Is a backyard portable setup practical?

[wasabad]

I want to get a portable backyard simulator setup. Something where I can go to a friends backyard or travel with it anywhere I go. Right now I live in a 2 family house and rent the 2nd floor. There is a back yard that I can use so it can't be a permanent thing.

I was thinking of getting a used SkyTrak if I could. How good is the skytrak with an Android phone or would I need an iPad for a better experience? I also definitely want to play courses, would that be possible with an Android phone?

Here is the bare minimum that I think I would need. Is there anyway I can budget any more or is this pretty spot on?

Any issues you guys would see if I were to make it "portable"?

SkyTrak Game Improvement Package	$2,244.90
Rukket Tri-Turf Golf Hitting Mat (Standard)	$60.00
Rukket Standing Golf Hitting Grass Mat	$100.00
Rukket 10x7ft Haack Golf Net	$150.00
	$2,554.90

[DS12]

iOS is needed as a minimum for course play. You could order a certified pre-owned unit from Skytrak's site to save a few hundred dollars. Also, if you look around and don't order the metal protection case from Skytrak you can use some discount codes from other websites, like Rock Bottom Golf (if in stock).

[3on3putt]

I recently bought a refurbished iPad off eBay for $96 shipped. If you didn't know any better you would think it's brand new. Mint condition and works perfect. Your only option for playing courses without making an additional large purchase is WGT. You'll get 12 courses with the play and improve package and it's iOS only. Check out a used iPad from a trusted seller and you don't have to break the bank.

Keep in mind that in order to play WGT you have to be conencted to a WiFi network. So if you're planning on playing it in the yard or at a friends house make sure you'll have WiFi in that spot. You can use the Skytrak range with no WiFi.

[justapotamusdesigns]

It works great as I have a moveable non permanent set up as well using an Ipad. I have the 9.7 pro model and can find them on ebay used in great shape and then has the ability to have the apple pencil for moving aiming points which is much nicer and easier. Also, I had the cheaper net and it was a huge pain and not worth the money saved. I ended up getting a Spornia net since I have to set it up and take it down every time and would never go to any other. 2 minutes up and 2 minutes to take it down and extremely durable.

[wasabad]

This net looks really easy to setup, but I am afraid of how narrow it is.

[justapotamusdesigns]

Honestly with how they have the sides set up and you can even purchase additional side netting, it is fine. I can have my hitting mat right up to the edge of the net itself and have never had an issue. My boys who are 7 and 9 and literally just starting hit into it all the time and even the occasional shank from them is held no problem.

[wasabad]

I was doing some more research, what do you guys think of the Mevo+ over the SkyTrak for outdoors as this would be my main place of usage?

[DS12]

You'll still need to use the dots for indoor or short indoor mode, but you won't need to worry about sunlight affecting reading shots. Outdoor is when you have 40+ yards of flight to get full benefits of radar launch monitors. Still primarily iOS based, but you get 5 courses included in the price and don't need the $100/year plan

[sirish19]

Hi DS2. A portable outdoor setup is definitely feasible. My setup is a SkyTrak, with the Net Return Large Pro series and initially used an iPad with SkyTrak and WGT for games. I have this on my rooftop balcony so fairly tight quarters but I can take a full swing with no issue. For game modes, WGT on the iPad was acceptable, but I felt that the graphics weren't great and I was always looking for more. Since my setup was on the balcony, I would never be able to go full sim with projector, impact screen, etc.

So, I decided to give a go with E6 and TGC 2019 on my macbook pro on bootcamp. I ended up going with TGC 2019 for the ability to design my own courses and the sheer number of courses. This worked well for a little while but as I am designing some of my local courses now, I also decided to upgrade to a proper gaming PC in order to work faster and more efficiently. It is like night and day to be honest.

I would say you could start like I did with iPad and WGT and gradually upgrade. However, one thing to note with WGT is that it doesn't support multi-player mode. So if you wanted to play with friends, you'd have to alternate holes or something like that. Also, it doesn't support lefty-righty combinations.

One point of caution though, I wouldn't skimp on the net. As wasabad mentioned, the net you are looking at now does look easy to set up, however, I would be very concerned about using this in a backyard (whether yours or a friend's). The first shank that goes flying through a neighbor's window, hits a passing car, or worse yet, hits a person, would be very bad. I would highly recommend The Net Return as an excellent investment. I have the Large size Pro version which is nice for size and the pipes are made of aluminum rather than steel so much lighter and more portable. While not as small and portable as the one you listed, it is very sturdy and will last you a long time. I would also strongly recommend the side barriers as well. When I bought mine, I was debating whether it would be necessary or not but the wife would only agree to let me put it up if I also include the side barriers. Let me tell you, I have had the case of the shanks a few times where those things really saved me and ensured that I can still keep playing. While not necessarily light, the net that I have can be put up and taken down in about 5 minutes when doing by myself. It also comes with a duffle bag that is about the size and weight of a mid-sized tent. I could definitely see taking my clubs, net computer and SkyTrak over to a friend's backyard to play 18-36 holes.

I can't comment on mevo or any other sims as I have only used SkyTrak. I am totally exposed to the sun on the balcony so generally limit my play to up until 9:00 am or after 5:00 pm. I do get some misreads with ST in between those times although there are times where I don't get any misreads at all, and there are times where I have to just give up in the middle of the round because it becomes unplayable. Another issue in direct sunlight is glare off of the iPad or computer. That will be an issue regardless of which sim you are using. I find the most enjoyable time is at dusk where there is still decent enough light but the computer is fairly well illuminated. When the weather is nice, I may play 18-36 holes from around 5:30-8:30 pm.

[wasabad]

Thanks for you input sirish19, I was wondering if you've had any noise complaints? As I am in an area where backyards are right next to each other.

[sirish19]

No noise complaints from neighbors. I am in Japan where my neighbors are very close to each other. All of my neighbors know me so no one complains. My rooftop balcony is on the 3rd floor of my house and my wife says that the sound is not really noticeable when she is on the 2nd floor right underneath. She does hear the thud on the ground when I am smacking my irons though. I am hitting into the net though so the only sound is the initial strike of the club.

[sirish19]

Quick update on my outdoor setup. I have been using the simulator with my 15" laptop but had an issue today where the laptop was in the direct sunlight and ended up overheating and shut down. I then decided to try leaving my laptop inside and setting up my 32" 4k monitor outside connected to the laptop via HDMI. I was quite pleased with the results as this allows me to connect a much larger monitor and to be able to play sim on native 4k as opposed to 1080p resolution of the laptop.

I have the monitor on my desk connected to the Amazon Basic Monitor Arm. The desk is just outside of my balcony so I figure I can install the Amazon basic Wall Mount and then just pull that off of my desk and quickly install it on my balcony, connect the power cord and HDMI and then I am good to go. This won't be the same as having a projector and impact screen but I think it will significantly enhance my play experience.