Newbie here

[NYCgolfer]

Hey guys, first post... New to the GS forum and I’m pretty blown away by it. I didn’t know this world existed and happy to see so many enthusiast here. I’m in NYC so the whole garage concept is foreign to me… but as an avid golfer I decided to take the plunge and build a roof deck and of course a golf simulation station. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about this forum until I had bought most of the items.

Net: 10x10x10 bought on Amazon using 1” emt. The dimensions didn’t sound that big, but once I assembled it, am wondering if it’s overkill. Some people on the forum cut theirs down. I’m thinking of cutting it to 10x10x7.5 or whatever. Any thoughts? Restringing the net may be a pain (anyone have any experience with this?) The other option being to have the excess net in the back behind the impact screen where you can’t see it. And do most of you guys have the mat inside the cage or hit from the outside? Not quite sure where the optimal location would be.

Impact screen: I think I’m going with westcoastnetting PR20. A lot of people on this forum seem to have a good review of it; just need to make sure it’s ok for outdoor use. It’ll probably be outside 8-9 months out of the year. In order to finish the install I’m going to tarps.com to buy a couple more fittings in order to have the impact screen off the rear frame of the conduit frame.

Projector: I bought a ViewSonic PJD5255 XGA DLP Projector, 3300 Lumens, 3D Blu-ray Ready HDMI. I did very little research and may have to upgrade here too. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The one plus is that I have a lot of space behind me so don’t know if Short Throw is necessary feature. I haven’t played around with the projector yet because I don’t have a screen to project to. What I do know is that my options are to: a) hang the projector from the top of the cage (of course I would have to fabricate a weather proof box) or b) build or buy something to project from the floor or c) build or buy a tripod type stand to project from the rear. This is one area that your input would be greatly appreciated as I’m not sure how it’s going to work out for me but will also know it's related to the earlier question about mat placement.

System: Optishot 2. Like I said, although I bought this before I did a lot of research and knew about this forum, I still would have gone with this one because it’s in my price range. Apparently it’s not good for outdoor use and won't be able to use it during the day. I'll try hanging blackout panels on the side with shower curtain hooks that I can slide back and forth to see if that helps. I'll play around with the Optishot a little before I make any decisions to upgrade. Any suggestions how to illuminate the mat at night?

I know that I have a lot of questions but was hoping that someone can help me out! Any help and input is greatly appreciated!

[wbond]

PR20 is great for an impact screen but not so much so for the image. if you hit inside your cage, you will be offset from center since it's only 10' wide. I would say hit from outside of it.

[gene438]

Welcome aboard. First, I am one of those that cut down my 10x10x10 to 10x10x5......but after looking at your photos, I would leave it as you have it. If I miss, I just hit the walls of my garare...if you miss, you could hit almost anything...lol...I think you should stay as you have it.

Second, I think you will be hitting from inside your enclosure. Most guys are 7 to 9 ft from their impact screen...

Third, as far as impact screens, since yours is outside, I would go with the cheapest possible that will still give you a good visual. Get something like this for $129

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Golf-Simulator-Impact-Screen-96-by-120-inch-NEW-MOVIE-SCREEN-SALE-PRICE-/162167366535?hash=item25c1eda387:g:UosAAMXQydtTOrn9

Just my opinion, but any thing higher price/quality is probably overkill.

Fourth, you can hang black, weatherproof tarp and you will get pretty good quality both day and night. There is a post of a guy with an outside setup and it is pretty impressive.

Fifth, for illuminating the mat, you could get a halogen light (spot) that will light up the mat without interfering with your projector.

Remember, if there is a will there is a way.....good job, your setup will have a hell of a view....lol

[Adrian]

Hi,
I have a very similar setup to you and was wondering where you ended up fitting your projector? Also, did you end up using tarpaulin to make your cage weather proof?
Regard
Adrian

[FaultyClubs]

My 2-bits.

Given you'll be using a projector no one stands closer than 10 feet if they have a choice. Most would probably prefer to be even slightly more than 10' if the had the space.

I wouldn't stand too far outside the cage. You have to imagine where the crazy shanks and mishits will go. And not just yours but your visitors...some who will have no clue what they are doing.

So don't be quick to cut the cage down. If you decide to swing from inside the 10' will be needed. Stand outside and you'll have to be close to guarantee capture of mishits. So you'll be about 12 feet even standing outside which is very nice distance for a projector.

Since you have a projector already use it. Upgrade stuff when you know what you don't like and needs changing.

How will you make the cage dark enough for projection?

The optishot doesn't really work outside. It transmits it's own infrared signals to bounce off the club and receives the reflections coming back. Any stray sources of IR mess it up. And there is a lot of IR outside from the sun...even when is cloudy. So you'll have to really shade it super well to have good results.

Have you thought of extending the cage and making a room? With good tarp walls and ceiling you could shade the optishot enough plus play during the day or in poor weather. Personally that's what I would do given I went to all the trouble in the first place.

Finally, no halogen lights near an optishot! Too much IR. Standard cool fluorescent only to light the mat.

[doublebogey]

Fourth, you can hang black, weatherproof tarp and you will get pretty good quality both day and night.

gene438, I have a rooftop cage setup similar to (actually exactly like) NYCgolfer for use w a SkyTrak, so would be interested to get some advice on how to best put a weatherproof tarp over it such that it will not get blown away by a strong storm, hurricane or typhoon? FYI 3 corners of cage are tied down to steel railings and beams so cage should be fine.

Also will this impact screen (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Golf-Simulat...sAAMXQydtTOrn9) be weatherproof and be able to handle being kept outdoors all the time for outdoor use?

Thanks very much.

[NYCgolfer]

Hey guys! Thanks for the feedback!
@wbond I already had purchased the PR20 screen before I had seen your response. It's being shipped so I am anxiously waiting for it to be delivered.
@FaultyClubs I have decided to cut the cage by 2.5 feet so I will leave the mat half in and half out. I am definitely going to try the projector before I make a decision on whether to upgrade or not. Good advice there. I'm however going to upgrade to the SkyTrak. I'm just waiting to set everything up before I do that. In terms of having friends over... If they're a beginner, they get to hit the soft yellow balls...
@doublebogey do you have any pics of your setup to post?
I plan on fitting weatherproof tarp on shower curtains that I can slide back and forth for the sides. I'll tie them up like curtains when not in use and secure them with some vleco straps when they are used. In terms of the top, I think I'll fabricate something with rope that I can pull back and forth. More pics to come shortly!

[doublebogey]

@doublebogey do you have any pics of your setup to post?

3m x 3m x 3m cage

[NYCgolfer]

thanks doublebogey! I had to go to the metric converter to figure out what it was in feet ;p. How did you secure the tarp on the top? any worries when the wind blows?

[doublebogey]

Sorry - 3m x 3m x 3m is around 9.8' x 9.8' x 9.8' =) and my roof is angled in such way that I cannot stand outside cage and swing properly so have to swing inside cage offset to the right (don't have tarp or projector yet so this is fine for now).

On top is just a sun sail shade which I have tied tightly to each of the top corners of the cage (need it coz SkyTrak does not read well in bright sunlight). Haven't figured out how I would tie blackout / rain resistant tarp around cage that can withstand strong winds yet... So any thoughts/suggestions there would be greatly appreciated.

[NYCgolfer]

My fittings came in from tarp.com which I finally installed with 2 additional emt pipes. I decided to paint the frame which took 6 cans of spray paint ($1.25 x 6; Matte black indoor/outdoor from Home Depot). I cut the height by 6" and the depth by 30" and tightened the net up with zip ties and it's looking great. Impact screen being delivered today!

[NYCgolfer]

We finally have impact! I ended up purchasing a 9.5' x 9.5' PR20 from West Coast Netting. It looks and feels great and seems to handle the golf ball impact with no problem.

Now I need to purchase black out curtains and getting a lot of ideas from jake and Thinman on how they built their outdoor simulation (and advice would be greatly appreciated here). Need to focus on securing the emt properly and the tarps as well so my cage doesn't blow off my roof deck during a windy storm! I've bought a bag of 1" clamps from the plumbing dept (the electric ones seemed flimsy) and will bolt the cage to the deck.

I've accepted the fact that the sunlight will be an issue and don't intend to use the simulation during high noon, but hoping with the proper black out curtains and a strong enough projector I'll be able to play during odd hours of the day. I'll be firing up the projector for the first time tonight and can't wait.

After the black out curtain install, the next part of my build out will focus on securing the projector, building a green which extends for a putting surface (will greatly appreciate input) and an upgrade on the simulator (SkyTrak here I come...) stay tuned

[doublebogey]

Do you plan on securing a projector that can be easily removable when not in use? Assume you will not leave projector outside if rain or bad weather...

And may I ask if the PRO2 impact screen from West Coast Netting is rain and sun resistant to leave on at all times outdoors? I have found a similar 9.8' x 9.8' projection impact screen as well but just not sure if it will be weather resistant to leave outdoors all the time (and haven't figured out blackout tarps or outdoor projectors yet so haven't bought).

[Thinman]

Yeah, same question here, if you plan on using in the rain. The real issue is really snow though. If you try to cover for rain, nothing will be strong enough for snow, so it would need to get removed either way.

[NYCgolfer]

doublebogey In terms of the protector, I'll take it down when not in use. I bought a bracket to hang but may go with the floor if it projects good enough. Not crazy about having to have to climb up a ladder everytime I want to play.

I was told by the sales rep at West Coast Netting that the impact screen can be used outside. I assumed he wasn't lying and took him at face value. I plan on taking it down sometime in early December or before first snowfall so probably won't be exposed to the nasty stuff.

[FaultyClubs]

With all the issues with snow, rain, light penetration, weather exposure on equipment etc I'm wondering why you guys aren't just buying a standard all weather garage or shed tarp shelter?

My brother did that for his sim enclosure. Only a few hundred bucks and it came with everything he needed. We put it up one evening after work and were playing golf same day. Completely weather tight and handles rain and snow etc. It's been a several years now and no issues. He leaves everything in all the time even through winter. Obviously too late for all the builds being discussed here but I'm just wondering why you guys didn't do it that way.

[Jb50]

FaultyClubs, I would be interested in what you are talking about but I'm not sure what exactly it is you are referring to. Could you possibly post a link to one of these "sheds" you speak of?

Thanks

[FaultyClubs]

Google tarp garage (tarp shed, tarp shelter etc) and look at all the images. You should get a good idea from those. There are a million designs to choose from. If you have lots of rain make sure the roof edge is curved. And for snow make sure the overall roof design is curved.

[kstorm]

It looks like the outdoor party tents Google shed tarp enclosure and many pop up. At my next house where I start my sim build I think I may go that route

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