Garage setup complete!

[JayJo13]

I finished my garage golf sim last night after patiently waiting for everything from various suppliers. The challenge I had was I needed to be able to park two cars in my garage most of the time so I needed to design something I could dismantle and setup in a reasonable amount of time.

It worked out pretty good and overall I'm happy with the setup. It takes about 15 minutes to dismantle and store and about the same amount of time to setup.

The screen hangs from the ceiling but also sits flush with the floor I had it custom made and has a 3" sleeve running along the top and bottom. The side panel poles are also hung from the ceiling on one end.

Details:

All pricing in CAD

Screen - 13'x9 12oz Sawdust mesh - ordered from https://www.heavydutytarps.ca/ - $307
Projector - Optoma GT1080HDR 1080P DLP Short Throw from Costco - $1,049
Projector ceiling mount https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01014WET4 - $26
Side panels - Photo studio backdrop cloths - https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07QW67NY5 - $22 each = $44
Top tarp/ netting - https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07WFTBHNL - $29.99
(6) 10'x1" EMT Conduit from Lowes - $16.00 each = $96
6' x 1" Pipe insulation to cover all EMT conduit from Lowes - $2.99 each x 10 = $29.99
EMT fittings from https://www.carlofet.com/ (4 corner brackets, 2 "T" brackets, 2 1" couplers) - $150 including shipping
Collection area turf (12'x10') from Lowes - $94
Tarp clips - https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07XFJQR2R ($16.99)
Bungees - https://www.amazon.ca/Keeper-Corpora.../dp/B000SZNPWC - $7.35
Hitting mat from https://www.dwquailgolf.com/dura-pro...-golf-mat-4x5/ - $175
Other hardware - Chain, carabiners, eye bolts, ceiling hooks, nuts, bolts, etc - $50


Total - $2,075 CAD ($1,454 USD)

I still need to build a proper stance mat and countersink a hitting mat as well as a putting mat - that's the next project. I also need to hang something behind the screen to reduce transparency of screen as it is fairly see-through.

I'm using an Optishot I purchased in March ($500). I also purchased a Mevo+, which will hopefully be here by the end of June. Then i'll get TGC2019 and E6 Connect Basic.

Thanks to everyone on this forum for all of the valuable information! This is a great resource when building a golf sim! Let me know if you have any questions and I'm happy to answer.

[Alex.Morgan]

Looks fantastic - well done!

[JayJo13]

Thank you!

[DS12]

Is the sawdust mesh lightweight and quiet? I like that option as I wouldn't be looking for theater quality projection in a garage, especially if you need to constantly break down the setup for cars

[JayJo13]

Yes, it's both lightweight and quiet. It has a bit more bounce-back than I'd like but I've got it strung pretty tight so I'm sure if I loosen it a bit that will help. I'm also going to hang something behind to reduce bounce-back as well as improve image quality.

[Dax]

Really good looking finished job and great breakdown of all your material thank you!

[JayJo13]

You're welcome!

[JayJo13]

Not sure what happened to the photos in my original post so I've posted them here.

[JayJo13]

That's a good question. The way it worked out for me was actually a bit lucky because I originally didn't plan to hang the sim in front of the garage door, I was going to hang in near the back of the garage. Anyways, it worked out way better and I got lucky because everything fit perfectly.

I couldn't really make the frame or screen any bigger, I don't think because when I setup the frame/screen I need a bit of room on each side to insert the vertical EMT poles into the top and bottom poles. I leave the 90-degree corner fittings on the vertical poles.

If anything I could maybe shorten the length of the top and bottom poles to give me a bit more room to play with on each side when I set it up. However, I like to have the gap between the screen and the side poles to allow for a nice stretch to pull the screen tight horizontally. So it's probably good the way it is.

I would also probably increase the length of the side panels (poles) to 6' instead of 5'. The reason I went with 5' was to just cut one length of EMT in the middle. If I had bought one more length and went 6' it would allow me to install the ceiling hook and chain in a stud rather than a plug in the drywall. It seems to be okay right now but eventually it will probably dislodge. Anyways, that's something I can do anytime.

The black mesh banner I used for the top is a bit big. It's 6.5' x 20' so it hangs over the back (which is good) and the sides. I wish it was 14' x 6.5'. I may cut it down.

I should mention the steps I have found the quickest and easiest to setup the sim:

1. Hang the screen from the ceiling (I use a ladder and hang one side at a time)
2. Affix the left and right poles to the top and bottom poles to complete the frame (I use a level)
3. Stretch the screen horizontally with bungee cords (tarp clips stay on the screen)
6. Hang white sheet behind screen (clamp it to the screen)
5. Hang the side panel poles and fasten to the top bar (the side panel material stays on the poles)
6. Drape the top mesh over the side panel poles and fasten to the garage tracks (stretch it nice and tight)
7. Hang the projector on the ceiling mounting bracket and adjust image on screen
8. Roll out collection area turf
9. Put down stance and hitting mats
10. Turn on laptop and load program
11. Tee it up!

Good luck and let me know how it goes!

[Tilly67]

Thanks for all the feedback once again! Wow you did luck out if you didn't initially intend to use it on the garage door wall. Today I submitted an order for the same screen you have but 14' x 9'. After reading your post I'm a bit nervous but hopeful to build the frame with sufficient clearance and still get a good amount of stretch side to side. I "think" it should be fine, I have a little over 193" between the rails. If I use the same ratio of frame to screen that you used I could go 15' (180") and have 6-7" of play on each side for assembly. How much difference did you see in your image after backing the screen with a white sheet? I've seen a lot of posts about using black which seems counter-intuitive. I'm thinking of plugging my garage door opener into a wifi smart plug and making that part of the SIM setup. I have a couple 4' LED shop lights that I did that with and control them using Alexa. I could see us accidentally running the garage door up into the screen. Any suggestions on projectors? I know that's a huge can of worms and I've been reading for a long time and cannot decide which way to go. My 3 on the list are the Optoma GT1080HDR, BENQ 2150ST, or the BENQ 671ST. I'm currently hitting into a Net Return using a 43" TV as a monitor and it's fine but I'm in this far I want to take it to the next level. Thanks for all the responses, greatly appreciated!

[JayJo13]

Your dimensions and space look pretty good to me. I actually had to use a different bungee than I first thought because I had more room than I planned. I think 6" on each side is plenty of room. I thought about a 15' screen as well but the reality is a 13' or 14' screen is pretty damn big! I was also trying to maximize the screen size.

I always unplug the garage door opener when the sim is setup. A WIFI smart plug is a great idea.

As far as projectors go, I purchased a Optoma GT1080HDR from Costco. I don't have anything to compare it to but it seems to be good. A really high quality image with plenty of brightness. Although I turn most of lights off in the garage when I'm playing. With the research I did I knew I needed a short-throw, minimum 3000 lumens and 1080P. The Optoma checked all the boxes and was a decent price.

Keep me updated with your build. I'm curious to know how it goes!

[Alex.Morgan]

In the sleeve of the screen is it weighted at the bottom?

[JayJo13]

I inserted a 10' length of 1" EMT conduit in the bottom sleeve and then wrapped some 1" pipe insulation around the bottom sleeve & EMT. It's definitely heavy enough to give the screen a good vertical stretch.

[JayJo13]

Alex.Morgan here are some pics of the bottom sleeve

[JayJo13]

No problem!

[Jay28]

Did you sew in the seams yourself?

[JayJo13]

I did not sew the seams - I custom ordered the screen and requested they sew the sleeves

[dudley286]

That is a great set up sir!!! Very well done!!!!

Quick question, how is the bounce back of the golf balls? By the way, I am so jealous!!

[JayJo13]

Thank you!

The bounce back is a little more than I hoped for but it's still reasonable. Probably bounces off the screen about 3-4 feet with a driver. I think if I put some foam underlay underneath the collection area mat it will be fine. I could also hang something behind the screen that would help. It's definitely not bad enough right now for me to want to do anything about it.

[GoldenSim]

JayJo13 Great job - impressive to get such a good looking setup for that price and that you can setup and takedown so easily

[JayJo13]

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with it so far!

[gmbtempe]

On the screen order what did you use from grommet spacing? Also did you have to ask for the edge condition that allowed you to place the bar or was that standard?

[JayJo13]

I ordered the screen from Heavy Duty Tarps (https://www.heavydutytarps.ca/) and they customized it for me. I elected to go without grommets and I use tarp clips instead. That way I have the option to move them around a bit if I want to or if some areas are showing wear. I also had them sew a 3" sleeve along the top and bottom so I could just slide 1" EMT through. This was also way cheaper than ordering a stock screen.

[Tricky12]

Can you please provide more information (sizes) on the chain, carabiners, eye bolts, ceiling hooks, nuts, bolts, etc... that you used? Did you secure the chains to a stud or just to the drywall?

How did you do the side panels - Photo studio backdrop cloths? Did you have to cut the material and fit it to your simulator? (These look awesome!)

Have you noticed any issues with this set-up? Does the screen take contact pretty well OR does it make the frame swing back and forth after contact since it's attached to the chains?

How have the tarp clips held up after heavy use and impact?

What are the bungees attached to on the EMT pipe?

[JayJo13]

I'll provide a general reply right now but I'll reply in detail later tonight after I get the sim setup and i'll take some photos of all the hardware I used as it will provide way better context.

I used 5/16" lag thread screw eyes straight into studs to hang the main screen. The chain, hardware, carabiners, etc. are pretty standard (i'll post pics later) but there isn't a lot of weight as I have the screen completely framed so it actually sits on the ground and takes some of the weight off the ceiling. Once it's hung it reall doesn't move at all -- it's very stable.

My ceiling is 125" and my screen is 108" so there is about 17" of chain hanging from the ceiling.

The photo studio backdrop cloths were ordered to size from Amazon. They are 108"x72". They also came with a sleeve in the top so I covered a 60" length of 1" EMT conduit with foam pipe insulation and then inserted it through the sleeve. They just hang to the floor.

No issues with the setup so far and I've hit probably 1000+ balls into it. The screen takes the contact well and does not move all on impact.

Tarp clips have help up just fine. I can move them if I see any wear on the screen but the edges of the screen are reinforced with a vinyl hem so I don't foresee any issues.

The bungees are just mini bungees like these - https://www.amazon.ca/Keeper-Corpora.../dp/B000SZNPWC

The bugees don't really take on a lot of stress as they just stretch the screen nicely (I don't want to over stretch to reduce bounce back).

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Tricky12]

You're awesome dude! Thanks for sharing all of these tips and photos. I really appreciate it! JayJo13

[JayJo13]

No problem, I'm happy to help. I also commented on your question about the side panels above.

[JayJo13]

Tricky12 - See photos below for a closer look at the hardware I am using to hang the screen and side panels. I threw in a few extras to show how I store it when not in use. Let me know if you have any questions.

[wanabe]

Looks a great set up - still planning mine for my garage here in the UK. Your screen looks similar in the close up photo to the weave of Archery Nets, which is what i plan to use as a screen. I intend to purchase twice the length needed and double it up, folded over from one side to another, ie 8m length, folded in half into a 4m wide screen - (160" wide screen 16:9), to reduce light bleed and hopefully improve the picture quality and the ability to cushion the impact of the ball.

Just wondered how good your picture was on that type of screen, in person as it is difficult to see from the photos, and what resolution you are running the Optishot at?

Thanks

[JayJo13]

The picture could be better, for sure. I really don't have anything to compare it to but I was hoping it would be a bit brighter. My projector has 3,800 lumens so it should be good. I huge part of the problem is definitely the screen. The picture bleeds through quite a bit. I purchased a white sheet (same as my side panels) that I will clamp to the back when it gets here in a few weeks. I'll be posting some before and after photos when I get that done.

Your plan to double up the archery net will likely work well. I'll let you know what this sheet is like when I get it done because that could save you about $200 if it works.

I'm running the Optishot at 1920x1080 60hz.

Good luck with your build!

[Longball_13]

have you got any more detail on the collection turf you sourced? I can't find anything with those dims at that price.
thanks,

[JayJo13]

This is what it is - https://www.rona.ca/en/turf-runner-1...green-76675070

It's pretty cheap and quite thin.It dampens the ball bounce by maybe 25% on concrete. If I had to do it over again I'd spend a bit more money to get something thicker. I'll probably end up glueing some carpet underlay to the bottom.

[Kareem Brown]

Thanks so much for the details. It looks great im going to steal a couple of ideals for my build. I needed those Canadian links!

[JayJo13]

No problem! Yeah it's pretty difficult sourcing supplies in Canada, unfortunately. Dome of the items I ordered took 6 weeks to arrive (which is understandable). I will say the parts I ordered from Carls (https://www.carlofet.com/) arrived in like 3 days.