High-Tech Golf Simulators Are The Home Entertaining Trend That Swings Big

Step inside this high-tech home golf setup by Dillard-Jones Builders for year-round play and unforgettable gatherings.

Story by Alea Wilkins
Photography by Rebecca Lehde

Any time is tee time when the golf course lives at home. Golf simulators, realistic digital sporting experiences, bring the thrill of long drives and nail-biting putts to any home-entertainment space. Like a media room or a personal library, this project by Dillard-Jones Builders and Tribus Interior Design showcases the favorite pastime with high-tech innovation and decorative flair. Balancing spatial demands and meticulous installation, the designers created a space that welcomes all guests to gather around, tee up and unwind.

Size and spatial demands

Early in the construction of this Cashiers (N.C.) show home, the owner wanted to add a space that provided unparalleled entertainment. They approached designer and principal architect Stefan Young of DOMA Architecture about the possibility of incorporating a golf simulator into the home. In some cases, designers may hesitate to undertake such a large-scale addition after construction is already underway. Golf simulators take up a considerable amount of room, with this Full Swing Pro 2.0 model spanning 17 feet wide. Luckily, the home had the perfect lower-level space waiting to be filled. “Most of the golf simulators on the market need between 9 and 10 feet of ceiling height. This home actually has 11-foot lower-level ceilings, so we had more height to work with,” he says. Young emphasizes this as essential for successful gameplay. “It’s important because, as you swing a golf club, you want to give yourself enough room to follow through and not worry about hitting the ceiling or the walls,” he says. Especially when investing in such a high-tech (read: expensive) simulator, ensuring that a space can accommodate the full system of cameras and monitors will guarantee the best experience.

Soundproofing

Another consideration Young recommends taking note of: noise. “Hitting a ball with a golf club can potentially get loud,” he says. To remedy this, he suggests planning any recreation rooms away from quieter areas of the home, like bedrooms or offices, or looking into soundproofing options. For this show home, the basement worked out as the perfect location. It’s removed enough to let guests feel the excitement of friendly competition without disturbing the upstairs peace. Situated next to a downstairs bar and lounge, the party never has to end.

Exciting add-ons

While golf leads its design, Young assures this area is meant for all types of entertainment. In the corner, a Pac-Man machine awaits a new high-score, and the simulator itself is as versatile as it is high-powered. Beyond golf, users can practice their quarterback skills with a football simulator or engage in a spirited game of zombie dodgeball. The projector is also compatible with streaming services and video-game consoles. Arrange a few comfy chairs around the screen, Young suggests, and movie night transforms into a truly cinematic activity. “It’s a focal point for entertaining, so it’s important that people feel like they’re getting a richer experience,” he says. This luxurious space does exactly that.