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Hello - and I am beginning my simulator build

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  • Hello - and I am beginning my simulator build

    I am taking the plunge on a golf simulator. I've held off for now because I have not had the headroom anywhere in my home and my garden just isn't big enough. So, I decided to change my double garage roof and make it a vaulted ceiling. Builder has been engaged, quote in, structural engineer and building inspection engaged.

    Once complete, my garage space will be 5.4m wide, 5.2m deep. At the walls I have 2.3m height, but a metre in from the wall this jumps to 2.9m because of the roof pitch.
    My plan is to have an enclosure that is 2.7m high at the screen (back) and 3.4m high at the front. The enclosure will be 2.7m deep, and I will be hitting from 2.4m from the screen, leaving me 2m behind. The width of the enclosure is 3.8m.

    This will give me a hitting area side profile that looks like this - rough drawing. The blue lines representing the pitch of the roof is at the bottom of the rafters. The hitting enclosure is in black with the top sloping from the wall to the hitting area. The image of the golfer is representative of my height.


    Click image for larger version  Name:	simroom.PNG Views:	0 Size:	494.1 KB ID:	239423




    I am going with a 16:10 1920*1200 and the brightest projector I can get - I have just found a used Panasonic EZ590L for £1600 and I bought it (it has the short throw lens included) - pictured above is the exact position it needs to be based on throw ratios and screen size. Bit of a risk buying it unseen from Ebay - especially as I have yet to get started on the build work!... Still the retail price for that projector and lens is nearly £5k so perhaps the risk is worth it.

    The back of the bay will be 2.7m high by 3.8m wide - so my screen size will be 2.7m high and 3.6m wide (exclduing bezels)

    Projection screen will look something like this (again my size represented and about the offset I will hit from.

    Click image for larger version  Name:	screen.PNG Views:	0 Size:	24.0 KB ID:	239409

    I am looking at an enclosure that is built to have the screen 1ft away from the back metal.
    Have not decided on the simulator unit yet.

    Here is the floor plan:

    Click image for larger version  Name:	floor.PNG Views:	0 Size:	1.06 MB ID:	239395

    Quite a tight area - but seems to be big enough - 2.4m from the screen is close but will have to do, otherwise I will not have enough room for my backswing.
    The blue box in the middle is the projector which will be 3m above my head and the blue boxes at the sides are small chairs. The wavy black line is a curtain.
    Everything to the left of the enclosure is garage stuff and there will be a ceiling over that small area for storage. Behind the sim is some shelving.
    The black rectangle on the right will be a cupboard for the PC and a flat screen to sit over it on the wall.
    The black rectangle on the upper left is the back door into the garage.
    The red squares are solid concrete / brick that protrude into the space.

    The vaulting of the ceiling should be done by the end of Feb - I will be posting pics of progress.

    Any advice very very welcome.
    One area I need to think about is the sloped of the enclosure rook and what it might do to the ball on wedge shots that go over the screen or richochet off high up on the screen - I have read about baffles and foam but still looking into it. I want the roof to slope because I want no chance of a skied shot hitting the front metal bar, so have I planned to be completely under the enclosure and thus made it 3.4m high where I hit.

    many thanks

    John
    Last edited by Jay28; 01-19-2020, 09:08 PM.

  • #2
    Hi Jay,

    Congratulations on getting started, and you've done it in the right way... with detailed drawings first Did you draw that all by hand with the graph paper, or are you using software to make your drawings?

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Brettster View Post
      Hi Jay,

      Congratulations on getting started, and you've done it in the right way... with detailed drawings first Did you draw that all by hand with the graph paper, or are you using software to make your drawings?
      Thanks - very excited to have initiated the building work on the roof - hoping to avoid any snags / blockers to the work!
      I did all the drawings and measurements in excel - setting the sizes of the columes and rows the same to simulate graph paper.

      Comment


      • #4
        Yes, I know that feeling! I'm about to start the update on my shed to turn it into a sim. I will be swinging the length of a 16' (4.88m) x 12' (3.66m) frame built shed with a gambrel roof behind the house and I will soon be starting on that remodel cutting out the ceiling joists as I have roof collar ties at 10' (3m) height all the away across the top, I think it gives me about a 6' wide area to swing and max out club height. With the flooring (which I hope to keep to 6" (15cm), I should be good with 9'6" (2.9m) height. Going to be a challenge squeezing everything in that's for sure.

        Comment


        • #5
          Building work has now started on replacing the garage roof - to vaulted.
          It's going to take 3 weeks.

          Meanwhile I have decided to go with a wooden structure for my enclosure with square padding on walls and ceiling of the enclosure I will be building.
          Will probably see if I can get away with 3*2 instead of 4*2 for the side walls... frame for the screen will be 4*2 as it will need to span 3.8m
          I will be attaching angle irons to the screen frame.

          The plan is that the padding on the interior of the walls and ceiling of the enclosure will be covered with foam squares on backing board. I will be covering the squares in either vinyl or velvet. They'll be about 40mm thick.
          The side profile of the padding will be the cover for the bungees that will hold the screen to the angle iron. That way no part of the wood - at any place in the enclosure - will be exposed to shots. Basically a box completely encased in padding apart from the screen and of course where I hit from.

          The inspiration for my finished product is something like the below with smaller squares for padding - and overall a smaller enclosure (external width of my enclosure will be 3.8m).

          It will be interesting to see how it turns out - probably a much less professional version of the below!

          Click image for larger version  Name:	Install5.jpg Views:	0 Size:	153.0 KB ID:	247173





          Last edited by Jay28; 02-18-2020, 01:35 AM.

          Comment


          • MSUGOGRN
            MSUGOGRN commented
            Editing a comment
            I am looking very forward to so how your project turns out. I am completing my project in Denver (https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...home-in-denver) and plan to do something almost identical to this. I purchased 7 queen-sized 3" memory foam mattress toppers and plan to cut them into approx 3' wide by 5' deep pads that I will attach to very lightweight plywood and then wrap in black fabric. I will attach these panels to the walls / ceilings with the following clips: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

          • Jay28
            Jay28 commented
            Editing a comment
            Yep - similar approach to the padding. I will be using 9mm ply and 2 inch foam covered in cotton batten and then faux leather.
            Current thinking is to have long panels from top to bottom about 40cm wide each. My enclosure is 1.2m depth so that would be 3 panels each side. The above pic is for inspiration really, I doubt i will get anyhting looking that good as it's not as deep or wide.
            Might do squares also.. still deciding.. it will be finishing stage of the build out.
            Last edited by Jay28; 03-21-2020, 12:29 AM.

          • MSUGOGRN
            MSUGOGRN commented
            Editing a comment
            I just finished the build out with the panels. Take a look and let me know if you have any questions.

        • #6
          Roof removed from double garage...no going back now.
          Very excited - should be building my enclosure in less than 2 weeks.

          Click image for larger version  Name:	roof.JPG Views:	0 Size:	131.7 KB ID:	248436
          Last edited by Jay28; 02-23-2020, 03:43 AM.

          Comment


          • #7
            Projector has turned up which is a relief. It was bought via ebay from abroad. Big relief as DHL lost it... took a month to get delivered.
            Panasonic EZ590 with short throw lens. Picked it up second hand for £1600. 5400 lumens so should be bright enough even with ambient light.

            Click image for larger version  Name:	DSC_0130[5646].JPG.png Views:	0 Size:	958.6 KB ID:	248797
            Attached Files
            Last edited by Jay28; 02-24-2020, 06:54 PM.

            Comment


            • #8
              Been searching around for a hitting mat (now my garage roof is DONE!).

              I just went for this option:

              Stance mat of 1.2m by 1.2m
              Click image for larger version

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              Then 4 hitting strips of 1.2m by 30cm - i'll interchange the strips depending on what I am practicing on the range.

              deluxe fairway
              tee turf
              heavy rough
              dual turf

              The stance mat and the strips will be sunk into a false floor so they don't move around.

              Click image for larger version

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              The lot was only £270 including vat and delivery

              Comment


              • #9
                ...and went for this for my putting turf which will be at the same level as the hitting mats.

                Ryder Pro 15mm putting turf

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                • #10
                  Great, where did you find these at? Link please... I'm at a point where I'm considering my flooring/mats and deciding which to go with. I'm going to cut holes into floor for sure for putting.

                  Comment


                  • #11
                    Originally posted by Brettster View Post
                    Great, where did you find these at? Link please... I'm at a point where I'm considering my flooring/mats and deciding which to go with. I'm going to cut holes into floor for sure for putting.
                    Did a lot of looking around and reading about options in the UK.
                    I tried the trustrike but didn't like it so much.
                    One of the 120x30 hitting strips I got is similar to the Counbtry Club Elite and apparently quite punishing on fat shots, so I got all 4 inserts to see what suits and also have different conditions.

                    I believe the mats are all Nagic mats
                    http://nagic-golfdrivingmats.com/

                    In the UK, I bought them from:
                    https://www.amtechrange.co.uk/collec...bi-mat-systems

                    The Ryder Pro putting turf, I got here:
                    https://www.grass247.co.uk/ryder-pro...ial-grass.html
                    Last edited by Jay28; 03-13-2020, 07:01 PM.

                    Comment


                    • #12
                      Thanks Jay28

                      Those Nagic mats look amazing. The interlocking mat base looks a lot like a FiberBuilt, or TrueStrike mat base... How did you find that supplier in UK, did you email them in Taiwan?

                      Regarding the Ryder Pro putting, is there a stimp rating on that putting turf? It seems I'm going to want to have the back half of my sim flooring to be something like the Nagic, and the front 1/2, from about 7' to the screen (8' total) be the putting turf.

                      Comment


                      • Jay28
                        Jay28 commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Not sure what the stint rating is for the putting surface.
                        I'd imagine fairly slow as it's 13mm fibres.
                        I'll measure it when it's down.

                        I can;t remember how I found Nagic... I think it was a google search on mats in general and then I saw some comments here about the Amtech range... took me a few days to realise that Amtech is a UK supplier of Nagic.
                        Last edited by Jay28; 03-15-2020, 02:26 AM.

                    • #13
                      The hitting mats arrived today from Amtech.

                      Stance mat is very good. Heavy and a good balance between cushioned and firm. Will do fine.

                      Tee Turf mat - very plush pile. It does penalise fat shots. I find no issue with well struck shots. The 'grab' on the club when striking ball then turf is quite similar to the impact of taking a divot. This will probably be my main hitting strip.

                      The other three strips are also good.

                      Heavy rough - you can actually sit the ball down in the rough and give yourself a difficult lie for practice.
                      Lush Fairway has far less grab than the Teef Turf - very nice for sweeping balls off the top of the turf with fairway woods and long to mid irons - I suspect I might get some high launch angles though with wedges.
                      Finally
                      The Dual turf option strip is a thinner pile and seems to be probably the best alrounder.

                      All very good quality and at least look like they will last.
                      Pleased. £270 for a stance mat and 4 hitting strips feels like a very good dealwhen compared to some options.

                      Just waiting for putting turf now.

                      Comment


                      • Brettster
                        Brettster commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Sounds great, will want to hear how that putting turf is for you... Also, seems difficult to find an American supplier as I messaged Nagic Mats and got a company that sells mostly to driving ranges... weird... I suppose shipping would be astronomical from UK and will have to try to locate another supplier, maybe even order a few samples.

                    • #14
                      Sounds like a great deal for good quality stance and hitting Mats.

                      Comment


                      • Jay28
                        Jay28 commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Looks like it. Obviously can't say with certainty until its had a few hundred/thousands of hits. But early signs are good.

                    • #15
                      I decided on going with a GC2a as my launch monitor (instead of the Uneekor). GC2a/FSX2018 and 3 standard courses added (Wentworth, Belfry Brabazon and one other I need to choose).
                      I will add the HMT later (most likely) because I decided to buy new instead of 2nd hand.
                      Order going in today.

                      Nothing on the floor and the club view striking the ball were things I really liked about the Uneekor, but for club history stats/gapping etc it's not there yet and it feels a little on the arcade side for my taste. FSX can have cameras connected too, which I didn't realise. Was a close call and I really wanted to prefer the Uneekor because of the Foresight pricing per course and FSX pricing, but at the end of the day my head said Foresight.

                      Hope I don;t regret the decision, but I am sure I will be happy with GC2a (and eventually HMT) with FSX2018 (soon to be FSX2020)
                      Last edited by Jay28; 03-17-2020, 04:12 PM.

                      Comment


                      • Jay28
                        Jay28 commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Yeah - I got FSX2018 mainly because of the practice element to it. I did get 3 courses to add to the 5 that come with FSX, but I will probably also get TGC2019 to open more courses. It was also confirmed that I will get a free upgrade to FSX2020, so hoping for some nice enhancements there too.

                      • Brettster
                        Brettster commented
                        Editing a comment
                        Nice - is there an ETA on FSX2020? How is the pricing on FSX when purchased with new hardware?

                      • Jay28
                        Jay28 commented
                        Editing a comment
                        FSX2018 was just under £3000 inc VAT...not much of a discount with new hardware, though would have been a bigger discount if I also purchased HMT at the same time.
                        FSX2020 is out in May and will be a free upgrade to FSX2018 owners.
                        Last edited by Jay28; 03-18-2020, 06:21 PM.
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