8 foot ceiling - can I even make a sim work without hitting the ceiling?
My basement has exactly 8ft ceilings (7'10" to be exact after accounting for floor mats). I'm 5'11".
Is this going to work or am I setting myself up for frustration? I mainly want to use driver and work on my irons.
I've seen some people say 8ft is the absolute minimum and you need to modify your swing. Others say it's fine.
What's the real answer? Should I just accept that driver might not work and focus on irons/wedges? Or is there a way to make this work without destroying my ceiling?
6 Replies
I'm 6'0" and have an 8ft ceiling. Been using my sim for 2 years with no issues.
The key is your stance. Stand a bit more upright than you might on the course. Think about it like hitting out of a bunker with your head near a tree - you naturally adjust.
Driver works fine for me. I've never hit the ceiling.
At 5'11" and 8ft ceilings you'll be fine for everything except maybe if you have a really aggressive upright swing.
Get a swing speed radar and check your backswing height first before committing. Most golf stores will let you test in their bays which are usually 8-9ft.
The mat thickness matters too. A thick mat like Fiberbuilt adds about 2 inches to your height. A thin mat or just turf on concrete keeps you lower.
Plan your flooring accordingly!
I have 7'10" ceilings (yep, even lower than you) and I make it work. Had to modify my backswing slightly but honestly I think it's made me a better ball striker. Less reliance on the big swing.
Your irons will be totally fine. Driver may require some adjustment.
Put some acoustic foam tiles on your ceiling just in case. Cheaper than fixing drywall damage and also helps with sound!
Worst case scenario, you focus on irons and wedges inside, and take the driver to the range. Still way better than not being able to practice at all!