Impact Screen 101

[Bubba22]

The impact screens for golf simulators are critical for its realism. The ideal impact screen will be durable, project well and not have a big bounce back. Most folks will have their sim room double as a theatre room so a good quality projector and impact screen are important. The impact screen may be flat, curved or have 3 screens to present a simulator surround experience. Full swing also has a Pass through screen that is very cool.

Most screens are built with an enclosure or stand alone. often side panels or netting is used to prevent stray balls from doing harm as well as cosmetics of the room. Make sure the screen is loose to prevent any big bounceback.




Certainly one can make an impact screen however various companies make high quality screens.

here are some links:

Protee Screen www.proteegolfsimulator.com/?option=com_virtuemart
HQ Screen at par2pro www.par2pro.com/shop/index.php?cPath=23_35
Par-20 screen West Coast netting www.westcoastnetting.com/
CDG screen www.customdesigngolf.com/the_affordable_...deo_impact_screens_1
Allspostsytems www.allsportsystems.com/golf-simulator-hitting-screen.html
Net return www.thenetreturn.com/practice-golf-nets/simulator-series.html

[Libbing]

I've got black curtain covering my walls and I just wrapped them around the corner to cover up the angle iron. To make it look more finished at the top, just dropped a 1x12" board down from the ceiling and wrapped it in black auto headliner. Could do that on the side as well, but the curtain allow you to easily move them out of the way to get to the bungees after it is setup.

I would not put the foam boards back there - agree with zmax on the rebound. You be better off with a soft foam like a mattress pad or furniture padding - just need to find something cheap and then figure out how to attached / get it close to the screen. I think a soft / pliable foam would prevent the bad bounce back while still helping preserve the screen

[Maverick]

Here's an example of a way to install screen.

http://www.foresightsports.com/uploads/media_items/screen-assembly-instructions.original.pdf

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[adbruce50]

I am working out how I will be hanging the screen in my basement.

Rick - you mentioned you hemmed up the sides and didnt use grommets. How did you attach the bungees to the side without the gromments. I am having a hard time visualizing that.

Any help would be great!

[mjbgolf]

I've almost got the basement done and I'm putting the angle iron up. I have a bunch of the real thick moving blankets I'm thinking about hanging behind the screen. What are thoughts on this?

[Maverick]

Thick blankets can work. The blankets will be in addition to a net?

[mjbgolf]

The blanket would be in lieu of the net. I was also going to put a 1-inch foam insulation board up against the wall to add protection to the drywall. I set the angle iron face about 8-inches away from the wall.

[mjbgolf]

So I've had the system up and running for less than 2 weeks and I've already gotten a hole in the middle of the screen. This is the double sided screen included in the base pack. I've been hitting real balls, but seriously 2 weeks. I have 2 thick moving blankets hanging behind the screen and its pretty tight with bungees.

[Maverick]

After 2 1/2 years, my Protee screen has a few scuffs and one tiny hole on one side of the screen.

Contact Protee support for a replacement screen. Keep old screen right behind the new screen for extra support. I also have a net behind mine.

[ProTee Dennis]

Five possible reasons why you get holes in your impact screen:

1. You are playing with golf balls that have been used outdoor.
Golf balls that have been used outdoor get damaged by hitting ground, rock, sand, branches, etc. Use new golfballs to play and keep them indoor.

2. The golfball you are playing with has sharp edges.
A golf ball can get tiny sharp edges from being hit badly. These sharp edges will tear your screen when spinng 4000+ RPM. Check your indoor golf balls for sharp edges daily.

3. You are standing too close to the screen.
Make sure you are approx 10' / 3m away from the screen when you hit.

4. The screen is setup too tight.
The screen should be streched just enough to get the wrinkles out. It should have enough flexibility to absorb the ball impact 1' / 30cm deep.

Golf balls bouncing back and not being able to push the screen back 1' is an indication your screen is too tight.

5. The screen is old. Impact Screens will not last forever. They will wear out eventually. All depends on your playing skills and the amount of golf ball hitting it over time. Tip: Logo printed golf balls will leave black stains on your screen. Use clean unprinted golf balls.

[bubs3141]

Matt

your screen looks too tight. Also put up a net behind it to absorb some of the hit. Nice post Dennis.

[mjbgolf]

ProTee Dennis wrote: Five possible reasons why you get holes in your impact screen: 1. You are playing with golf balls that have been used outdoor. Golf balls that have been used outdoor get damaged by hitting ground, rock, sand, branches, etc. Use new golfballs to play and keep them indoor. 2. The golfball you are playing with has sharp edges. A golf ball can get tiny sharp edges from being hit badly. These sharp edges will tear your screen when spinng 4000+ RPM. Check your indoor golf balls for sharp edges daily. 3. You are standing too close to the screen. Make sure you are approx 10' / 3m away from the screen when you hit. 4. The screen is setup too tight. The screen should be streched just enough to get the wrinkles out. It should have enough flexibility to absorb the ball impact 1' / 30cm deep. Golf balls bouncing back and not being able to push the screen back 1' is an indication your screen is too tight. 5. The screen is old. Impact Screens will not last forever. They will wear out eventually. All depends on your playing skills and the amount of golf ball hitting it over time. Tip: Logo printed golf balls will leave black stains on your screen. Use clean unprinted golf balls. Dennis, I understand that your post was general considerations, but here is my situation. 1. These were new balls less than 2 weeks ago. 2. I don't feel any sharp edges on any of the balls I've been hitting. Out of the five options I would think this would be the only one that would cause the problem. It's just odd that all the people on here face the same issue and have their screen last years. 3. My tee location is exactly 10-feet away from the screen. 4. I have my screen bungee'd to angle iron on the sides and top. I don't think it's too tight. The ball hits the screen, absorbs, and drops straight down. I don't get any bounce back. 5. The screen has been used less than two weeks. Is there a way to patch a hole to keep it from getting worse? Like a commercial/industrial adhesive? I have 2 thick moving blankets bungee'd behind my screen to absorb impact. What type of netting have others used?

[Maverick]

This will work fine for nets. Just needs to be black.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Golf-Net-Black-Practice-Driving-Impact-Screen-Netting-Roped-Edges-10-x-10-/190792534155?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c6c1f088b

[mjbgolf]

Has anyone patched a hole in the screen?

[jhp016s]

I have the same problem you do. I blew a hole through my screen within the first 4 months. I only hit about an hour a day each day, new balls, about 9 feet from the screen. My screen is set up pretty loose although its not bungee'd, its eyehooked directly to the ceiling (terrible idea by the way). I basically came to the conclusion because I am hitting the ball in the same spot each time its going to wear away quickly. I just hung a piece of old white golf net from a previous set up in the area I usually hit (its that tight baffle net stuff). It lasted about a year before I wore threw that, so I just cut another piece and put it up the other day. Don't care what it looks like, i take it off when people come over and play.

[zip]

I've got the raw HQ material from Corey. Anyone have any experience finishing the edges (hems, stitching, grommets)?

HoganWoods, I'm curious how you did yours if you didn't use grommets?