A simulator package bundles the launch monitor with an enclosure or screen, a hitting mat, and often a projector, so the parts are sized to work together. You'll usually pay less than buying the same parts separately, and you skip the guesswork about screen sizes and projector throw.
Packages compared
| Package | Price | Launch monitor | Room needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| SkyTrak Studio Pro Package | $2,995 | SkyTrak | About 12 × 12 ft, 9 ft ceiling, 10 ft depth |
| SkyTrak ST MAX Standard Studio (10 ft) | $4,495 | SkyTrak ST MAX | About 12 × 12 ft, 9 ft ceiling |
| SkyTrak ST MAX Ultimate Studio | $5,495 | SkyTrak ST MAX | 8 ft and 13 ft enclosure options |
| Full Swing KIT Studio (10 ft) | $11,499.95 | Full Swing KIT | 18 ft long, 12 ft wide, 9 ft ceiling |
| Full Swing KIT Studio (12 ft, laptop included) | $14,999.95 | Full Swing KIT | 18 ft long, 14 ft wide, 10 ft ceiling |
| OptiShot 2 Golf in a Box | $1,499.99 | OptiShot 2 swing pad | About 8.5 ft ceiling; net and mat |
Best value: SkyTrak ST MAX Standard Studio
At $4,495, the ST MAX Standard Studio pairs SkyTrak's newest unit with a 10 ft enclosure and a short-throw projector, which keeps your shadow off the screen. It fits a room about 12 ft wide and deep with a 9 ft ceiling, which covers many two-car garages. Add $99.99 a year for course play.
If your budget is tighter, the $2,995 Studio Pro package uses the earlier SkyTrak unit with a similar footprint.
Best premium: Full Swing KIT Studio
Full Swing's studios pair the KIT with a larger enclosure and a floor projector. The 10 ft version costs $11,499.95 and needs an 18 ft long room; the 12 ft version adds a laptop for $14,999.95 and needs 14 ft of width and a 10 ft ceiling. Plan the projector position carefully, since floor projectors can throw a shadow.
Best built-in: Trackman iO
Trackman sells the iO itself rather than a boxed studio, at $13,995 for Home and $23,995 for Home Complete. Because it mounts on the ceiling, it suits custom rooms built by an installer, and it reads left- and right-handed players without moving.
Budget option: OptiShot 2
OptiShot's $1,499.99 Golf in a Box reads the club with an infrared pad rather than tracking the ball, so it can't measure ball flight. It's a fun way to play courses in a low room, but it isn't a launch monitor in the same sense as the others here.
Before you buy a package
- Measure depth first. Radar-based packages like the KIT need far more length than camera-based ones.
- Check the ceiling with a slow driver swing.
- Ask what's included: projector, PC, mat size and software can all vary.
- Add the yearly plan to the price before comparing.
Questions
Is it cheaper to build my own simulator?
Sometimes, but packages usually price the parts below their separate cost and guarantee they fit together. Building your own makes sense if you already own some parts.
How long does a package take to set up?
Most enclosure packages assemble in an afternoon with two people. Ceiling-mounted projectors and launch monitors take longer.
