A golf simulator needs a room about 15 feet wide, 18 feet deep and 10 feet high to swing a driver comfortably. That's TrackMan's recommendation, and Uneekor puts its minimum for the EYE XO2 at 13 by 16 by 10 feet. In floor space, a bay works out to roughly 210 to 270 square feet before you add seating. Here's where each number comes from, and what it means if you're planning a venue rather than a basement.
Dimensions come from the manufacturers' own published specifications, linked below and checked on October 3, 2026. Every launch monitor has its own requirements, so confirm with the maker of the unit you buy before you sign a lease.
The three numbers that matter
| System | Width | Depth | Ceiling | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TrackMan (recommended) | 15 ft (4.6 m) | 18 ft (5.5 m) | 10 ft (3.1 m) | trackman.com |
| Uneekor EYE XO2 (minimum) | 13 ft | 16 ft | 10 ft | uneekor.com |
Two systems, two kinds of number. TrackMan gives the room it recommends for a good experience. Uneekor gives the minimum for its unit. The gap between them is the difference between a bay that works and a bay that feels cramped, and in a venue the second one costs you repeat bookings.
Ceiling height
This is the one you can't fix after you sign. TrackMan says most users need at least 9 to 10 feet to swing a driver comfortably, and that taller players or those with aggressive swings need more. Uneekor's minimum room height is 10 feet. For a commercial bay that strangers of every height will swing in, 10 feet is the floor, not the target.
Measure to the lowest thing hanging down, not to the ceiling itself. Lights, ducts, sprinkler heads and beams all count, and a 10 foot ceiling with a 9 foot duct running through the swing zone is a 9 foot ceiling.
Width
15 feet is comfortable, per TrackMan, and 13 feet is Uneekor's minimum for the EYE XO2. The width that matters is the swing on either side of the golfer. In a venue, center the hitting area so a left-handed player has the same room as a right-handed one. Plenty of home builds put the tee off-center to save space, and that's fine at home. A venue that can't take a lefty booking has just turned away a customer.
Depth
TrackMan recommends 18 feet deep, with at least 8 feet 2 inches between the ball and the screen as the minimum. Depth is where launch monitors differ most. Overhead and side-mounted units, like the ceiling-mounted EYE XO2, sit in front of or beside the ball. Radar units sit behind the golfer and need extra room for that, so check the spec sheet of the unit you plan to buy before you settle the floor plan.
How much floor space is a bay?
Multiply it out and a bay is roughly:
- About 210 square feet at Uneekor's EYE XO2 minimum of 13 by 16 feet
- About 270 square feet at TrackMan's recommended 15 by 18 feet
That's the bay itself: the screen, the hitting area and the swing room. It doesn't include a seating area for the group that's waiting to hit, which is where most venues decide how comfortable a bay feels. A first booking is usually a group of more than three people, so plan the seating for the group, not just the golfer.
Floor plans for a 4, 6 and 8 bay venue
At TrackMan's recommended size, the bays alone take:
| Bays | Bay floor at 15 x 18 ft | Bay floor at 13 x 16 ft |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1,080 sq ft | 832 sq ft |
| 6 | 1,620 sq ft | 1,248 sq ft |
| 8 | 2,160 sq ft | 1,664 sq ft |
Everything else goes on top: an entry or front desk, seating, washrooms, storage, and a kitchen or bar if you serve food. Those depend on your model and on local code more than on the simulators, so get them from your architect rather than from a rule of thumb.
A few layout decisions are worth making early:
- Bays side by side along the long wall. It keeps every screen facing the same way and leaves one walkway behind the tee line.
- A wall or partition between bays. Groups get privacy, and a mishit stays in its own bay.
- No columns in the swing zone. Check the structural plan before you count bays, because one column in the wrong place can cost you a bay.
- Power and network to every bay. Each bay runs its own computer, projector and launch monitor. If you plan unstaffed hours, that computer also runs the software that locks and unlocks the bay.
Finding a space that fits
Height is what rules most spaces out. Many attractive retail units have 8 or 9 foot ceilings that won't take a full golf swing, while light industrial units and warehouse spaces usually have the clearance and often lower rent. Take a tape measure to every viewing and measure to the lowest obstruction, not the ceiling tile.
Once you know how many bays fit, the rest of the plan follows from that number. The commercial simulator guide covers the equipment per bay, the cost guide covers the budget, and how to start a golf simulator business covers the rest of the path. Booking software is usually priced by bay count too. On Golf O'Clock it's $150 CAD a month for the first 4 bays and $25 for each one after, so the floor plan sets that line as well. More on golf simulator booking software.
Written by Mathieu Morin, CRO at Golf O'Clock. Based on operating data from 200+ indoor golf venues.
Frequently asked questions
How much space do you need for a golf simulator?
About 15 feet wide, 18 feet deep and 10 feet high to swing a driver comfortably, which is TrackMan's recommendation. Uneekor's minimum for its EYE XO2 is 13 by 16 by 10 feet. In floor space that is roughly 210 to 270 square feet per bay.
What is the minimum ceiling height for a golf simulator?
Plan on 10 feet. TrackMan says most users need at least 9 to 10 feet to swing a driver comfortably, taller players need more, and Uneekor's minimum room height for the EYE XO2 is 10 feet. Measure to the lowest obstruction, such as a light, duct or sprinkler head, not the ceiling itself.
How wide should a golf simulator room be?
15 feet is the comfortable width, per TrackMan, and Uneekor's minimum for the EYE XO2 is 13 feet. In a venue, center the hitting area so left-handed players have the same room as right-handed ones.
How deep should a golf simulator room be?
18 feet is TrackMan's recommended depth, with at least 8 feet 2 inches between the ball and the screen. Radar launch monitors that sit behind the golfer need more depth than overhead or side-mounted ones, so check the specs of the unit you plan to buy.
How many square feet is a golf simulator bay?
Roughly 210 square feet at Uneekor's EYE XO2 minimum of 13 by 16 feet, and 270 square feet at TrackMan's recommended 15 by 18 feet. That is the bay itself, before seating, walkways or a lounge area.
Can a golf simulator fit in a room with a 9 foot ceiling?
Sometimes, for shorter players and shorter clubs, but it is a risk in a venue. TrackMan puts most users at 9 to 10 feet for a comfortable driver swing, so a 9 foot ceiling sits at the bottom of the range. For a commercial bay that strangers will swing in, plan on 10 feet.
How much space do I need for a 4 bay golf simulator business?
The four bays alone take about 1,080 square feet at TrackMan's recommended 15 by 18 feet each. Add your entry or front desk, seating, washrooms and storage on top, which vary with your model, local code and whether you serve food and drink.