First setup
Charge it fully, update maps or firmware, and set your preferred distance units before the first round.
Research-based assessment · regional context
GGL Scores and attributed testing summaries come from our existing research library. Some original value judgments reflect the source market. Confirm the exact US model, licence, availability and warranty before choosing.
Home › Golf simulators › Garmin R50 SimBox
Home simulator setup
Garmin R50 SimBox build
An all-in-one garage simulator built around the Garmin Approach R50, which has its own 10-inch touchscreen and runs Garmin’s simulator without a PC.
Our score 96/100
What independent testing reveals
Hands-on coverage of the R50 highlights the convenience of its integrated touchscreen for accessing practice feedback. Those impressions help assess the monitor in this SimBox package; the report did not test the complete enclosure bundle. Check the included software and installation requirements before choosing a configuration.
Source: Plugged In Golf — Matt Saternus; R50 component.
Read the detailed findings and test limitations
The report’s early club-data experience was mixed. The package summary should not be read as verification of every club metric or the supplied enclosure.
The linked review concerns the R50 component, rather than this complete package.
The 30-second verdict
The simplest premium simulator to live with. The R50 runs the simulator itself and connects straight to a projector, so there is no PC to maintain.
Buy it if
- You want a premium simulator without a PC
- You want 43,000+ courses in Garmin’s Home Tee Hero
- Your room is short, as it sits beside the ball
Look elsewhere if
- Your total budget is under (see the MLM2PRO net setup)
- You share the bay with left-handers often, as the unit moves sides
- You want the Foresight data ecosystem (see the Launch Pro studio)
Why this score
Our score: 96/100. Evidence-led editorial assessment drawing on manufacturer documentation, independent published testing, owner experience where useful, source-market research and comparative analysis. The score is our buying judgement, not a measured performance margin.
What supports the recommendation
- No PC needed
- Huge course library
Main trade-offs: Premium price; Garmin Golf membership for Home Tee Hero.
Evidence: Golf Swing Systems · PlayBetter space guide. How we use evidence · How we score
What the setup includes
| Total budget | |
|---|---|
| Launch monitor | Garmin Approach R50 |
| Software | Home Tee Hero needs a Garmin Golf membership; GSPro, E6 Connect and Awesome Golf also work |
| Enclosure and screen | mid-range |
| Hitting mat | |
| Projector | short-throw 1080p, connected by HDMI |
| Room | About 3 × 3 m with a 2.75 m ceiling; 3.7–4 m depth is better with an enclosure |
Package components vary. Use the US configuration references and obtain an itemized specification for the monitor, enclosure, mat, display, computer and software.
| Route | What you get | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Complete bundle | Garmin Approach R50 Simulator Bundle: R50, enclosure, impact screen, carry case. Check current package price | SimSpace Golf → |
| Practice net bundle | R50 with a practice net. Check current package price | SimSpace Golf → |
| Launch monitor only | Garmin Approach R50; | Compare prices → |
| Add the parts yourself | SimSpace 4K enclosure 3 × 2.5 × 1.5 m for rooms under 3.3 m wide; SimSpace Premium Turf mat 1.5 × 1.5 m | Enclosure → · Mat → |
Package prices vary with enclosure size and included equipment. Compare the current package price with the same parts bought separately; we do not claim a saving without current matched prices. Check the item list, mat, projector, computer, software, delivery and returns before ordering.s are planning estimates, not retailer quotations. See our complete simulator cost guide.
Why it stands out
The R50’s built-in screen runs Home Tee Hero on the unit, and an HDMI cable sends the picture to your projector. That removes the gaming PC most simulators need.
It sits beside the ball, so garage depth matters less. Left-handers need to move it to the other side. Most of the budget beyond the R50 goes on the enclosure and projector.
Pros and cons
What works well
- No PC needed
- Huge course library
- Suits short rooms
What to consider
- Premium price
- Garmin Golf membership for Home Tee Hero
- Must be moved for left-handers
Owning it: warranty, returns and rules
| Manufacturer warranty | Garmin’s standard limited warranty is one year from the date of purchase. Warranty terms ↗ |
|---|---|
| Left- and right-handed golfers | It sits beside the ball, so it has to be moved to the other side when a left-hander takes over. Rooms shared by both need extra width. |
| Balls and stickers | Normal balls, set with the logo facing the unit; club data needs face stickers. |
| Before you order | Check exactly which parts the package price includes (screen, enclosure, mat, projector, PC and software) and who installs it. See our installation guide. |
Warranty and returns terms checked 5 October 2026. Retailers and manufacturers can change them, so check before you buy.
Alternatives to consider
Bushnell Launch Pro studioOur score 98/100
Foresight camera data in a similar room.
Compare it
Questions buyers ask
Does the Garmin R50 need a PC?
No. It runs Home Tee Hero on its own screen and connects to a projector by HDMI.
Is this a boxed package?
No. It is our suggested build around the R50. Some dealers sell their own R50 bundles.
How big does the room need to be?
About 3 × 3 m with a 2.75 m ceiling; a little more depth helps with an enclosure.
Looking for a US supplier package?
This assessment covers the named configuration. For Indoor Golf Shop options, compare the separate SIG configurations and their included components.
Compare current US configurations →