Took the Plunge

[Tresslerd]

I recently moved from Coastal Virginia in the Hampton Roads area to Mansfield Ohio. I went from Golf opertunities all year to pretty much done by early Nov. We moved as the wife wanted to go home and be near family. Of course this meant much less Golf for me so I agreed with the understanding that I would put together something to be at least able to hit into a net in the garage. After trolling around here and getting ideas I started searching websites and made notes and based on cost/space considerations came up with an item list. At first was just going to hit into my existing net from small hitting pad and use an inexpensive Optishot and view on laptop and maybe use an extra flat panel that was in the office but rarely used. As I progressed I started thinking well it would be better to start a little more upscale then get something that would be replaced very quickly and end up costing more in the end. So I started with a new better quality hitting Mat. Then decided I’d also get an indoor putting green for the Rec room. This room has n the basement only has 8’ ceiling so even though I have room limited height ment My Golf project was destined for the 3 car garage. This caused me much angst as I really needed to keep both vehicles inside. One the small Subaru all the time....(Wife’s) the other Ford F-250 during inclimate ie snow. Once driveway cleared truck can go outside leaving me two bays to work with. Still trying to configure exactly where hitting area will be. Best for swinging and projector mounting is screen/net on the door side. However, this puts door rails/motor in play and means top of screen is only 8 1/2 ft high, enables 192 x102 inches of screen but requires screen roll up/storage capability need to pull truck in at times. If I mount Screen on side of garage takes rails/motors out of play but means window behind left side of screen with 144 x 108 screen size possible. The screen if mounted here (from wall or ceiling) would be only 6 inches from wall/windo to enable door opening. If I mount Screen inside outer door rail giving up to 24”of back screen space would then again requires roll up capability to enable truck parking. Last option is screen on back wall gives full 144 x 108” screen but still requires roll up capability as only 12 inches to wall when truck is inside. This also means hitting with rails/ Projector/motor slightly overhead with full HD 16x9 image format capability. Floor mount is a possibility to eliminate one overhead obstacle which then requires short throw/increased Projector costs (need protection as well). All of these problems are eliminated if I just accept 10 ft screen with 4x3 projection. The question...is the wide screen difference 10’ to 12’ worth the extra cost/effort or just go with 10;ft and be happy. Here is my current cost list if I go full monty!

David’s Golf Simulator Items/Costs
SkyTrack - $1,994 Launch Monitor/Golf Improvement Package (Includes first year SkyTrack Subscription $99 and SkyTrack Metal Protection Case $150)
Jack Nickolas Perfect Golf Sim Basic - $200 Annual
Steam Windows Access to JNPG - $35 One Time
BirdieBall Putting Strip $287 (Double Thick) 10’X3’
5 Star Golf Hitting Mat-$290 PerfectReaction 1 3/4”Thick 4’x5’
HockeyMonkey.com: $350 SportScreen - 16’x9’ Manual Roll Up or $250 for 10’
ProScreen - $200 HD Impact Screen 144”X108”
Optima GT1080Darbee $730 ShortThrow HD Gaming Projector
TerraShield - $250 Floor Mount Projector Protection
Total Cost: $4336.00

[Thundergolf]

Welcome! Looks good! I think you will really like the sportscreen. I have the 10' powered screen. I am very happy with mine. Get yourself on the list for a screen straight from the mill. Just search the forum.

[Tresslerd]

How far from wall is your sport screen? How is it or your impact screen anchored? How close can you put the screen before a ball hitting it would hit the wall? Thanks for any info! Mine (16’) arrives tomorrow.

[gene438]

Your journey is just starting my friend...or should I say your obsession is just starting. To address some of your questions, bigger is always better. Wider is always better. That being said, I would question, and I mean really question the need to bring in the truck every once is awhile. If you can dedicate the space, this really puts you in a whole lot better position. I committed my double car garage (Lucky to have another) and the first thing I did was take down the rails and motor....this opens up everything, gives you height, allows you to hit center and not offset, and allows you to build in a putting green with holes, etc. Now were talking golf simulation!!!!!!!!

Seriously, if you can dedicate the space, it opens up a ton of options.

[Tresslerd]

Brand new $60,000 truck! Got to keep inside when it’s nasty! Wish I could dedicate the space but just not possible.

[Thundergolf]

I agree with Gene, maybe you could dedicate that space at least for the winter months.

[Stingreye]

I recently moved from Coastal Virginia in the Hampton Roads area to Mansfield Ohio. I went from Golf opertunities all year to pretty much done by early Nov. We moved as the wife wanted to go home and be near family. Of course this meant much less Golf for me so I agreed with the understanding that I would put together something to be at least able to hit into a net in the garage. After trolling around here and getting ideas I started searching websites and made notes and based on cost/space considerations came up with an item list. At first was just going to hit into my existing net from small hitting pad and use an inexpensive Optishot and view on laptop and maybe use an extra flat panel that was in the office but rarely used. As I progressed I started thinking well it would be better to start a little more upscale then get something that would be replaced very quickly and end up costing more in the end. So I started with a new better quality hitting Mat. Then decided I’d also get an indoor putting green for the Rec room. This room has n the basement only has 8’ ceiling so even though I have room limited height ment My Golf project was destined for the 3 car garage. This caused me much angst as I really needed to keep both vehicles inside. One the small Subaru all the time....(Wife’s) the other Ford F-250 during inclimate ie snow. Once driveway cleared truck can go outside leaving me two bays to work with. Still trying to configure exactly where hitting area will be. Best for swinging and projector mounting is screen/net on the door side. However, this puts door rails/motor in play and means top of screen is only 8 1/2 ft high, enables 192 x102 inches of screen but requires screen roll up/storage capability need to pull truck in at times. If I mount Screen on side of garage takes rails/motors out of play but means window behind left side of screen with 144 x 108 screen size possible. The screen if mounted here (from wall or ceiling) would be only 6 inches from wall/windo to enable door opening. If I mount Screen inside outer door rail giving up to 24”of back screen space would then again requires roll up capability to enable truck parking. Last option is screen on back wall gives full 144 x 108” screen but still requires roll up capability as only 12 inches to wall when truck is inside. This also means hitting with rails/ Projector/motor slightly overhead with full HD 16x9 image format capability. Floor mount is a possibility to eliminate one overhead obstacle which then requires short throw/increased Projector costs (need protection as well). All of these problems are eliminated if I just accept 10 ft screen with 4x3 projection. The question...is the wide screen difference 10’ to 12’ worth the extra cost/effort or just go with 10;ft and be happy. Here is my current cost list if I go full monty!

David’s Golf Simulator Items/Costs
SkyTrack - $1,994 Launch Monitor/Golf Improvement Package (Includes first year SkyTrack Subscription $99 and SkyTrack Metal Protection Case $150)
Jack Nickolas Perfect Golf Sim Basic - $200 Annual
Steam Windows Access to JNPG - $35 One Time
BirdieBall Putting Strip $287 (Double Thick) 10’X3’
5 Star Golf Hitting Mat-$290 PerfectReaction 1 3/4”Thick 4’x5’
HockeyMonkey.com: $350 SportScreen - 16’x9’ Manual Roll Up or $250 for 10’
ProScreen - $200 HD Impact Screen 144”X108”
Optima GT1080Darbee $730 ShortThrow HD Gaming Projector
TerraShield - $250 Floor Mount Projector Protection
Total Cost: $4336.00

Its worth the $50 extra on JNPG to get another 200+ user designed courses like Pebble beach, Spyglass, Whistling straits etc...

[Tresslerd]

You talked me into it you smooth talking Devil!

[Tresslerd]

I think after really studying the layout I’m going to go with the side wall. Should be able to install the roll up sport screen with impact screen velcroed to it about 18 inches from wall/window. There is bambo shade over window and will add heavy curtain for further protection. Will use floor mount for projector which will be in middle bay and can stay in place. Should be able to fill up 144 x 108” screen with HD image. Will have to play with exact screen and projector location and hitting depth. This gives me no overhead issues and may enable installing projector from ceiling instead of floor.

[Tresslerd]

The more I read and evaluate my choices the more changes and upgrades I seem to add! I’ve reached the part where everything is starting to arrive and I’m getting ready to start putting things together. I got the idea from another guy on here to raise my garage opener motor in One bay enabling me to hit against the back wall using a 144”x108” ProScreen impact screen on a 16’ rollup SportScreen. Having someone come in and help me do that first to be sure raising the motor is doable. Might also raise the back of the door rails for same reason. Doing this will also enable me to mount the Optoma GT1080Darbee Projector from the ceiling instead of the floor where I was going to put it. Mounting the Sportscreen and impact screen is going to be a challenge as the brackets that come with the SportScreen only put the screen about 6 inches from the wall. Fine for Hockey Pucks but maybe not forvGolfballs. So I’ve got to come up with a way to mount the screen at least 12-18 inches out. I know I can hang it from the ceiling but now that it’s on the back wall I’d rather mount it down here once I work out how! I’ll work something out! Picked up a floor model Propane heater from Home Depot and saved 40 bucks to take off the chill in the garage! My 5 Star Perfect Hitting Mat arrived and it seems very high quality and exactly what I hoped it would be. The SportScreen also arrived as did the SkyTrack. Had to purchase new Computer as my laptop while plenty powerful and enough memory was too weak in the Graphics card. So as I normally do I went a little overboard and got a new Dell Inspiron desktop with I-7Quad processors, GTX 1050 GC, 16GB RAM, and both a SS and SATA drive. Should exceed all needs for years! I’m Unpacking the SkyTrack and look8ng it over in the morning. I plan on taking a lot of pics before and after! Please feel free to give any advice as I’m completely new to this effort! Thanks!

[Tresslerd]

Things are moving along nicely! I have the 16’ SportScreen mounted on the back wall. It snowed about 6 inches yesterday and so I rolled up the screen and pulled my truck inside. Just as planned! Picked up some cables, clips and moving Blankets to further protect the wall and make some side protection. Tomorrow I’m raising up the door motor putting up the cables and blankets and attaching the 144”x108” impact ProScreen. New Computer comes in on Monday and can see how it all works together with the SkyTrack. Also, with the door motor out of the way Clears up space to mount the projector when the ceiling mount arrives. The pics are of my old hitting net, my method of mounting the screen to move out from wall, and my new 5 Star Hitting Mat. Things still in flux but making progress!

[Tresslerd]

Installed the projector on new ceiling mount and returned the Tera Shield since I now had room to mount the projector with the garage door motor raised. First time doing anything with a projector and amazingly I got the location spot on! Luckily I measured the 144” Pro Impact Screen I purchased cause it was only 140 not 144 as advertised! Slight difference but glad I caught it as it entailed a 2 “ closer mounting to fill the screen lengthwise! So tomorrow I’ll be able to both practice and hit into projection of both Range and JNPG! I’ll put some final pics up when I finish just a few more small detail items. My final hitting area is toward the back of the garage ito a 16 ‘ opening with 12’ impact/Projection Screen. I can already realize I have enough room to eventually go to a 15 Ft width when it’s time to change the screen! The GTX1280 Darby looks great even with the 4 bank florecent lights on and really good with the lights out and just a LED spotlight lightning up the hitting/Computer area. The new Dell with the 1050 card did great on the display on flythroughs on JNPG! Thanks to all for help and ideas getting this done!

[sherrow70]

I’m also thinking of getting the sportscreen. What are your first impressions as far as quality, easy to install?

[Tresslerd]

Just found out that the Velcro won’t stick to the screen, especially when it rolls up. No problem attaching the hitting screen to the metal roller at the top but the sides won’t Velcro for tension so move to plan b (or is this c/d?) lol!

[Tresslerd]

It was pretty easy to put up I did it myself which was a little difficult with two it would be much easier! It’s simple to put together the only complaint I had was one end has a bearing cup that the bearing drops into and the holes were too small for the retaining bolts to slide in. I drilled them out a little and it went smoothly after that. For Golf if your putting it up against a wall you need to move it out a little. It would be nice if they provide longer arms as an option as golf balls have higher velocity then hockey pucks! I added moving blankets behind the screen hung from tensioned cable going thru eye hooks on the wall. Adding the screen later today and will then see how it works! The cable wound around the end is only temporary till I get a pole placed in bucket of concrete that will be movable to place right sidenet/blanket to. Have to make concessions to put cars in/out of Garage! Also raised door motor which really increase swing space.

[sherrow70]

Ok thanks its starting to look really nice.

[Tresslerd]

Another change to “The Plan”. Velcro won’t stick to the SportScreen screen especially when rolling up. So moving bar from bottom of SportScreen to the bottom of the impact screen. May end up with a bar on both....Time will tell. Based on doing a 16’ Screen have decided to add in a 16x9x5 enclosure after realizing it won’t interfere with moving the truck in and out and will be more finished looking.

[Tresslerd]

Made a lot of progress! Hooked everything up except the projector. Waiting for the ceiling mount.

[Tresslerd]

Still have to put the lower side blankets up ad the netting for the top/sides and some carpet on the left. Hit on the Skytrack range for first time and it worked perfectly! Small 1 or 2 second delay. Not an issue. Things are looking up here in Ohio!

[Tresslerd]

Lower blankets in place. Finished green ball landing area. Did it in two kinds of indoor outdoor carpet to give it a fairway/rough appearance! Framed it in to enable raising/lowering center fairway area to enable raising/lowering with hand winch/cable system. Put 1/2 inch insulation on framed green under the carpet to make more receptive to balls settling down instead of bouncing on plywood. Attaching winch system later today as well as netting from Menards (nylon chicken netting lol) backed by Black fabric from JoAnnes for overhead protection. Projector is perfectly aligned for 12’ by 9’. Here is quick pics