Garmin Approach R50 Space Requirements - How Much Space Do You Need? [Home Golf Simulator Guide - Full Indoor/Outdoor Specs]

Every so often, a golf launch monitor comes along that’s more of a reset than an upgrade. That’s exactly what Garmin did with the release of the Approach R50. This is the first device that lets you fire up full-blown simulator golf without a gaming PC, without an iPad, or even a smartphone, and without a maze of cables or apps.

But even with a launch monitor this streamlined, there’s one thing you still can’t skip: space. If you want the R50 to deliver indoors the way it can outdoors, you’ll need the right room dimensions.

And the good news? Like other camera-based units, the R50 is one of the most forgiving launch monitors you’ll find when it comes to space requirements. Let’s explore exactly how much space you’ll need.

How Much Space Do You Need for a Garmin Approach R50 Golf Simulator?

Because the R50 uses a photometric camera system that sits to the side of the golf ball — rather than behind it like radar units — it requires far less room depth than something like a Garmin R10 or FlightScope Mevo Gen2.

Our general recommendations for comfortable indoor use are:

• 10 feet wide
• 10 feet deep
• 9 feet tall

That’s enough space for most golfers to swing freely, protect their surroundings, and give the ball a few feet to travel into a net or impact screen.

Let’s break that down further:

• Width (10 feet minimum): Wide enough to swing comfortably and, if you’re using an enclosure or impact screen, to frame it properly. Larger setups (12-13 feet) give you more room for bigger enclosures and screens.
• Depth (10 feet minimum): You need clearance behind you for a full driver backswing plus a buffer in front of you for the ball to hit the screen without bouncing back dangerously. Since the R50 doesn’t need to sit 6 to 8 feet behind the ball, like radar units do, you save a ton of depth.
• Ceiling Height (9 feet minimum): The one dimension you can’t fudge. You must be able to swing your longest club without worrying about skimming the ceiling. Taller golfers or those with long swings may need 10 feet or more.

Pro tip: Before committing to a space, swing your driver slowly in the room you’re planning to use. If you can do it without fear of clipping the ceiling or walls, you’re good to go.

The Advantage of the Garmin R50’s Built-In Screen and HDMI-Out

Here’s what makes the R50 unique in the indoor sim world: You don’t need to rely on another device. You can literally plug an HDMI cable from the R50 straight into a projector or TV, and you’re playing Pebble Beach in seconds thanks to the Garmin’s built-in Home Tee Hero feature.

That’s not just a convenience feature, it’s a space-saver. Many golfers use laptops, tablets, or gaming PCs that add clutter and require stands or extra cords. With the R50, you can streamline your setup to the bare essentials: launch monitor, hitting mat, and enclosure and impact screen or net.

Now, if you do want to use additional devices, the options with the R50 get even better. The Garmin Approach R50 is compatible with GSPro, E6 Connect, E6 Apex, and Awesome Golf via WiFi and a PC. You will, of course, have to pay additional subscriptions to those third-party software providers if you choose any of those packages.

The Tradeoff: Righties vs Lefties

Like other side-mounted camera-based launch monitors (SkyTrak+, Foresight GC3, Bushnell LPi, Square, Uneekor Eye Mini, etc.), the R50 does have one limitation: If you plan to host both right- and left-handed golfers in the same sim session, you’ll need to move the unit from one side of the ball to the other.

It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth knowing. With radar units that sit behind the ball (R10, Mevo+, Full Swing KIT, Rapsodo MLM2PRO, Swing Caddie SC4 Pro, etc.), the launch monitor can stay put no matter who’s swinging. With the R50, switching sides means pausing to reposition.

Is the Garmin Approach R50 a Good Indoor Golf Simulator Option?

Absolutely! It’s maybe the most practical option for golfers who want maximum versatility.

Here’s why the R50 shines indoors:

• Minimal space requirements. At 10 x 10 x 9, this is one of the easiest units to fit into a basement, garage, or spare room.
• No extra hardware needed. Built-in simulator screen plus HDMI-out means no reliance on computers. You certainly can use a computer to run third-party simulator software like GSPro, but if you don’t have one, no problem with the R50.

And of course, because it’s fully portable, you can take the R50 outside to a net in your backyard or to the driving range and still get full data and simulator play.

If you’re short on space, don’t want to mess with expensive gaming PCs, and value a simple, streamlined setup, the Garmin R50 is the most indoor-friendly launch monitor Garmin has ever built.

The Approach R50 blurs the line between “indoor golf simulator” and “portable range monitor.” And thanks to its camera-based design, it’s also one of the easiest to fit into tight spaces.

If you’ve got a room that’s at least 10 feet wide, 10 feet deep, and 9 feet tall, you’ve likely got enough space to build a fully functional indoor golf simulator with the R50. Add in the simplicity of HDMI plug-and-play and no gaming PC required, and you’ve got one of the most approachable and space-friendly sim setups available today.

About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen

Marc Sheforgen is a golf writer whose passion for the game far exceeds his ability to play it well. Marc covers all things golf, from product reviews and equipment recommendations to event coverage and tournament analysis. When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about golf, he enjoys traveling (often golf-related), youth sports coaching, volunteering, and record collecting.