Garage Simulator Build Help w/ List of items and links

[brob2k1]

I’ll try to keep this as brief as possible. I’ve been reading through this forum for several months picking up tips and ideas from several different people about my garage simulator build. Almost everything here has been contemplated by someone else on the forum but since I’m pulling several different people’s ideas together I figured it would be nice to have everything in one place for others who may come across this in the future. We moved into the new house just over a month ago and I’m looking at getting my simulator in before Christmas.

What do I want out of a simulator… ?

1. I want to have fun and improve my game.
2. I work from home so I’ll probably end up using this between conference calls, etc.
3. I would like to see a realistic flight path of the ball but I would also like to see club face information.

NOTE: Based on the above information and months of lurking around I think the SkyTrak plus RMotion would be what I’m looking at. I’m pretty sure I’d start off with SkyTrak and then add to it.

1. I’m going to be the primary user of the system but I would not be surprised to have some neighbors stop by for a beer and whack a few balls.
2. Sorry lefty’s but I only care about RH players.
3. If I’m counting every ball I’m playing in the 90’s and on a good day I might get into the high 80’s.

Things that I need to take into consideration:

Layout of the Garage / Simulator location

1. The full garage layout is 22ft in length by 20ft in width. The ceiling is 11ft in height so I need to build down from there but it gives me a good space for storage at the top. The screen will go about four ft. from the back wall (I think) since I’ll have storage at / up to 30 / inches from the wall.
2. When not in use I need to get storage towards the back of the garage. I have a refrigerator in there and will be building out a work bench and storage for all the tools / etc.
3. When the golf sim is in use there will be no cars in the garage but we would like to have the space to park at least a Toyota Highlander and / or a Honda CRV at the same time when everything is packed away.

Budget & List of items required for the buildout

1. $3,000 for total project. I’m handy so I figured I could build some stuff out myself. You will see that my initial costs for materials and the simulator is at the top of this number if not beyond. I’m looking to the group here for any suggestions / help to bring the costs down.

simulator_build_worksheet.xlsx

Actual Setup / Layout of the Simulator

I am going to use the right side of the garage for the simulator. The screen will be at least 4ft if not a bit less from the back wall. Any storage etc. will be a max 30 / 36 inches from the wall which should make the 4ft location for the screen enough space behind it. I'm going to use a power screen so I can take the screen up when not in use. For side netting i'm going to put heavy blackout shades hung off of a track that will go behind the screen. For storage the side netting will be twisted and hoisted up so it is stored out of the way. My plan is to build a fold out ball drop area. Think suicide bed with the actual drop area folding out. The base will be made from 1x3 with a layer of carpet padding above. This is a second phase build out but depending on how far I want to go with it i'm thinking i could make a little fun putting green out of it. Size will be 8x10 for this. There will be heavy duty rails that will allow me to slide it out to get it centered under the screen from the wall. The stance mat will be butted up against the fold out (remember fold out won't be ready until later) and will also be put on top of a base. After reading through all the posts on this forum I purchased an Optima 1080P Darbee projector last week. I'm going to put this on the floor when in use and will build a box for it similar to what others have done.

For the actual simulator i'm going to use a SkyTrak. It looks like it gives you the best bang for your buck and when coupled with the RMotion it gives you even more data than you know what to do with so you can screw up not only your game but your entire swing.

I would appreciate any feedback / etc. in regards to the setup from those experienced and will update this thread with how things are going.

[Meatmiller]

A few questions and suggestions for you. Are you planning on SIM play or just using the skytrak software? Also, if you do some searches you can build/buy a better mat then a cce. It's a good mat don't get me wrong but its too punishing on joints. I know this cause I have a 5x5 cce and will be going to something different shortly. Also, are your set on the p2p screen? Cause there are some good quality options out there at about half the price. I stared with the same budget of 3k as you and ended up spending just under 5k. So be prepared for that. Here is a link to my setup. Still not finished but getting there. https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4Hzxq1

[brob2k1]

I absolutely want to do SIM play and i'm trying to still figure out which is best to purchase since everything is additional. I have seen some folks on the forum play together. Specifically I'd like to have something where multiple people can play at the same time. If not then it would be just me. I'm open to any and all suggestions and know this is probably going to be a yearly fee, etc. which is why I did not add it to the list.

In regards to the hitting Mat i'm open to any suggestions / ideas. My initial goal and I know this is probably not going to happen is to get everything I need and have it setup for Christmas. When searching through the forums it seemed like the CCE mat was one of the better options but like I said anything cheaper that someone can suggest i'm all for. I can always build / modify one later on.

I'm not set on any screen and to be honest I keep flipping back and forth between if I want 10ft wide screen or the 16ft wide screen. with the 16 I can do a true shot without having to mess with the aspect ratio. Any suggestions for screens i'm all for. The only thing i'm sure about when it comes to a screen is that i'm going to get the motorized setup from thesportsscreens.com

[Meatmiller]

If you search the forum here a guy called mike80 made a gel mat that looks be super nice! If you do decide to go with the cce look on eBay. You can get a blem 5x5 mat for $380. That's what I did and can't really find anything wrong with the mat. Since your planning on playing sim you'll need to budget 500 to 1k for a good pc/laptop to run the SIM game. This was something I hadn't a clue about and one of the reasons I want over budget. Feel free to pm me any questions you might have.

[gene438]

I completed a garage build and I too use the room for movies, work on the computer, etc. I just completed a video to go over the basics.

I removed the actual garage door opener and the rails but I left the garage door hanging, it's behind the screen.

Here is the video, let me know if you have any questions.

[Meatmiller]

O by the way I'm also using the 10ft sports screen and it makes setup and take down a breeze. Not sure how long the sports screen itself will last but when it goes bad I'll probably put some archery netting or something similar behind my impact screen.

[brob2k1]

I completed a garage build and I too use the room for movies, work on the computer, etc. I just completed a video to go over the basics.

I removed the actual garage door opener and the rails but I left the garage door hanging, it's behind the screen.

Here is the video, let me know if you have any questions.

Gene, I saw your setup and it's amazing. What you did with your floor is essentially what i'm thinking of doing but building it in a manner that can be easily swung up to be stored away. I helped a buddy of mine build a bed frame that worked similar so I don't think i'll have a problem with that. it's not something i'm going to do right away. It will be a project for when the weather is better after i've built a few other things.

[brob2k1]

If you search the forum here a guy called mike80 made a gel mat that looks be super nice! If you do decide to go with the cce look on eBay. You can get a blem 5x5 mat for $380. That's what I did and can't really find anything wrong with the mat. Since your planning on playing sim you'll need to budget 500 to 1k for a good pc/laptop to run the SIM game. This was something I hadn't a clue about and one of the reasons I want over budget. Feel free to pm me any questions you might have.

Thankfully I already have the computer and projector for the setup I don't think i'll be spending any money there. In regards to the mat that you are talking about can you provide a link? I did a search and did not find anything.

My main thing right now is the screen and the mat. Any suggestions outside of what i've listed would be great. I'd like to get them ordered next week.

[Meatmiller]

Here is Mike80 mat.

[brob2k1]

Here is a quick pivot from everything i've posted so far. The wife actually came back to me last night and said, "well could you put it in the basement? if you can then you don't need to purchase two screens." ... I was going to use the projector in both the basement and the garage. My issue with putting the simulator in the basement was the fact that the height from floor to ceiling is only 8 feet 6 inches. If that's the case I know I should be fine from everything i've read on the forums but what about people taller than 6ft who might come by and play every once and a while.

[brob2k1]

Based on what i've ready there is no way I can do this in the basement with a ceiling being 8'6. With that said I went ahead and I purchased a used mat from Raw Hide Golf (https://rawhidegolfball.com/product/golf-mat/). It seems a few other members here have done that and are very happy with the product. I figure if i'm not happy I can do some of the hacks mentioned here with the gel. It's a much cheaper alternative to get me started out.

[brob2k1]

So here is the latest...

SportsScreen has been ordered. I ended up going with the 10ft due to cost. I thought about going a bit wider but I could not see an advantage of paying for something custom.
Skytrak / TGC / Screen was purchased from a member on the forum. I ended up getting his computer also even though I had one set aside to use for this but I can repurpose what I had.
Original stance / hitting mat was ordered last week and it's arrived. It was in much better condition than I originally thought it would be since it was used.

To Do before the sports screen arrives:

I purchased a Racor lift (https://www.amazon.com/Racor-PHL-1R-.../dp/B0009I8AO6) nothing to do with the golf sim but helps get stuff off the ground. I had one at my last house and the thing is pretty solid. Need to get this mounted.

Golf sim related I need to figure out the side netting / black out curtains that I want to put up. Since the curtains will be 4ft from the back wall and 1ft from storage related items I need a method to either swing them up off the ground or hoist them up so they are not in the way. I've seen some of the things some forum members have done but any suggestions in regards to this would be great!

Base for the golf sim. I've been going back and forth about this. I want to build a base that can be laid down and swung back against the wall for storage when not in use. I want this base to be big enough to act as a putting green and also ball drop area. I'd like to have some play with this so it's not just straight puts. I'm a horrible putter so anything is better than nothing. Any suggestions? I was thinking a base that was 12 ft in length and 10 ft wide? it could act as an anchor for the curtains. My issue is with that size it's going to be heavy as hell.

[brob2k1]

Completed my build a few weeks ago and I hope to update this thread with pictures and the different issues I ran into while putting together my garage sim. I love it but I still have a lot of little things to figure out to make it work.

[brob2k1]

Here are some pictures of the simulator build and notes on each of the pictures. I've included some links to some of the items I used. I can post a few videos but i'm not sure how to upload them to the site. When I try it says invalid format.