Golf Simulator Buying Questions: The Answers UK Buyers Ask For
The questions that come up once you have picked a simulator but before you press buy.
Can I try one before I buy?
Yes, though not usually in a shop. The easiest way is to book an hour at an indoor golf venue or simulator bay near you that runs the same launch monitor or software you are considering (TrackMan, Foresight, Garmin and GSPro are common in UK venues). Golf retailers’ fitting bays also use launch monitors. For a complete room, ask the specialists on our installation page whether they offer demonstrations. Failing that, buy from a retailer with a clear returns window: online orders can usually be cancelled within 14 days of delivery, and SimSpace says it accepts returns within 30 days.
Is refurbished or second-hand sensible?
It can be, with checks. Buy refurbished from the manufacturer or a retailer that gives a warranty. For a private sale, ask for the receipt, check the unit has been removed from the seller’s account (many launch monitors are registered to an account, and memberships and lifetime plans may not transfer), confirm it updates to current firmware, and see it working. Avoid units that have been discontinued without software support.
I rent. What can I set up without drilling?
A freestanding setup: SimSpace enclosures use metal poles with bungee and velcro fixings rather than wall fixings, and net bundles stand on their own frame. Put the projector on a shelf or floor stand rather than a ceiling mount, and use a mat rather than fixed flooring. Everything packs down when you move. Check your tenancy for anything about noise or use of a garage.
Returns, warranty and repairs
Buying from a UK retailer gives you rights under the Consumer Rights Act: a faulty item can be rejected for a refund within 30 days, and after that the retailer must repair or replace it. Online orders can usually be cancelled within 14 days of delivery. Manufacturer warranty lengths vary by brand; check the product page and keep the receipt. If a launch monitor fails, contact the retailer first.
Can I play seated or with limited mobility?
A launch monitor measures the ball and club, not how you stand, so seated and adaptive swings register like any other. Things to plan: a hitting position with level, step-free access from the door; room beside the mat for a wheelchair or scooter to turn (about 1.5 m clear is a common accessibility guide); a mat edge with no trip lip; and a launch monitor whose hitting zone is easy to tee into without bending (the R50’s touchscreen and Square Golf’s tablet app avoid a PC desk). A fitted room lets an installer plan this with you.
Can I put one in an office or business?
Yes, but check three things. Software licences: home licences may not cover commercial use or paid sessions, so ask the software maker for a commercial licence. Buying: ask the retailer for a VAT invoice before you order. Insurance and safety: tell your insurer, and keep spectators behind the golfer. For a client-facing room, a fitted install is usually worth it; GolfSpace and others do commercial builds (see installers).
Can I use a conservatory?
Often not ideal. Bright daylight washes out a projected picture and can upset camera units, glass roofs and walls are in the line of a mis-hit, and conservatories get very hot and cold. If it is the only space, fit blinds, protect glass in the hitting line, and consider a TV or tablet with a net rather than a projector.
What if we move house?
A freestanding enclosure dismantles in about the time it takes to put up, and launch monitors resell well. Fixed parts (ceiling projector mounts, sockets, flooring) stay behind or need making good. We have seen no evidence that a simulator adds value to a house, so treat it as furniture you take with you.
Which simulators work without a Windows PC?
| Build | Works without a Windows PC? |
|---|---|
| Garmin R50 | Yes. It runs Home Tee Hero on its own touchscreen |
| Square Golf | Yes. Square’s app runs on iOS, Android and PC |
| Rapsodo MLM2PRO | Yes. Phone or tablet app |
| SkyTrak ST MAX | Yes. PC or Mac |
| Awesome Golf | Yes. Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iOS and Android on supported combinations |
| GSPro | No. Windows only |
Noise, neighbours and home insurance
The noise is the ball hitting the screen or net and the club hitting the mat. In a detached garage it’s rarely a problem. In a semi-detached or terraced house:
- Hit away from the party wall, and leave a gap behind the impact screen so the ball doesn’t thump the wall.
- Use a thicker hitting mat with an underlay or a raised platform to reduce the thud through the floor.
- Agree sensible playing times with your neighbours.
Insurance. Tell your home insurer about the equipment. A full simulator can exceed the single-item limit on contents cover, and garage or outbuilding contents are sometimes covered differently from the house. Ask whether accidental damage (for example, a ball through a window) is included, and keep the receipts. Commercial use needs separate cover; see using it for business.
Left-handed golfers
| Launch monitor | Left-handed setup |
|---|---|
| Square Golf, Garmin R50, SkyTrak ST MAX | Sit beside the ball, in front of the golfer: move the unit to the other side for a left-hander |
| Bushnell Launch Pro | Has a left/right setting in its quick settings; the unit’s position still matters for accuracy |
| Garmin R10, Rapsodo MLM2PRO | Sit behind the ball: in a wide enough room, both can hit from one position |
Frequently asked questions
Can I try a golf simulator before buying?
Book a session at an indoor golf venue running the same launch monitor or software, or ask a specialist installer about a demonstration. Otherwise buy from a retailer with a clear returns window.
Can I set up a golf simulator in a rented home?
Yes, with freestanding kit: an enclosure with pole-and-bungee fixings or a net, a projector on a shelf or stand, and a loose mat. Nothing needs drilling.
What are my rights if a simulator is faulty?
Under the Consumer Rights Act you can reject a faulty item for a refund within 30 days of buying from a UK retailer; after that the retailer must repair or replace it.
Can I use a golf simulator for my business?
Yes, but check the software licence covers commercial use, get a VAT invoice and tell your insurer.
Sources
SimSpace: bundle pages and installation guides · Square Golf UK: software · Home Performance Lab: left- and right-handed simulators · GolfSpace: commercial builds. Checked 1 October 2026; rules, prices and software change, so confirm before you buy or build.