Cost Breakdown

[Rtmdgolf]

I've come around on TGC 2019. I actually play regularly with my son. The putting is accurate but very buggy. Sometimes you cannot get the SkyTrak to register putts. It's weird because it almost never does that in the SkyTrak application. The thing I am most impressed about is the scoring is really accurate to real life. I have never played real golf better or more consistently in my life . . . the simulator is worth every penny.

I ended up talking to a lot of other people and figuring out the names of local courses. I really like playing the accurate local courses. The biggest problem is that they are very hard to find. I wish the database was easier to search. Also, I find it hard to get courses with appropriate tee boxes. I wish this was easier. Sometimes there are courses I want to play but only at 7,000 plus yards.

[3on3putt]

When putting, make sure to place the ball well behind the red dot. I put mine a good 6 inches behind it when putting.

[Burtgolf]

First time reading your post. I thought the expense report was a great way to show how much things can cost if you do not take advantage of other DIY options or screens on clearance or checking with dbgolf72 to see if he has any direct from the mill screens still available. I just checked my excel and I was at 3951.13 but that included my set of PXG 0211 irons and I did not have PC nor TGC 2019 expense. I hope other people reading this will see your list and know that is what they need to be willing to invest if they are going to go down this path!

As to your comment on "3. Partial shots: The simulator really isn't helpful on "feel" shots. Generally, when I'm hitting say 60 yards, I just feel that distance rather than adjust my backswing. Because you have no visual reference, it seems somewhat random. In general, simulators aren't for the short game." ... I actually feel just the opposite. I had always been a feel player and after going through the wedge matrix numerous times.. I am a huge fan of it.. I want to know my short shot distances now. I have built an array of shots from 10 yards to 90 yards and feel I can be within 2-3 yards of the carry I am wanting each time now .. I think if you work on your short game and learn your yardages you will see HUGE improvement next time your out on the course!

I would disagree with the "super nice balls" statement as well. I have 30 balls in my ball caddie and never hit the same one twice in a row. I also never line up the logo, just put the ball around the dot and go. If I see a ball that gets a scuff from a wedge I retire it to my bag to use on the course next and will not hit again to my impact screen. I have yet to wear the logo off or see one go "bald". I use Srixon Z and Q star and the three piece Kirkland balls from Costco (they spin WAY too much so I do not put these in my bag to play instead they go in the kiddos bag hehehe)

The SkyTrak app also does not register putts.. I and many others have tried and never has it ever picked up a putt. But I totally agree with 3on3putt put the ball about 3-6 inches behind the red dot when your in your simulator software and it picks up the putt almost every time!

Sorry if this comes across as blasting your post it is not meant that way, just that some of your experiences are not the same for everyone.

[Rtmdgolf]

-In regards to the DIY, remember a significant amount of the cost is fixed (Sky Trak with case, Skytrak subscription, warranty, TGC2019). I don't know of a DIY alternative other than getting used stuff online which would be reasonable. The only thing you could DIY would be the screen but the one I got looks somewhat professional so the extra $500 was worth it. Also, I wanted a screen that fit my space exactly which would be impossible to find on clearance.
If you are flexible, you will save money. Ultimately, you have to evaluate how valuable your time is. You could definitely save money on the computer.

-I haven't tried the wedge matrix. I could see it working for some people. I just don't think you can "fine tune" your wedges with the SkyTrak (i.e. there is a variance of at least five yards). I will say that I make better contact on short shots simply through more practice. In that sense, it has helped my short game. Adjusting my backswing seems too mechanical for finesse shots (personal viewpoint). I may try it out this winter.

-The "baldness" of the balls is absolutely a thing. I tend to play just a few balls at a time (initially Srixon XV or proV1x). That might be a factor. I think the type of screen makes a big difference. The intermediate Carl's screen has a little texture to it that causes it to wear. It makes sense: a fast spinning ball on a textured surface hit hundreds of time. Btw, I'm not sure how much it affects performance. It might not matter at all. I don't find it a big deal. I put a few new intermediate balls into play every week. I save my nicer balls for the course.

-I've tried everything with the putts. Front, back, side, high, low, light, background, left handed, clean lens, etc. . . . it's still hit or miss at best. It's buggy enough that it's no fun to putt three times to get it to work. The divot action insert I got might have made it worse. I went to gimmie distance mode.

[fortner28]

I am just putting my golf sim together. From reading on this forum it looks like a lot of trial and error in the DIY setup. I have a Carl's premium screen. I had to get it made custom as my tray ceiling caused me to have a shorter screen than I would have liked. They did make it 16:9. I have a short throw projector overhead. I don't think anyone should hit something hanging there but I am not sure? We will soon find out. The impact screens are not good for high quality images. I wanted to have a mixed use design and this is where I messed up. I could have saved money and bought a nice projector screen and hung netting in front of it that could be moved to watch movies. I may make this change if I later switch to a 4K projector. You also have to make sure to hit new balls into an impact screen as damaged balls will cause damage to the screen. You are right that any exposed walls will take hits. My biggest concern is the ceiling. I know that I will hit shots straight up on a mishit. I am trying to figure how much padding is needed or if I should use netting/baffle for that? Now I have to experiment with hitting mats and mess with putting. I was hoping to keep thing around 5K but I will have spent a good 8k by the time everything is complete.