Garage Build #673

[shady19]

Hi All,



First of a big thank you to everyone who contributes to this site…it’s been a huge help and I’ve spent way to much time on here! Also thanks to the team at Gunghogolf for answering my newbie questions and walking me through different options.

Anyways working on my first Sim and trying to go a somewhat “budget” route in my detached garage (19’4”x 17’4”x 11’ tall). Convinced my wife (or she just gave in) by saying it’s part of kids Xmas present and they can watch movies and play Nintendo on the big screen and oh by the way I can hit golf balls . I am not a regular golfer but definitely want to get back into now that the kids are getting older and also think they would enjoy based on a recent birthday party at Top Golf.

Gear I’ve got or is ordered and on way:

Projector: Optoma GT1080 HDR
Screen: 16x10 Eagle Screen from Gunghogolf
LM: Mevo+
Hitting Mat: Holy Grail from Gunghogolf
iPad Pro

Planning on getting some mats with cheap turf across the top across the top around the hitting mat then some drapes above and on the sides to catch mis hits.

Couple questions

1. Aspect Ratio: I see some adjust the position of of the projector for 4:3 and 16:9. I am probably missing something but if I built a rail to adjust the throw distance from screen to fill the width wouldn’t the height then be bigger than my screen (screen grabs below)? Or are people just doing that when their screen sizes are in the 4x3 ratio? I think having a 12’x9’ image would be fine for running E6 off Ipad for time being and using the full screen size for streaming movies and games.
2. What are the best sim software for games for the kids (9 & 7) that can run off the iPad? Awesome Golf looks like they would enjoy. Do I need to subscribe to E6 to get the games or are they included in the free version with the 5 courses? Any other apps I should look at that would run on the iPad?
3. Anything else that I’m missing or I should look at? In the future will look at pc and tgc 2019 but think I will hold off for now and hope maybe for a new release of tgc then take the plunge.

Thanks!

[preludesam]

I’m not very familiar with running E6 and FS Golf off of an iPad but if you can get a 16:9 image vs a 4:3 definitely go for it. 16:9 feels more immersive vs 4:3 as its like looking through a window with the sides chopped off.

[MadMax]

Congratulations Shady on not only deciding to get the simulator, but more importantly convincing the wife , I sold my wife on having summer movie nights for the neighborhood, lol. I would also go with 16:9 especially on your screen size, beware that the projector calculators are not that accurate . I just put in optima gt1090hdr, I wanted 168 inch wide and calculator suggested 7’6”, well when I actually measured that screen size I was back at 101 inches. I will let you do the math. Good luck and keep posting your progress

[shady19]

Just thought I’d share a picture of the work in progress. A lot of the planned work has stopped now that it’s playable as I’d rather hit than work on it. Currently run off an iPad and use mostly use Awesome Golf and E6 for playing courses and then the ranges on Awesome Golf and the skills assessments on FS skills.

Couple quick thoughts.
1. mounting the tv has been a game changer as I now go out pretty much every night, throw a game on and either hit at range or play a round
2. kids love the games in awesome golf.
3. exercise mats for the ball to land on and roll back to hitting mat instead of bouncing all over has been nice.
4. movie nights with a fire pit outside has been awesome.
5. Not positive but pretty sure the distances I hit the ball vary depending on which application I’m using, sometimes by a pretty wide distance as well. I probably need to look at what the recommended tilt degrees are for each and adjust prior to playing.
6. Tee Claw or what ever it’s called has been nice for not having to chase down the tee after teeing off.

Items still in box / waiting to install
1. Chicago Canvas drapes on the sides to cover walls and shelves.
2. Jack shaft garage door opener and new guide rails to raise height of garage door to allow swinging of clubs with door open. Once done can adjust location of projector to maximize screen size.

Questions / feedback for everyone
1. Looking for feedback on type of turf to lay over the exercise mats…doesn’t need to be used for putting more for kids and their friends to lay on while watching movies. Trying to keep the cost somewhat down but want it to feel good.
2. What are some accessories that I “need” to add. I think I remember seeing a golf club rack that you could hang your clubs on. Currently I don’t put them back in the bag after using, just lean against wall behind me.
3. looking to buy a gaming pc soon as I’d like to eventually be able to play some of the famous courses / follow the tour and play same course but I know nothing about PCs and get quoted “starting at” $1,500 from local computer repair shop. Anyone got link to site selling computer that could run any of the tgc 2019 or others?

Thanks!

[Brettster]

Congrats shady19 - good job! Looking great... what software did you use to design your Sim, up above in your first post? I hear you on playing... I've been building mine for about 6 months now, almost done, can't wait to get balls up!

[Kev0192]

Look good! Sorry I can't offer advice, I'm still in process of conceptualizing my sim in a similar type space. What software did you use for your 3D sketch in your first post? I might try to do something similar in my design phase to better visualize.

[shady19]

Kev0192 Brettster … App called Home Design on iPad.

[shady19]

Happy New Year Everyone,

Just thought I’d share an update after Santa visited. Love this thing more and more.

Installed the side mount opener and raised height of garage door so can swing with door open. Added curtains along walls, fishing pole holder for the clubs, and just put the turf down. Also picked up gaming PC.

Family Movie nights are great as are watching sports, kids love to bring blankets and pillows out as adults have a fire going in driveway.

Now need to figure out settings on Mevo+ to make putting work and figure out screen settings to fill out screen size, I swear everytime I fire up this up I need to select different settings to fill entire screen and most times I just leave it with empty space on top and bottom. Some of the settings seem to fill out the screen but cut off the top which is fine when just me but a pain when golfing with others and trying to determine whose shot it is. Also need to figure out best way to weigh down bottom of screen and connect bottom sides of screen to cement foundation/wall. Any advice for any of these would be appreciated.

Thanks again for everyone on this forum for all the advice I’ve picked up along the way and hope everyone has a great 2023!