Garage build UK: Recommendations for bits and bobs

[Blert596]

Hi,

my Skytrak arrives tomorrow (and Im going to be out with work all day and most of the evening )

Im hoping to start my garage transformation this weekend and am targeting Xmas completion. Eventually I'd like to have a fully fledged system with all the whistles and bells, but as a start does anyone have any advice/recommendations for me. I have a list below of things I think I will need but realise there's probably plenty I've missed out.

My garage isn't the biggest in the world. I've put in plasterboard and insulation all round and it leaves me with a length of 4800mm, a width of 3080mm, and a height to the bottom of the roof truss of only 2200. Its a pitched roof with an extra 680mm to the apex. I plan to remove 3 of the horizontal joists which, judging from practice will certainly allow me to swing my 5 iron at least - maybe my 19 deg hybrid too, but doubtful Ill get my driver in. The roof is felt and not load bearing and a friend who's a structural eng says it shouldnt be a problem as long as I double up on the other joists and put in a cross member. I'm only 57 and dont have a full swing anyway - so we'll see how it goes. It's gonna happen now anyway

I have a lot of single rubber mats on the floor at the moment as I have my and Bike Turbo and and weights in there. I'm going to bin these and hopefully lay carpeting down in the whole of the garage direct on to the concrete floor. I'm reasonably happy doing this and will put some underlay down and would like some green carpet to give it that "golf course" look. Is it best just to rock up at carpet warehouse or are there better options. I dont intend to be putting on it or anything.

Ok bits and bobs, preferably sourceable from UK.

1. PC: I'm happy to sort myself. I currently have a high enough spec. i7, 16G Ram, 1080 graphic card,512 SSD.
2. Software: Will probably get TGC as it seems to be the most popular one. Doubt I'll be able to wait for the 2019 release. Unless anyone knows different.
3. Playing mat: I think I'll be able to borrow an old one from my local range for a bit until I can choose a recommended one. It just needs to be able to stay steady and preferably not break my wrists on a mishit. Are the gel ones worth it? Any advice appreciated, preferably sourced from a UK supplier. Worth cutting a hole in the carpet and laying it as an insert?
4. Tees: After reading through here the Tomahawks get a good write up so will order some of them (just in case I decide to use my driver)
5. Impact screen: I'll be looking at a decent one of these but am not sure of the size just yet. I'll be looking to put at least 1080p onto it. 4k if possible. Do I need netting behind the screen as a further safety option?
6. Projector: I currently have a 42 inch TV in the garage that I'll probably move, so its at 90 degrees to where I'm going to be hitting at the moment. Not ideal but fine for now as I haven't a SIM yet. I have to do some research into these and mounting options but if anyone can give any guidelines//recommendations then that would be great. I'd like a good bright image.
7. Nets: I'm looking to fashion a shower rail type system hopefully but no idea what types of nets to go for. I couldn't help myself and hung an old woolen sheet up and hit balls into it earlier. Seemed just fine to me

Bungees/cable ties etc I can source myself. Lighting I think will be downlighters with some Philips Hue bulbs and a bridge and an echo dot to control them. I'll be running some CAT5 out as well.

Thats about all I can think of at the moment. Any comments welcome whether it be criticism or other stuff I've forgotten and will need.

Amazing how much junk you store in a garage. Got a lot out and will be moving the rest into my home/office outbuilding.

Getting quite excited about it now.

Thanks for any help

Billy

[mcbindy]

Hi Blert596.

Im at the final stages of my garge build up in Glasgow so can offer some advice on areas i've just completed.

Garage floor - Ive put down a Damp Proof Membrane (about £20 from screfix) as im onto concrete flooring, then underlay and a carpet on top. Carpet you can get from anywhere and all down to personal taste really.

Regarding the Joists - Make sure you have enough room (depth) for backswing and follow through. I moved 4 joists which is plenty, doubled up the joists and its perfect. If you really need to add Horizontal purlins.

Answers to your points below.


1. PC: I'm happy to sort myself. I currently have a high enough spec. i7, 16G Ram, 1080 graphic card,512 SSD.

Should be good to go with that

2. Software: Will probably get TGC as it seems to be the most popular one. Doubt I'll be able to wait for the 2019 release. Unless anyone knows different.

Ive ordered TGC - From the forum people are saying you will get a free upgrade but lets wait and see. I couldnt wait so took the plunge

3. Playing mat: I think I'll be able to borrow an old one from my local range for a bit until I can choose a recommended one. It just needs to be able to stay steady and preferably not break my wrists on a mishit. Are the gel ones worth it? Any advice appreciated, preferably sourced from a UK supplier. Worth cutting a hole in the carpet and laying it as an insert?

Ive bought Tee turf, bit more expensive but allows you to use a tee and used it before in the local range, feels more like playing golf than some of the older mats out there.


4. Tees: After reading through here the Tomahawks get a good write up so will order some of them (just in case I decide to use my driver)

as above

5. Impact screen: I'll be looking at a decent one of these but am not sure of the size just yet. I'll be looking to put at least 1080p onto it. 4k if possible. Do I need netting behind the screen as a further safety option?

I picked up my screen from Steve over at the Golf Swing Systems (UK based guy) - send me a message if you want his details. The screen is cut to size, fitted with eyelets and easy to install. The cost will include the Angled iron for fitting and black pelmet to give your screen the finished look. I put it up last night and very happy with it. Measure up your sizes and drop him a message.

I put a Golf net behind (fitted on the same angled iron) to ensure my ball wouldnt get the back wall, perfect amount of bounce from the screen - Net was about £35 for 3 x 3 meters so worth the extra protection but not required.


6. Projector: I currently have a 42 inch TV in the garage that I'll probably move, so its at 90 degrees to where I'm going to be hitting at the moment. Not ideal but fine for now as I haven't a SIM yet. I have to do some research into these and mounting options but if anyone can give any guidelines//recommendations then that would be great. I'd like a good bright image.

I picked mine up from Projector point - spoke with Annick who was very helpful with the spec and sizing etc - Went from a BenQ TH671st - all to do with the size of your room and spec you are looking for so best to speak with the professionals about this

7. Nets: I'm looking to fashion a shower rail type system hopefully but no idea what types of nets to go for. I couldn't help myself and hung an old woolen sheet up and hit balls into it earlier. Seemed just fine to me

https://www.networldsports.co.uk/22mm-golf-impact-ball-stop-netting-standard-size.html

Thats the back net i used - For the side rails i will be using blackout curtains, just as cheap and will look better.


I will be putting up a post with the full build details next week once complete - any questions drop me a message and ill give you as much info as i can .

[mcbindy]

Couple of images of before and after billy.

[p3eps]

Here’s what I did...

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/build-your-own/enclosures/124803-fold-up-garage-simulator-uk

Selling the screen / net / frame etc at the moment due to a rebuild.

[Blert596]

Thanks for the replies P3eps and mcbindy.

Both your builds look great. Really nice finishes to both, and a lot of care and attention put in. Something I hope I'll get close too.

P3eps can you pm me details of what you are looking to sell?

My Skytrak arrived yesterday but I didn't get back from work until late, so obviously couldn't wait and had to have a go with it. Managed to get it set up OK and had it working on both my S9 phone and my S2 tablet. I have soft rubber matting laid at the moment so I hit a few balls into an old woolen sheet that I hung down from the joists. It certainly felt funny knowing the existing joists were in the way but I got a feel for how the unit works. I got the game improvement plan as well, but couldn't activate it initially on either my phone or tablet. I Pm'd the support and they were helpful and activated it from their end even though it said it had been activated. I still couldn't get it on my tablet and he said the S2 wouldn't support the Game Improvement parts. Which was wrong as I reinstalled the app again and it works just fine. Mirrored it to my 42" TV as well which was nice.

Anyway, in my usual "cant wait, lets just do it now" unwarranted enthusiasm I decided to remove a single joist and see how things would look/feel. Its surprising how less conscious you become with just the removal of a single joist. Should be OK with 4 removed. The roof might fall down though, which would be a pity.

I'm in a quandary at the moment over some positional stuff, as i'll have to move slightly to the right of the garage, to allow for the swing height behind me, and this is causing me a couple of problems about placement of a projector, and where to place it. The plan was to have the screen at about 2.1m hanging from the cross member off one of the original joists. However this may become problematic as as I move back towards the hitting area and the height to a joist to mount it on increases increases, affecting the angle to the screen. Something to work on for me. The rush of blood to the head has gone and it's now time to get a bit more detailed.

McB, where are you placing the nets in your enclosure as it looks quite narrow. Saying that I've no idea how much space you need to leave at the sides, or the back. If I go to my first joist it gives me about 18 inches from the receiving wall. I think Ill be hanging the screen from there, which will leave me with about 2.2m drop to the floor. Width wise I want to leave space to the left for my turbo trainer and bike.

A quick pic of how it is now before I go to B&Q



Tool chest and everything else will be moved out (apart from my bike). Ive moved the TV to the RH wall already. Im off to B&Q to get me a joist cutter


Cheers

Billy

[mcbindy]

screen measurements are 2.3m height - 2.6m wide. I put addition straps between the back wall and first joist giving me plenty of grab for the Angled iron fitting.

I have this 1ft from the back wall, cargo net behind the screen and the bounce back is great from it.

Today i'll be buy 2 blackout curtains for the side walls and will be building a net defender for the roof.

Regarding the positioning - I was days with the same problem - Eventually put the projector just off centre to the right. This is now positions pretty much above my head when swigning so should be near with my swing. What i would say is you might not require to go as far right in the garage as you think.

[DannyMRICS]

Anyway, in my usual "cant wait, lets just do it now" unwarranted enthusiasm I decided to remove a single joist and see how things would look/feel. Its surprising how less conscious you become with just the removal of a single joist. Should be OK with 4 removed. The roof might fall down though, which would be a pity.

I’m a bit worried about you removing those joists Billy. They look to be at about 600mm centres, so if you remove 4, that will be 3m without any tie-ing in of the roof. The joists are ‘chords’ really, in that they tie the ends of the rafters together and prevent roof spread (where the downward pressure from the roof pushes the walls out). As a minimum, put some collars in (horizontal timbers at say mid-span of the rafters), but really you should be getting a structural engineer to have a look.

Looks great. Love your enthusiasm.

Dan.

[mcbindy]

Thanks for putting up the picture - my concern would also be removing 4 joists, i raised my joists but 4 was the limit, your roof will still need the support or it will collapse.

Can you send a clear image of whats above the joists as they look load bearing. For my build i could only raise it 1ft and strap it to the existing roof joints....Might want to get a second opinion but Dan is right, this will leave a large area with no support unless you move the joists up providing more support.

[p3eps]

Here’s what I’m selling, but I think it’d be too big for your garage...

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/classified-ads/home-golf-simulators/169373-fs-par2pro-sqhq-screen-netting-trim-enclosure-uk

As above... you can’t just go removing joists, as the roof will fall down!! They are there for a reason.
Either dig the floor deeper, or get a structural engineer to look at ways of redesigning.

[Ozmodion]

looks like a better build than mine. as im in the military and move about a bit i had to adjust my garage so everything i did i can replace and also take down and move with me. Luckily the joists i have go long ways so i only had to take a single part of one joist to create a hole in the roof joists for the clubs to go into. everything from a lob wedge to the driver can easily be swung in there.

i have laid cardboard onto the floor then laid astro turf over the top, easily pulled up and moved to the new house. the screen and side/top impact curtains are hanging from 29mm metal pipes i got from the metal store. I have lined the pipes with foam insulation tubing to reduce the rebound of those slice shots. Side curtains are hanging from them. I went for forest green and the top is Royal blue. Looks great as if the projection is coming out at you.

I lined cardboard with silver radiator reflective foil and placed them on the roof joists and did the same with the garage door. pretty warm with a small portable oil filled radiator to keep the damp away during the night.

I'm now up and running after about 2 months of building.

look me up on TGC and we can play a game.

[LHensh]

Hi,

Sorry for digging up an old post but I have been reading through this as I'm wanting to do something similar but also have the challenge of ceiling height in my garage.

Did the OP manage to get theirs sorted? Slightly concerning that the posts stopped after the ceiling joists were removed.

I currently have 9'4" from concrete to joist but need about an extra foot to comfortably swing my driver.
I'm thinking that if I install new horizontal timber joists at the height I need and then attach new webs to them I should be able to remove the old ones. Possibly with some added vertical webs at the side for a bit of extra support.

I'll be getting professional advice before I start anything, but just wondering if what I described would be possible, in theory.

I expect ceiling joists is a common issue in the world of garage golf simulators, so would be good to hear how others have managed.

I have attached a couple of photos which might help.

Thanks
Dan