Putting in conjunction with a SIM

[PG50]

Took me years, but just realized I can set up a net and hit balls in my Florida room. In the process of building a stance platform and divot action mat. And will be picking up either a Garmin R10 or Swinglogic SLX. Both of which will work with E6. For now will probably just run it on my laptop. But plan to do a projector and screen next year.

The one thing I'm wondering about is putting. I've played on a couple high dollar sims. IMHO, they just don't provide a realistic experience. So I'm instead planning to just set up some holes on the existing floor. I considered replacing the carpet with an actual putting turf. Which would also afford me the opportunity to recess the holes a bit. But I just don't know if it'll be worth the investment.

I threw together a DIY stimpmeter, and the current carpet (almost like a marine/outdoor type) runs at 13.5+. Not only that, but it putts true and even has some subtle undulations. For years I've just stuck some bullseyes from my shooting range targets on the floor. But I'd like to find a solution that will at least somewhat mimic putting into a cup. I found StarPro sells some "cups" that sit on carpet. Are there any other solutions that I should be aware of? Or is that as good as it gets?

What I don't want are the "volcano" type cups. As those are just about as unrealistic as putting on a SIM. Anyone else go a similar route and have a solution I'm not aware of or considering?

[wbond]

Not this route, but i use Exputt, might want to check it out. Nothing ever really replicates putting outdoors so it comes down to what you want to get out of it, for me it's more about can i hit the putt straight or not and have the ability to hit to different lengths and exputt works great for that.

[bubbtubbs]

I agree with this.

Low tech drill to hit straight is to putt down the length of a yardstick without the ball falling off before it reaches the end. I start doing it before the season begins and the drill doesn't end until you get 10 in a row - failure means you reset the count.

Working on general distance weighting is pretty easy with an open room and some flat target markers.

[wbond]

bubbtubbs totally agree on the yardstick, i use it all the time. Easily the most effective/cost value training aid out there. I've worn off the lettering on it from practice.

[PG50]

Exputt looks interesting. Still think I'd prefer putting in my existing space, but it's an option.

[Brettster]

PG50 One Stop Sim Shop sells custom depth putting cups in any size that you measure your floor depth to. I'm about to order some myself. Here's the link:

https://onestopsimshop.com/collections/putting-cups

I don't know if that Marine carpet putting is going to do you any favors I bought a $600 10'x15' piece of Club Champion (Grass-Tek) from a local Carpet Store, actually the only one in town that sells turf. It came with free delivery, padding and a nice surprise.

The surprise is that I originally ordered it at 9'x15' and changed my mind requesting 10'x15' the next day. When it arrived, I could see they 'hot melted' the 1' piece on the length (15') of the original piece - which comes out looking/acting just like putting on fringe for 1' all the way down my 15' length... Here's a pic, but it's hard to see... So, it's like I have fringe for 1', then actual putting green. I've not measured the Stimp on it, but I could with a home made Stimp Meter. Could you please tell me where you found the info on making the Stimp Meter?

Here's a pic - you can just notice the 'fringe-like' side along the left of this photo...

[bubbtubbs]

Worth noting that Camry Carpets have reasonably priced putting surfaces as well.

[PG50]

PG50 One Stop Sim Shop sells custom depth putting cups in any size that you measure your floor depth to. I'm about to order some myself. Here's the link:

https://onestopsimshop.com/collections/putting-cups

I don't know if that Marine carpet putting is going to do you any favors I bought a $600 10'x15' piece of Club Champion (Grass-Tek) from a local Carpet Store, actually the only one in town that sells turf. It came with free delivery, padding and a nice surprise.

The surprise is that I originally ordered it at 9'x15' and changed my mind requesting 10'x15' the next day. When it arrived, I could see they 'hot melted' the 1' piece on the length (15') of the original piece - which comes out looking/acting just like putting on fringe for 1' all the way down my 15' length... Here's a pic, but it's hard to see... So, it's like I have fringe for 1', then actual putting green. I've not measured the Stimp on it, but I could with a home made Stimp Meter. Could you please tell me where you found the info on making the Stimp Meter?

Here's a pic - you can just notice the 'fringe-like' side along the left of this photo...

I don't mind spending the money. I've tried different putting turfs. Works well for building a hitting strip. For putting, I haven't been all that impressed. Whatever is currently in the room isn't actually marine carpet. I have no idea what it is exactly. But it putts closer to real turf than anything synthetic I've ever putted on. And its speed is pretty darn close to the main course I play (which runs around 12).

The other nice thing about using the current flooring is that I can use the whole room for putting (which is around 15' x 25'). Replacing it with putting turf would be quite pricey. Again, I don't mind the cost if it were notably better than the current carpet.

The only incentive would be to be able to add cups. As the current carpet sits on a slab. So recessing holes is a bit more involved than with your typical OSB sub-flooring. Hence why I'd like to at least try an option or two that sits on top of the carpeting.

As far as the stimpmeter, it was super easy to throw together. This is the guide I looked at. Made mine out of a 4 foot piece of 1/2" aluminum U-channel. I really don't think you need to notch the release point. But it's not hard to do either. I'm picking up a small strip of putting turf tomorrow, which is supposed to roll around 10 on the stimpmeter. So I'll use that as a control to ensure the reading I'm getting on my carpet is accurate. I don't expect it not to be. Given how close it rolls to greens of known quantity that I've spent tons of time on.

[Brettster]

Thanks PG50 - I'll see what I have around here for creating a 30" stimp meter. The process looks quite easy. Once I finish, I'll test it in my Sim and let you know what the stimp is. Probably some time this weekend.

[PG50]

Brettster

No problem! It really is a simple build. Will look forward to hearing what your's is running at.

I picked up my 15' strip of turf today and checked the stimp on it. Was spot on at 10. So the DIY meter is definitely accurate enough for home use.