What's the big deal with hitting the ceiling? (Low-ceiling issue)

[P_Bio1]

My garage ceiling is about 9'. I normally hit the ceiling about once every 200 balls, but of course it's much easier with my longer clubs. But my question is why is this bad? I definitely don't want to mark up my clubs, so what if I put some foam on the ceiling. It definitely is jarring when it happens and I can see that the more I worry about it the more I may change my swing unconsciously. But is it possible to learn to get use to it knowing that everything is protected?

[3on3putt]

Besides hurting yourself or busting a club, I would never be able to get it out of my head if I knew I could reach the ceiling. No way could I complete a follow through after it happened even once.

[Gresh12]

I swung up to 5 iron in my 8’ ceiling garage for a year. I even had a 5 iron length driver made (super soft shaft cut down then swing weighted by my club fitter). I would graze the ceiling occasionally but had a flat swing and a couple times I hit it hard (bent a 7 iron but no injuries).

i thought it wasn’t impacting me but I’ve been working on swing changes the last 6 months and realized how flat and tentative I had started swinging due to ceiling height. I know have an outdoor setup and if the weather is poor I hit pitch shots only. It’s disappointing I can’t play properly all the time but even though I didn’t think it was bothering me it clearly was influencing me.

[Hacker1]

My whole reason for a simulator is so I can work on correcting swing faults and training the right swing. Golf is a very psychological sport and I couldnt train the correct swong without worrying if I was going to hit the wall/celing. If you can live with things being hit then fine, but couldnt

[midpoint221]

I've got low ceilings as well and I hit with my driver maybe 1 out of 100 swings. I thought that this might mess with me or I might have indoor swing syndrome or whatever but I don't hold back at all. When my GC2 finally came I saw I was carrying the ball the exact distance I figured I would. I raced motorcycles for a long time, I guess it's easy for me to just turn off the thought of hitting the ceiling (crashing in dirt biking) and execute what I'm trying to. Consequences sure are a lot less dangerous. If my living room wasn't above my garage I would have raised the ceiling. But being the issue is pretty much just a mental I pushed on. In my case it helps me because usually when I hit the ceiling it's a huge over the top pull move that gets me there something I'm working on big time right now. Worst case you put a hole in your ceiling or break a driver. In my garage I figure eventually I will cut a little pocket out and drywall it to look alright that the driver can pass through.

[fortner28]

I am curious to know how high a ceiling should be needed to swing properly. I know there are many variables to swings and each person will have a different swing but I would like to see someone take measurements of PGA guys swinging a club and see how high the head goes at its highest point of the swing. Someone may be hitting a 10' ceiling but shouldn't that be an indicator that your swing isn't technically very good? I am 6'1" and have 9' ceilings. I am working to shallow my swing and I do get a little tense when hitting driver in a small space even though I haven't hit the ceiling. I am trying to loosen up and trust that I have enough space.

[GungHoGolf]

In our experience, about 1 out of 5 taller guys (at least 6' tall) will hit a 9' ceiling with driver. It mostly depends on how vertical the swing plane is. The strike typically happens on the follow-thru, 2-4 feet behind their head. 10' is the common ceiling height recommendation for the vast majority of guys to safely swing driver.

[fortner28]

That's surprising but good to hear. I wanted 10 feet and would probably feel a bit more free in my swing with an additional foot but the work/money needed to gain that height is not worth it. I figure I would just work on a swing that works in a 9 foot tall space.

[jasonreg]

I am just under 9 feet and will hit the ceiling every once and a while. My solution is jus to hit 3-Wood off the tee in the sim. For this and lower clubs I do not experience any "Indoor Swing" issue But....my wife does. She cannot realistically reach the ceiling even with driver but she abbreviates or modifies her follow-through and it has caused all kinds of swing thought issues even on the course. So, YMMV! I concur with the 10+ feet should be the goal, but sometimes you have to work with what you have. One day I will dig out the portion of the basement where we have the sim - but likely after the kids get through university!