Still researching - looking for guidance

[Ricky72]

I posted about a year ago that I was starting from scratch and the advice here was to read the forums, which I have been doing. Lots of really interesting builds and while I have been reading, I've been upping my budget to about $15k or so. I have a basement space that is about 16x20 and is pretty much a blank canvas - drywall and concrete floor are in with standard electrical every 6-8 feet or so. Good lighting with 6 ceiling cans evenly spread across the space.

Admittedly, I am a bit of a planner, so my approach will be slow and methodical. I was wondering if folks had a couple things they might share:

• Insights into the hardest part with respect to designing / building their sim
• What is the most important part to get right when you do your build
• Any sort of planning spreadsheets or components / materials lists they used to get their plans and budgets together (like I said, I am a planner)
• Any good resources for design inspiration
• Ideas on best places to shop for the equipment I'll need (best prices / return policies)

Thanks guys!

[mthunt]

• Insights into the hardest part with respect to designing / building their sim
  Making the room big enough. You can do anything in the right size room.
• What is the most important part to get right when you do your build
  The room then the hardware then the software
• Any sort of planning spreadsheets or components / materials lists they used to get their plans and budgets together (like I said, I am a planner)
  Pick your hardware and software and buy what you need to make it work.
• Any good resources for design inspiration
  This sight has everything you need in old posts.
• Ideas on best places to shop for the equipment I'll need (best prices / return policies)
  Par2Pro, Carls Golf

[MongoOnlyPawn]

GungHo Golf is a good resource also, very helpful.

[jasonreg]

• Insights into the hardest part with respect to designing / building their sim
  - starting. For me it was a bit difficult to envision everything I needed - once the frame is up - you figure out how to hang the screen and so on .....
• What is the most important part to get right when you do your build
  - deciding on your "must haves" vs your "want to haves" vs your "nice to haves". Spend the budget on the former, you can (and likely will) upgrade later. For me this was accuracy and not injuring myself through repetitive stress injury (proper matt).
• Any sort of planning spreadsheets or components / materials lists they used to get their plans and budgets together (like I said, I am a planner)
  - I just set up excel sheets and compared commercial "all-in" solutions vs self build. Ultimately I went the latter
• Any good resources for design inspiration
  - search button. There are so many fantastic builds from all budgets ranges already here on this site. Fantastic Resource.
• Ideas on best places to shop for the equipment I'll need (best prices / return policies)
  - Depends on what you are after. I used Par2Pro (excellent). Many are very satisfied with GungHo (on this site) and many use Carls Golf. There are many others, but these three seem to not only sell but also provide valuable advise wrt your budget and applications.

But - Just start! My sim looks much different than when I started. Always tweaking something!

[Ricky72]

Thanks - would you be willing to share the spreadsheet. Might help me conceptualize everything I need to do. Thanks

[DCD2G]

Great resource: https://www.design2golf.com/gallery/golf-simulators/