Garmin Approach R50 Simulator Package: BYO, Essentials or Complete?
The Garmin R50 package is the simplest premium home simulator we cover: the launch monitor has its own touchscreen and simulator, so no gaming PC is needed. PlayBetter sells it in three SimStudio packages from $7,195 to $8,195. For most dedicated rooms, the Complete package is the better buy.
PlayBetter is an affiliate partner: we may earn a commission if you buy through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It does not change our 94/100 score for the R50.
What each R50 package includes
Every package starts with the R50 and a PlayBetter SimStudio enclosure with impact screen. Prices from PlayBetter, checked Oct 17, 2026; larger enclosure sizes and projector upgrades cost more.
| Package | Price from | Included | You still need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete | $8,195 | R50, enclosure, impact screen, 5×5 ft hitting mat, putting/landing turf, side barriers and an Optoma ZW350ST short-throw projector, plus wireless HDMI | Mounting and power |
| Essentials | $7,695 | R50, enclosure, impact screen, 5×5 ft hitting mat and an Optoma ZW350ST short-throw projector | Side protection and turf if you want them |
| BYO | $7,195 | R50, enclosure frame and impact screen; you choose the mat, projector and protection | Hitting mat, projector and mount, side protection |
Everything matched for a dedicated room, including the turf and side barriers that protect walls and make it feel finished.
Check the R50 Complete at PlayBetter ↗R50 Complete: $8,195 · checked Oct 17, 2026Enclosure, screen, mat and projector without the turf and side barriers. Good where the walls need little protection.
Check the R50 Essentials at PlayBetter ↗R50 Essentials: $7,695 · checked Oct 17, 2026Worth it when you already have a projector and a good mat; buying them separately usually costs more than the gap to the next tier.
Check the R50 BYO at PlayBetter ↗R50 BYO: $7,195 · checked Oct 17, 2026Which SimStudio size fits your room?
The R50 sits beside the ball, so it needs less depth than radar. Pick the largest enclosure that leaves about 1 ft of width, 6 in of height and 1 ft of depth spare; our room checker uses the same margins.
| Enclosure | Enclosure size | Room to start with | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SimStudio 8 | 8 ft W × 7 ft 6 in H × 4 ft D | 9 ft+ wide, 8 ft+ ceiling, 10 ft+ deep | Spare rooms and tight basements; check the driver swing |
| SimStudio 10 | 10 ft W × 8 ft 6 in H × 5 ft 4 in D | 11 ft+ wide, 9 ft+ ceiling, 10 ft+ deep | Most one-car garage bays |
| SimStudio 12 | 12 ft W × 8 ft 6 in H × 5 ft 4 in D | 13 ft+ wide, 9 ft+ ceiling, 10 ft+ deep | Wider garages; easier mixed-handed setups |
| SimStudio 13 Deep | 13 ft W × 10 ft H × 10 ft D | 14 ft+ wide, 10 ft 6 in+ ceiling, 11 ft+ deep | Dedicated rooms and families |
These are enclosure sizes, not safety certification. The tallest golfer’s full swing, the hitting position and the projector throw decide whether the room works. Check your room →
What an R50 package really costs over three years
Illustrative 8% sales tax; edit for your state. Home Tee Hero course play needs Garmin Golf at $99.99 a year. Range and practice modes work without it.
| Route | Package + tax | Add to complete the room | 3-year total with Garmin Golf |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete | $8,850 | Nothing essential | About $9,150 |
| Essentials | $8,310 | Side protection, about $150–$300 | About $8,760–$8,910 |
| BYO | $7,770 | Mat $300–$600 and projector $700–$1,200 | About $9,150–$10,010 |
Not included anywhere: delivery and installation charges, electrical work, optional third-party software and replacement screen panels. Use the simulator planner to price your own room.
R50 package or another complete studio?
The R50’s premium buys the built-in screen and simulator, not better room parts. If you will use a PC anyway, a cheaper camera unit leaves budget for the room.
| Complete package | Price | PC needed? | Yearly software |
|---|---|---|---|
| SkyTrak+ | $2,995 | A PC or Mac | First year included, then about $299.99 |
| Garmin Approach R10 | $3,695 | No | $99.99 Garmin Golf for course play |
| Square Golf | $3,895 | No (tablet, phone or PC) | None; course credits |
| SkyTrak ST MAX | $4,695 | A PC or Mac | First year included, then about $299.99 |
| Square Golf Omni | $4,795 | No (tablet, phone or PC) | None; course credits |
| Uneekor EYE MINI | $6,194 | Yes, a gaming PC | Uneekor plan plus your simulator software |
| Garmin Approach R50 (this page) | $8,195 | No | $99.99 Garmin Golf for course play |
Head-to-heads: R50 vs ST MAX · R50 vs EYE MINI · Square Omni vs R50.
Check before you order
- Measure clear height at the hitting position with the tallest golfer’s driver swing.
- Club data needs a face sticker on each club; balls go logo-facing the unit.
- Ask PlayBetter to confirm the enclosure size, projector model, delivery date and what installation help is included.
Questions buyers ask
How much is a Garmin Approach R50 golf simulator package?
PlayBetter lists the R50 SimStudio packages from $7,195 (BYO) to $8,195 (Complete), checked Oct 17, 2026. With an illustrative 8% sales tax the Complete package is about $8,850. Home Tee Hero course play needs Garmin Golf at $99.99 a year. Range and practice modes work without it.
Do you need a PC for a R50 simulator?
No for Garmin’s own simulator: the R50’s touchscreen runs Home Tee Hero, and you can send the picture to the projector. A Windows PC is only needed if you want third-party software such as GSPro.
What size room does a R50 package need?
Plan for at least 10 ft of usable depth and a ceiling that clears your driver swing; the smallest SimStudio enclosure is 8 ft wide × 7 ft 6 in high × 4 ft deep. Most garages suit the SimStudio 10 (10 ft wide × 8 ft 6 in high). Check your exact room with our room checker before ordering.
Is the R50 BYO package cheaper overall?
Only if you already own a projector and hitting mat. BYO is $1,000 less than Complete, but a mat ($300–$600) and projector ($700–$1,200) bought separately usually cost more than that.
Can left- and right-handed golfers share a R50 package?
Yes, but the R50 sits about 1.6 ft beside the ball, so you move it to the other side and change the handedness setting when players swap. Choose a wider enclosure (SimStudio 12 or 13 Deep) if players alternate often.
How we handle retailer links
Golf Gear Lab’s scores are editorial. Our 94/100 R50 score is a research-based assessment of published specifications, independent tests and ownership costs; we have not tested the R50 or these packages ourselves. PlayBetter is an affiliate partner, so we may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Prices change often; the price on PlayBetter at checkout is the one that counts.
Why the R50 route makes sense
Choose the R50 when convenience matters more than squeezing the maximum hardware from every dollar. Its built-in display and self-contained simulator route reduce the need to make a gaming PC part of every practice session.