Short answer: stand about 8–10 feet from your Golf Simulator for safe, accurate practice. But before you start swinging in your living room, let’s make sure you’re not sending golf balls ricocheting into your TV. There’s more to getting your setup right than just “pick a corner and swing away.” Those few feet matter. A lot.
Let’s break it down so you can create a practice space that’s safe, realistic, and actually helps you improve your game.
When people ask how far should you hit from a golf simulator, they often forget: it's not just about the screen.
There are two crucial measurements you need to get right:
Distance from the hitting area to the impact screen
Distance from the hitting area to the back wall
Miss one of those and you're setting yourself up for poor tracking, or worse, a busted wall or bruised ego.
This is the space the ball needs to fly before it hits the screen or net. Too short? You’ll get bounce-back. Too far? Your launch monitor might miss vital data.
Most setups aim for that perfect middle ground.
This is the space behind you, the room you need to swing comfortably, especially with a driver. Don’t just eyeball it. If you can’t take a full swing without adjusting your stance or shortening your backswing, you're too close to the wall.
This isn’t just about comfort, it’s about performance. A tight space can lead to awkward swings, bad ball data, and even damage to your surroundings.
Proper spacing keeps your equipment safe, your shots accurate, and your practice effective. And that’s what turns a "fun toy" into a true training tool.
This is the golden zone. If you’re wondering how far away do you stand from a golf net or impact screen, the ideal range is 3 to 3.6 metres (10–12 feet).
This distance gives your ball enough room to travel without bouncing back and allows most launch monitors, especially radar and photometric systems, to track your swing properly.
Too close and you risk ricochet. Too far and you lose accuracy.
Let’s be honest, no one wants a golf ball coming back at them like a boomerang.
Standing around 8–10 feet away helps absorb the ball’s energy on impact, especially if you’re using higher-tension screens. And trust us, ricochet hurts, physically and emotionally.
If space is tight, you can make it work at 2.5 metres (8 feet). But it’s really the bare minimum.
Any closer, and you’re playing a risky game. A powerful shot could bounce back unexpectedly, especially with lower-quality netting or impact material.
Here’s the deal: not all screens are created equal.
High-tension screens absorb more impact, reducing bounce.
Cheaper nets or loosely hung screens? They’ll send the ball right back at you.
So if you're planning to get closer than 10 feet, invest in a quality impact screen that’s designed to take the hit.
We’ve all seen it, someone trying to tee off in their garage only to knock over a shelf or clip the ceiling.
You need enough space behind you to swing freely, especially with a driver. If you're adjusting your swing to avoid hitting the wall, you're defeating the purpose of practicing indoors.
The sweet spot? 2 to 2.5 metres (7–8 feet) from your back foot to the nearest wall or obstacle.
That gives you enough clearance to go full throttle with your swing, driver, wedge, whatever. No holding back, no second-guessing.
If you’re really short on space, 1.8 metres (6 feet) might be doable. But it’s tight.
Anything less and your swing gets compromised, especially if you're tall or use longer clubs.
Here’s where tech matters.
Radar-based launch monitors (like TrackMan) sit behind you and need extra space to read ball flight.
Camera-based systems (like SkyTrak or GCQuad) are placed beside or in front of the ball, so they’re more compact-friendly.
If you’re working with limited room, go for a camera system to save space behind the hitting zone.
This one’s easy to overlook, but crucial. You need to leave space behind your screen or golf net.
Why? Because the screen moves when hit. If it’s flush against a wall, it has nowhere to go. That’s a recipe for dented drywall or worse.
Give your screen at least 30cm (1 foot) of breathing room.
This lets it absorb the shot properly without slamming into the back wall. Bonus: it protects both your screen and your house.
When a screen has space to flex, it can slow down the ball more naturally.
Less bounce-back. Less wall damage. More peace of mind. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.
Leave a 30cm+ (1 foot) gap between the screen/net and the wall for safety.
Stand 3 metres (10 feet) from the screen or net for ideal performance and safety.
Give yourself 2.5 metres (8 feet) behind the hitting mat to swing confidently.
For a full setup that doesn't compromise safety or tracking, aim for 5.5 to 6 metres (18–20 feet) of total depth in your room.
Bounce-back. Bad data. Possible bruises. Standing too close increases the chance of the ball rebounding, and your launch monitor might misread the shot.
You might lose tracking accuracy, especially with photometric launch monitors. And if you’re using a projector, the image could shrink or get distorted.
A little, yes.
Wedges fly slower, so you can get away with slightly less distance. Drivers need more room. But for consistency, it’s best to set one standard hitting distance and stick with it, no matter the club.
Dreaming of teeing off without leaving the house? A home Golf Simulator sounds like the perfect escape, until planning permission swings into the picture.Short answer: You might need it, depending on how and where you install it. If you don’t...
Ever smacked your ceiling light mid-backswing? Yeah, you’re not the only one. If you're setting up a home Golf Simulator, the sweet spot is 12 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 9 feet high. That gives you enough space to swing...
Ever dreamed of teeing off beside the toolbox? Yes, you can put a golf simulator in your garage, as long as you’ve got the space and a touch of DIY spirit. With the right setup, your garage can transform into a...
Thinking about transforming your garage into Augusta? Or dreaming of sinking putts from your living room? One question stops many first-timers: Do you need a computer for a golf simulator? Short answer: Not always. Some setups work fine without one,...
Before your Golf Simulator turns your ceiling into Swiss cheese, do yourself a favour. Add some solid overhead protection. The quick fix? Netting, foam, or proper ceiling panels. Keep reading to discover smart DIY options, pro-grade solutions, and easy ways...
