Suggestions for minimizing simulator build footprint on indoor basketball court

[walb0034]

I'm interested in setting up a simulator area in my new home, and wanted to see if you guys had any recommendations that would best meet my needs.

I've attached a couple of pictures of the space for your review, but essentially what I'm working with is a multi-use space where I want the smallest possible footprint for the golf simulator, rather than a dedicated space.
I want to maintain as much of the basketball court as possible, so I was planning on putting a net and/or screen just off the wall at the top of the key. This wall is 22' wide and 18' tall.

I own a GC2 (with ProTee/The Golf Club) software, so in terms of hardware I have something I can take in and out on an as-need basis and still use the basketball court. I was thinking at one point of just doing a laptop on a stand, and hitting into a net return, but I think I want something a little more immersive than that for an indoor guys golf league. The net return would be in nice in the sense that you could take it in and out, but I think with a small enough "footprint" of a net and/or screen it could be more permanent, and I could just take the GC2, computer and mat in and out when not in use and leave the screen up.

I have seen online what appears to be some screens in the 9x12 ballpark, with a side cage/net (to protect from hozzel rockets from the kids) cage that only sticks out around 2'-3'? I think I have also seen simulator screens/nets out there that appear to just be flush screens with no nets on the side. Does anyone hit into a screen with no side panel protection?

If I could just build a screen like 16 feet by 9 feet, park it a foot from the wall, and put a 1' black border round it (so final dimension would be like 18x11) any reason why that wouldn't work?

Has anyone done semi-permanent multi-use setup like this in the past? At this point I'm open to any suggestions, but I am ready to start ordering so I can get this thing put together before the cold Minnesota winter truly sets in.

Thanks!

[mthunt]

Why not put the screen embedded in the back wall and flop the mat down to hit into it? The PC can be mounted in the same wall. You can go in the corner to protect against hosel rockets.

Your pics didn't come through.

[walb0034]

Edited the post above, hopefully the pictures loaded?

How would you embed the screen into the wall? Secure it to the wall as to minimize the footprint? I don't mind attaching things to the wall if it means more usable space for basketball, but I'm not interested in doing any more "construction" at this point.

[TorchRedRob]

No idea, but let me just say that is an awesome man cave!

[mthunt]

I didn't know it was finished. Now that the pics are up, omfg. What an awesome room. You're in tough to do something really slick without more construction. Maybe just a net or screen mounted in the corner would work but a slick (the room is really slick now) screen will require more construction.

[aja]

Best bet would be to hunt around for a self contained golf sim set up that sets up easily and takes down easily. Don't see how your current set-up can coexist with a golf sim. Likely you'll require changes to the lighting as well. Don't think the gym floor is going to like the comings and goings of a portable sim either.
Time to look for a bigger house!

[mthunt]

The reality is with a GC2 and software you don't need permanent space. You can flop a mat down and hit away. If you hit into the corner,,cross court, it can be at the back. The screen and projector will be at the back and you can frame a screen into the sidewall at the back of the court. I'd put the screen where the window is.

[wbond]

Not knowing what is on the other side of the room, I would actually put the screen opposite of the window. You can mount the projector above the window and it looks like you could put your computer in the room where the window is and run the cable rather easily through the wall to the projector. You might be able to make something that mounts to the wall for the screen that could be hinged so it can fold in as close to the wall as possible. That way you wouldn't lose much space and then just drag in a hitting mat to hit from. With the projector up high and in the back court, it should have less risk of getting damaged by anything, but you could still put a wire basket or such around it for protection. I think you have options to avoid a lot of construction.

BTW, my kids and i are jealous. That is an awesome setup.

[inorkuo]

not sure if the one foot of court space is worth the effort but you could build a frame on hinges so that the impact screen could fold up and flush to the back wall.

[goatbarn]

What about a pulley system where the impact screen and frame cinches up and out of the way like a retractable awning?

Either way you do it, without putting a hole in the wall, it's going to eat up some room. Unless you do a completely portable setup with only a portable net, and stance mat and something like a GC2. If you go that route maybe a portable laptop tray/stand too.

But you'd have to wheel all that out of storage whenever you want to play...

[doublebogey]

Such a beautiful room so I would say:
- get a large easy-to-assemble/disassemble net (like Callaway Titan 9'x12' net and don't disassemble completely just partially disassemble and lay flat, long & narrow on side of room when not in use);
- get portable mat;
- install pull up projection screen behind net or just use your grayish white wall to project onto;
- you probably still need to install projector overhead (use wireless HDMI connection);
- get a powerful gaming notebook and you're all set.

Above does not require any drilling except maybe installation of projector overhead and when not in use your room stays same as now + easy to set up / take down (really just sticking 4 ends of net onto each corner when in use and remove each end from corner after use and put on side so will not affect hoops play).

Great room btw.