Need help with dangerous bounce-back issue

[GolfingATX]

Hello all. I am 99% finished with my simulator build, but I need recommendations for dealing with balls bouncing off the top metal pipe. The pipe is covered with a pool noodle, but it doesn't cover the entire pipe. Hence, I have had a few VERY scary moments when the ball flew back at incredibly fast speeds. My gap, sand and lob wedges all can reach this pipe, so let me know if you have any recommendations. I am attaching a couple pictures of the top/front of the screen, as well as two pictures showing above the screen. Thanks!

[3on3putt]

How far away are you hitting and how high is that pipe?

[GolfingATX]

The hitting strip is 11-12' from the screen. Pipe is ~9' tall.

[GolfingATX]

I was thinking about cutting a thick memory foam mattress topper into long strips, as I could hang ~6" tall strips in front of the pipe. Being 3" thick, I'm guessing the memory foam would slow the ball down quite a bit. The top 5-6" of the screen isn't used by the projector, so we can use that section of the screen to cover the pipe.

[3on3putt]

The hitting strip is 11-12' from the screen. Pipe is ~9' tall.

My opinion is that you are just too far away for a 9-foot enclosure. The simplest way to fix this is to just move closer to the screen. It seems like most people hit from about 9 feet. I hit from 7 feet. 11-12 just seems really far for an enclosure that's only 9 feet high. Move in a little and those wedges will hit the screen and not the bar. At the very least, give it a try.

[GolfingATX]

Thanks, but the raised floor and hitting strip has already been installed.

[3on3putt]

You might be able to attach some netting up top to stop balls from hitting the bar. Don't know how that will affect your image though.

They do sell much thicker pool noodles. I found some at Walmart that are a good 6 inches in diameter. Might be more effective than what you have currently.

[JayBrd85]

I'm looking into something similar for the top bar of my sim screen. The guy doing the curved screen build said he got his foam from https://foamonline.com/ . It looks like they have some solutions that could work.

[Minnelli]

Maybe you already are but play with a higher spin ball and the launch will be lower. I remember on my old sim testing balls that the low spin rock balls would launch higher.

Also, I'm using this on the ceiling maybe you could as well just near the pipes. https://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficM...072S/302721625 A 6'x2' section will run you less than $10 and it really kills the ball so maybe keep it loose around the pipe area and still have the noodle underneath.

[khalespace]

I have the exact problem. I am 9' away and with 9'4" high cross EMT pipe supporting the screen. The pipe insulation from Home Depot does very little to prevent bounce back. I am thinking about using my heavy tarp on the top to cover the beam instead of hanging it over the screen. My tarp is 40 oz per yard and super heavy and weights 58 lbf for a 10'x20' piece.

[cgdavis_2]

Seems like a pool noodle could solve that?

[Ronsc1985]

If you are worried purchase some roll bar padding from a race equipment company like Summit Racing or Jegs. It is designed to absorb impacts like a crash helmet hitting a bar during a wreck.

[mthunt]

You can make these and attach it around the screen.

[nickfisher47]

This seems like a great idea & build - how did you make them?

[mthunt]

Foam, material, Velcro and a sewing machine. However, I didn’t make those.

[alopresti23]

Look at AllSportSystems Shot defender or DIY https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...883#post142883 as an option

[GungHoGolf]

Hey N, shoot me a text and we'll get it figured out. Rule of thumb is not to hit from further back than the height of your screen (so would take a 45 deg launch angle to reach top pipe), but if you can't go that close, we'll have to re-fashion your top bar connection for more safety.