Initial Question re: Outbuilding Size

[g_gryphon]

Everyone, there is so much good information in this forum, one could spend a considerable amount of time searching though it all to find an answer, which I have tried to do recently. However, I have not found the precise answer I am endeavoring to find.

Namely, what is the minimum interior dimensions of a self contained out building, such as a shed, that I would require for a simulator bay without limitations? I already own a GCQuad, so I do not require radar dimensions, but I do not want to be limited in my swing at all and it would need enough room to hold several people, perhaps just a bench in the rear or along the side. I would be fine with always having it set up for right-handed swings.

I have limited space and am dealing with some setback limitations on my property, so I am just trying to get a rough idea of the minimum footprint required before I venture too far down this particular rabbit hole.

Thank you to everyone in advance.

[caiany777]

I'll take a shot at an answer to get the conversation going and people can correct me. The caveat is that I am just embarking on building my own sim and haven't actually done this yet. I have spent a decent amount of time trying to find similar answers so I am regurgitating what I have read on here.

Depth
I found this thread pretty informative for depth: https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...rtant-is-depth

Distance from wall to screen: 12" minimum - provides space for the impact screen to flex without damaging the wall behind
Distance from impact screen to tee position: 7' minimum but 10'-12' is recommended. If you don't want to feel limited at all by having a driver ball bounce back at you or feeling the screen is too close I would say 8' should be the bare minimum but aim for 10' if you have the space.
Space behind the tee position: 6' minimum but I've mostly read that 7' is better for feeling totally free-swinging. Since free swinging is your goal I would say 7'.

So that is 1' + 8' + 7' = 16' of room depth. I think 1' + 7' + 6' = 14' is doable but not if you want to feel uninhibited. Then add whatever space you need for seating behind that 16'.

Width
I found this thread pretty informative for width: https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...handed-golfers

If you want center hitting some people seem to say 15', others say 16' is good enough. If you don't mind being set up for offset hitting then I would think 10' just based on the fact that 16' is OK for center which is 8' per side but you don't want to be right up against the wall.

Height
There is tons on this site about height. Lots of people say 9' is good and barely anyone hits the roof. I think 10' is the minimum to feel uninhibited but if you can do 11' that is probably better.

Hopefully, people with more knowledge can elaborate.

[GullLakeMi]

I got a kick out of the OP's question "minimum for no limitations". That is quite a subjective statement to collect forum input. I agree these are good dimensions for solo play. Regarding width: My screen is 10' wide, but I have a little more room to swing as its in the middle stall of a 3 car garage. My tee is off center 2.5', but you can align that with the screen in FSX and TGC. 10' wide shed might be tight. I suggest the OP simulate it somehow to test it out.

If want room for other participants, I'd suggest that needs to be added to the dimensions above.

[JohnnyGolf]

I’m just starting a similar build except I have a mevo+. From my research on the forum I felt 16x24 was the smallest comfortable space without limitations.

[Brettster]

Those requirements are because the Mevo+ requires a longer distance (front to back) to measure the ball - so that's why the 24', but even that seems a little long. I've recently purchased a Garmin R10 which is also a radar unit and I've been watching forums where users are reporting that 6' behind ball to R10 unit works great, and at least 8' ball to screen - giving you 14' total, to which you add 1' behind the screen to stop the ball to get at 15' minimum.

I will be attempting to install this in a shed (exterior measurements 12'x16') with interior measurements of only 11'2" by 15'2" so that gives you an idea. I'm hoping I can pull it off, and if the R10 really can measure accurately with those short distances it will be great as I've been quoted around $5,000 to extend the length of my shed by 3'-4'.

[g_gryphon]

I don't plan on using a radar monitor at all, so it seems that 16' deep is the consensus answer at this point.

[chip_shot]

My space has a slant roof - 10' at one end and 7.5' at the other end, 12' wide, 16' deep. I really believe this is the minimal comfortable size for a sim. The most constrained feeling is the ceiling, I wish it was 10' flat instead of slanted and im not sure a lefty could play given the slope of the roof.

I have 9" from screen to wall - takes a lot of tension playing around but it works great.

7' from tee to screen is as close as I would go, 8' is very comfortable - the worse part of being close to the screen is the image quality of the projector, I imagine it would feel far more immersive with a high quality projector or being further away.

Only have 8' behind the swing zone and a 12' wide space means its really only comfortable to play two people at a time.

Ideal size from my experience would be 10' ceiling, 14 - 16' wide and 20 - 24' deep but as long as you can swing comfortably you can make the space work.

[Brettster]

Interesting, I have something similar, 12'x16' outside dimensions on a gambrel roof shed/outbuilding. You're right it's about the minimum you can do it in.

[chip_shot]

yeah I literally built the building a few months before deciding to build a Sim. Really wish I would have gone 16 x 24

[g_gryphon]

Thank you everyone for your inputs thus far.