Spornia Golf Simulator 7-Step Buying Guide & Set-Up Ideas

See Our Related Articles:

Projector Buying Guide For Your Golf Simulator

Garmin Approach R10: Portable Launch Monitor Set-up Tips

Until now you needed a permanent, dedicated space at home for a simulator set-up - not to mention a deep wallet!

With your portable and affordable Spornia Golf Simulator, you can set-up in under five minutes, play 18 holes at Augusta and then pack it away in even less time.

This level of convenience means you don’t need a dedicated space to set-up — although of course you can leave it up permanently if you prefer.

The total cost to set-up your Spornia Simulator will be around $1.2k to $3k (with the higher end mainly depending on how much you spend on a projector), compared to anywhere from $3.0k to $60k for alternatives.

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Simulator Checklist - What You Need:

Net & Space Requirements
Driving Range Mat
Launch Monitor & Simulator
Display Device - Projector?
Target Sheet (optional: only if you're using a projector)
Simulator Software
Safety Netting (optional)

1. The Net - Spornia SPG-7 or SPG-8

Your choice of net will depend on your budget and the amount of space you have.

SPG-8 is bigger, stronger and heavier but more expensive. The original SPG-7 Spornia net is also a great option.

Space Requirements:

Ceiling height

Ideal height is 10 feet, but depending on the height of player/s and clubs, you may get away with 9 feet.
Lower ceilings such as 8 ft mean you probably won’t be able to use a driver (again, depending on the player's height).

Room width

Minimums: 6.5 - 8 ft
SPG-7 dimensions = 6.5 ft wide x 6.5 ft deep x 6.9 ft high
SPG-8 dimensions = 8 ft wide x 8 ft deep x 8 ft high

Room length

Minimums: around 16-18 ft
SPG-7: 6.5 ft for the net, 5 ft for the driving mat, 3.5 ft for driver swing behind the mat = 15 ft.
SPG-8: Add another 1.5 ft to the above measurements = 16.5 ft.
If you add the Garmin Approach R-10 to your set-up, it should be 6 - 8 ft back from the ball. Assuming the ball is in the middle of your mat:

For the SPG-7 you need 6.5 ft + 2.5 ft + 8 ft = 17 ft.
For the SPG-8 add another 1.5 ft = 18.5 ft.

2. The Mat

Once you're set-up with your golf simulator you’ll be using it a lot, so get a practice mat that can take a beating and will last for years.

We recommend a full-sized, high quality driving range quality mat such as the Spornia Academy Commercial Mat.

3. Launch Monitor & Simulator

Spornia recommends and sells the Garmin Approach R10 and the Rapsodo MLM2PRO Golf Simulator

The Garmin has been rated the #1 personal launch monitor (with golf simulation capabilities) under $600, but it's always worth doing your research. The Rapsodo MLM2PRO is also a great option.

Check out our article on Garmin Approach R10: Portable Launch Monitor Set-up Tips for more details.

If you're not sold on the Garmin or Rapsodo, the following articles review the best portable launch monitors for 2023 (*Note: not all products reviewed have golf simulation capabilities):

Golfstead: 8 Best Golf Launch Monitors Under $1000 – 2023 Reviews & Buying Guide

Breaking 80: Best Golf Launch Monitors of 2023: 8 Amazing Options

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4. Display Device

Once you've got your launch monitor connected, you'll need a device to display your results. Options include:

your mobile phone
an iPad or tablet
your laptop or computer
a TV monitor screen

Using one of these is a great way to get started, but the disadvantage is that you'll need to look across to them after your shot to see results.

If you want the ultimate golf simulator experience, you'll need a projector and a Spornia White Target Sheet.

For projector recommendations and resources, check out our Golf Simulator Projector Buying Guide

5. Target sheet

Projecting directly onto a Spornia White Target Sheet hanging from your net is an immersive experience - hitting shots directly onto the course or range, seeing the ball in flight and landing (hopefully on the fairways and greens!) - then checking and correlating all of your shot data metrics.

*Note: While our White Target Sheets are square with a 1:1 aspect ratio, many projectors have an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9. You’ll need to adjust your projector and/or source settings to capture full simulator images on your white target sheet.

Refer to the 'aspect ratio' section of our Golf Simulator Projector Buying Guide for more details.

And here are our White Target Sheets.

6. Simulator Software

To turn your launch monitor into a simulator, you will need to subscribe to or purchase a simulator software program.

There are a number of options, including:

Garmin Golf App and Home Tee Hero (which both come pre-installed with the Garmin R10). You can check out Golf Magics detailed review here.

TruGolf's E6 Connect (a trial version comes pre-installed with the Garmin R10, including 6 courses)
The Golf Club 2019
GSPro v2
Awesome Golf

Our #1 recommendation based on feedback from our customers is Awesome Golf. It’s a video game type of simulator, with fun graphics, cool games and an awesome Coaching Mode.

If your focus is game improvement and getting the most out of the Garmin Approach R10 this is a great, relatively affordable option. However, Awesome Golf doesn't include renditions of real-life courses - it offers 4 virtual courses to play.

If you want more realistic imagery we recommend other options such as GSPro v2, or for top 100 courses check out GSPro v2 or E6 Connect.

But for overall accuracy, pricing and enjoyment it's hard to beat Awesome Golf. We recommend you take up the 14-day free trial offer before you buy.

7. Safety netting (optional)

Adding a pair of Spornia side extension nets provides some additional peace of mind - there's always a chance of balls flying off in unintended directions.

If you have a brick or concrete wall behind your simulator set-up and want to add a complete layer of protection, we recommend purchasing a large piece of sports netting for the back wall. It doesn't need to be heavy duty netting as it should only capture the occasional stray shot.