The rule of thumb
At the top of the backswing and through the follow-through, the clubhead rises well above your head. A practical planning number is your height + about 30 inches. Upright swings, longer drivers and raised hitting platforms all push that higher.
| Player height | Comfortable ceiling (driver) | Likely OK for irons |
|---|---|---|
| 5′4″ | 8′6″–9′ | 8′ |
| 5′10″ | 8′10″–9′ | 8′3″ |
| 6′0″ | 9′–9′6″ | 8′6″ |
| 6′4″ | 9′6″–10′ | 8′10″ |
Things that steal ceiling height
- Hitting platforms and thick mats add 1–3″ or more.
- Ceiling-mounted projectors and overhead launch monitors hang down into the swing arc if they sit over the hitting area.
- Beams, ducts and garage-door tracks. Measure the lowest point above the swing, not the room average.
How to test your room safely
- Hold your driver at the top of your normal swing in slow motion and have someone measure the clubhead height.
- Do the same at the finish.
- Add 3–4″ of margin.
Low ceiling? Options
- Choke down on driver, or practice irons and wedges only.
- Pick a flatter-swing hitting spot (under the highest part of the room).
- Choose a side-placed launch monitor rather than an overhead unit.
Check your own room in 30 seconds with the free Golf Simulator Room Fit Check.