My Trackman sim build

[coolbreeze]

I realized I have not posted pics of my sim build and I’d like to share with the community. I’m a big fan of Trackman and their simulator team was a big part of making my sim a reality. I realize I’m fortunate, but the Trackman sim team has been top notch and very responsive to any issues. Anyone looking for a high end, professional level, top notch state of the art sim install must consider Trackman.

We have a separate garage in our yard that was used for storage (29 x 18 x 10 ft ceiling). We cleaned it out, painted it, and constructed the carpeted sidewalls for the Trackman sim install team. They installed the16 x 9 ft screen, all turf and rubber underfloor, fantastic 7k lumen Epson 4K projector, Alienware PC, and all connections to iOS cameras, etc. We think it’s awesome!

We were a lucky in that our install was the first week of March 2020 , just before the COVID shutdown. My wife and I hit balls every day, take lessons virtually online, and she even won our club championship this summer! The TPS software is bulletproof, and Virtual Golf is amazing, more than I expected. And new courses keep dropping every few weeks!

Here are some pics of our sim. I have answered questions in the Trackman forum, and I’m happy to share our experiences if they may help others!

Mike

[JayJo13]

Wow! That is legit the nicest and most amazing golf sim space I've ever seen! Great job! I love the lighting.

[George Polycarpou]

Looks awesome. What is the wall covering on each side of the screen and on ceiling?

[coolbreeze]

They are carpet tiles from Home Depot stapled onto 1/2 inch cork board I installed on top of the drywall.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Foss-First-Impressions-Tattersall-Smoke-w-Blk-24-in-x-24-in-Commercial-Peel-and-Stick-Carpet-Tile-15-tile-case-72MCN6715PK/206654469

[eddiek]

Thanks so much for posting your setup. It is great!

I am in the process of building something similar. I was originally planning on curtains but I really like the clean look of the carpet tiles. How is the bounce on a mishit? I just want to avoid a pinball atmosphere in there. Also, was the cork hard to put up? I'm looking at sheets that I guess would go up with adhesive. Thanks!

[StalefishFS3]

Coolbreeze,

Super professional! I'm sure you have enjoyed it for many months. A few questions:

1) Did you get competing bids from any other outfit, i.e. Foresight?

2) Do you find the track lights over your hitting area are fine for video capture, and don't wash out the screen when on?

3) 16x9 or 16x10 format?

4) Do you have any sort of sound system installed, such as speakers behind the screen, subwoofer, etc...

5) What are those black rectangles on the walls and on the ceiling?

[coolbreeze]

1). I looked at Foresight and Trackman. My Trackman local rep met with me a few days after my inquiry back in January, came over and did a demo, walked through our vision and we decided on Trackman. It really is awesome, seamless integration of iOS cameras (you can see them on the tripods), virtual golf is beautiful with great graphics, etc.

2). I just use the 2 Jett track lights mounted on the ceiling 99% of the time I am in the simulator. They allow enough light for the video swing capture (it could be better with more light directed on the golfer, but you can see everything) and keep it dark to allow a great projector image.

3) The white screen is actually 16 ft x 9 ft exactly, so its 16x9.

4) I haven't got around to putting a sound bar behind the screen, but I plan to eventually. The sound is currently just the 2 speakers on top of the computer storage unit.

5). They are fiberglass acoustic panels covered in black acoustic fabric from https://www.atsacoustics.com Even with the carpet on the walls and ceiling near the screen, there was a fair bit of high pitched sound bouncing off the walls/ceiling/doors/windows especially when hitting driver. These panels make a difference, especially with the high pitch frequencies, and keep the sound at a manageable level.

[Dax]

Build looks fantastic!

[Stetson]

I want your back yard

[Alex.Morgan]

unreal! amazing job well done

[Heynance]

Can you tell me about your sound system? I’m assuming the speakers must be hard-wired to the computer? Did you add a sound bar? Other speakers?

[coolbreeze]

I just have a modest TV sound bar behind the impact screen wired to the computer. I use an Apple HomePod to play music in the room. When watching the tv, I just use the TV speakers. We have never rally watched a movie or TV on the impact screen, when we are in the sim garage it is really to play golf and use the Trackman swing analysis software. The “sound” requirements for that are fairly minor, I don’t find sound is really a big part of that.

[Maui Time]

I think you have responded to me in the Trackman Forum on a question or two. I am looking at the same build that you have with Trackman. I am going to opt for the 2 IDS cameras like you did. They have told me that the Alienware PC needs to get beefed up to support the cameras. Do you know what they added to beef it up?

[coolbreeze]

I actually don't have the "IDS" cameras, I use two iPhone SE phones (no cellular plan) on tripods which interface seamlessly over wifi using a "Trackman Camera" app to the Trackman software on the computer (not "beefed up"). They record "down the line" and "face on" video at up to 240fps automatically triggered with each swing. I think they are great.

[SpookyCamzilla]

coolbreeze What is the border around the screen made of?

It looks amazing!

[coolbreeze]

It's a very thick black carpet like material with velcro backing. It was supplied by Trackman as part of their screen install.

[azbball11]

Awesome Job - Looks great. Love that you can open the back doors up for natural light and fresh air.

Enjoy!

[jdlindsey10]

Coolbreeze,

Wow, I love the Golf Sim Build you built. Mine is currently in the build phase. I had several questions for you if you have time:

1. Where did you find/get the Caddy Shack Gopher Fathead decal? I cannot find it anywhere online.

2. What color paint is that Grey Color?

3. I love the carpet square idea. Any regrets with that product?

4. Did those fiberglass acoustic panels get added after? I think I will need the same. How did you know how many to buy and where to mount them?

5. Did you just buy new iPhone SE's from apple without the cellular service?

6. I like how you have a "first cut" or "fringe" turf circle around the hitting area. Did you have to specify that you wanted that in advance with TrackMan before the install?

Many Thanks in advance. I just love your golf sim design.

[coolbreeze]

Thanks! Sorry for the delayed response!

1) I made it myself, if you DM me I can give you more details.
2) The color is "Wrought Iron" from Benjamin Moore
3) The adhesive strips built in to the carpet are not that strong, so I ended up using a lot of staples through the carpet into the cork board behind to secure them. If I was to do it again, I would probably have bought some stronger adhesive glue and have used that to secure them to the cork board.
4) Yes, I added the acoustic panels after to cut down on the "echoing" in the room (especially with driver swings). I just guestimated how many and put them near the corners and back wall and roof to cut down on the "bouncing" of sound. They do make a difference, especially with the higher pitched echoes of the driver.
5) Yes, just bought new iPhone SE's from apple and didn't activate a cellular plan.
6) That was all pre-planned with Trackman, drawn up in the sim specs and renderings. The amount of turf needed for the square footage was calculated and delivered before the sim install date.

I'm glad you love the Sim design, we do too! We use it everyday!

[drewmilnergolf]

Amazing set up -- thanks for the inspiration!

[Brownie]

Beautiful. I think you just changed my flooring plans. Your carpet looks great.