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

 

 

See Our Related Articles:

Garmin Approach R10: Portable Launch Monitor Set-up Tips 

Until now you needed a permanent, dedicated space in your 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 Pebble Beach and then pack it away in even less time.

This level of convenience means you don’t need a dedicated space for set-up - although of course you can leave it set-up permanently if that's your preference.


The total cost for your Spornia Simulator set-up will be around $2k to $5k (with the higher end mainly depending on how much you spend on a projector), compared to anywhere from $5k to $100k for alternatives.

Checklist - What You Need:

1. Net & Space Requirements

2. Driving Range Mat

3. Launch Monitor & Simulator

4. Display Device - Projector?

5. Target Sheet (optional: only if you're using a projector)

6. Simulator Software

7. 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 quite a bit more expensive. The original SPG-7 Spornia net is also a great option. 

Space Requirements:

Ceiling height

• Ideal ceiling height (to allow for Driver swing) is 3.0m (10 feet), but depending on the height of the player/s and clubs used, you may be able to get away with 2.7m (9 feet) ceilings. 
• Lower ceilings such as 2.4m (8 feet) will mean you probably won’t be able to use a driver and will be restricted to iron play - again, depending on the player's height.

Room width

• Minimums: 2m to 2.4m
• SPG-7 dimensions = 2m wide x 2m deep x 2.1m high
• SPG-8 dimensions = 2.4m wide x 2.4m deep x 2.5m high

Room length

• Minimums: around 5-6m (16-18 feet)
• With both Spornia nets, the target sheet and backing net are angled from front to back, with the main impact area in the middle of the net. The base of the back of the net can be hard up against the back wall, without the ball impacting.
• For the SPG-7, if you add the 1.5m x 1.5m driving range mat and 1m for driver swing behind the mat, that's 2m + 1.5m + 1.0m = 4.5m in length.
• For the SPG-8, you just need to add another 0.4m to the above measurements = 4.9m in length.
•  If you add the Garmin Approach R-10 to your set-up, it should be 1.8m - 2.4m (6-8 feet) back from the ball. Assuming the ball is in the middle of your mat, for the Spornia SPG-7 you need 2m + 0.75m + 2.4m = 5.15, and for the Spornia SPG-8 add another 0.4m - 5.55m.

2. The Mat

 

Once you're fully set-up with your golf simulator you're going to be using it a lot, so you'll need 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 Commercial Academy Mat.

 

 3. Launch Monitor & Simulator

 

Spornia recommends and sells the Garmin Approach R10 

The Garmin has been rated the #1 personal launch monitor (with golf simulation capabilities) under $1k for a couple of years running, but competitors have been actively developing other products, so it's always worth doing your research.

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

Another great option is the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor (MLM) 2 Pro.

If you're not sold on the Garmin Approach R10, here are a few articles which review and rank the best portable launch monitors (*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

 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 of these options is that you'll need to look across to them after you've hit your shot to see results. 

If you want the ultimate golf simulator experience, you'll need projector and a Spornia White Target Sheet. For projector recommendations and resources, check out our Golf Simulator Projector Buying Guide

 

 5. Target sheet

If you’re using a projector, you can project directly onto a Spornia White Target Sheet hanging from your net for a much more realistic experience - hitting shots directly onto the course or range, seeing the ball flight, and seeing your shots land (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, the majority of projectors have an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9. You will need to adjust your projector and/or source settings to capture the 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 different options, including:

• Garmin Golf App and Home Tee Hero (which both come pre-installed with the Garmin R10). You can check out David Maxfield's review of Home Tee Hero here:
• TruGolf's E6 Connect (a trial version of which comes pre-installed with the Garmin R10, including 6 courses)
• The Golf Club 2019
• GSPro v2
• Awesome Golf

Of these, our #1 recommendation based on feedback from our customers and users is Awesome Golf. It’s a video game type of simulator, with fun graphics and some very cool games, and a particularly awesome Coaching Mode - if your focus is game improvement and getting the most our of the Garmin Approach R10 this is a great, and relatively affordable option.

But note that Awesome Golf doesn't include any renditions of real-life courses - instead it offers 4 different fictional or virtual courses to play. So if you want more realistic imagery we would recommend other options such as GSPro v2, or if you want to play top 100 courses such as Pebble Beach, Royal Melbourne or Spyglass Hill, check out GSPro v2 or E6 Connect.

But for overall accuracy, pricing and enjoyment it's hard to beat Awesome Golf.

Awesome Golf’s pricing is unusual. After the 14 day free trial (which we recommend to try before you buy), you have the option of paying Monthly (one up-front payment of $399.99, then $14.99 per month) or Lifetime (one-off payment of AU$549.99) - which means that after 10 months of Monthly, you'd be much better off paying Lifetime.

Here's why David Maxfield recommends Awesome Golf:

 

If you'd like to explore simulator software options further, see below for some more detailed articles with rankings and recommendations:

Yardstick Golf: Get the Best Golf Simulator Software

Hitting The Golf Ball: The 9 Best Golf Simulator Software

And the below YouTube video review from Joe Lagowski Golf provides a great summary of the pros and cons of the different simulator software options for the Garmin Approach R10, including GSPro, E6 Connect, Awesome Golf and the Garmin Golf App:

VIDEO: Garmin R10 Round Up! Which Software is the Best?

 

 

7. Safety netting (optional)

Using safety netting in conjunction with your practice net can provide some additional peace of mind. 

Golf practice nets are designed to catch and retain golf balls, but there's always a chance of shanks or balls flying off in unintended directions, especially with less experience players. By adding a pair of Spornia side extension nets you create an extra layer of protection.

If you want to add a complete layer of protection - which may be worth considering in some cases, such as where you have a brick or concrete wall behind your simulator set-up, or breakables which need protection - we would recommend purchasing and hanging a large piece of sports netting across the back wall. This doesn't need to be heavy duty netting as it should only capture the occasional stray shot. Suppliers such as Haverford in Sydney offer a wide range of sports netting which can be purchased either by the metre or in ready-made sizes and styles.

Putting it all together

Ok, if you've survived information overload and understand what you need to set-up your Spornia home golf simulator, you'll need some inspiration. 

 

VIDEO: David Maxfield: Garmin R10 Lounge Room INDOOR Golf Simulator Set-up

VIDEO: David Maxfield: Garmin R10 - You Need This Golf Net ASAP!!

VIDEO: David Maxfield: Garmin R10 - Best Home SIM Under $2k FOR EVERYTHING!!

 

Spornia Golf Simulator Customer Photos:

Frequently Asked Questions:

What do I need to set up the simulator? Click here

How much space do I need? Click here

Can I run the simulator through my laptop? Click here

What type of projector do I need? Click here

What can I do on the Garmin R10? Click here