What's practical for a low ceiling?

[billw]

Background:

• I've got a reasonably large area in the basement for a simulator (16' x 12'). The problem is the ceiling is low. Only about 8' 6". Lowering the floor or raising the ceiling is a non-starter.
• I have carpet with padding in there now, and I can swing a five iron with a little room to spare. No woods though. So I'm thinking of just accepting this, and using the simulator for my iron game. (I live in Michigan so any work I can get in during the winter would be helpful.)
• We have contractors doing some other work starting in January, so I need to make a decision on how I use the space. Especially flooring and electrical.

My questions that I'm hoping you can help with:

• Everyone seems to put sub flooring or exercise mats under their putting surfaces and hitting mats. Is the really necessary? What if I put a putting mat right on the concrete floor and then cut a hitting strip into it and also put that on the concrete. That might save me 3/4" which would be helpful. Would it just be too stiff?
• Do you have any ideas to help me, or any product recommendations that you could steer me toward? I don't want to throw money away, but can spend a little more on a product if it will solve the problem.

Thanks for your time. I'm new to this. Right now, I just want to figure out the flooring. I'll turn my attention to the rest of the simulator once I can decide on this.

[RAH5]

I’m on carpet but have 8’6” as well and a Fiberbuilt mat which is somewhat thick. I’m able to hit 3 hybrid and down at 6’1” no problem. I just play from 6000-6200 or so on the course software and everything is great. Head to the range to keep the driver tight.

[mthunt]

You should be able to hit pretty much anything in 8’6”. Just cut a driver down to 42 inches and go.

[4evaunderpar]

I have a low ceiling, 252cm in new money.

Only problem is how your follow through is, I’ve never hit the ceiling on the backswing.

Using a Driver just about fits… consider barefoot, gripping down a tad and if you curtail the follow through or make it more rounded it could work. Swinging with a Tiger style stinger follow through has it’s benefits too. (learning to decelerate etc…)

[Alex.Morgan]

I dont feel comfortable hitting driver in my space but would still recommend going for it. Play the forward tees and hit your hybrids/long irons. It's still great fun and worth the investment imo

[dwise2613]

Can you cut out ceiling joists? I did and gained an extra 9 inches and I swing driver no problem at 8'10

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/golf-simulator-forum/simulator-builds/332981-build-coming-along-what-am-i-missing-before-drywall

[GungHoGolf]

Background:

• Everyone seems to put sub flooring or exercise mats under their putting surfaces and hitting mats. Is the really necessary? What if I put a putting mat right on the concrete floor and then cut a hitting strip into it and also put that on the concrete. That might save me 3/4" which would be helpful. Would it just be too stiff?
• Do you have any ideas to help me, or any product recommendations that you could steer me toward? I don't want to throw money away, but can spend a little more on a product if it will solve the problem.

You absolutely need some padding under any hitting strip, unless you want to injure yourself.

We recommend 1" EVA foam tiles as a sublayer under our Money Putt turf, then cut in our Holy Grail hitting strip (also covered in Money Putt) for a perfectly matched and flush floor surface that won't cause injury and give you realistic ball flight. The HG allows up to an inch-deep "divot" to be taken naturally and without much club deceleration or shock to your joints.

Golfer's elbow is NO JOKE and can take you out of the game for months - giving up the extra inch of ceiling height is worth it, as you'll be hitting more balls than ever before.

See https://store.gunghogolf.com for those products, and use 1" BalanceFrom EVA mats on Amazon.

[billw]

Thanks. If I use these products, I have a few questions.

1) How do you install it? Do you glue the mats to the floor and/or the carpet to the mats?

2) Does it move around at all? Does the hitting strip stay well secured?

3) I'm thinking of covering a large area with this. I suspect it wouldn't be good to have a bar stool or bar table on this surface. It would just sink in, right?

4) Does your company charge for consultation if I buy supplies through you? I have a few other questions about the simulator beyond the ones I've posted here.

Thanks! Bill.