Getting the right net or impact screen size is one of the most important decisions in a golf simulator build. Too small and you will be chasing balls around the room after every mis-hit. Here is how to size it correctly from the start.

Minimum vs. Recommended Net Dimensions

The difference between minimum and recommended net size matters more than many simulator buyers realize before their first session. The minimum net size that will catch most shots is 10 feet wide by 8 feet tall. This covers the ball path for shots that go roughly where you aimed and for moderately off-center hits. The problem: golf is a game of mis-hits. A severely hooked driver shot with an open face going 10-15 degrees left of your aim point can travel significantly outside a 10-foot wide net. Once you have retrieved that ball from behind your lawn mower twice, you will understand why the recommended width is 12 feet, not 10. Recommended minimum for a full simulator experience: 12 feet wide by 9 feet tall. This handles everything a recreational to advanced golfer will hit, including the wide hooks and slices that come from poor contact, and the high-lofted chip and pitch shots that go nearly vertical. For a dedicated simulator room where the ceiling height allows: 12x10 or even 14x10 eliminates virtually all risk of a shot escaping the net area. Ceiling height consideration: the net height should be at minimum what your highest-lofting club reaches. A lob wedge hit with a normal swing can approach 60-70 degrees of launch angle, meaning the ball travels steeply up. A 7-foot net in a room with a 7.5-foot ceiling creates a gap at the top that high-lofted shots will find.

Impact Screens: What Simulator Buyers Actually Need

Impact screens and practice nets are not the same thing, and buying the wrong one wastes money. For a simulator with projected visuals: you must have an impact screen. Impact screens are made from tight-weave polyester or similar materials that allow a projected image to display on the front while absorbing ball impacts on the back. The screen must be taut and flat. A practice net that bags when a ball hits it cannot be projected onto -- the loose surface and variable geometry make the image distorted and unusable. For practice without projection (hitting data without a simulated course): a practice net works well and costs significantly less. Quality practice nets from brands like Rukket, Spornia, or Callaway (practice nets, not screens) run $150-350 and last well under repeated impact. For those who want both options at different times: some simulator builders use a two-layer approach -- an impact screen for projection sessions plus a secondary net behind it for extra protection and for use when not projecting. Impact screen replacement: quality impact screens from brands like Carl Place (high-STOPping), TGT (The Golf Tarp), or Shop Indoor Golf screens typically last 1,000-3,000 swings for recreational golfers, longer at moderate ball speeds and shorter at high-speed driver practice. Budget for replacement every one to three years depending on use frequency.

Setting Up the Correct Distance and Enclosure

The physical setup of your net or impact screen relative to the hitting position has a significant effect on both safety and simulator performance. Distance from hitting mat to screen: 8-12 feet is the standard range. At 8 feet, you meet the minimum that most launch monitors need to capture complete ball data. At 10-12 feet, you give yourself comfortable visual separation between where you stand and the screen, which makes the simulation feel more natural. Positioning the hitting mat: place the hitting mat so you have at least 3-4 feet of clearance behind you (for backswing) and so you are 3-4 feet to the side of the room walls (to avoid an arm-to-wall collision on the backswing). A 10x12 hitting bay gives most golfers comfortable room. Enclosure sides: side barriers are important and often overlooked. Even with a 12-foot wide screen, a severely offline shot can wrap around the side of the screen and damage walls or equipment. Side nets or side panels that extend from the screen edge to the side walls create a fully enclosed hitting bay. Many commercial enclosure kits (from Foresight Sports, OptiShot, or third-party simulator builders) include side wings for this reason. Flooring and mat size: the hitting mat should be at least 4 feet by 5 feet to allow a full stance for all clubs. Larger mats (4x8 or 4x10) allow you to move your stance slightly without stepping off the mat.

Buying Guide: Impact Screen Recommendations by Budget

Impact screen options at different price points: Budget ($200-400): Projection screen material from golf equipment retailers or custom fabric cut to size. These work for casual use but wear faster under repeated high-speed impact. Acceptable for low-frequency use or for practice without projection. Mid-range ($400-700): Carl Place impact screens are among the most-reviewed in the simulator community. Their white standard weave and blackout weave options handle regular use well. TGT (The Golf Tarp) impact screens are another consistently recommended brand. Most home simulator builders in this price range report 1,500-3,000 hits before replacement depending on driver speed. Premium ($700-1,200): Shop Indoor Golf premium screens and similar high-density weave screens are rated for higher ball speeds (driver carry at 150+ MPH) and longer service life. Worth the cost for high-frequency golfers or setups where replacement is difficult. Enclosure kits: buying an impact screen as part of a full enclosure kit (screen plus frame plus side wings) is more expensive upfront ($800-2,000) but simplifies installation. Many home builders find the frame and tension system as difficult as the screen choice -- a kit solves both at once.