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Hey guys, I thought I'd share my sim build since I got so many ideas from this site. I recently bought a house with 9' ceilings in the basement and immediately got to work, haha. The biggest problem I have is an AC duct that runs along the ceiling on the right side of my hitting area. That limited my screen height to 8', so I decided on a 4:3 image at about 10' x 7'6". The hititng area itself is about 12' wide so I am slightly offset to the right. The limiting factor is the support pole on the left, otherwise I could've been centered.
For a screen, I went with the par2pro SQ beta with raw edges and used tarp clips to hang it. I had to add studs on the sides to finish the frame and used slotted angle iron to attach the screen with bungees. I have some experience with screens at commercial sims that I've been to and I have to say I'm very happy with the SQ screen. I originally planned on getting PR20 netting but the SQ raw material was pretty much the same price and it's pretty damn quiet. I have the screen pretty taut and I have no issues with bounce back at all. The picture quality is great too. I highly recommend it.
I used a black mesh tarp from Harbor Freight for the ceiling, 10' x 12'. I folded it up to 10'W x 5' and hung it a little below the problematic AC duct which left about 8' from the floor to the tarp. At first I just used tarp clips and bungees at the 4 corners to hang it, but I couldn't get rid of the sag in the middle and it left a pretty good space between the screen and the tarp. I got a few balls that spun up the screen and ended up on top of the tarp. To fix this, I bought a 12' ratchet strap and snaked it through the folded edge of the tarp. I ratcheted it right up against the screen and not only did it straighten out the sag in the tarp, it made it super tight to the screen and I haven't lost a ball up there since. I ended up using another strap along and behind the bottom of the screen to keep the extra material from bunching up. The tarp only cost about $30 and has the added benefit of keeping the area around the screen nice and dark.
I got the curtains on Amazon. They are 10' by 8' room dividing curtains and cost about $55 each. They are plenty heavy and look good. I wanted the curtains to hang underneath the ceiling tarp, so I got 12" mending plates and attached them to the beam and angle iron right up against the screen. I connected a vinyl coated cable to that to use as a curtain rod and tightened it up with turnbuckles. It worked out great. I don't anticipate moving the curtains, but now I can retract them if need be.
For the mat I was able to pick up a used mat from a local range for $20 and cut out an insert for a 12"x24" DivotAction. I am very happy with the Divotaction so far. It's very easy on the joints and I have no fear hitting down and through. I have the hitting area set back about 10' from the screen.
I picked up a used BenQ 1085ST projector on ebay for about $550 and so far so good. Because my ceiling is a little low, I decided to put the projector off to the side. It took some messing with the keystone adjustments, but I got the image pretty square and it saved me the trouble of mounting and wiring anything overhead. Since I'm going with a 4:3 image and using this solely for golf, I'm not too concerned with distortion, but like I said, it's pretty square anyway.
Like a lot of people around here, I bought a second hand Skytrak and again, I couldn't be happier with it. I was worried about lighting and misreads but so far I haven't had any problems at all. I bought the metal case for it too after reading that the plastic case is pretty much junk. I'm glad I did because the leveling feet and alignment stick slot are worth the extra alone.
That's pretty much it. Now all I have to do is buy and install TGC and put some kind of turf or carpet down for flooring. I would also like to do something with the lighting, but as of right now it's not necessary. Of course there are a ton of other things I want to do with the room itself, but those will have to wait a whle. I'll probably check out the demo of E6 as well but I'm pretty sure I'll be going with TGC. When all is said and done, the whole thing cost me under $4500. I know every build is unique, but I'd be glad to answer questions if you have any. Thanks!
For a screen, I went with the par2pro SQ beta with raw edges and used tarp clips to hang it. I had to add studs on the sides to finish the frame and used slotted angle iron to attach the screen with bungees. I have some experience with screens at commercial sims that I've been to and I have to say I'm very happy with the SQ screen. I originally planned on getting PR20 netting but the SQ raw material was pretty much the same price and it's pretty damn quiet. I have the screen pretty taut and I have no issues with bounce back at all. The picture quality is great too. I highly recommend it.
I used a black mesh tarp from Harbor Freight for the ceiling, 10' x 12'. I folded it up to 10'W x 5' and hung it a little below the problematic AC duct which left about 8' from the floor to the tarp. At first I just used tarp clips and bungees at the 4 corners to hang it, but I couldn't get rid of the sag in the middle and it left a pretty good space between the screen and the tarp. I got a few balls that spun up the screen and ended up on top of the tarp. To fix this, I bought a 12' ratchet strap and snaked it through the folded edge of the tarp. I ratcheted it right up against the screen and not only did it straighten out the sag in the tarp, it made it super tight to the screen and I haven't lost a ball up there since. I ended up using another strap along and behind the bottom of the screen to keep the extra material from bunching up. The tarp only cost about $30 and has the added benefit of keeping the area around the screen nice and dark.
I got the curtains on Amazon. They are 10' by 8' room dividing curtains and cost about $55 each. They are plenty heavy and look good. I wanted the curtains to hang underneath the ceiling tarp, so I got 12" mending plates and attached them to the beam and angle iron right up against the screen. I connected a vinyl coated cable to that to use as a curtain rod and tightened it up with turnbuckles. It worked out great. I don't anticipate moving the curtains, but now I can retract them if need be.
For the mat I was able to pick up a used mat from a local range for $20 and cut out an insert for a 12"x24" DivotAction. I am very happy with the Divotaction so far. It's very easy on the joints and I have no fear hitting down and through. I have the hitting area set back about 10' from the screen.
I picked up a used BenQ 1085ST projector on ebay for about $550 and so far so good. Because my ceiling is a little low, I decided to put the projector off to the side. It took some messing with the keystone adjustments, but I got the image pretty square and it saved me the trouble of mounting and wiring anything overhead. Since I'm going with a 4:3 image and using this solely for golf, I'm not too concerned with distortion, but like I said, it's pretty square anyway.
Like a lot of people around here, I bought a second hand Skytrak and again, I couldn't be happier with it. I was worried about lighting and misreads but so far I haven't had any problems at all. I bought the metal case for it too after reading that the plastic case is pretty much junk. I'm glad I did because the leveling feet and alignment stick slot are worth the extra alone.
That's pretty much it. Now all I have to do is buy and install TGC and put some kind of turf or carpet down for flooring. I would also like to do something with the lighting, but as of right now it's not necessary. Of course there are a ton of other things I want to do with the room itself, but those will have to wait a whle. I'll probably check out the demo of E6 as well but I'm pretty sure I'll be going with TGC. When all is said and done, the whole thing cost me under $4500. I know every build is unique, but I'd be glad to answer questions if you have any. Thanks!
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