To build or not to build that is the question!

[Pack12]

I am at a crossroads about whether or not I have enough space in my garage to build a golf enclosure with a hitting screen. I don't want to invest a lot of hard earned money only to tear it down after it is built!

Once I remove (temporarily) left track (see picture) I will have a space in my garage that is 9 ft. high, 10 ft. wide and 16 ft. long. I want to build a enclosure and hitting screen, use SkyTrak , TSG software. I am 5'6" tall and have hit a driver in my garage into an simple net. I have looked into Net Return but it doesn't really utilize my space. I am considering building an enclosure using 1" EMT. I have received some input from the forum that there is concern about hitting wedges into a 9 ft. simulator screen. So, before I buy a SkyTrak, screen, pc, mat, etc. should I even attempt this build. I hope the picture helps! Also, I can't hit in the opposite direction due to a bench and several cabinets. The forum has been so helpful with all of my posts and I have no experience in building a golf simulation enclosure.

Please give me your honest input. If I need to cancel my build I will do so. Any and all ideas will be appreciated!

[cberglof]

I tell you what, sounds like my space a bit. My garage is kind of an L shape tho, with one long bay that you could fit 2 cars in, but I have golf stuff there instead. I can still fit my truck and wife's car in there. My space is a little wider and I think my ceiling is 9' 4" high, and I've had my 6'4" buddy hit driver in there no problem. I hit about 9' away and I have had some 60 degree wedge shots hit the ceiling. But generally unless I want to hit a flop, I don't hit the ceiling. So I either don't hit flop, or I just risk it (ball usually will still hit my 3' overhang or at worst it hits the ceiling at a slower speed (still have indents in the drywall I haven't fixed yet, so I'm not too worried about it) My enclosure is 120" wide and 105" tall with a 3' enclosure around the screen. Hell, I'm about a 6 handicap and I've even hit the ceiling with my driver on an extreme sky ball (more than a few times), but it's rare and hasn't happened for a while. May have been hitting from farther back when it happened. Consider a kit like this:

http://shop.virtual-golf-simulator.com/Golf-Screen-Frame-120-x-105-with-Back-Panel-3-ft-Side-Walls-Top-2022.htm

You can easily make this yourself too, probably can find some plans online. But I figured getting a kit like this with a screen for $499 wasn't too bad of a deal. Only thing I had to buy was the EMT, and PVC, but I would skip the PVC altogether.....see my next paragraph.

I have it. The only thing I would have done different is probably gotten the 5' side and top walls. And I wouldn't follow the instructions on the screen. As a matter of fact I have a new screen coming, and pending how much I like it, I would maybe consider getting it without the screen. Not that there is anything wrong with the screen, I spent a lot of time adjusting it, trying to get the bounceback down. Hence my advice to not follow the instructions. I wouldn't put the PVC in the sides and bottom. I use tarp clips and bungees. I'm giving a Carl's Preferred screen a try in the next week or so.

I don't think you'll regret going for it tho, but if you decide to go with a net return, I have one for sale.

I'll try to remember to post a pic or 2 of my setup later tonight or this weekend sometime.

[Pack12]

Thanks so much for all of the encouragement and information. I now have more ideas for my setup. I like the 5' side and top walls!