How To Transform Your Unused Garage Into An Indoor Driving Range

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If you're a golfer, you know the only way to improve your game is with diligent practice. But if you live somewhere with harsh winters, frequent rain, or limited access to a course, that isn't always a possibility. Losing those precious days or months of skill-honing can make for a rough re-entry.

This is a perfect excuse to transform unused garage space into an indoor driving range. Of course, there's nothing like the real thing, just like there are pros and cons to a backyard putting green. But golf simulators can be a handy tool when a real course isn't in your cards. "Golf simulators are like shooting baskets on your driveway hoop," says Sam Weinman, digital editorial director at Golf Digest. "You could spend all your time lamenting that it's not quite basketball. But it's decidedly more basketball than watching Netflix."

If this sounds like a hole-in-one idea, first make sure you have the space. The minimum dimensions you'll need are about 9 feet vertically, 14 feet of depth, and 12 feet of width for the simulator. Want to entertain lefties and righties without adjusting the hitting zone? Bump up the width requirement to a minimum of 15 feet. Next comes the setup.

Okay, so you've measured and are good to go on the minimum space to build that elevated man cave. Various all-inclusive simulator packages are available for purchase, but these can run you tens of thousands of dollars. For a more economical option, you can put together the necessities on your own: an enclosure, an impact screen, a hitting mat, a projector, and a launch monitor with golf simulator software.

Although not absolutely necessary, first lining your floor space with artificial turf will make your space feel more realistic. Choose the size of your impact screen, such as this 8.2-by-6.5-foot fireproof impact screen, and then build a frame to accommodate it. You'll need 1-inch-wide EMT pipes, 1-inch three-way connectors, your impact screen, and ball-closure bungee cords. When building your own frame, it's best to make it a half-inch wider than your impact screen on each side, and with a depth of 2 to 5 feet.

Using a miter saw made for metal or pipe cutters, cut the pipes to size, and insert them into the connectors, fastening them with hook screws until your base is built. From there, attach your screen to the back of the enclosure using the ball bungees. Next, install your side enclosures, which can be anything from vinyl material to some kind of curtain that can be retracted when your range isn't in use. Netting is also an option, but that doesn't block out unwanted light.

Finally, add all the goodies. You'll need a projector, unless you have one already. Depending on your specific garage setup, you can use a ceiling mount or projector floor enclosure, such as the GoSports golf simulator projector cover, to secure it.

Most garages have concrete floors, so a hitting mat, such as this Ponsonbay integrated golf mat, is essential both to emulate an actual course and to protect your precious clubs from damage. The launch monitor, which analyzes your swing's performance, will likely be the largest expense. They can range anywhere from $500 to $10,000. Unfortunately, launch monitors don't come with the necessary software, so you'll need to pony up for that as well, starting at a few hundred dollars for an annual subscription or about $900 outright. But once you do, you can channel your inner Scotty Scheffler and be transported to amazing courses on the PGA tour.

In total, it will likely cost at least a few thousand dollars to set up, but building an entertainment room via a garage golf simulator offers recreational space and may even increase your home's value. Plus, the projector and impact screen can also be used to watch big-screen movies, so it makes the space versatile. You can think of a garage driving range as an investment not only in your golf game but also in your ability to entertain at home.