One of the biggest drawbacks to using a golf simulator is that you often have a mental block about taking a full swing. Even in the pro shop when being fitted for new clubs, or at a trade show testing out new equipment, we have a mental block about the swing. Maybe because we were taught not to play golf indoors, or perhaps we fear we will hit something and break it.
If you are serious about buying a golf simulator for your home, you have made a wise decision. A golf simulator can help you lower your score, improve your swing, and allows you to play on some of the most exclusive clubs in the world. Is your ceiling high enough, though? This article will take a look at how much top room you need to have to avoid shorting your shots and taking that full swing you are proud of.
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Not Every Golfer is Created Equal
When considering a golf simulator, you will need to decide where it is going. Most applications get installed in a garage. Is the ceiling height adequate? How high should it be? This answer will vary depending on your physical features as well as the clubs you use. Just like our clubs, each golfer is a different height. We also have a different stance and swing a little different.
The larger golf simulator studios, like the SkyTrak, suggest a minimum ceiling height of nine feet. While this height might work for a sand wedge swing with a golfer standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, it won’t work for a golfer swinging a driver who stands 6 feet 4 inches tall.
However, as a starting point, a nine-foot ceiling minimum is a good start. Let’s think about the other things you should consider.
Who Will Use the Golf Simulator?
One important thing to think about is who you will have over to play in the simulator? If you are of average height, but your friends are taller, your ceiling should be high enough to accommodate them as well.
If you are the tallest one of those that will participate, you have less to think about. However, it is something to consider, especially for those of us with taller friends.
Measure Your Swing
The best thing to do is to find out how much top room you need. You can do this by measuring your swing. You will want to pick the longest club (usually a driver) and swing it. If you find it hard to estimate how high the clubhead goes, here is a little trick to help you out.
Stand against the wall with your shoulder touching the surface. Hold the club as you would when taking a swing and extend your arms straight out in front of you. With your thumbs pointing to the ceiling, your clubhead should be above your head.
Slowly raise your arms until the bottom of the grip is even with the top of your head. At this height, the clubhead will be at the highest point of your backswing. You can mark this spot on the wall with tape or a pencil mark, then measure the distance from the ground.
You aren’t done, though. Your clubhead rises further on the follow-through and at its height will be 6 to 9 inches higher than this point you just marked. If you add 9 inches to your measurement, you will have the minimum height your ceiling needs to be.
Is Minimum Good Enough?
For most golf simulators, the minimum height you measure will be good enough. However, you need to keep in mind other factors such as what is on the ceiling.
If you have ceiling fans, fluorescent lighting, open beams, etc. you will need to measure to the bottom of these items, so you don’t hit them. Otherwise, you will need to install your golf simulator in an area of the space where nothing is hanging or attached to the ceiling.
I Don’t Want to Measure, Can You Just Tell Me?
The minimum height clearance for a golf simulator should be nine feet. For golfers standing at or below 5’8”, this height will work and allow a full swing. For golfers between 5’9” and 6’, a minimum ceiling height of ten feet is advised.
If you are over six feet tall, then you need to add 6 inches worth of clearance above 10 feet for every 4 inches in your height. Example, a golfer standing 6’3” should have a minimum ceiling height of ten and a half feet. A golfer standing 6’5” should maintain at least 11 feet of clearance.
If you want to be sure, installing a golf simulator in a room with vaulted ceilings, cathedral ceilings, or 12-foot ceilings will be ideal. Find the tallest area in the space you want to install the golf simulator and go from there.
The ceiling height measurement could be the most important measurement you take before making your final purchase.
Do you have experience hitting the ceiling during a swing in a golf simulator? Tell us the story in the comments below.