Garage Build Help- How much space do I need?

[jearimotheis]

Hey guys I'm trying to see what I can do in my garage. I'm thinking about a Skytrak based on price initially. What I need to know is do I have the space to adequately have a simulator in the garage? I've posted a couple of pictures for reference and help would be appreciated as I start this journey.

https://imgur.com/a/BansHqf

[Gawlfa]

I would be concerned with hitting the garage door opener with a driver on your backswing. Even if there is "just enough room", you will definitely have it in your head and it will affect your swing. You might have to offset and not hit from the center of the screen/turf if that is the case.

I have a similar config, but a three car garage and used the single bay for my golf sim. (My hitting direction is opposite of yours with the garage door opener on the right and not in play.)

[jearimotheis]

I would be concerned with hitting the garage door opener with a driver on your backswing. Even if there is "just enough room", you will definitely have it in your head and it will affect your swing. You might have to offset and not hit from the center of the screen/turf if that is the case.

I have a similar config, but a three car garage and used the single bay for my golf sim. (My hitting direction is opposite of yours with the garage door opener on the right and not in play.)

I didn't think about that with the driver. I may have to swing to find out.

Edit: Tried it out. I think there's enough room. I'm 6'3" and I didn't seem to catch it with my driver. What I'm looking for is to understand how much actual space I need to set it up.

The Skytrak site says 12' long by 10' wide and 8.5' tall. Is there any wiggle room?

[Mahoooner]

I have a similar setup and have a 10' x 10' enclosure which works great with my Gc2. You can always purchase a Lift master 8500 which is a wall mounted garage door opener to get it out of your hitting area. I will be having mine installed next week with new insulated garage doors to hopefully make it slightly warmer in the cold Canadian winters. Let me know if you have any particular questions!

[chicub15]

The Skytrack takes photos of the ball only within the first few feet of flight. If you have room to swing the club the Skytrack has room to operate. The dimensions suggested are for safety reasons not proper function of the Skytrack. You will want to ensure that there is nothing shiny or reflective behind you (that the Skytrack can see) which can cause misreads.

[jearimotheis]

I have a similar setup and have a 10' x 10' enclosure which works great with my Gc2. You can always purchase a Lift master 8500 which is a wall mounted garage door opener to get it out of your hitting area. I will be having mine installed next week with new insulated garage doors to hopefully make it slightly warmer in the cold Canadian winters. Let me know if you have any particular questions!

Interesting, didn't think of this. They look to be about $500 (USD) plus install, what are you expecting to pay for the install?

[Mahoooner]

I am paying about $750.00 CDN installed with the new garage doors.

[jearimotheis]

The Skytrack takes photos of the ball only within the first few feet of flight. If you have room to swing the club the Skytrack has room to operate. The dimensions suggested are for safety reasons not proper function of the Skytrack. You will want to ensure that there is nothing shiny or reflective behind you (that the Skytrack can see) which can cause misreads.

Ok cool! Is there a general rule for how much space behind the net/drop screen and how much space left and right of the net/drop screen I should be aiming for?

[chicub15]

jearimotheis General rule of thumb I've seen is 12 inches behind the screen. I only made my gap 8 inches however as I used two twin mattresses between the screen and wall to dampen bounce back and reduce sound. Left/right you only need enough space for your framing. Are you doing an enclosure or just a screen? I used the link below to build my own enclosure:

https://gunghogolf.com/articles/diy-impact-screen-enclosure

[jearimotheis]

jearimotheis General rule of thumb I've seen is 12 inches behind the screen. I only made my gap 8 inches however as I used two twin mattresses between the screen and wall to dampen bounce back and reduce sound. Left/right you only need enough space for your framing. Are you doing an enclosure or just a screen? I used the link below to build my own enclosure:

https://gunghogolf.com/articles/diy-impact-screen-enclosure

Good to know, thank you! Honestly I don’t think I have the space to build an enclosure. Right now I’m thinking I may just do the Home Series Net Return net, hitting mat, iPad or laptop and skytrak. That’s all I need right?

[chicub15]

Yep that would get you started for sure. Many of us on here initially had designs for something basic like that... it doesn't take long before you start modifying/upgrading and next thing you know you have a studio quality sim room. Good luck with your build!

[jearimotheis]

Cool. I think that’s where I’ll start then. Maybe in the long run, if we have garage door issues I can replace the middle rail to open it up for the screen. Thanks for the help!

[brob2k1]

I have a very similar setup to what you have. I can make a few suggestions with the workbench in the back. Make sure your screen is at least a foot from any solid items like the work bench so when it drops down you have a gap for screen / netting behind / etc. This will also help ensure you don't hit anything solid and the ball drops down. It looks like the tracks for your garage can also be elevated. If you move to a side mount (I did with the liftmaster) I paid the guys doing the install a few hundred bucks and elevated my rails as well so the garage door goes higher.