Spornia Golf Simulator 7-Step Buying Guide & Set-Up Examples
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 the Old Course 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 £1k to £2.5k (with the higher end mainly depending on how much you spend on a projector), compared to anywhere from £2.5k to £50k for alternatives.
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 3.0m (10 ft), but depending on the height of player/s and clubs, you may get away with 2.7m (9 ft).
- Lower ceilings such as 2.4m (8 ft) mean you probably won’t be able to use a driver (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 ft)
- SPG-7: 2m for the net, 1.5m for the driving mat, 1m for driver swing behind the mat = 4.5m.
- SPG-8: Add another 0.4m to the above measurements = 4.9m.
- If you add the Garmin Approach R-10 to your set-up, it should be 1.8m - 2.4m (6-8 ft) back from the ball. Assuming the ball is in the middle of your mat:
- For the SPG-7 you need 2m + 0.75m + 2.4m = 5.15m.
- For the SPG-8 add another 0.4m = 5.55m.
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
The Garmin has been rated the #1 personal launch monitor (with golf simulation capabilities) under £500, but 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 good 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 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 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.
Awesome Golf’s pricing - After the 14 day free trial (which we recommend before you buy), you can pay £14.99 Monthly, £149.99 yearly or £349.99 for a Lifetime membership.
-
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.
Putting it all together
Well done - you’ve survived information overload! Now for some inspiration to set-up up your Spornia home golf simulator.
VIDEO: David Maxfield: Garmin R10 Lounge Room INDOOR Golf Simulator Set-up
VIDEO: David Maxfield: Garmin R10 - You Need This Golf Net ASAP!!
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
Customer Reviews
Product is pricey but excellent quality so far, time will tell on durability. Order process was a little painful, but communication was decent enough if a little slow at times and had to chase. (original item out of stock, upgraded to SPG-8). Slightly over 2 weeks from ordering to arrival.
Surprised my wife with the SPG8 XL (upgraded from the SPG7) for her birthday. Its only for her pitch and putt practice but she is new to golf and its ideal. Its quite large and takes up space but still fits well in our small terrace house garden. It sets up in a matter of minutes from the spring out of the bag to the placing of the rods to keep it rigid. It towers over my 1.70m height and gives extreme confidence that you cant hit a ball outside its defensive walls. I used a 9 iron and easily kept it below the upper overhang. Its a soft muffled sound when the ball hits the cloth backing. The swoosh of your club swing and it striking the ball are louder than hitting the back cloth. I didnt try a driver but Ive seen the youtube videos of it so Im confident its ok. I had a little trouble getting used to bringing it down but Im getting better at it each time. Pity that I cant keep it up because of Irelands wet climate and because of its size in our small garden. I was very happy with the overall experience of purchasing it through the internet. Would have preferred the SPG7 due to our garden size but Im happy enough, besides I wanted it for my wifes birthday and the SPG7 had sold out. The net arrived within 5 days of ordering and Charlie from Spornia looked after me all the way. I highly recommend the Spornia net, its well made, easy to put up and put away (with practice hehe) and Spornia are great to deal with. Do yourself a favour and get yourself one of these nets. Im glad that I did!
The Spornia SPG-7 Golf Practice Net is great. It's easy to put up and take down and appears to be very robust. The ball return feature is a nice touch too. I'd also recommend the golf teaching hitting mat. It's a lot of money but is well made, extremely durable and worth every penny.
I’ve had my net for two weeks and it has made practicing so much easier. I don’t have to go to the range as much, so I’m saving money there. The net is very easy to setup and pack away and the build quality is excellent. I would recommend getting a proper range hitting mat (where you are at the same height as the hitting area) since I started with a small triple grass mat which caused me to shank a shot into my neighbours garden!
My set up is slightly on a slope and the net collapses to the side all the time. The net itself is great and would be good if you have flat ground. I am going to have to sell mine
Fantastic net, makes practicing at home so easy!
A must have for anyone wanting to improve their golf!
Does exactly what i want from a golf net, the top chipping net has saved my a** more times than i can count!
Over the moon with this product. The net takes minutes to set up and is really good quality.
If you’re considering a net for home then look no further than!!
Thanks so much for the great review Simon. Great you hear you're happy and appriciating how easy it is to put up and down.
Happy Golfing!
The Spornia Team
If your think of ordering. Just do it. The quality of the net is amazing. The SPG-7 is large enough to give you confidence that you will not miss the net. I’ve hit hundreds of drives into the net since purchasing and it deals with the 130mph ball speed with ease, and it’s surprisingly quiet. The teaching mat is just as good as any top pro coach I’ve ever been to.
It does come with 1 rubber tee. I would have liked to see a few different sizes. However a couple of £s of Amazon and I now have 7 different tee heights.
If your looking to improve you game at home, the Spornia SPG-7 is a must. Total game changer.
I bought this as a birthday gift for my husband who has been playing golf for years. He wanted to be able to practice his swing in between visits to the golf course and he said it is just what he needed.
Great mat to help you work on all parts of your game, Tee shorts with driver or iron, work on all clubs in the fairway and rough. Very durable, easy to put away
Spornia Bundle #3 SPG-8 Golf Practice Net + Tri Turf Mat
It feels good an impact, but time will tell how long it stays great, but at this price you can just keep buying new ones, thanks for a great product.
Very good quality and the SPG 8 XL size is impressive, Virtually impossible to miss a net of this size and it very strong
I bought this along with the practise mat and white target sheet for my basic garage home sim…All I can say is that the service is second to none from Charlie and the quality of the net etc is fantastic value for money….I can only highly recommend all of the equipment and the customer service is fantastic.
Bought this for my 9 year old daughter to use with her GC3. The quality of this net is superb and so easy to setup! So pleased we went with the Spornia SPG-8 versus many other nets on the market. This is built to last and is perfect for what we need
Absolutely fabulous well pleased service I received was first class from Charlie would recommend this net to anybody. I use it every day hopefully we approve my golf.
Purchased the spg-7 and Mat. The Mat is superb. Good build quality and easy to roll up and store when not in use. Will take a beating and is just like you’d find at the range. The net is also great. Super easy to put up and take down again and doesn’t take up much room in the shed. Only complaint would be that it leans quite a bit to one side, which is a bit annoying. You can fix it by doing some bending but it’s usually a temporary fix. All in all though, great products and they arrived really quickly. Thanks very much!
Fast delivery, good packaging excellent easy to follow instructions and vides making the net so easy to erect and dismantle
It arrived super quick. Putting it together for the first time takes a few minutes and will get quicker with practice. It does everything you need it to, and you can hit any club into it with confidence.
Spornia Golf Simulator Bundle #1: SPG-7 Net + Spornia Academy Commercial Mat + Garmin Approach® R10
