Outdoor shed for simulator?

[mn44]

My garage won't work for a simulator (height issues), so I'm thinking about the possibilities of an outdoor one. I have room on the side of my house. Anyone here build a full simulator in a dedicated structure? I know Lowes sells those storage sheds that are 16x10 which seems perfect, could maybe even go smaller, or are there better options out there? I could hook up electrical and get a space heater.

Thanks guys, loving this forum so far.

[Yahtzee]

I am thinking of doing the same, but it has more to do with noise issues in my kids rooms above the garage (and plus who does not need a dedicated man cave)! I was also looking into the "big box" store setups but not sure the height will be high enough.

I did see a couple shed setups that claim a height of 12 feet (Barn styles), but when I commented on height they stated there was a beam that went through the center at 8 ft high. So make sure you do your homework before you pull the trigger.

Interested to see what others have done.

[Portable 1]

Good to know, Yahtzee. I have come to the same conclusion except did not know about the 8 foot high beam. By chance was it a "Heartland" shed? I am thinking about dropping some serious $$ if need be. Duro Shed may be it in the Greater Toronto Area...What do you think?

[Bnorman58]

Cant speak for how effective a space heater would be in a shed, guess it depends where you live. Here are a few things about the size though. You would only be able to accommodate righty or lefty, not both and be offset 2 feet to the right of center, maybe 2 1/2. 16 deep, the club goes back quite a ways. I dont have to worry about it in my garage but that's gotta cut off 6-7 feet. that gives you 9-10 feet to screen which can be done, not optimal but can be done. The height would need to be at least 9 feet, preferably 10.

[Portable 1]

Hello Bnorman58. I just joined the forum as I am going to have a shed built. I have come to your conclusions. 16 feet long by 12 wide, offset by two feet. Barn style shed that is over 11 feet inside at the apex. I want to get SkyTrak. I am going to get city permission (very likely to get). Deciding between the deluxe model with a impact screen or just a net with a side tv to look at after each hit (cheaper...and maybe a good starting point and will add a better set up in 3 years or so). I am in it primarily to get better at ball striking more than the arcade experience. Do you think I'm on the right track and do you have any advice for me? Thanks in advance for any wisdom...

[Bnorman58]

Hi portable, welcome to the forum. Looks like Keith at the bottom is a good resource for any specific shed info as far as heating, etc, but sounds like you have that part nailed. You asked below about gc2 vs sky trac , that's the million dollar question. You will find a million different opinions but everyone is happy with their gc2. I have a protee and have never used a sky trac. Sounds like you are budget conscious. Gc2 used are going for mid 4 k right now. They might go down slightly with their new gcq but I don't see it going down by much. Sky trac half of that with a yearly fee. Net vs screen, I would go with screen. You can get a projector for as much if not less than a tv. There are so many ideas on here for screens. I have a boring one that is part of a cage. With a shed you will have a lot of great options for how to hang one. Good luck, exciting time planning out a sim and the gratification to follow!

[Yahtzee]

Portable 1, I currently am hitting into net and have a tv off to the side and it is a pretty nice setup. A screen would be best, but the net and tv work well. Mind you it's a 60" TV we have sitting around till our basement is finished (wish I had upgraded to 10ft ceilings when we built the house).

[mn44]

Awesome, thanks for the info. They have some internal pics on home Depot website, some have a loft, some a beam, etc. A beam down the middle I wouldn't mind since my club impact worries are more off to the side. I'll also look at other structure options soon.

If all I cared about is right handed, I think 10x16 would work, yea? A gc2 would work within 8 ft of screen, so I could hit from essentially the center of the structure and have plenty of room I think. Height of 10ft would be required.

Then again, I don't know much about simulator setups. Is there a "ideal" setup in terms of dimensions that I should aim for?

[Portable 1]

mn44: I have not looked into the gc2. How much? And how does it compare to SkyTrak in your opinion?

[Bnorman58]

A beam down the middle might actually help since it will give you a good means to hang the projector. you should be fine right handed only. Ideal? 16 x 20 ish.

[Thinman]

not a shed, but i do an outside cage for my sim...

http://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/golf-simulator-forum/golf-simulators/76837-my-backyard-golf-course

[Jasonstanley]

I built a shed, dug down to get height. I put a little electric heater on for half hour before I use it. I think mine is at is very minimum, can use driver. 3.3m x4.5. 3m high. Had to put beam across ridge so I cut cut out collars.

[simmb]

As a temporary solution until Man cave is built I bought a Marquee 4m x 4m apex is 3.1m does the job for now.
Thinman what projector is that?

[Thinman]

benq ht1085st

[Anthony422]

The enemy.... garage opener


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[colinjm18]

I built a 4mx6mx3.5m shed at the bottom of garden just for my sim and put a air con unit in to heat it.

[wbond]

The solution.... Side/Wall mounted opener

The enemy.... garage opener


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[mn44]

Is 9ft wide too narrow for right hand only?

[wbond]

You will be quite offset to the center of the screen. You could also angle yourself towards the middle. I tried to do that with an earlier setup i had. I did however find myself unintentionally pulling the ball towards the middle.

[docsmilez]

A full driver swing takes about 7-8 feet front in front to behind you. So you would be teeing your ball up on one edge of the wall and your driver would be barely wiffing by the wall behind you with a 9 foot room. That is with no launch monitor. The GC2 or skytrak would need at least another foot or 2. So with 10 feet you are BARELY making it with a driver.
Keep in mind when you are 1 foot away from the wall in front of you, you only have 12 inches right for the ball to travel, meaning if you want to draw the ball or shoot right of the target.. you don't have much room to do that. You will be pulling your shots left subconsciously all day.

If you could at least get 12 feet width then you will be much more comfortable.

[keithpbz]

I built a 10' wide by 14' deep shed. Made my own gambrel style trusses for roof and got 10' ceilings at lowest point in it. Insulated it and got an electric space heater for winter and window unit for summer, put them on line voltage thermostat so it's controlled just like most people's houses. I do t use projector and can only swing right handed. Use a tv on the wall. Can keep door closed and hit with another person even in with me. It's been a few years but think I spent less than $2,000 on entire shed. the wood panel shed siding costs more than anything for it.