolfWRX who take you through lots of golf simulator variants.

Cowlens Golf Offer Profit Share Scheme

Cowlens Golf operates a profit share scheme to allow potential customers an opportunity to enter into the golf simulator arena with affordable packages to help their business get started.

Cowlens Golf was launched to offer businesses an opportunity to see the return on investment that can be achieved through indoor golf simulators without investing a lot of risk capital or having to approach a lender before setting up an indoor golf facility. Our aim is to demonstrate the return of investment that is possible over a maximum of three years. If you are considering running an indoor golf facility this is a safe place to start. Once you have seen the potential, we hand over the simulator at a discounted rate. Any further purchases for expansion would then be made directly though Sports Coach Golf Simulator distributors as our role is simply to help new businesses to enter the market.

Customers receive on going technical support throughout the profit share scheme at no cost, with the option to continue with a support contract at the end of the lease term. More details about this exiting venture can be found on the Cowlens Golf Simulator website. 

Please feel free to comment on any of our blog entries and we will try to answer as many questions as we can. This blog will cover several aspects in golf simulation including pricing, comparing features, how golf simulators work and much more.