Carl’s Enclosure kits

[Alphaseekr]

I did.
What Carl’s does is the finishings that make the difference a clear choice to me. The Velcro edges, screen connectivity to sides and back, just an all around professional finished look.

It probably would have been $200-300 more buying separate components that way I really wanted to do it and then my time/energy to custom fit. Couldn’t justify. The bungees and EMT connectors were probably about $40-50 collectively more expensive through Carl’s than self sourcing, the other components at Carl’s are just better value and finished (no labor).

I felt when breaking out the screen price stand alone vs the kit, this was actually the most cost effective way to get the kit, check out the math yourself.

[gnomike]

For what it's worth, I agree with Alphaseekr . Ultimately I ended up going a completely different route, i.e. angle iron not enclosure. Initially, when I was evaluating the enclosures, though, I came to the conclusion that the Carl's package was a good deal. They chose the price point well. I figured I could save a few $$ by DIY, but I might not get as polished a look (might, lol).
The good news is that I don't think you can go wrong either way.

[caldiver]

Thank you very much, Alphaseekr and gnomike for the information.

So with the Carl's enclosure, all you have to do is just keep the back of the frame a certain distance from the wall (+ some additional padding / netting)? How well does the enclosure stay in place during usage? The included weight bags are enough to keep the frame in place?

Alphaseekr - did you ever look into custom sizing? Since the straight sections of EMT are not included, does that mean you can make the dimensions whatever you want - but just need to work with Carl's to ensure the enclosure material and screen are sized accordingly to fit?

[StuartG]

The weighted bag does nothing to keep the enclosure in place - the weight of the enclosure (screen, EMT, etc..) is plenty to keep the encolure from moving around. What the weighted bag seems to be for is to hold a lower flap attached to the screen away from the EMT at the bottom of the screen to prevent balls from hitting it directly (and bouncing back at you). It''s a really nice feature.

[caldiver]

Thanks StuartG!

[Alphaseekr]

I keep mine about 18” from the wall, they recommend 12”. I wanted clearance behind, no other reason why I couldn’t move it closer though.

The unit NEVER moves, 1” piping is heavy enough. The Carl’s kit does come with a Velcro connected bottom weight 10’ in length, this keeps the screen taught, in addition to the bungees.

I did NOT look into custom screen and kit sizing.

[StuartG]

Well meant to do this a bit earlier - but you know how things go. There are enough photo's of the finished product, but here are a few photos of the details of how these enclosures go together - specifically focusing on the velcro flap system they use.

First the box and contents:



Sorry I know it's dark but this is trying to show the flap on the screen used to keep the balls from hitting the EMT. Also shows the bungee spacing.

This shows the wraps around the front EMT and the front-rear 'depth' length EMT's. Might stell benefit from adding some padding around the EMT's for the more 'wild' shots - but only time will tell.

[Jig18]

Can anyone compare the 5 foot and 10 foot depths? I'm torn on which one to get. I'd be purchasing the 7.7 height model and my concern is that hitting wedges in the 10 foot depth would cause them to go straight up and miss the screen completely.

[Alphaseekr]

Can anyone compare the 5 foot and 10 foot depths? I'm torn on which one to get. I'd be purchasing the 7.7 height model and my concern is that hitting wedges in the 10 foot depth would cause them to go straight up and miss the screen completely.

That would 100% be the case. Even with the 5’ depth because of my 9ft ceilings, 8ft high screen I can still roof a 56* in the enclosure from about 7’ from the screen. I cannot full swing a 52* wedge either due to my launch angles.

Given what you are referencing I don’t know that 10’ foot would work from a swing and projection throw standpoint.

[StuartG]

Can anyone compare the 5 foot and 10 foot depths? I'm torn on which one to get. I'd be purchasing the 7.7 height model and my concern is that hitting wedges in the 10 foot depth would cause them to go straight up and miss the screen completely.

FWIW - I have a 5' depth and hit with the ball about 10' from the screen and an actual screen height of ~8.5. full swing 54* wedges still hit the screen at least 1-2 feet below the top of the screen.

With the 10' depth and only 7.7' height, I'd be more concerned about having enough room to swing - and yes, the further back you have to go, the less likely you'd be to hit the screen - but the enclosure roof screen baffle should be able to handle impact if you do miss the screen. So not sure I'd worry too much about not hitting the screen.

[Jig18]

FWIW - I have a 5' depth and hit with the ball about 10' from the screen and an actual screen height of ~8.5. full swing 54* wedges still hit the screen at least 1-2 feet below the top of the screen.

With the 10' depth and only 7.7' height, I'd be more concerned about having enough room to swing - and yes, the further back you have to go, the less likely you'd be to hit the screen - but the enclosure roof screen baffle should be able to handle impact if you do miss the screen. So not sure I'd worry too much about not hitting the screen.

Alpha, Thanks for the heads up! That really confirms my thoughts.

Stuart,
Thanks for the insight. Very helpful Looking at it now, I'd probably get the 8' height and 10' wide model. I thought I had wanted the 7.7x13 for the width/ratio but that's not a huge deal, right? I'm relatively short so I'm not worrying too much about swing height. I'm currently in the process of finally deciding exactly what to get as well as exact measurements that will include mat height. It's gonna be close but it should be enough room for me.

[Alphaseekr]

I have the 10.5x8x5 kit. I hit 7ft from the screen. No issues. I will roof a 56 and 60 wedge on full swing but just don’t hit those shots. Space dictates what u can do.

[StuartG]

Stuart,
Thanks for the insight. Very helpful Looking at it now, I'd probably get the 8' height and 10' wide model. I thought I had wanted the 7.7x13 for the width/ratio but that's not a huge deal, right? I'm relatively short so I'm not worrying too much about swing height. I'm currently in the process of finally deciding exactly what to get as well as exact measurements that will include mat height. It's gonna be close but it should be enough room for me.

Having the full 16:9 aspect ration may be important if you also want so show movies, etc.. I personally don't think it's all that important for golf sim display. I run (roughly) 4:3 and don't even fill the full screen and it doesn't bother me. at all. But everyone has to make their own call on that one.

Enclosure interfering with the swing is only an issue if you want to be inside the enclosure - which is usually (but not always) the case for the 10' depth. For a 5' depth enclosure, there shouldn't be any interference with the swing no matter what height you pick.

[bryana]

Alpha, I actually sent you a PM before finding this thread, so you can disregard that.

But I do have a question for you guys, me being new. I have nothing as of yet in my garage. I have 12 foot high ceilings and about 10 foot wide of space to play with. Depth will just depend on what will work best with these dimensions as I am flexible there. My current plan was to install horse stall mats throughout my entire garage for workout purposes. They are 3/4" thick, I believe. What would be the ideal enclosure/screen size here? I do not even have a projector yet, as I am trying to build based off my space limitations and haven't researched the projector side yet. This will be for Skytrak

[armadillo_trader]

I just assembled a Carl’s 9’-6” x 9’-6” screen with a 3’-6” return and use it with SkyTrak and an Optima short throw projector on the floor and it works fine for irons at 7 feet from screen but need a bit more room for the driver. My space is 10’-8” wide by 10’-8” tall and 12 feet in length. My floor isn’t level after 9 feet so I’m going to build a platform for the mat so I can move it back a bit. I think having the Tee about 10 feet from the screen will work fine. Otherwise I’ll have to put some type of pad behind the screen to absorb the ball and limit the rebound.

In a 10 foot wide space you will be hitting to the right side of the screen for the most part if your right handed - going taller allows you to move back and still hit the screen with wedges. I’d suggest 9 wide by 11 tall for your space. Carl’s does custom sizes.