I can't recall what I was searching for a few months back but somehow I landed on pre-built golf simulators before finding this site and thinking how cool that would be but wasn't about to spend 10k, little did I know back then. I had played a couple with the sensors in the mat at sports bars and was never that impressed, but after seeing the launch monitors and reading how others were building their own, the wheels started turning. Thanks to all those who have gone before me and posted their experience here, and a special thanks to Shardak, who's build page helped out in all different areas from the frame, to the cloth and even lighting, I've stolen many an idea from that one post.
So my first purchase was the SQ screen from Par2Pro, and have to say, I am very satisfied with the quality of this screen so far and they would be my first choice should I decide to go bigger in the future. As someone else had said in their review, the noise of the ball hitting the screen is less than the club hitting the ball, so screen noise is not an issue. But what I really like is the bounce back. Since I hit from just under 8' away, not having to worry about the ball coming back at me (with the exception of wedge type shots, is a big plus. I figure I can probably solve this with a couple baffles over the screen when I get time. My one complaint, and I told Par2Pro this already, was the shipping & "handling" cost. Who charges handling, other than that infomercial when they give you the second one free for the cost of handling that just happens to be the same cost as the product. To me this was a way for them to make a profit for the discount they were offering, though they say since they use a 3rd party for the screen it's their charge.
I put together the frame using the usual 1" tubing from Home Depot and ordered the connecting pieces from tarps.com.
2 x 1" mitre L (Lm)
2 x 1" Closed T no Roll Stop (T1)
4 x 1" Tubing Splicer (FC)
2 x 1" Flat Roof Center Side L (F4)
6 x 1" Flat Corner (f3)
The only issue I had with this was the Flat Roof Center Side pieces have a punch in the inside middle section to not allow the tubing to pass all the way through, which I ended up using a file to remove so I just one piece of tubing and can move the screen back and forth if needed, though it's all the way at the back now.
I started out with a CCE mat, which is nice but I seem to hit a lot of fat shots and the jarring to my joints was more than I was willing to risk. I purchased it from Costco, which if you're buying this mat and have a Costco nearby, I would highly recommend so you can just take it back if it doesn't work out. So I ended up getting a FiberBuilt mat to replace it, and while I still hit fat shots, it doesn't seem as jarring, though those that say it isn't as punishing on your shot I feel are incorrect as I still know when I do it and it reflects in my distance just like the CCE.
For the launch monitor, I went back and forth between the GC2 and SkyTrak but in the end decided to save the money and start with a ST and see how addictive this habit is going to be (very). So far I feel like it was the right choice for me. The read speed is a little annoying, but if you're looking at the ST, you should already know about this. Also lately I've been getting a lot more misreads since going to the FiberBuilt so trying to figure out what that's all about. As far as accuracy, I thought at first it was off, but after looking at this forum and seeing what others say about alignment and the indoor effect, I have adjusted and after about a week of taking my time with my shots like I would on the course, I feel it's right on. Also I really appreciate the support ST gives on this forum and was worth a little weight when I was making my decision. The fact the Foresight is charging extra to register a unit if you purchase from someone other than them is a little petty and hurts the resale value for the customer. And while I haven't ruled out upgrading to a GC2 in the future, I really hope ST comes out with a version 2 and eliminates the delay and gives a wider field of view, then I know there would be no question who I would go with for an upgrade.
As for the projector, I picked up a Optopma GT1080 Darbee. The image is very nice but the alignment is a pain in the ass. I originally purchased a Cheetah mount and have not been able to get the picture square no matter what I do. There is way to much play in the screws and adjustment knobs, so wouldn't recommend this combo. I have ordered a different mount that has better adjustment capability, so well see if that resolves my issues. The projector itself is very nice for the price and wanted to the short throw. I do worry a little that it sits almost right above the tee, that one day I might pop a drive straight up and hit it, so might add a Plexiglas protective layer under it.
The wrap is Commando cloth from Chicago Canvas and is very heavy material that I also use as a curtain to block the other part of the garage with a curtain rod so I can open and close. This material is so heavy, I don't worry about a shank shot hitting a parked vehicle on the other side now. I need to order another piece to run along the top now to close in the area, figure that will help with heating and cooling the space since I won't have to do the whole garage this way.
For the lighting I used the Hoover lights Shardak used in his build but I will say trying to hang them is not easy with the cheap stickers and metal plates they give you. I have ordered some magnets to see if I can get this to stay in one place without rotating due to their weight.
Some of the stuff I ordered from amazon;
So my first purchase was the SQ screen from Par2Pro, and have to say, I am very satisfied with the quality of this screen so far and they would be my first choice should I decide to go bigger in the future. As someone else had said in their review, the noise of the ball hitting the screen is less than the club hitting the ball, so screen noise is not an issue. But what I really like is the bounce back. Since I hit from just under 8' away, not having to worry about the ball coming back at me (with the exception of wedge type shots, is a big plus. I figure I can probably solve this with a couple baffles over the screen when I get time. My one complaint, and I told Par2Pro this already, was the shipping & "handling" cost. Who charges handling, other than that infomercial when they give you the second one free for the cost of handling that just happens to be the same cost as the product. To me this was a way for them to make a profit for the discount they were offering, though they say since they use a 3rd party for the screen it's their charge.
I put together the frame using the usual 1" tubing from Home Depot and ordered the connecting pieces from tarps.com.
2 x 1" mitre L (Lm)
2 x 1" Closed T no Roll Stop (T1)
4 x 1" Tubing Splicer (FC)
2 x 1" Flat Roof Center Side L (F4)
6 x 1" Flat Corner (f3)
The only issue I had with this was the Flat Roof Center Side pieces have a punch in the inside middle section to not allow the tubing to pass all the way through, which I ended up using a file to remove so I just one piece of tubing and can move the screen back and forth if needed, though it's all the way at the back now.
I started out with a CCE mat, which is nice but I seem to hit a lot of fat shots and the jarring to my joints was more than I was willing to risk. I purchased it from Costco, which if you're buying this mat and have a Costco nearby, I would highly recommend so you can just take it back if it doesn't work out. So I ended up getting a FiberBuilt mat to replace it, and while I still hit fat shots, it doesn't seem as jarring, though those that say it isn't as punishing on your shot I feel are incorrect as I still know when I do it and it reflects in my distance just like the CCE.
For the launch monitor, I went back and forth between the GC2 and SkyTrak but in the end decided to save the money and start with a ST and see how addictive this habit is going to be (very). So far I feel like it was the right choice for me. The read speed is a little annoying, but if you're looking at the ST, you should already know about this. Also lately I've been getting a lot more misreads since going to the FiberBuilt so trying to figure out what that's all about. As far as accuracy, I thought at first it was off, but after looking at this forum and seeing what others say about alignment and the indoor effect, I have adjusted and after about a week of taking my time with my shots like I would on the course, I feel it's right on. Also I really appreciate the support ST gives on this forum and was worth a little weight when I was making my decision. The fact the Foresight is charging extra to register a unit if you purchase from someone other than them is a little petty and hurts the resale value for the customer. And while I haven't ruled out upgrading to a GC2 in the future, I really hope ST comes out with a version 2 and eliminates the delay and gives a wider field of view, then I know there would be no question who I would go with for an upgrade.
As for the projector, I picked up a Optopma GT1080 Darbee. The image is very nice but the alignment is a pain in the ass. I originally purchased a Cheetah mount and have not been able to get the picture square no matter what I do. There is way to much play in the screws and adjustment knobs, so wouldn't recommend this combo. I have ordered a different mount that has better adjustment capability, so well see if that resolves my issues. The projector itself is very nice for the price and wanted to the short throw. I do worry a little that it sits almost right above the tee, that one day I might pop a drive straight up and hit it, so might add a Plexiglas protective layer under it.
The wrap is Commando cloth from Chicago Canvas and is very heavy material that I also use as a curtain to block the other part of the garage with a curtain rod so I can open and close. This material is so heavy, I don't worry about a shank shot hitting a parked vehicle on the other side now. I need to order another piece to run along the top now to close in the area, figure that will help with heating and cooling the space since I won't have to do the whole garage this way.
For the lighting I used the Hoover lights Shardak used in his build but I will say trying to hang them is not easy with the cheap stickers and metal plates they give you. I have ordered some magnets to see if I can get this to stay in one place without rotating due to their weight.
Some of the stuff I ordered from amazon;
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