Advice needed for my first build

[moadhia]

I am in the process of completing my first build. I am building it slowly piece by piece to see if things make sense. The room I am using is 15x15x9 but its unfortunately not a perfect square. Also, the ceilings are vaulted but the area in the middle, where I am hitting from, is flat .

Currently, I have done the following:

- created a cage which is 7.8 x 10.5 x 3 using 1 inch EMT pipes.
- bought a 8x10 carl's preferred impact screen
- a 10x15 net behind my impact screen (net bought from amazon)
- added an over-sized green carpet and an underlayment so that the extra piece can cover the bottom EMT pole. Plus add pipe insulation to bottom and top EMT pipe.
- fiberbuilt mat
- gc2

I have paused the build now as I need to tweak things a little bit and need some advice from the experts here.

1) I am not liking the idea of a cage in such a small room and would like to instead use heavy duty drapes on a rod to prevent shanks/crazy pulls damaging wall. Since the ceiling is vaulted I am not sure how I can go about adding a rod. Any ideas ? Also, where should I buy a heavy duty drape from that won't let the ball through and create a hole in the dry wall. I am guessing the drapes would need some sort of weight at the bottom to prevent those really low ones from going through.

1 b) when I was building the EMT cage, I felt the EMT structure for just the screen felt very unstable. I know people attach impact screen using angle iron but given the vaulted ceilings I don't think that is an option. What's the best way to secure an EMT screen frame. I am afraid of it toppling forward or backwards (there is a window behind the screen that I don't want damaged) .

2) I would like to protect the ceiling above. I am guessing I need a slanted net frame. Any ideas on how to do this and make it look neat ?

3) I would like to put tarp or maybe black commando cloth behind the screen to block light from the window. Any suggestions on which option is better and where to buy a good quality one from ?

4) I notice that the screen has some wrinkles on it. Is it because there is too much tension on the sides ? The bounce back on a 7 iron is not too bad. I am afraid of using a driver or 3 wood until I am 99% sure the build is safe.

Thanks in advance .

[chicub15]

Nice build!

I used 1/4" suspension wire to hold up my side curtains. I bought heavy black drapes on Amazon. I clip the bottom of the drapes in both corners. The tension prevents the occasional hosel rocket from getting under the curtain. Good luck!

[moadhia]

Nice build!

I used 1/4" suspension wire to hold up my side curtains. I bought heavy black drapes on Amazon. I clip the bottom of the drapes in both corners. The tension prevents the occasional hosel rocket from getting under the curtain. Good luck!

What are you clipping the bottom corner of the drapes to ? Running another suspension wire at the bottom ?

[chicub15]

I used a grommet kit to punch grommets in the bottom corners of the drapes. Then a standard bungee with hook to pull it tight. If it was a permanent installation I would've used tip ties, but I slide the curtains against the wall and fold up one section of the hitting area floor when parking in the garage.

[EasyW]

#4. Yes, There appears to be a bit too much tension on the sides. You may want to go "every other grommet" instead so that it hangs a bit straighter. You want to equalize tension on 3 sides at least.

[moadhia]

Thanks I’ll try that out tonight and see how that works.

[EasyW]

Also...you could consider reducing the "depth" of your cage if you dont like the look. I built a cage that is only 1 foot in depth cause i didnt want it extending out too far.

[moadhia]

I am going to removing the right side of the cage and replace it will blackout curtains. This way ill get rid of that front top rod as well. I am then going to attach a net to the top of the screen all the way to the ceiling to protect the ceiling . I hit some three quarter lob wedges and it’s hitting just below the top screen so anything with more umph and it’s going to damage ceiling hence need the ceiling protection.