Ceiling height biggest obstacle?

[Sleyson88]

First post. What’s up everyone. The wife and I are buying a house this summer and I plan on building a golf simulator. But my biggest issue is finding a basement or garage with the proper height. Lowering floors can be pricey so I’m wondering what the best option is or if you have no choice but to have 10 foot ceilings. Thanks.

[3on3putt]

You'll be fine with 10 feet. Most people are fine with 9.5 and many have even less. 10 is fine though (unless you're like 6'8").

[jasonreg]

Lowering floors can be pricey so I’m wondering what the best option is or if you have no choice but to have 10 foot ceilings.

So, you will see many folks who have had to make a few sacrifices (including me) to get a sim installed. In my case, I am just under 9 feet in the basement area and we have made it work - with compromises. I cannot (do not) swing driver ever. I can (and do) swing 3 wood on occasion but I find I am very aware of the low height and I abbreviate my follow-through - so not a great recipe for success. I can (and do) swing hybrid and lower freely. It is right hand only due to a bulkhead on the left swing area.

So, my choices were Garage Install (and may still go there one day) and park in the driveway or basement with limits - we are happy.

My only advice is that if you are shopping for a house, and a sim is truly important, get what you need up front - and yes, that would be (IMO) 10+ ceilings, ideally indoors (but garage is just fine too). Put it on the list like number of bedrooms and bathrooms and get the agent to do their jobs. Last thing you want is to regret one of the biggest purchases you will ever make! If you can't, then identify the trade-offs you are willing to make but go in knowing how it will affect the sim (again if this is truly super important - if it is a nice to have, get the best house for your situation and there are plenty of folks who can and will help you figure it out!).

[zipwiz]

Sounds like my setup. I have a workshop on my property, which I converted a 10' wide X 17' long section of the 8' ceiling into 9'6" ceiling height. I do have to hit into the screen off center, but that is not a big problem.

[BeastMode]

That was one of my "must-haves" when we were looking for a house almost 5 years ago. However, we found it very difficult to find a home with high ceilings in the basement that was within our budget. Luckily our garage has like 12 ft ceilings, so I set up a mat and net in there. Recently, I hung a 55" tv from the ceiling so I can hook up my Skytrak to it once I get it (ordered it almost 11 weeks ago and I literally can't wait any longer).

[Drew.StLouis]

I'm pretty new to this stuff so I might be wrong here but you might have better luck in looking for a slightly bigger yard and give up a little in the must haves for your house. Then you can build a shed in the yard. From a sound, enjoyment and design stand point I think you'll find it superior. The money you save by not having to get 10 ft ceiling basement will probably offset the shed build cost.

[richerod]

I think 10 ft is the minimum. I'm in a garage now coming from basement doing three quarter swings due to ceiling height. There is no comparison in overall enjoyment factor. Figure out the larger space. Worth it

[khalespace]

I have 9'4" and still have 10" clearance with my driver. I am only 5'7" but I can't imagine 10' would cause any issue for anyone under 6'5".

[fortner28]

I guess everyone has to evaluate what works. I am 6'2" and can swing a driver in my 9' tall sim space with no issues. Maybe that means I have a bad swing. There are guys shorter than me that can't swing driver in that space. I think you just have to experiment and see. Of course 10' ceilings are great if you can find a house that has them in a room that makes to be used as a golf room.

[GullLakeMi]

You have to decide who you are building it for. If guys golf league, it probably needs to be bullet proof. If just you, spend some time swinging a club and measure the room you need. I'm 6'1" and have a ceiling height of 9'4" less 1" for matt/floor covering. I swing all out and haven't hit the ceiling. I have an orange whip that is bit longer than my driver. I used that to model/measure my requirements. When I knew that wouldn't hit anything, I felt very free to rip the driver.

[zipwiz]

OK. I installed my sim in a work shop that sets in my back yard. The shop originally had an 8' ceiling. I modified the ceiling and now I have an area within the shop that is 9'6" W X 9'6" H X 17' Deep. I am 5'8" tall. Plenty of room........Not sure how this attachment came out. Hope you can see part of my ceiling cutout.