Building a sim/practice zone. 1st question best net for portability and projection?

[Harch84]

So I have been obsessing about building a golf sim/training setup at home for years now and even though my space is super limited I have finally decided to give this a go. My options in my home are limited, especially for longer clubs, so I have decided the following:

• It must be portable so that I can bring it onto the deck in the open space when it's sunny
• I must be able to build it up and take it down in minutes
• It must not effect the rest of the household too much (spouse approval rating)

I am working with two different spaces:

• Garage that is 10' W, 18' D, 8' H.
• Outside deck that is 15' W, 15' D, High as I want. (Ignore the old decking on there right now, its being torn up!)

Now for once in my life I am thanking my lucky stars that I was born "vertically challenged" at 5'7" and that I have a nice compact and flat swing. Tests in the garage have shown me that I can hit up to a 3 hybrid without catching the ceiling. (Whether or not I get affected by "indoor swing syndrome" I'll know later.

For the LM I've gone with the Skytrak as it is affordable and needs a small amount of space to read shots.

My main consideration right now is the net/screen setup. I want something that I can tear down easily and bring onto the deck. But that I can attach a screen to for a projector if I want downstairs. From reading the forum here I believe this leaves me with 3 potential options:

• Net Return Home (very expensive)
• Spornia SPG-7 (more affordable and has good reviews. But would a screen go over it ok?)
• Haack Pro Net (can a screen be attached to this??)

Or is it simply a case that a screen could be attached to any frame/hitting net and I don't need to go for the best in the biz?? I would be hitting my driver on the deck into it though so it should be at least durable enough for that.

[kalcormier]

It is definitely doable. My first space was the same as your garage. I am about the height as you and I was swinging driver with an 8' ceiling. It may have caused me to flatten my swing and I would hit the ceiling from time to time. But it is doable.

What I did was build a frame out of EMT and canopy fittings. Not too terrible to tear down and move and easy on the wallet.

[Harch84]

It is definitely doable. My first space was the same as your garage. I am about the height as you and I was swinging driver with an 8' ceiling. It may have caused me to flatten my swing and I would hit the ceiling from time to time. But it is doable.

What I did was build a frame out of EMT and canopy fittings. Not too terrible to tear down and move and easy on the wallet.

That's great to hear, I figure until we get a bigger place (which will be years!) then I might as well take the leap into it as best I can.

I did consider the DIY route but I'm not really much of a handyman haha. Plus the Spornia is really attracting me because of the quickness to break down and how small it is when it packed so i can just put it aside easily till the next practice.

I wonder about putting a screen on it though, not sure how secure it would be or how "wavy" it would get after you hit into it. Maybe the Net Return would be better in this respect??

[PalmLine]

I’ll recommend the Spornia net. Tears down or sets up in a minute. You just have to get a white cloth to drape over the existing screen.

[penrose]

outside is a good idea, but better have a strong WI-FI or run cable to a switch out there.

[Harch84]

I’ll recommend the Spornia net. Tears down or sets up in a minute. You just have to get a white cloth to drape over the existing screen.

Nice set up, shows what can be done in a tight space!! I've decided to take your advice and go with the Spornia net. How do you counteract the rippling and waviness of the screen, especially after hitting a shot? Or is it just something you get used to?

[Harch84]

outside is a good idea, but better have a strong WI-FI or run cable to a switch out there.

It's right outside the kitchen door so I can get a signal out there but it isn't full strength. Is this a deal breaker for Skytrak or TGC? Can either of them operate offline/disconnected anyway?

I was also planning on bringing the ST to the range when I go for extra analysis plus seeing the actual ball flight

[JackedUpSwing]

8 Ft is way too low. Even if you think you can make a full swing in 8ft, it will probably affect you mentally.

[triplebogeysrbetter]

Honestly you get use to the low ceiling after a while. Mine are 8 ft. Maybe 8'1 now with dents. I let it rip.

[kalcormier]

I agree. My first space was 8' and I was swinging driver. Moved to the garage with 8'6" ceilings. I still tag the ceiling from time to time but it is doable.

[Harch84]

I think I will start with wedges and mid irons until I loosen up and get my "outdoor" swing number inside. Then I will gradually increase the length of the clubs to see how close I am really getting. My biggest fear is the tight space making me alter my swing to accommodate it and then that adversely affecting my game!

Obviously outside I will just let rip as I wish though... as long as I dont super slice it and miss the net entirely!

[PalmLine]

Nice set up, shows what can be done in a tight space!! I've decided to take your advice and go with the Spornia net. How do you counteract the rippling and waviness of the screen, especially after hitting a shot? Or is it just something you get used to?

Yea.. it doesn’t bother me much.. Glad you found the right net!