Built-in golf simulator room with padded walls: how to plan it
Updated October 20, 2026
Short answer: a built-in room replaces the freestanding enclosure with a framed screen wall and padded side walls, so the screen can run nearly wall to wall — about 1 ft narrower than the room instead of 2 ft. In a 15 ft wide room that's the difference between a roughly 13 ft and a 14 ft wide screen. Everything else — ceiling clearance, projector throw, launch monitor placement — still has to be checked before you frame.
| Room width | With an enclosure | Built-in room |
|---|---|---|
| 12 ft | 7.7′ × 10′ (4:3) | 8′ × 10.5′ (4:3) |
| 14 ft | 9′ × 12′ (4:3) | 8.5′ × 13′ (16:10) |
| 15 ft | 8.5′ × 13′ (16:10) | 8′ × 14′ (16:9) |
| 16 ft | 8′ × 14′ (16:9) | 8.5′ × 15′ (16:9) |
| 18 ft | 9′ × 16′ (16:9) | 9.5′ × 17′ (16:9) |
Height × width, for a 10 ft ceiling, from the same engine as our paid designs. Full table: screen size by room width.
What to settle before framing
- Ceiling at the swing. Measure the lowest point above the hitting area, including beams, ducts and lights. A 6′0″ golfer needs about 10 ft for a full driver — see the room dimensions guide.
- Screen size and shape together with the projector. Pick a screen shape (16:9, 16:10 or 4:3) your projector supports natively, then confirm the projector can fill that width from a ceiling spot between the golfer and the screen.
- Launch monitor placement. Units beside the ball, behind the golfer and on the ceiling each need different depth and mounting — decide before you run power and data.
- Power and data runs. Projector, launch monitor and PC locations should get outlets and cable paths while walls are open.
- Mishit protection. Padding on side walls and the ceiling near the hitting area, and nothing hard or reflective within reach of a shank.
- Lighting. Bright overheads wash out the projected image; plan dimmable or indirect lighting.
Built-in vs enclosure at a glance
| Built-in room | Freestanding enclosure | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen width | Room width − about 1 ft | Room width − about 2 ft |
| Look | Finished room | Frame and netting |
| Setup | Construction project | Assembles in a day or two |
| Moves with you | No | Yes |
| Best for | Dedicated basements and bonus rooms | Garages, shared rooms, rentals |
Getting a design for your built-in room
Our design intake has a "Built-in room with padded walls" option: the design skips the enclosure, sizes the screen to the wall, pairs a matching projector and mount distance, and lays out the launch monitor and hitting area for your exact dimensions.
Common questions
- Is a built-in golf simulator better than an enclosure?
- For a dedicated room, usually: the screen can be wider, the room looks finished, and there is no netting to sag. An enclosure is cheaper, faster to set up, and can move with you — better for shared spaces, rentals, or garages that still park cars.
- How much wider can the screen be in a built-in room?
- About 1 ft wider for the same room, because the screen frame needs roughly 6 inches per side instead of the 1 ft per side an enclosure frame and side netting take.
- Do I still need side netting or padding in a built-in room?
- You need something to stop mishits on the side walls and ceiling near the hitting area — padded walls take the place of enclosure netting. Plan it before drywall and lighting go in.
- Where should the projector go in a built-in room?
- Usually on the ceiling between the golfer and the screen, using a short-throw projector, so the golfer’s head doesn’t shadow the image. The exact distance depends on the projector’s throw ratio and screen width.