Skytrak Garage set-up HELP

[bkLounge_Golf]

Hi All-

I have a heating/air guy coming Wednesday to give me a quote for HVAC in my garage and as long as that isn't outrageous, I plan on purchasing a SkyTrak (at least getting on a waiting list). Anyway, I have 10' or more in height, plenty of width but do have concerns about how deep my impact screen will be. The optimal spot will be right in from of the garage door motor unit and I worry about how much the impact screen can withstand. I could shorten the hitting area but everything I'm reading online says 10' is ideal and with that i'm risking damage to my motor. Speaking of screen, I'm planning on getting the GolfClub2019 software and was wondering what kind of screen/ $h*nk curtain I should get and if an overhead screen is necessary? Any other tips/advice you can offer would be awesome.

[mikemcd22]

Hi Bk,

Having trouble visualizing your set up. The motor for most garage doors is on the ceiling? Sounds like your's is on a wall? In any case, you DEFINITELY want a minimum of 12" clear behind your impact screen from anything hard. I suppose if you wanted to chance it you could do what many have done to deaden sound and preserve the life of your screen and hang a memory foam mattress behind the screen. That said, many people on this forum (myself included) have less than 10' from the impact area to the screen. I have just under 8' and have no issues swinging driver (I'm 6'2") and visuals are fine.

There are many options for screens. Many have praised Carl's Premium screen which can be easily located on the forum. They have various qualities and price points and also will cut custom sizes if I remember correctly. You also may want to consider a "curtain" set up to easily access the stuff behind the screen. Let me know if you need more info and I'll send you a couple of pics/ links. Good luck!

[3on3putt]

While 10 feet is generally considered the sweet spot, plenty of people work with less. I'm only 7 feet from ball to screen. That's all I had to work with because of my garage door motor and racks along with a water heater and staircase.

As long as you solve the ball bounceback riddle you can easily get away with it. I figure my arms extend 2 feet on the follow through and my driver is just under 4 feet, so that's roughly 6 feet total that I could extend the clubhead. Then account for a little more because of your body shifting toward the screen on the follow through. So all that said, I don't know if I would go less than 7 feet.

The silver lining is that the closer you are to the screen, the less you have to worry about the ball going over it.

[SkeetShooter]

If you are talking about your motor being above you, then yes, you may want to consider moving it up. If its on the side, You would want to ensure you have at least 12" from the wall/garage door.

If you are intending on still utilizing your garage (like I do) a Sportscreen manual roll-up with an impact screen is the way to go.

[bkLounge_Golf]

Thanks for responding, I have a few pictures I'd like to post but am unsure how to do this with a URL?

[mikemcd22]

To post a picture

[bkLounge_Golf]

[bkLounge_Golf]

Here is my setup boys.

[bkLounge_Golf]

So obviously I’ll be removing the storage rack near my spot for a mat and I want to put my screen down at the end of my window frame. I guess my next question would be light. I’ll definitely get something to cover that window but can you have lights on when running a projector?

[mikemcd22]

Interesting (especially the last photo???). Anyway, If I understand the layout, it looks like the motor is directly in front of the screen? I assume the Blue Tarp behind your net would be where you are planning to hang the screen? How much room is between the floor and the bottom of the motor? You could potentially make a protective piece for the motor lined with foam or impact resistant material which would also protect against high wedge shots and ricochets off the screen. If the motor is in the middle (width), I don't think it will be in the way of swinging a club. But you definitely will want to protect it from balls. I also have some concerns about whether or not it will cast a shadow being in front of a projector. Honestly, it's not much different than some pre-fab setups that have the projector essentially in the same place (a Short Throw on an extension arm) but my concerns about shadow still apply.

If you plan to put the screen in front of the motor as mentioned, and you can give yourself 6" of clearance between the screen and motor, I think that would be the best scenario. Even though you need "at least 12" behind the screen", the biggest danger is between 2'-5' off the ground where most of your driver/woods/long irons make impact. I think it would be rare, if ever, you would make contact with that motor at that height and combined with the tension at the top of the impact screen. Trial and Error will tell the story and your risk is your own!

Hope that helps in your planning.

[bkLounge_Golf]

The blue tarp is behind the motor but that's just for how i have it now. When i set everything up I plan to put the screen just behind the window frame which would give room like you described and i could also do the other saftey tips you recommended and the mat is where i'll hit from which is plenty far away from the motor so i'm not worried about hitting that with the club but was worried about a ball being fired at it but i think i can take precautions. As for being right by the window, i'm hoping that is not a deal breaker? Don't they make some sort of tint or something for windows? The window is not functional, i wish it wasn't even there. How about for my projector? Should it be right above and behind where my mat is?

[mikemcd22]

You can use Blackout Material for the Window which should be heavy enough to protect it as well as block out the light (you will want to do that). If you search this forum, you will find links to the material. As for the projector, a lot is going to depend on what you purchase. If you purchase a Short Throw, generally you have to set that up as a specific distance. If not, you'll have some leeway as to where to put it. Most often, you will want to hang it directly above where you make contact with the ball as it will not interfere with your swing and will not cast your shadow on the screen.

[bkLounge_Golf]

I was planning on getting an Epson, which is what my friend has and his is mounted on a beam in his basement that is well behind the hitting area. I'll have to research what "Short Throw" is. I for sure don't want it right above me if i can help it as that will mess with my already bad swing haha.

[pwade3]

You could turn it around and hit the other way. Then offset the garage door opener to the side. It would give you more room to hit. That’s what I did.

[bkLounge_Golf]

If I turn it around then it would screw with the functionality of my garage. I have basement access and I don’t wana go around a screen.

[pwade3]

Or install one of these if it fits your budget.

https://www.smartgarage.ca/

[mikemcd22]

bkLounge_Golf This is from quite a while ago (first build out) but you can see the curtain set up I have with access to the door behind in my sim room. https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...-to-this-forum

[wbond]

You could get a side mounted jackshaft garage opener if you have space to mount it.