Enclosure Advice

[ballgame168]

Been lurking for a few weeks and now posting for the first time (newbie alert). I am planning to put a simulator in my basement (and also use the HD screen/projector for movies for the kids). I currently have a mat and net left from previous owners (see attached photos). My ceiling is 9'1" and the footprint of the red carpet is 12Wx15D (though I could move the depth back another 1-2 foot and possibly have a little more space width-wise, say 6" on each side). For argument sake though, let's say my space is 12Wx15Dx9H. From an enclosure standpoint, I am trying to determine which approach to take, either building a more permanent structure with 2x4s or using fittings and 1" EMT and my preference is to have the enclosure extend out 8-10'. I am pretty committed to using SkyTrak but curious about ProTee as well.

I have a few questions that I am hoping the community can chime in on:

1. I don't see many people discussing or having built an enclosure using wood. Is there a reason for this? Also, for those that have taken this approach can you provide any feedback? I feel like this would be the cleanest/best looking approach but seems like few people have done this. I like to woodwork so I would do the work myself.

2. I found this enclosure kit and impact screen combo from Carl's (https://www.carlofet.com/carls-golf-...ct-screen.html). The 12x9 with 10' depth and premium screen is about $1,300. Has anyone purchased this before? If so, how about quality?

3. I had originally planning on getting a large putting green by Pro Putt Systems or Tour Links but I am now leaning toward installing putting carpet with 3-4 cups contained within the enclosure. Ideally, I'd be able to pull off a single putting turf approach with a hitting mat insert so it would look clean and not have a hitting matt on top. Is this reasonable, and if so, what would be the best insert to use and turf (i've had elbow problems) It seems like NP50 gets pretty good reviews. Thoughts on this or any other suggestions? Also, to install the cups I would need to build a platform. I put 2x4s and a sheet of plywood on top of the green mat in the pics and swung my driver. I was about 3.5-3.75" off the concrete and was able to fully swing the driver but it was close. Is a platform given those numbers and the fact that it's only 9'1'?

4. Any other suggestions as I think through my options?


I'm sure I will have many more questions and appreciate everyone's insight. The numerous choices/decisions make this a pretty overwhelming process! Thanks in advance.

[kalcormier]

Welcome to forum. The decisions can definitely be overwhelming at first.

A couple things between the Skytrak and the Protee. Do you want club data or ball data? Do you need to accommodate righties and lefties or righty only?
I don't have any experience with the Protee. I went with Skytrak because ball data was more important to me and I wanted to see how much I used my sim before investing more.
Just recently picked up a GC2 with the intention of getting an HMT to have both ball and club data.

1. I have seen one or two builds out of wood but for the most part people use EMT or slotted angle iron. Not sure the reason.

2. I have a Carl's Preffered screen and love it. Can't speak for their enclosure.

3. I recently installed True Turf from GrassTex (it is the same as NP50 just a different company). The turf is top of the line. Most companies will send you turf samples. I had shoulder problems from using a CCE mat. I went to a Divot Action insert and have no complaints. I also didn't want to build a platform reducing my ceiling height. I haven't cut the cups in my turf yet. But the options are either a BirdieBall type shallow cup or get a coring bit and core the holes into the concrete.

You can see how I started to my recent modifications here: https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...m-in-louisiana

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

[ballgame168]

Thanks, kalcormier ! A few follow-up questions:

1. What made you decide on the True Turf over the NP50? How is the putting on it?
2. After reading your thread, it looks like you built subflooring with plywood. How did you go about building that? Did you just lay the plywood on the concrete and then lay the turf over top? Anything else? How much height did that add? Ceiling height is at a premium for me as well?
3. Which Divot Action insert did you use? Do you have any pics of the insert flush in the turf?

[kalcormier]

1. They are the same product but the Grass-tex customer support was super helpful. Putting on it has been awesome. It rolls true.

2. Yes, I laid the plywood directly on the concrete. I did that for 2 reasons. The first was to be able to recess my divot action insert to the same level as the turf and the 2nd was to be able to staple the turf down if needed. So far I haven't had to. I did think about going with foam tiles but plywood was cheaper and I could staple into it. I think I went with 3/4" plywood. And the turf is 3/8". So a little over an inch total.

3. I went with the 12 x 24 with the fairway turf. I'll get some pics of it when I get off of work tonight. It took me a while too get up the courage to cut a section in the middle of my brand new turf. Lol.

[kalcormier]

Pic of divot action recessed into turf with teeclaw and a birtee