Basement Sim - Open space vs. Closed Room

[jneils87]

Hi All,

I have been a lurker for some time here trying to formulate some thoughts as I go through a design build process for a new home. I have gotten the okay to do a combo theater / golf simulator in the basement.

Some general background info:
- 9 ft ceilings
- Open staircase from main floor to basement
- Young / growing family
- 16:9 screen ratio
- I have friends that are lefty golfers

At this point I haven't finalized all of the core components of the system, however I do have a pretty solid idea which monitor / software etc. I am leaning towards.

The biggest question I am wrestling with right now in the architectural phase is to have the simulator room be closed off or part of the larger basement open area. One of the main concerns with the open setup would be noise carrying through the whole house as the staircase is open.
Option 1 - Closed Room: Size likely 12-14 wide by 16 long, a separate play area / games room would be open to the stair case @ 250-300 sqft
Option 2 - Open Room: Size likely 20-24 wide by 20-24 long, would also double as a play area for kids / general games room

I am leaning towards Option 2 open room so that it is one large entertaining space.

[DirtyGarry24]

Option 2. The walls close in quickly when you have grown folk swinging golf clubs. 12 - 14 wide would be real tough for lefty/righty. Option 2 sounds perfect.

[gene438]

Agree with Gary on this. My room is 23 feet wide and works perfect for right/left play.

[orangeman]

Definitely option 2. I have a small space and while I know I can swing the club freely, I'm still not able to really go after it - it's a mental thing and I just can't get past it. Also, watch the ceiling height. With a mat, 9' is cutting it close for driver.

[jneils87]

On the height requirement / suggestion:
The reading I have done points to 9' ceilings being suitable for players up to ~6' tall, I am 5'10".
Do other players of similar height have a difficulty with 9' ceilings?
I plan to go GC2 and CCE / FB mat right on the concrete to minimize thickness with flooring around mat roughly equalized at the same height.

[DirtyGarry24]

Really hard to know on height requirements jneils. Players swing more upright. You have tall guys with short arms, guys with long arms, etc. Best bet is to find your worst case and find a way to test. Lots of variables.

[jneils87]

10-4 I plan on having a friend or my wife stand on a ladder and record my full all out swing to ensure height is fine. The best solution would be 9'6" ceilings, however very few builders offer ceilings at that odd height.

[mthunt]

The odd driver will hit a 9 foot ceiling.

[richdmb]

I just built a house. The builder will pour 10 ft basement walls. Have them do that. After accounting for the slab and then ceiling, drywall, you are left with about a 9ft 6in actual ceiling height.