Key Takeaways:
- The best budget golf simulator is the GolfBays Garmin R10 EasySim bundle — full package from under £1,700
- The best packages combine a launch monitor, enclosure and hitting mat in one box
- Garmin R10 and Rapsodo MLM2Pro bundles from GolfBays are the standout value options right now
- All three packages reviewed here use the same 3.3m x 2.5m x 1m enclosure footprint — ideal for garages
You Don’t Need to Spend £10,000 to Enjoy a Golf Simulator
The golf simulator market has exploded in the last few years. Where entry-level used to mean a flimsy net and a dodgy sensor, the budget end of the market now includes proper enclosures, decent impact screens, and consumer launch monitors that actually track the metrics that matter.
The problem is the noise. There’s no shortage of options, and bundled packages can vary wildly in what’s actually included — and what isn’t.
This review cuts through all that. We’ve looked at three of the best budget golf simulator packages available right now, covering two standout bundles from GolfBays and one option from InSwing Golf, and broken down exactly what you get, what you don’t, and who each one is for.
What Makes a Good Budget Golf Simulator Package?
Before diving into the reviews, it’s worth being clear on what a complete package actually needs:
- A launch monitor — the brains of the operation. Tracks ball speed, club speed, spin, launch angle, carry distance and more.
- An enclosure — the frame and black fabric surround that creates your hitting bay.
- An impact screen — what the ball hits. Quality varies significantly between Lite and Pro options.
- A hitting mat — where you stand and take your shots.
A projector, projector mount and gaming PC are typically sold separately — we’ll flag this for each package.
The Reviews1. GolfBays Garmin R10 EasySim Home Golf Simulator Full Package — £1,657
Best for: Golfers who want proven launch monitor tech at the lowest entry price
Buy here: golfbays.co.uk
The Garmin Approach R10 is one of the most well-regarded consumer launch monitors on the market. Small, portable and accurate enough for genuine swing improvement work, it connects to the free Garmin Golf app and also works with E6 Connect and other popular simulator software. At under £1,700 all-in, this GolfBays bundle is arguably the best-value complete package you can buy right now.
What’s in the box:
- Garmin R10 Launch Monitor
- GolfBays Standard Hitting Mat
- EasySim Enclosure (3.3m W x 2.5m H x 1m D) — frame, black fabric and Lite impact screen included
- USB Cable and Quick Start Guide
The enclosure: The EasySim is GolfBays’ original DIY enclosure, rebuilt and improved. The aluminium clicker tubing fittings make setup straightforward, and the 4:3 aspect ratio is ideal for pairing with a standard projector. The 1m depth keeps the footprint compact — useful if garage space is at a premium.
The screen: The Lite impact screen produces a good image and, importantly, a quiet impact sound — a real plus for anyone setting this up in an attached garage or an evening session without waking the house up.
What’s not included: Projector, projector mount, putting turf, gaming PC. Budget an additional £849 if you want to add the GolfBays-recommended Optoma W309ST short throw projector bundle.
Verdict: The Garmin R10 is a genuinely capable launch monitor. This bundle gives you everything you need to start hitting real shots into a real simulator setup for under £1,700. If you’re new to golf simulators and want to keep costs down without buying a toy, this is where to start.
Rating: 9/10
GolfBays Rapsodo MLM2Pro EasySim Home Golf Simulator Full Package — £1,800
Best for: Golfers who want video ball tracking and a step up in data accuracy
Buy here: golfbays.co.uk
The Rapsodo MLM2Pro is a camera and radar hybrid launch monitor — it uses your phone’s camera alongside dual radar to capture ball flight video alongside your data. That video overlay feature is a genuine differentiator at this price point; being able to watch your actual shot alongside the data numbers adds a layer of feedback that pure radar devices can’t match.
At £1,800 — just £143 more than the Garmin R10 bundle — it’s a very close call between the two.
What’s in the box:
- Rapsodo MLM2Pro Launch Monitor
- GolfBays Standard Hitting Mat
- EasySim Enclosure (3.3m W x 2.5m H x 1m D) — frame, black fabric and Lite impact screen included
- Rapsodo Callaway Golf Balls (included — a nice touch)
- USB Cable and Quick Start Guide
The enclosure: Identical to the Garmin R10 bundle — same EasySim frame, same Lite screen, same compact 1m depth footprint. Same straightforward setup.
The screen and projector: Same Lite screen as the R10 bundle. Same add-on projector option available. Budget the same additional costs if you want full projector setup.
What’s not included: Projector, projector mount, putting turf, gaming PC.
Verdict: If the choice is between this and the R10 bundle, the Rapsodo wins for golfers who want more data richness and video feedback. The £143 price difference is minimal. The R0 edges it for pure simplicity and software compatibility. Both are excellent.
Rating: 9/10
InSwing Golf Square Golf Simulator Bundle — from €1,990
Best for: European buyers looking for a similar enclosure-first bundle
Buy here: inswinggolf.co.uk
InSwing Golf’s Square Golf bundle sits in a similar bracket to the GolfBays EasySim packages — same 3.3m x 2.5m x 1m enclosure spec, same Lite screen and aluminium clicker fitting approach. Priced from €1,990 (approximately £1,680 at current rates), the base bundle does not include a hitting mat, which is available as an add-on at €2,224.
What’s in the box (base bundle):
- Square Golf enclosure (3.3m W x 2.5m H x 1m D)
- Lite impact screen
- Full frame and fittings
Notably: The product listing does not specify which launch monitor is included in this bundle. Buyers should confirm directly with InSwing before purchasing.
What’s not included: Hitting mat (optional add-on), projector, projector mount, gaming PC.
Verdict: A solid enclosure package, but the lack of clarity around the launch monitor is a concern — and the hitting mat being an add-on rather than included changes the like-for-like value comparison with the GolfBays bundles. Worth a look for European buyers, but confirm what’s in the box before committing.
Rating: 7/10
Head-to-Head Comparison
GolfBays Garmin R10 GolfBays Rapsodo MLM2Pro InSwing Square Golf Price £1,657 £1,800 €1,990 (from) Launch Monitor Garmin R10 Rapsodo MLM2Pro Not specified Enclosure EasySim 3.3×2.5x1m EasySim 3.3×2.5x1m 3.3×2.5x1m Impact Screen Lite Lite Lite Hitting Mat ✅ Included ✅ Included ❌ Add-on Golf Balls ❌ ✅ Rapsodo Callaway balls ❌ Projector Add-on £849 Add-on £849 Not listed Video Ball Tracking ❌ ✅ Unknown Free Delivery (UK) ✅ ✅ ✅ (UK despatch)
Which Budget Golf Simulator Package Should You Buy?
Go with the GolfBays Garmin R10 bundle if: You want the lowest possible entry price, a proven launch monitor, and simple software compatibility. At £1,657 it’s the most affordable complete package in this review.
Go with the GolfBays Rapsodo MLM2Pro bundle if: You want the video ball tracking feature and slightly richer data. The £143 premium over the R10 is easy to justify.
Consider the InSwing Square Golf bundle if: You’re based in mainland Europe and want a similar spec. But get clarity on the launch monitor before buying.
FAQ
What do I need that isn’t included in these packages? All three packages require a projector, projector mount, and a gaming PC separately. You’ll also want an artificial putting turf if you want a fuller sim setup. GolfBays recommends an i7 processor as the minimum spec for smooth gameplay.
Can I fit these simulators in a standard garage? Yes — the EasySim and Square Golf enclosures are designed specifically with garages in mind. The 1m depth is the key figure here. The tighter your space, the closer you’ll be standing to the screen, but the enclosure accommodates this.
Is the Garmin R10 accurate enough for serious practice? The R10 tracks 16 data parameters including ball speed, club speed, launch angle, spin rate and carry distance. It’s not TrackMan — but it’s accurate enough for genuine swing improvement and simulator play at this price point.
Does the Rapsodo MLM2Pro work indoors? Yes. The MLM2Pro is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. The camera-radar hybrid system works well in a simulator environment.
What software do these launch monitors work with? The Garmin R10 is compatible with E6 Connect, Garmin Golf and several other platforms. The Rapsodo MLM2Pro works with its own app and major simulator software. Both offer free software options to get started.
Can I upgrade the impact screen later? Yes — GolfBays sell screen upgrades separately, including their Reversible PRO screen (£299.99) and PRO+ screen option. Starting on Lite and upgrading later is a perfectly sensible approach.
