Golf simulators have become a must-have in many modern luxury homes and corporate amenities spaces. A simulator fully integrated into the architecture and design of a space exemplifies what a luxury custom design can be. But the architectural aesthetic and technical implications of including one can be daunting. Rarely does a client show up to the preliminary design meetings committed to a system and with a fully engineered set of drawings in hand. More often than not, a client arrives still questioning what system they will purchase, and the architect or designer is left to guess on the space and technical requirements.
Over the course of my 25 years in the technology and home automation industry, I have worked on several projects that included high-end golf simulator installations. Since launching JLC, I regularly assist clients in selecting simulators to meet their system goals as well as fit into the available spaces.
So, to help alleviate as much wailing and gnashing of teeth as possible during the construction process, here are some things to consider when you are designing a space that will allow the most amount of flexibility and give the owner the most options when it comes time to select their specific simulator.
Looking for additional detail than what’s below? Request our free design guide for more specific information.⬇️
Space Requirements
The biggest consideration when designing a golf simulator is the space it will take up in the home. A fully customized installation will likely take up more floor space than you might anticipate. To offer the best user experience, sufficient space must be allowed to accommodate the following items:
- Golf simulator enclosure
- Golf simulator hitting surface with sufficient room above, left, right, and behind to allow for an unobstructed swing for both right and left-handed players
- Sitting/standing space for players while not using the simulator, as well as space for golf bags and the simulator computer
Lighting
Room lighting design and fixture selection is critical to the success of the simulator experience. Lighting has to be bright and shadow-free in some areas of the room and completely absent in others. Natural light through windows will also need to be controlled to prevent sunlight from affecting the projection screen.
Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
The additional equipment in the room, as well as the active nature of the room’s use, necessitates some additional requirements for the MEP systems. Some things that may need consideration are:
- Additional cooling
- HVAC register locations
- Additional power requirements and outlet locations
- Sprinkler head locations
- Sump systems
Acoustics
Golf simulators are noisy – the sound level of a solid drive from the average golfer is as high as 120db. That’s as loud as a chainsaw or a thunderclap. And then there is the low frequency “thud” of the ball hitting the screen. Admittedly, these are short sound events, so you don’t have to worry too much about hearing loss, but they can definitely be heard outside the simulator room and can be a significant annoyance to anyone outside the space.
- Consider the room’s location in the house. For example, don’t place the golf simulator immediately under the primary suite where someone may be trying to sleep or adjacent to the main family room where people are trying to watch TV.
- Acoustically treating the room for sound absorption and isolation can drastically reduce the amount of sound escaping the room, as well as make it more tolerable while playing. Acoustics are potentially a whole blog post on their own. If you are interested in learning more about acoustic absorption and isolation, reach out to JLC.
If you would like more information or to schedule a call
or video call, contact me at: jltechconsulting.com/index.php/contact/