Unfinished basement on-the-cheap build, any advice welcome

[slikk66]

Hi guys - have been lurking forever. Finally attempting to build something out better than my Spornia SPG7 net I've had in the basement for a while now (check out all the tape repair marks on the insulation along the back wall )

My buddy has a Mevo+ and an Ipad, so when he is available to come by, we connect his devices up and project from the $67 projector I bought used off of Amazon. When he's not around, I hit into the net with an SC200.

The Mevo+ works very well in the basement. There is 9' from tee to net, and 8' (or more) from Mevo to tee. So, above their minimum specs. With a hanging screen instead of net, should be even more space tee to net.

Ceiling height is 8'9" to the bottom of the lowest slats (it's supposed to be a 9' basement, don't get me started). The width on that far wall is 15' between the PVC pipes. So far no problem with hitting the ceiling, even with drivers.

I just was able to snag a Garmin R10 for MSRP, get's here in 2 days. I've been plotting with my buddy on how to spice things up. Originally he said "just get a tarp" and that sounded brilliant, so I ordered a tarp 15'x10' with grommets. I then read horror stories of tarps and balls going right through them, and realized I'll probably need an actual screen.

I ordered this screen 12'x9': https://shop.virtual-golf-simulator....x-108-1855.htm

I was going to return the tarp, but now after researching a bit more, seems I should leave the tarp behind the impact screen to help cushion. The tarp should be about a foot wider on each side, and a foot or so longer, so it could help do a bit of roll out, maybe even angle a tad for some minor side-shank protection.

I ordered this for a roof catcher, planning to hang it from some eye hooks and carabiners: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002M0VQY/

As far as mounting, the impact screen has a top sleeve for a pipe and comes with endcaps + eye bolts, was going to hang it from one of the slats. Was planning to hang the tarp from the grommets. The first slat is about 12-14 inches away from wall, seems about right rather than laying it flat against the wall (unless that is better?)

For now the cheapy projector will stay put, I'll probably be back later for a projector recommendation.

Any advice or tips is appreciated. Should be trying to set this all up this weekend hopefully, if the screen arrives by then.

[slikk66]

I have a question perhaps someone can answer. As far as hanging the screen, what size/type pipe is strong enough to prevent deflection in the middle? 1"EMT seems to be the favorite, but they also have larger diameters. I'll likely be hanging it from the 2 ends of the top pipe.

[wbond]

1" EMT should be fine and if it sags a little in the middle you could add a support there off the wall or ceiling if needed. My span i think is like 14" or so and I put a support in the middle right from the start just to make sure it didn't sag.

I have a question perhaps someone can answer. As far as hanging the screen, what size/type pipe is strong enough to prevent deflection in the middle? 1"EMT seems to be the favorite, but they also have larger diameters. I'll likely be hanging it from the 2 ends of the top pipe.

[slikk66]

The screen I ordered is from Spectrum https://shop.virtual-golf-simulator....SIZE-18005.htm I think the sleeves across the top are solid, so I wasn't sure if I could attach any middle support without having to cut into the hemmed sleeve, which I'd like to avoid if possible. Maybe a small hole for a ring of some type wouldn't hurt.. will have to see. Thanks for the reply

[slikk66]

Alright, think it's done for now. Here's what I put I to it, already had the hitting mat.

R10 $600
Screen $225
Projector $175
Moving blankets $80
Tarp clips $30
Screws, hooks, $50
EMT $50
Alignment sticks $15
Tarp: $85
carbiners $20
hanging ceiling net $20
HDMI splitter $20
cables $30

Probably didn't need the tarp, but originally I planned to hit into it and decided against it. Figured another backdrop wouldn't hurt.

I used tarp clips to hang the screen, I ordered a pipe-hanger screen, but when I got it seemed to me that it was sewn incorrectly. All the openings were at right angles (I'll add a pic) and I was too impatient to wait for the whole return process, so I put about 11 feet of EMT into the top and used that to keep the screen somewhat flat, not sure how it will hold up but seems OK. I put a clip every 1 foot.

The projector I can't get it to go any bigger than that without getting blurry, it's a bummer but for $175.. eh.

It's 10ft ball to screen, and 6ft ball to r10, I could stretch it out more but seems sufficient. Screen is 12x9, bottom of the ceiling slats is 8'9".. it's just enough for me to hit without contact, I do have one friend who hits ceiling occasionally, everyone else so far is OK.

Here are some pics, just played my first round on it, went pretty well!

Some of the bounce backs were a bit wayward but overall performed adequately. Looking forward to winter basement golf.

Pics: https://imgur.com/a/oHKckiT

[wbond]

That's just how they sew all of them. You slide PVC covered with foam into the pockets and then you have 3 slits through the pockets that the straps feed through and use those to adjust the tension. I ditched it almost immediately because it's not a very good design. The 3 slits don't line up across from each other and when you tension them, it still doesn't remove the waves. I went to tarp clips on top and sides and it worked well to eliminate the waves in the screen and limit bounce back. Unfortunately i found that this screen just didn't last very long.

[slikk66]

I switched up my order from the supertex to the poly blend 95 on spectrum golf's recommendation, seems to be pretty sturdy to me, hopefully it lasts. It looks like I was sent the "standard" stitched screen by mistake, the bag is labeled as "hanging" model, and they sent the pipe fittings for hanging along with it. Oh well, the clips across top seem to be doing a good job, and I ran the EMT I had already bought across the top also to help keep the screen flat. There is one opening on each side that stops 3" from the other end. So the side 3 inches don't have EMT, rest does.

[Anemoi]

Looks great, I too snagged an R10 and set up a super low budget sim in my garage. It's awesome being able to play golf without leaving home.

Question for you, how are you getting E6 onto the screen. Are you using an Ipad? I tried using a Ipad Air 2 and the image is freezing and stuttering terribly.

[Anemoi]

Ahh gotcha are you planning on springing for an E6 subscription at some point? I have tossed the idea around but with the rumors of TGC2019 and other potential integrations I am hesitant to do anything right away and may just stick with home tee hero for now.

[slikk66]

Yea, not sure yet. The new 9th gen ipad came out for $329, so that is an option too. I'm going to wait and see if this demo runs out.. if it doesn't, I think I can make due with 1 course and HTH for a while. The PC version is nice though, my projector is 1080p and the game is super quick and responsive, plus for $300/sub you get 12+ courses I believe. We'll see.

[Anemoi]

I agree a part of me would prefer running it off a dedicated pc. I also have a general aversion to subscriptions, even though I did pay for HTH. At the end of the boat I am also in the we'll see boat.