Feedback Wanted on Design Plans for Garage Setup - Comprehensive 2D/3D Plans attached

[Kev0192]

So after months of thinking, debating, budgeting, measuring, and toiling (probably all too much), I'm about ready to pull the trigger on my garage setup and start buying components (actually already bought the Mevo+).

Looking for more sets of experienced "eyes" any and all potential feedback, comments, issues, and warnings, just in case I overlooked something, and perhaps I'm a bit too OCD, but want to be happy with the setup and not make any dumb mistakes.

I've attached a PDF that includes project budget, component selection, 2D/3D design layouts and more. I trust the feedback here and have learned so much from everyone here so eager to hear your thoughts.

The only difference in my attached plans is that after taping out all the measurements I updated the 2D/3D drawings and moved everything over 8" more to the right since originally the main garage rail was still in my backswing (the backswing photo on page 11 is after moving over 8" more to the right and potentially even still hitting just a bit offset from center. With moving everything over, the setup really is more a RH-only setup and will likely go with the single-hitting Fiberbuilt mat.

I *think* these are the last few questions I have (at the moment):

1. Cold Weather/Unheated attached garage in SE Michigan - need I worry about leaving TV, projector, PC in the garage or should I plan to look at quick release mounts to bring everything inside?

2. Page 11 - I'm pretty confident I have good backswing clearance now, but curious on additional thoughts (obviously ignore my form!)

3. Projector Mounting Height - This is been probably one of the more challenging calculations in the whole setup. Just to confirm, I should have good clearance and no issues with swing plane/path with projector mounted directly over tee area at about 9' up from floor?

4. Interested in comments and wisdom re: putting turf. My consideration is that my putting/landing turf can only permanently extend about 8' from screen, and my hitting mat/area needs to be movable since I still need to pull in cars on that side of the garage, so I figured I didn't want to compromise with an integrated or flush hitting strip at only 8' since I'm using Mevo+ to start (hopefully to eventually add in either EYE Mini or upgrade to EYE XO down the road). Any other ideas here welcome. Still thinking about best way to setup for putting with Mevo+ or if I should bother at all and instead auto-putt??


I know my plan document is pretty detailed, but also maybe hope it can help someone else in their own design process too. It's definitely been fun!

Thanks for taking the time to read this long post and look over my plans! Excited to hop on some virtual leagues soon!

[wbond]

Hello,
I also have a garage setup in SE Mi.
1) All those components (except computer) have been in my garage for around 8+ years without issue. My garage is attached so I've kept the computer in the adjacent room and ran the cables through the wall.
2)Spend the money to move the garage rails to a high lift option, it'll be worth it and you can move everything to a centered hitting area. Even if you don't, it will eliminate the possibility of hitting it on the backswing. People make crazy swings indoors that they don't usually do outside. In your pic, you can see that you're not really making a full turn so your club may get closer. I had a guy who works for a garage door company who does side jobs do mine. If you want, i'll look for his card tonight.
3)If the projector is mounted on the target line, it's not going to get hit with a swing. Mine has never even been close to getting hit.
4)You can save a lot of money making your own stance platform and hitting strip if you want. Plus it may be easier to move. I have a 4x4 platform and then the hitting surface that attaches on the side of it, so two pieces. You can see it here. https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...-station/page2

[Kev0192]

Thanks for the quick reply wbond, I appreciate your wisdom!

1) That's reassuring. Since I posted, I've continued to do some more research, and think I found a good quick-release mount for the projector and TV so if I got really worried, I suppose I could just bring them inside.

2) Yes, if you can dig out the card/name you have I'll take it! Would love to get a quote. Since I don't think I'm going to be doing a permanent heating solution right now, I think I'll definitely prioritize dealing with the door rail. I already cut/disabled the single door track, but obviously I'm not totally in the clear yet!

3) Thanks!

4) I've debated this route quite a bit. Since I'm starting from scratch, doing a custom stance/hitting area is a bit more then I wanna do right now... maybe down the round. Your post in the other thread was awesome though! I definitely bookmarked it!

[luckypete72]

Not sure how handy you are but I moved my rails to the high lift myself. I bought all the parts from this place online and they have great videos/instructions if you want to DIY.

Took me about 3 hours to do the first one myself and then about 90 minutes for the second one...(I had springs and had to covert from Extension Springs to Torsion Springs - You already have a Torsion Spring from the pictures I saw so that's one less step for you....)

https://ddmgaragedoors.com/diy-instructions/garage-door-high-lift-conversion.php

[Kev0192]

luckypete72 - I'm not handy at all! lol... My door that will need to be raised is a double wide.. so I'll probably just hire a garage door company to lift it next summer... until then... it won't bother me too much just to hit offset a bit, and this first season will be RH only (which is fine since I don't have any LH golf friends at the moment).

[ChiGolf22]

The electronics will be fine in the cold. I'd be more concerned about dust and the un-air-conditioned summer heat than the cold with those. I'd also think hard about your full swing path and those garage door rails (follow through is likely more problematic than the backswing pictured in your slides)

[Kev0192]

Thanks for the input! As I commented above, I might toy with the idea of quick-release mounting and bring the electronics in the house when not in regular use, although, might see how tedious that gets. Or at least in the warmer months, maybe just a dust cover.

Yes, Will either have to raise the rails soon or maybe hit offset until I can "swing" that modification!

[Simgolfer]

Would love to know how or what program you used to do the 2d/3D layout? Wondering if there is an iPad program for this.
thanks

[Kev0192]

I used Live Home 3D on the Mac, though I think they make a PC version too. Base software I think is free, I did a one year subscription to unlock some extra features, like saving design files outside the app. It was a little finicky in some ways, but easy enough to do the basics.

[Simgolfer]

Thank you for that. I downloaded it and will try it out

[Brettster]

Interesting, I have that Live Home 3D app on my PC, there is an App, you can buy it in the Windows Store.

[Brettster]

Hi Kev0192 ,

I'm catching up on some threads up here... I live in North Central Indiana (right at Michigan Border) and I built my simulator in an outbuilding/shed. Because it was not attached, I had to install a Mini-Split to keep the building warm in winter, cool in summer. It's been great.

Regarding projector, you have other options if you don't want to go short throw. I have a long-throw projector mounted 9' on the back gable/roof and 15' from the screen which works just fine with keystone adjustments. You can see some of this at this thread which also details my entire build from start to finish:

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/golf-simulator-forum/simulator-builds/348365-golf-sim-shed-build-finally?p=370582#post370582

My projector was a cheapo, but does have Dolby Audio built into it, not bad, here's a link:
https://tinyurl.com/4k-mini-projector-dolby

Good luck with your build... keep us posted on how it's going, it's a blast...
-Brett

[Kev0192]

Thanks for the comment and feedback. I'm much more confident about leaving the project out now. Just insulated the garage doors with a DIY kit and installing 240v 10kW electric heater at the end of the month, plus the projector I got, BenQ TH671ST can operate from 32* F / 0* C so shouldn't be an issue.