New Build - Help Please - Skytrak Indoor Sim

[caj4isu]

Hey all!

I've been spending a lot of time going through the posts on the forum trying to get some answers but I've got a few things I'd like recommendations on.

My sim will be set up in my detached shop which is heated and cooled. My wood-working room will become my golf sim room. I've got about 10' of width (maybe 11') to work with, my ceilings are 10' but have hanging shop lights so realistically 9' to work with for the cage height, and 20' of length.

I don't foresee the need to dismantle the set-up and reinstall. It will be fairly permanant.

My goal is for me and my wife to be able to practice but also have some friends over to play a round occasionally. I would like to have an impact screen and projector setup. I have an iPad mini 2 with retina display (which appears to be able to run the sim that I've purchased), but will purchase a windows based gaming computer if needed to be able to play more realistic golf if TGC Game isn't all that great.

So far, I have purchase the Skytrak system with play and improve package, the metal ST protective case, a kit of corner brackets for 1" EMT (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074YBKR78) and (11) 10' sections of 1" EMT.

At this point, my questions are:

* Cage - My plan is to make the EMT frame 9' high x 10' wide. Depth of the cage is where I'm hung up. Should I plan to extend the cage to the hitting location or past it so my hitting location is inside the cage. (I'm 6' tall and my wife is 5' 1". At this point, I don't anticipate having anyone much taller than me hitting on the sim). My concern is a toed shot and bouncing around the room. DUCK!! I can handle the netting / screen / ceiling protection issues from other's posts and experience on the forum.

* Hitting distance from the screen - what is the minimum distance or optimum distance from the screen where my hitting mat should be placed. I'm planning to go with a Carl's, WCN or similar impact screen with the Northern Tool moving blankets behind the screen.

* Hitting mat - I've spent a couple days looking at posts here and I'm more confused. It seems TrueStrike, DivotAction and Fiberbuilt are all forgiving on the elbows and wrists, but I'm concerned about the Skytrak sensing the shot, not having to move the ST unit between drives and fairway shots, and it seems that putting can be an issue with some of them. I'm setting this up for RH golfers so no need to switch back and forth between LH and RH. I'd prefer to just purchase something and be done, but can build a platform with a purchased insert if someone has a great design that they would like to share.

I'm sure I'll have more questions along the way, but if anyone could provide some pro's and con's from experience, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

Chuck

[Shifty]

Cage- depends on room, in my design (to be built) my screen will be 12 x 8 (image 11x6.5), I will have curtains on the side flaring out and length being 5'. On the top I have 4 baffles hanging down at a 45 degree angle coming out from top of screen to protect when practicing flops, or just using my 62 degree.

hitting distance from screen should be enough room so you can fully release your club. You have a skytrak so there is no min. distance required. Whatever works best for your room will be fine.

Hitting mat- I think the divot action and fibrebult are the best as they won't do damage on your wrists (truestrike I hear ball doesn't sit flush and can be a pain... dunno). Also fibrebult has done extensive testing with trackman to prove their mat is the closest to real readings off grass. That being said, if you wish to play sim golf, putting off the fibrebuilt is horrible. I built myself a trolly so I hit all shots off the fibrebuilt, and then slide the skytrack forward and putt off a different mat. If I was to do it all over again I would probably purchase a burner divot action insert. A sim guy who builds his own, and for others. If you are interested in that I could send you his way.

[BWJones]

I went thru several hitting mats over the last year and finally settles with a true strike. I think it is most realistic. I use my ST and never need to move the device. I use tomahawk tees. I also have no issues with putting. I am very happy with the outcome. I did have to customize the hitting mat and cover the front logo with a piece of thin outdoor carpet so my putts roll off the mat smoothly. Works perfectly.