How big a compromise is a 7.5x10 Screen?

[HLS2k6]

Hello everyone. First post, but I’ve been reading for weeks.

Short version: Can you please let me know your experience with a small screen, in my case Carl’s smallest 4:3, which is 7.5x10? Is it a huge compromise?

Additional detail: I’m hoping to build a simulator in a room above my garage with vaulted ceilings that follow the roofline. Essentially, my room is 15’ wide, 50’ deep, with nearly 11’ ceiling. The problem is the 11’ height is only for a 4’11” flat section, then the walls pitch down to 5’8” at the edges.

The result is that I’ve got room to spare to swing a driver when I’m in the center, but my screen room is awfully limited. At 8’ up, my width is just under 11’.

It looks like Carl’s 4:3 pro screen & enclosure at 7.5x10 would fit my space like it was tailor made to go in. Is that too small to still have a great experience?

I’m looking to build something fairly nice here, with either a Trackman or GCQuad and a Fiberbuilt combo mat. I spoke to both TM and Foresight this week, and both were pretty down on my space, suggesting I’d be better off settling for a net or lowering my basement floor. But I don’t really want to do those things, and my wife especially doesn’t love the basement idea.

Thanks for any advice or feedback!

[3on3putt]

As long as you have something up top to protect the ceiling like some foam padding or a net or something it's fine. You'll probably have to hit a little bit closer to the screen with it only being that high, so take that into consideration with your launch monitor choice. Might be better off with a camera system than a radar because of the limited ball flight. And being closer to the screen makes the image feel even bigger. My image is only 6.75 feet high and I can assure you it's still an awesome experience.

[tntfox]

My room is pretty limited from a width standpoint as well so I almost always hit while standing in the middle of the matt. Since I have some bar stools in the back of the room for spectators, I'm somewhat limited on depth depending on who's in the room. As such, I hit from pretty close to the screen which is 9'6" W x 8'6" tall. Because I hit from pretty close to the screen, all my impact points (minus a 60 degree wedge) hit the screen no more than 3' up from the floor. A 5 Iron and Driver are hitting about 18" up. Given all that, if you have room to swing the club and protection (as stated by 3on3putt) you should be fine. I would definitely go with a photometric simulator since you can put it as close to the screen as you need to. If you have room for TrackMan behind the hitting area, that would be cool too but lots more $$$.

[Stre]

That is the screen I have from Carl's with the 5 ft enclosure. Had to get that one since i'm limited by the width of my room. I hit from about 12 feet away from the screen. Have absolutely no issues or complaints from my end. Works great.

Would I like a larger screen that is also 16x9? Of course, but this is the best I can do with what works at my place.

[3on3putt]

Geez 12 feet away? How tall is your enclosure? Mine is 10 feet high and my flop shots from 7 feet away hit near the very top of the screen. If I went back to 12 feet they would for sure go over the roof of the enclosure.

[Stre]

3on3putt my enclosure is the same one he's quoting above, i think total height is about 8 feet and the enclosure comes towards me 5 feet. I dont really hit many flop shots and when i do, maybe quarter swings with a 56 degree that travels 10 yds in game. I have had a couple that i hit a bit harder and they hit the top of the enclosure rather than the screen...

[HLS2k6]

Just wanted to thank you all for these helpful replies. You’ve make me very confident that I’ll love it.

I’m going with the GCQuad, I think, because that will allow me to stand about 8 feet away.

I’m talking to the Foresight rep tomorrow about their design team’s recommendations. Can’t wait!!