Starting new sim build

[14MPH]

Hi all. I am renovating an old garage structure, dimensions shown. Three sides and roof to be replaced (the wall containing the future stacker door is staying and will be extended vertically to accommodate the new roof). Subject to council approval (because it is a new structure, it means I have to submit for planning approvals), ideally I will extend internal length of new room by approx. 1 ft (30cm), which will address the question re: length E in the attached diagrams.

To get the approval by the commander-in-chief at home, a compromise has been reached that this will be a multipurpose area for entertaining/dining plus golf sim use. When not in golf mode, its use will be for occasional entertainment cooking/dining and maybe double up as theater room for kids and all. Other than catering for some benchtop cooking space (I have no choice about this!) to house a sink, single wok burner and hotplate (and possibly an extractor hood above the cooking area), any furniture will be movable/stackable.

Current state: deciding on renovation dimensions, position of lights, internet and plug-socket points, framing for screen, most likely side curtains (as opposed to enclosure) etc. – no sim equipment bought so all that is a future state. Modelling on Uneekor Eye XO (or maybe Mevo+) as I need to cater for both RH and LH players. I do have luxury of room dimensions, including ability to choose new ceiling height (max. 11'5" or 3.5m external height)

Current floor – concrete pad, dimensions remaining more or less as is.

Planned openings – stacker doors (replacing old double-garage overhead door) and a small side window. Planning to cover this with curtains/blinds to block out any daylight.

I am based in Australia so not all items for an ideal sim set-up are readily available here. Couple this with budget constraints, will mean accommodating alternatives as I go along. But I want to start from an ideal position.

I used the following references in addition to reading the posts in this forum if this is of any help to others:
https://mygolfsimulator.com/uneekor-eyexo-space/
https://mygolfsimulator.com/aspect-ratio-and-impact-screen-size/
https://mygolfsimulator.com/sitemap/
https://gunghogolf.com/articles/diy-impact-screen-enclosure
https://golfsimulatorguide.net/projectors/
https://golfsimulatorguide.net/hitting-mats-and-flooring/
https://golfsimulatorguide.net/impact-screens/
https://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm

1. What is the minimum distance required for A? I have read about 12” (30cm). I have an old Pool Cover that I can use to hang behind the screen (in addition to other items like moving blankets etc.) – I recognize a comment in an older post re: dye transfer so will layer a white fabric sheet behind the screen in any case if I go down this path. Am I correct in my understanding that any backing material e.g. archery grade or normal golf netting should be installed taut to the frame but the screen itself is stretched enough to take any wrinkles out and not secured at the bottom?

2. Catering for both LH and RH players, I am trying to find a suitable “center point” from screen to ball, ball to back wall, ball to side walls. Catering for the bench top units (2’ 11” Height x 1’ 11” Depth) I have a choice of installing this either on the

1. back wall opposite screen (option 1) or
2. on the side wall behind the RH player (option 2)

Therefore, what is the minimum recommended distances for B, D and E? I am presuming swing arc will not affect RH player if I install using option 2. The minimum distances will give me ability to figure out where to position everything.

• [*=1]This issue goes away if I can extend new room back wall by 1ft and therefore install bench top with option 1 without worry.

3. I was debating whether to install projector on a track, but I don’t know if that is overkill or not. I have not chosen a projector model yet so have not figured out the need for short or normal throw. Hence seeking clarification if distance G matters or not. Main concerns wrt projector position relative to Uneekor unit are

• [*=1]Height of projector, given Uneekor unit has to be 3.5ft in ahead of ball position
  [*=1]no shadows
  [*=1]remove risk of damage by errant ball or club catching either of the units
  [*=1]Specs & cost of projector
  [*=1]Aspect ratio: With occasional movie theatre use and primarily golf sim use, should I be leaning towards 4:3, 16:9, 16:10 given the height and width available? New ceiling height can be anywhere from 9ft to 10ft 10”
  [*=1]Interference of projector blocking the Uneekor sensor cone
  • [*=1]I read that short-throw projectors are recommended approx. 8ft or so from screen (normal throw about 10ft+) and catering for relevant mount height
    [*=1]Ball position to screen is approx. 10ft
    [*=1]Uneekor is 3.5 ft ahead of ball position, and must be installed at height of 9ft to 10 ft (no compromise here) as per https://mygolfsimulator.com/uneekor-eyexo-space/
    [*=1]è hence my confusion about any potential “congestion” of all of this kit so close to each other and not have any issues re: shadows, interference, aspect and throw ratios!

4. Lighting – I intend to install LED down lights above the golfer/hitting area on a track so can add/remove/move one or more of these as needed in the track. Any comments on position of lights relative to the projector position (concerned about shadows)? I read in another post that a number of posters think of lighting in 3 banks – the back wall, above the golfer and maybe any other ambient lighting elsewhere. Dimmers are the go so that is noted.

5. I read about installing gel pads under the hitting area to safeguard wrist & elbow joints. I understand the Uneekor sensor hitting area is about 12” wide

1. Is the depth dimension the same?
2. Of the more recent builds, whilst I have spotted a dedicated Fiberbuilt (or similar) hitting mats in some of the photos, has anyone installed a multi-surface mat instead (example: https://www.amazon.com/Rukket-Tri-Tu...dp/B079Y8DB8Z/ )? I found a photo here: https://golfsimulatorguide.net/hitting-mats-and-flooring/ Or are these more of a gimmick? I was mainly curious if such a mat added to the sim experience and whether the sim can cater for a wider multi-surface mat. This would also impact the overall size of standing mat I would need to install to cater for LH and RH players.

6. For ceiling protection (whilst not interfering with projector image with shadows), which is better - netting/blackout cloth or series of baffles?

I might be suffering from too much analysis so any help tips/suggestions related to my first-world problems are appreciated – yes, this does keep me awake these days, excited thinking about “what about this, and what about that”…I can only hope it will impact my golf positively!!

[Foreman33]

A few partial answers/comments and some of my own experiences:

1. I have a Carl's premium screen that is currently 12" from the wall. I have no banket/foam/netting behind it (yet). I think you could get away with something like 8" and potentially less if you have something behind it. White-out curtains have been suggested to go between your screen and whatever you are putting behind it.

2. I solved for the same thing. As for distance B, many will say you need 8' on each side of the centerpoint. I tested mine with a lefty yesterday and he only needed about 6.5'-7' (between the centerpoint and the widest point of his swing), although my tester was only 5'9". As for distance E, I think 10'-11' is a great distance, although you can get away with less. I am at 11' and wouldn't go any longer unless I had a higher screen (mine is 8.5'). Just make sure you solve for ceiling protection because wedges can hit above the screen. I have never thought about distance E.

3. My hitting point is around 11', my Uneekor sits at 8.5' and I have a short throw projector that sits at 7.5', just in front of my Uneekor. This works fine but I'd prefer to have the projector nearer to my hitting point or slightly behind it. I couldn't put it there because of an attic ladder. There is a small but non-zero chance a sky ball could hit my projector where it stands and I'll probably want to put a cage around it eventually. Shadows can be a concern but with your high ceilings you should be fine as long as you don't mount it 20' back or so. I think even 17' feet may be ok but obviously do some research to be sure. As for distance G - I'm not sure it matters as long as your projector doesn't block the LM camera. I would mount your LM close to 10' off the floor so you can have your projector close to 10' as well.

5.1. EYE XO hitting area is 12" wide by 18" deep.
5.2. I'm not sure you'll have room for multi-surfaces - you probably could but it would be tight. It would be nice, but not neccessary, to have a thicker rough insert. Some of the software (TGC 19), requires some flop shots, which is difficult off a gel fairway insert. Since I also have lefties/righties playing and only 12' of hitting width, I decided to forgo the permanent rubber tees on my Truestrike mat. I'm only hitting off the gel insert and using freestanding tees (birtees/tomahawk style).

You are starting with a great space - you're going to love it when it's done. Good luck!

[Foreman33]

On aspect ratio, I run 16:9 image on a 16:10 screen. I like running 16:9 on my projector because it's the full width image and native resolution. I chose 16:10 for extra space above my image to help catch high shots. Your room is wide enough that you may not need to do that, but I'd strongly consider a 16:9 projector image.

[14MPH]

Foreman33 Thanks for your response. Whilst I don’t need to go quite high, I do have luxury to choose new ceiling height. If I stick to 10ft then both LM and projector can be mounted at this height. Maybe a 16:9 ft screen (& slightly wider frame) dimensions can suffice and I only need to worry about appropriate throw distance of projector. I can cater for netting or something similar that can be attached to ceiling (at an angle from top of frame to ceiling, sticking out same distance from screen to LM - hope my description makes sense!)

But a higher ceiling eg 10’ 10” gives slightly more room to place a corresponding higher frame that caters for 16:10 aspect ration (and screen dimension). But I still have to mount LM at 10 ft somehow. And whilst cost goes up for screen, material etc. slightly, I just don’t know if 10” of additional ceiling height is going to make material difference to overall experience & safer ceiling from skied shots or not.

Yes ideally I’d like projector above hitting area as opposed to short throw projector the other side of LM. At present projector/ball position is 10ft from screen. Depending on extending back wall, I could stretch this to 11ft, but not any more. So I think I’m on the same page as your suggestions.

For the frame, any reason why EMT tubing is preferred as opposed to warehouse rack shelving lengths that have pre-drilled holes, into which bungee cords can be easily fastened?

Have you posted any photos of your set up? I’ve picked up so much looking at pics of the sim set ups that have been shared. Appreciate your experiences shared nonetheless.

[Foreman33]

If your screen is higher than 10' then I think you'll have to go with a short throw on the screen side of the LM, otherwise the LM will cast a shadow. Honestly, I think 9-9.5 feet is plenty tall. From 11' my full sand wedge hits right at the top of the screen (8.5 feet).

I don't know why EMT is preferred. Probably because it is readily available and cheaper?

I will post some pics later today, hopefully.

[Adam Prince]

I would avoid knocking the rear wall out, but that's just me. 1' behind the screen for measurement A is sufficient, 8-10' for B' is good, and E is good at >6'. I would do A=1', B=9', E=9'8". This would allow about 1' in front of LM for projector at 0.5:1 to get near 16' wide. Plus, the 9+' (E meas) to the rear would be enough room to feel safe swinging. I wouldn't get super hung up on making everything exactly perfect from a fit standpoint, a few extra inches of unused screen/image here or there isn't going to be that big of a deal in the end. Mine is in my garage with 9' ceilings, and my cage/screen goes to 8' high from the ground. I hit about 8' behind the screen and have about 6' of clearance behind me and some 'cluttered' garage items & shelving. It almost impossible for me to clear a 45* launch angle even with my 64* wedge at full, so rarely do I ever use the horizontal ceiling part of my cage as they nearly all impact the screen first. Ymmv.

[14MPH]

Adam Prince thanks for the pointers. Through research over last few days, I came across Hybridme’s YouTube channel and I really like his idea of using multiple stainless steel wires to hang the archery netting and impact screens - reduces the size of horizontal emt pipe in a cage system and reduces risks of high shots catching that bar, even if you clad it somewhat will pool-noodle type covering. And appears cheaper in cost to to construct the impact and side areas.

I think my positions will firm up once renovation of the room itself is complete. I have to drop the 3 sides due to weathering of material so have opportunity to extend E (back wall) and likewise I can take internal ceiling anywhere from 10’ to 10’ 9”. I think cost difference of renovation to these length and height ranges will be negligible. But a higher 10’9” ceiling means I’d need to then think of installing Uneekor eye at 10’ as that’s their recommended max height.

In any case, I’m learning a lot as I continue reading about others experiences and viewing YouTube clips!