How do Home Setups work?
See below for an extensive list of everything you need to play golf indoors! We’ll walk you through some basics and give you some familiarity with golf simulators so you know what you need.
Components of a golf simulator
What do you even need to have a golf simulator? A few things! The image below shows a Birdie Box setup and outlines everything you need to play!
1: Enclosure
Every simulator needs a safe, durable, and visually impressive enclosure to hit into — and that’s exactly what Birdie Box delivers. We handcraft our enclosures using steel frames, heavy-duty fabric, and premium Carl’s Place impact screens for unmatched quality, safety, and longevity.
Customizable to Fit Your Space
Our enclosures are fully customizable to suit your room dimensions:
Height: Up to 10’ tall (with options slightly below 8’ for tighter spaces)
Width: Typically between 10’ to 16’, depending on your needs and available space
Exclusive Birdie Box Features
Birdie Box is proud to offer unique enclosure upgrades you won’t find anywhere else:
Foldable Enclosure Design — perfect for multi-use spaces or easier storage
Custom Logos & Graphics — personalize your enclosure with your brand or design
Projector Mounting Support — ensures perfect image alignment and full screen coverage
Replaceable Hitting Screen Strips — extend the life of your impact screen by replacing only the worn hitting area
With Birdie Box, you’re not just getting an enclosure — you’re getting a professional-grade, fully customized hitting environment built to last.
2: Projector
Projectors are one of the most critical — and most challenging — components of any golf simulator setup. The wrong projector can leave you with unused screen space, dim images, distorted proportions, or shadows that interfere with play.
At Birdie Box, we simplify the process by supplying BenQ and Optoma projectors directly from the manufacturer — ensuring you get a model that’s perfectly matched to your screen size, room dimensions, and budget. No guesswork required. Simply tell us your preferred resolution, brightness, and price range, and we’ll handle the rest.
HD vs 4K — What’s the Difference?
4K resolution delivers four times as many pixels as standard 1080p HD, resulting in much sharper, more detailed images — especially on larger screens.
As a general rule:
For screens under 9 feet tall, 1080p is usually sufficient.
For screens over 9 feet tall, 4K is recommended to prevent visible pixelation.
Keep in mind, 4K projectors can add approximately $5,000 to your build, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preference and budget.
If you’re unsure, we’re always here to help guide you to the best option for your space.
3: Hitting Mat
This is the foundation of every swing you’ll take — and it matters. While there are many styles and price points for hitting mats, we strongly recommend investing in a high-quality option. A good mat not only protects your joints and clubs, but also provides a more realistic feel with every shot.
You’ll take hundreds of swings during each session, so comfort and durability are key. That’s why Birdie Box uses a large, full-surface hitting mat that accepts real tees and closely replicates the feel of a natural fairway. Swing with confidence, practice longer, and enjoy a true-to-course experience.
4: Artificial Turf
Complete your golf simulator with turf that not only looks like a real fairway, but feels like it too. We use premium, professional-grade landscaping turf designed specifically for golf simulator applications. Durable, realistic, and visually stunning — our turf gives your setup a clean, finished look while providing a true-to-life stance and feel underfoot.
With our high-quality turf, your simulator space will both look incredible and play like the real thing.
5: Launch Monitor
The launch monitor is the heart of your golf simulator — and typically the biggest factor in your overall budget. It determines your system's accuracy, features, and compatibility with software, so choosing the right one depends on your needs, goals, and budget.
The good news: Birdie Box setups are fully compatible with all major launch monitors. If you ever want to upgrade or change systems down the road, most models are easily swappable — keeping your simulator flexible and future-proof.
Our Recommendations
For a budget-friendly setup:
Garmin R10
Square Golf Launch Monitor
For a premium, high-performance setup:
Golfin IDRA II (no annual fees, professional-grade accuracy)
What to Consider When Choosing a Launch Monitor
There are many models on the market — and while many of them advertise impressive features, it’s important to focus on what matters most for your simulator:
Upfront cost
Ongoing costs (annual fees, software subscriptions, etc.)
Note: our recommended models above do not have ongoing subscription fees.
Mounting location (floor vs ceiling vs behind player)
Compatibility for both left- and right-handed players
Hitting area size
Accuracy vs. Usability
Don’t get too caught up in minor accuracy differences between models. Many expensive launch monitors differentiate by offering club data — like face angle or path — that primarily benefit professional players or instructors. For home simulators, the most important data is ball flight — which most reputable launch monitors measure very well. Seem to good to be true? Check out these Carl’s Place articles comparing accuracy of the $800 Garmin R10 vs the $11,600 Uneekor Eye XO:
If you're unsure, Birdie Box is always available to help guide you through your options.
6: Gaming PC & Software
Your PC is another major factor in both performance and price. While Birdie Box will always do its best to work with your existing computer, having the right specs is essential to ensure smooth gameplay and optimal graphics.
For a 1080p HD setup, we recommend at minimum:
Nvidia RTX 4000-Series graphics card
16 GB of RAM
For a 4K setup, plan for:
Nvidia RTX 4070 Super (or higher)
32 GB of RAM (or more)
When it comes to simulator PCs, more power is always better. Investing in higher specs today helps future-proof your system as software updates, new courses, and more advanced graphics demand greater performance over time.
Birdie Box always recommends using GSPro software for golf simulating. This software costs $250 USD/yr and includes over 1,800 courses. In our opinion, there is no better deal!
Would you like to contact Birdie Box about a setup?
Ready to Get Started? Let’s Build Your Perfect Simulator.
Whether you're just exploring options or know exactly what you need, we make the process simple and stress-free.
Have a rough budget in mind?
Birdie Box can work with your budget to create a great simulator in your space. We have built many simulators for less than $10,000. We’ve built many for much more. It’s all about finding what is right for you!
Local to Edmonton?
We’re happy to visit your space for a free on-site assessment and provide a custom quote. Not local or prefer remote? No problem — we can also provide accurate quotes based on your measurements and photos.
Once you're ready to move forward:
We’ll send you an invoice, and as soon as payment is received, we’ll get started. Lead times vary depending on your selections, but most installations are completed within 3 weeks of your order.
Already know what you need?
Visit our online store! We stock common sizes and configurations, making it easy to order quickly if you’ve already finalized your space and setup requirements.
Questions?
Reach out anytime — we're here to help you build the perfect golf simulator for your home or business.