Sim Basement Build on $3k budget (with photos)

[SweetTeeGolf]

Hello, like many of you I have gotten all of my ideas and inspiration from this post. Last year we moved into a new house that had the perfect unfinished basement for a golf sim. My initial dream was to do a full Uneekor EyeXO setup, but when I did a budget it all pretty quickly ended up north of $20k. This did not receive Wife Approval so I parked the idea.
Then this summer I saw the Garmin R10 come out, and thought that could be a solution, and redid a more modest budget and thought I could still quality results within an approved budget of $3k.
So a few months ago I purchased the R10 and started to test whether this would work for my space and be something I also enjoy playing on. I have purchased all parts so plan on keeping you updated here on the progress.

[SweetTeeGolf]

Here is the space I am working with. Lower level is 15ft x 15ft with 12ft high ceiling. According to the Garmin R10 details ill be able to get 6ft to hitting area, and then 8 ft to screen, with 1ft to the wall.

[Anytechie]

How are you like the r10?

[SweetTeeGolf]

Love it! Was sold on the ability to also be able to take it to the driving range and play a round. Whereas devices like the Uneekor are limited to being in your sim only.

[Corrcadd99]

Congrats ! I love my R10.
I was thrifty and built my own enclosure. Picked up a cheap but impressive projector and homemade Matt with high quality hitting inserts. Added a bunch of turf etc...
I probably have $3k Canadian into it before I added software, a portable AC unit and 220V heater. I also had good having laptop for work with which was worth $3k
All in all...total is $7k with HVAC, computer and software.
That being said some people just hit into a net with a tablet and cheap Matt.
Enjoy your R10
Good luck!

[SweetTeeGolf]

So over the weekend I made a makeshift frame out of 2x4 timber to make a prototype and test out the space & design. I hung a tarp, then a moving blanket and then a white bedsheet as a temporary impact screen. And put up an old cheap projector I had, to test how the software works. Played a few rounds on E6 Connect and I loved it. Started out using Almost balls at first (mainly to get comfortable hitting inside), then changed to real golf balls. For anyone looking to build a sim suggest this is a good idea to figure out the space you need and layout. I learned that I will need to ensure that the screen is as close to the wall as possible as my depth from Garmin R10 to wall is only 16ft. Also realised designing for a 4:3 aspect screen is fine (actually better for E6 connect on iPad) where i was initially thinking i would put in a 16:9 screen.

[Brettster]

Sweet Tee Golf - you are right...

So over the weekend I made a makeshift frame out of 2x4 timber to make a prototype and test out the space & design. I hung a tarp, then a moving blanket and then a white bedsheet as a temporary impact screen. And put up an old cheap projector I had, to test how the software works. Played a few rounds on E6 Connect and I loved it.

SweetTeeGolf - that's great! Good way to test out, before actually completing the build. I didn't have that option, as my build is inside my shed and I wanted to finish the walls (with drywall) before hanging the screen.

I learned that I will need to ensure that the screen is as close to the wall as possible as my depth from Garmin R10 to wall is only 16ft. Also realised designing for a 4:3 aspect screen is fine (actually better for E6 connect on iPad) where i was initially thinking i would put in a 16:9 screen).

Yes, you got that right! It's tight isn't it? I have 16' exterior (in my shed), but the interior dimension is 15'4" front to back. I'm hitting about 6' from the back wall which has my Garmin R10 embedded into the wall (inside an Access Panel that I cut into the wall, after drywalling it). This lets me get another 3"-4" that I wouldn't have otherwise ,here's a few pics (one before the drywall was up, and the second after finished:



You're right about the screen too - once you get the software setup (each software is different, and may require iPhone use, or iPad use, or Computer use), you can check on which ratio of screen works best for you. It's hard to realize that until you're actually setup and projecting that's for sure. It's also hard to get an understanding about how much 'bleed' over onto side curtains, or top/bottom baffles, etc, is allowed before losing the immersion into playing golf. I've found that you can bleed quite a bit on sides (probably 4"-10" without any problems), but top/bottom, especially the bottom are important for aiming points - especially if you are offset, I'm at about 11' of width, so my offset is probably 20".

Here are some screen/pics, 1st is HomeTee Hero - you can see it takes on more of a 16:9 / widescreen ratio, and 2nd is e6 (notice the huge black bars left/right, with more of a 4:3 ratio and the fact that I'm testing washout from a window on the right without curtains pulled in front of it), I believe this was on iPad). Both are using the Garmin Approach R10:


It sure is a ton of fun - to get it dialed in just right... still refining my screen/software I'm going to use, and new computer coming this week...

Let us know how your final build ends up,
-Brett

[SweetTeeGolf]

How do you like the laser alignment stand you have? Does the laser alignment beam make it all the way to the projector screen to help you line up?

[Brettster]

SweetTeeGolf - yes, I love the laser alignment, those ryobi cube lasers are $15 or so at Home Depot. The only thing about it I don't like, it goes back a little more than I would like, with the 3rd/back leg, and pushes the whole unit outside of the wall, as you can see. There are other stands that have a shorter 3rd leg (back leg) without that problem that I have seen.

[SweetTeeGolf]

Thanks Brett, Yes thats what I was thinking, the 3rd leg does move it forward than it needs to be. I guess most of these stands are designed for outdoors on the range. So far the alignment rod seems to work fine. I also have offset the E6 connect so that the “ready” green dot is basically the target line like you say. If the ball doesn’t go straight i know its the golf club operator, not the technology.

[SweetTeeGolf]

Hey Brettster that is great!! Also nice having in the wall recess as less likely someone will stand on it!! And yes I was thinking the same thing - My limitation is that the concrete floor steps up and back with a 12” rise/step. So I have the Garmin hard up against that. I was thinking I could get an extra 4” if I mounted it differently or if there was some sort of wall mount I could come up with, but probably not important as it seems to read shots fine and I didn’t have any issues with mis-reads.
I purchased a proper impact mat (Quattro) as I was tired of the small chipping mat i was using moving all over the place. Ready to start ordering the other pieces to finish the construction!

[Brettster]

Yes, SweetTeeGolf - you have plenty of room back there! looks great, wish I only had 1/2 of that! Have you tried placing it on the 12" rise/step, others have had good luck with it 2'-3' above the hitting mat, I tried once with about 12" or so, and it didn't seem to make much difference.

[SweetTeeGolf]

Update. Was able to install curtains to surround the golf sim area and cover the walls. This was the most economical way to make the room look more presentable and help cover the block walls from any errant shots. Purchased 4 x 10ft lengths of 3/4” EMT from Lowes as the curtain rails, and some medium duty curtain hangars from Amazon. Bent the curtain rail and to make it continuous and mounted directly to the block work wall at 10ft high. Then hang 4 packets of 10ft curtains from Amazon. Total cost for everything was $150 and looks better than I thought it would.

[Brettster]

Hey Brettster that is great!! Also nice having in the wall recess as less likely someone will stand on it!! And yes I was thinking the same thing - My limitation is that the concrete floor steps up and back with a 12” rise/step. So I have the Garmin hard up against that. I was thinking I could get an extra 4” if I mounted it differently or if there was some sort of wall mount I could come up with, but probably not important as it seems to read shots fine and I didn’t have any issues with mis-reads.
I purchased a proper impact mat (Quattro) as I was tired of the small chipping mat i was using moving all over the place. Ready to start ordering the other pieces to finish the construction!

That's great SweetTeeGolf - you're moving right along. I love that bent 3/4" EMT all the way around your space. That should suit you perfectly. Are those light block curtains? I installed 4 packs just to cover 1 side (about 10' of coverage area) - you may have to order more and make sure they're bunched up to stop balls before they reach the concrete - especially on the right side. That side takes all the hits, the left side rarely sees a ball (if you're a right hander).

Good job!
-Brett

[SweetTeeGolf]

Yes they are supposed to be black out curtains but are relatively light. I am actually going to install Plywood to cover the window to eliminate any change of ever having some sort of failure and sending a ball through it - as its exactly in the Driver target area. Yes agree - I’ll probably order another pack to add 5ft of curtain on each side to let them bunch up more, and I just put a large piece of cardboard behind the right curtain to catch any “shanks” like you say.

[SweetTeeGolf]

Premium Impact Screen ($100 inc delivery from eBay) arrived - 120” x 90” - 4:3. Description said it had small blemishes but none are visible from what I can see. Will just need a steam to remove the crease lines from it coming folded once it is up. Ordering the equivalent premium 3 layer screen with Velcro loops elsewhere would have been over $500+ so happy and this is perfect size for my space. Also just received the 1” EMT fittings and 40 bungees from Tarps.com - recommend them to anyone doing a build, quick delivery and they have every shape fitting you could need.

[SweetTeeGolf]

Built the frame and with the 1” EMT. I designed this so it could be made from 3 x 10ft lengths without needing any joins. Spaced the frame 10” from the back wall, and about 3” from this sides which is enough to get hand in for the bungees.
Made a plywood window “safety” backstop over the window which also prevents any daylight - covered the outside with black fabric so looking in you just see black (not a piece of plywood). Screen fits perfectly and hit a few 6 irons into it with hardly any bounce back.
Next will steam the creases out of the screen and mount the projector!

[SteveMac]

Looking good! I like those supports coming off the wall to the EMT. I used some foam pipe insulation tubes on my EMT to prevent deadly bounce backs...

[SweetTeeGolf]

Thanks SteveMac funny you say that, I actually just got some from Home Depot this evening and did exactly that. Looks good and very cheap solution - 6ft lengths are like $2.50 each.

[Bob Ferguson]

I've been fixated by your block foundation walls! Off subject but would love to see an outside pic! The window is interesting. Guessing big grade change front to back? Usually, we would wood frame the above grade section, sorry, it's the contractor in me asking!

[SweetTeeGolf]

Hi Bob Ferguson yes you are spot on! You know your construction. House is on a large grade front to back, so basement is actually mostly above grade. The room was unfinished when we bought the house so I always knew it would be a perfect room to eventually build a simulator + have as a general work / tools / boys room. This is the only room in the house my wife lets me have free reign haha. Room is 40ft long x 14ft wide, starting about 7.5ft high at the back and stepping down 5 times, so at the bottom is just over 12ft high and steps out to 16ft wide. Attached some pics to help explain.