Outdoor Simulator Build - Suggestions

[Alvin Lu]

Been combing through the threads, and the topics have been super helpful.

I'm halfway through my buildout, but am encountering some questions that I would love to get some feedback on.

This is for an outdoor simulator setup under my pergola. See picture below.

• I’m going to buy a piece of turf that span the entire length and width of the pergola (15’x17’) – Haven’t decided if it would be better to have a cutout for the hitting mat, or buy a hitting mat and place on top of the exiting turf. Any thoughts? I looked at Fiberbuilt, TrueStrike, and Country Club Elite. The other thing is not going with a hitting mat at all, and creating a hitting strip like some ppl have. (I’d probably create multiple ones and have a replaceable cutout in the main turf that would only be like 1’ x 3’)
• For this turf, I’m looking at anything from 0.5” pile to 2” pile. I think I like the 1” pile (same as what they used for my rough on my putting green). Question is, do I focus on puttability – do I create a strip from the hitting area to the screen just for putting? (this would be not the most visually appealing) – If I didn’t, and went with the 1”pile, not sure if putting would be even close to real life. Also, the requirement is the turf be easy to sit on - going to use this as a home theatre outdoors...only way I could get the approval from the wife.
• I purchased a 6500 lumen projector with a very short throw lens (got a killer deal on it). Tried it yesterday at around 4pm, and it was not great – however, I did not get a proper screen yet. I did buy a cover top for my pergola, and have installed curtains on both sides though. I am going to have it on a table way off to the right – it will work.
• Do I need a big monitor, or do you think a laptop screen (15” macbook pro) would be fine enough next to the projector? I had to install windows on it, as I know most simulator software only works on Windows.
• For the screen, I haven’t ordered it yet, but haven’t figured out how to attach it to the curtains. I guess Velcro would be an option, but remember, the screen is going to be retractable. I can use fish hooks on the ground to secure as well, but not sure it that is the best. The par2pro retractable screen (the only screen that i think will work for me) does come with a metal bar at the bottom that should weigh it down, but like I mentioned, I like the screen to be nice and taut
• Not sure what to do about the area above the screen (for protection and light) – any great suggestions?

Any feedback would be awesome!

[3on3putt]

1. Not necessarily a suggestion one way or the other but rather just something to consider ..... one issue with certain mats is having them shift around gradually while you hit. I have my mat sitting on top of artificial turf and had to go to great lengths to get the damn thing to stop shifting around. And it's a heavy mat. It's weird because it's hard to push it around with my hands but somehow when I hit on it it manages to move itself. But what I'm getting at here is in regards to your question about cutting out a section for the mat or just placing it on top of the turf. Aesthetically it won't make a difference. But determining whether your mat will interact better with the turf or with the ground underneath will be the X factor.

2. As far as putting, I bought a putting mat that is about 18 inches wide and about 8 feet long. I placed it so it starts right at the edge of my hitting mat (I actually have the hitting mat overlapping it by an inch or two) and it extends all the way to my screen so I can putt all the way to the screen along the mat. The edges of the putting mat are bordered by the "rough-like" artificial turf that covers the rest of the area. If done right (and mine could certainly be better) it actually gives it kind of a cool look because it looks like putting green surrounded by thick rough.

3. I personally don't see the need for a large monitor. I don't have any monitor at all (just a computer tower). I just use the projected image on my impact screen as my monitor. Once you get the software installed, you aren't doing much on the screen anyway. And since your setup is not going to be totally permanent, an extra monitor is just one more thing you'll have to set up each time you play.

[Alvin Lu]

thanks 3on3putt. That's great insight. I like the idea of the putting strip. I actually just came back with some new 1.5" turf. no way putts will go through that. i do need to think about movement though of the hitting area - guess that is hard to gauge until I have it in place.