Crisp and clear picture, cloth over impact screen.

[William Jenkins]

Just thought I would share my experience with something I tried. When building my enclosure I went with a 10x9 size. Ordered a 10x10 impact screen from Supertex. It's very rigid and durable, but also has a slight waffle pattern to it. So I added a polyester photo drop screen in front of the impact, I know most people do this with a black cloth and white cloth behind it, I tried the front on a whim

It's been over 4 months since I've had it this way and I couldn't be happier. I get a nice clean picture from the projector and there isn't a single mark or year after about 750 shots.

Link to the drop cloth, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R45YHMT..._CfJkFbYM9HV46

[William Jenkins]

One on left is original screen with moving blanket, one on right is the one with photo backdrop (yes I did remove the wrinkles). Best I could from photos I had on my phone.

[William Jenkins]

Have you been able to get the waves out and get it nice and smooth like an impact screen? It looks like from the photos that there's some wrinkles in it.

Yes I did. Just pulled it a little tighter and used tarp clips. I plan on fitting the screen with grommets and use ball bungee to hold them to the frame.

[Brettster]

That looks amazing William Jenkins - I just would like to put that behind an archery screen, so there is no 'thump' sound. Have you ever tried that? Also, I agree, the before/after would be nice to see. Thanks.

[Mernst33]

Brettster I believe I asked this on your other comment but have you tried putting it behind yet? I plan to do that next to reduce the sound.

[Agolfman]

Ordered a 10x10 yesterday for my 8x10 enclosure. I've had a great experience with West Coast impact screen (PR20), but it is frayed somewhat in the impact zone. Conservatively, 10,000+ shots hit into this and its still holding up, zero bounce back and reasonably quiet. Very happy with the product. But would like a better image, particularly as I move into SIM and TGC 2019.

The PR20 being a mesh like fabric doesn't allow for a great image. It's a good image but clearly a compromise. I've also rotated it once to switch the impact zone slightly.

This thread motivated me to move ahead and I'll see if I can post a comparison once it arrives and I get it installed. I'm going to mount it directly infant of the PR20 using the tarp clamps attached to my existing bungees. The one thing I think I'm going to do is mount it upside down and use the pouch to insert a 10' piece of pipe to weigh it down and set it up an inch off the floor. Seems like consistent weighting across the entire fabric would go a long way smoothing out wrinkles and helping it keep its shape.

Current garage build is here:

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/build-your-own/enclosures/34771-starting-my-garage-buildout

Thanks William!

[3on3putt]

Mind taking before and after pictures of the actual image? Would love to be able to actually see the difference it makes. Ideally using the same image for both pics. I told myself I would stop spending money on my sim but here I am considering this lol.

[Brettster]

Yes Agolfman - before and after pics would be great to see... I like that idea of the pouch and 10' pipe, as long as you have a pool noodle around it. Thanks for the tips.

[tntfox]

I should have my backdrop by Sunday so when I hang it, I will stop it half way across so we can see, in one shot. how the picture looks. Since this seems to work so well, a photo backdrop with a net / mesh / etc might be the new thing and put some pressure on the impact screen guys. Not that anyone is looking to do that, but saving money while getting great results is always welcome.

[3on3putt]

Or even just take a pic of an image on the screen, then hang the backdrop and take another pic of the image.

[tntfox]

I can do that too since we will still probably be snowed in into the weekend.

[Cruisin1966]

Since the size I want isn't available from the link the OP supplied, I'm going to try this:

https://www.amazon.ca/Neewer-Meters-Photography-Background-Backdrop/dp/B07D7LDY7N/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Neewer+9+x+13+feet%2F2.8+x+4+Meters+Photography+Background+Photo+Video+Studio+Fabric+Backdrop+Background+Screen+%28White%29&qid=1613580630&sr=8-1

[tntfox]

Ah, I see. You want to use the pocket for mounting and the pocket is on the short side for this one. I was gonna say, "uh, why don't you just turn it sideways?" ;0) I'm just going to pound grommets into the edges and bungee it on.

[Cruisin1966]

tntfox I think that's exactly what I will do as well.

[Agolfman]

Will definitely grab an assortment of pictures and get them posted. I did also note that the product indicates it's "washable", which will be interesting to see...actually it's sort of just disposable at $30 anyway, so even replacing it a bunch of times might make sense.


I agree, this might be a better implementation for those of us with PR20 type installs...we'll see.

[Ukwill]

This is an interesting idea - thanks for sharing. I have an archery baffle screen that also has a waffle pattern (got it from Hybridme), and after 3yrs have just ordered a new screen from P2P. I'm in the UK so it wont be here for a few weeks. So, I've ordered a similar screen to you to place in front of my current screen.

I was planning to use my archery baffle behind my new P2P screen once it turns up. If this photo drop sheet works out, then I'll keep it in front of my P2P screen.

I'll try to get some posts up over the weekend (it should be here sometime on Friday).


For anyone in the UK it's this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[William Jenkins]

Here are few pics with a before and after. The 1st you can see the stains and marks on the original screen. The problem with some of the photos is my projector leaves a little bit of an RGB look when I take pictures. In order is original screen, then that screen with white square, then same screen showing skytrak. Followed by new screen ( photo backdrop ), followed by the same white square, followed by the same skytrak screen. to tell you the truth it's hard to tell via the pictures, but in person you can certainly notice a difference.

(Pictures got posted in random order) If you look close you can see when there is one sheet or 2.

[William Jenkins]

[14MPH]

Thanks for sharing your experiences - if this photography cloth works, why have an impact screen, if for example you use this cloth + archery netting and maybe moving blankets behind that to be extra cautious - saves cost of expensive screen, would be less noisy etc.

I am presuming the material is some kind of heavy duty polyester that offers strength else it would have holes in it very quickly.

[tntfox]

I'm thinking the same thing. If I get my photo backdrop and it looks, feels and performs like an impact screen, I'm gonna feel like an idiot (for a minute) for buying a $600 impact screen. My screen absolutely needed some backing blankets to both reduce rebound and noise. If this stuff is the same, I'll feel better knowing the next one I need will be cheaper than the first.

[William Jenkins]

Thanks for sharing your experiences - if this photography cloth works, why have an impact screen, if for example you use this cloth + archery netting and maybe moving blankets behind that to be extra cautious - saves cost of expensive screen, would be less noisy etc.

I am presuming the material is some kind of heavy duty polyester that offers strength else it would have holes in it very quickly.

For safety reason I would still get the impact screen. Since these lay flush to each other it does not give the photo cloth a chance to take the brute force of the ball directly, the impact screen does that. I would not trust it all on it's own.

[14MPH]

Mernst33 I’m based in Australia and have found this which I ordered. (My room construction has been delayed so haven’t been able to test it) I have taken a punt on the “heavy duty polyester” back cloth in this 2-layer offering - the front layer can be rolled up and tucked away or cut off) https://www.wholesaleweddingsupersto...ACK_POLY_3_WHT

Added bonus is that it’s got a pocket at one end - you could thread bungee cord/rope for weigh if placing this towards the bottom or use it to thread emt/cord at the top to hang the cloth.

I also ordered a 26ft archery netting to go behind it - I ordered the wrong length! Was meant to be approx just over 16’ - but now I’m going to attach the netting with couple of layers folded in the middle section (think a compressed letter z if viewing in plan view of the netting from the top) - I think this will give extra safety layers in the area where most ball strikes should be lending). The above polyester cloth will sit flush in front of the netting. That’s the theory of all this anyway!! Hope any of this is of some help.

I also ordered Newer photography backdrop cloths from Amazon (US) in black for 16x9’ type dimensions (3m x 6m) as I was planning to use it behind the netting originally. Now I’m going to use these as side and top curtains. Search and see if they do these in white - but the fabric is not polyester so it might not be as strong as polyester. Most of the premium screens have a a high degree of polyester content if not 100% polyester. But it’s hard to get exact technical specs so all this is just a trial and error on my part to see if I can achieve an “impact screen and enclosure” economically. Happy golfing and sim build/play from this end of the world!

[Mernst33]

14MPH I have my sim all set up now. I placed the photo backdrop in front, and then tried it behind, of my archery net. Both options the impact of the ball was super loud. Have you found this also? Any suggestions?

[14MPH]

Mernst33 I’m still in holding pattern as my room isn’t built. But perhaps try covering any side walls/hard surfaces - through reading on the internet often fabric/irregular structures used to stop sound waves resonating loudly (look at how rooms or auditoriums are soundproofed). Whether that helps dampen the sound down or not, but worth trying. The only other thing that comes to mind is a thicker fabric for that screen cloth - most impact screens I have seen appear to be a denser fabric than plain sheets. That might help dampen impact and sound.

[Ukwill]

William - again, thanks for posting this. I wouldn't have considered this without seeing your post.

So, I received the photo screen and have fitted it. The results are attached.

Initial thoughts:

For $40 this seems to be a fantastic bargain.

To recap - I have used an archery baffle screen for 3yrs. I have ordered a P2P SQ screen to replace it - I was planning to put the archery screen behind the P2P screen when it turns up.

I saw this thread and figured for $40 it was worth testing - If it works out I will keep it in front of my P2P screen, and have the archery baffle behind. If it doesn't work out - its $40..

Archery baffle screens do a decent job but the weave does stand out - meaning the screen sharpness is sacrificed (in comparison to a proper impact screen). After 3yrs I fancied a change. This cheap trick has transformed the look - the screen is now so much more smoother/crisper - the weave has been significantly muted.

The last pic shows that with the screen off I have noticed a couple of ball marks, but these are not visible with the screen on. I had no idea if this would work, but I've now hit around 100 balls and am quite surprised how well the photo backdrop material has handled it. I honestly wasn't expecting it to hold out. That said, I wouldnt suggest running this on it's own. If you did, I imagine it wouldn't last. But in front of the archery baffle, it's really quite good. For ref, the archery screen cost around $200 - so all in it's an impressively cheap alternative to spending $6-800 on a screen.

[Agolfman]

Another review here.
TL;DR - Basically, a significant improvement. Clarity becomes the biggest improvement. Brightness is secondary. Lastly, there's a slight muting of ball impact that is noticeable. Best $40 you can spend on image quality gains.

Here's a look at where I am today with my image. I am going on 6 years and thousands upon thousands of balls struck into my net (West Coast Netting (PR20, 10' x 8') inside my garage buildout. Also, here's the packaging and tarp clips I am using on the backdrop tarp (?).



Looking at this in hindsight, I really needed to replace this impact net, but just didn' t make it a priority.

[Agolfman]

Here's a daytime shot of a before and after. The "After" still has some wrinkles from the packaging. Will let you know if they fall out of a couple of days.

The images are even better in person...I'd guess a subjective view of image quality is something like a "4" to a "6" or "7". My night time shot should be a lot better still.

One thing I decided to do was to hang the new material upside down. I folded the top about 24" over itself so I could get to the proper installed height of 8'. I used the rod pocket on the bottom to allow for some hanging weight and inserted a 3/4" steel conduit into the pocket to weigh it down. Seems to have worked out pretty well as I think it helps mute and absorb the impact.