Simulator Lighting

[Sr Linksalot]

Hello Fellow Golf Addicts!

I have been waiting years to build my own Sim as, I’m sure (most) all of you have. The time is finally here and now. I am very close to Sheetrock and my anxiety is building as I have never built a sim before and DO NOT want to be the shouldda, wouldda…couldda guy. I started this thread because I could not find info on lighting in particular. I apologize in advance as I am sure there are threads on lighting, I am simply inept with this inter web stuff and could not find what I was looking for.

My point is simple..
What is the best situation for lighting while playing? I recently learned the term pinspot. I think subtle room lighting with a pinspot over the ball might be the way to go for me.


My space is a 14 x 20. It vaults from 8’10” at the screen to 11’ over the ball. I have 2 ceiling mounted light fixtures (dimmable) installed over the golfer that I intend to use for the space which may actually work just fine for golfing…dunno. Otherwise, I have 1 leg left loose that is dedicated for golf. My 2 options are a Pinspot directly over the ball or …I’m mounting a 9’ walnut live edge floating shelf behind and above golfer. The “shelf” is mainly an artistic feature but it will house the projector, rear speakers and mounted under…the Uneekor QED. My thought is this: is a quality location for a golf light as there will be power on the top side?

Sorry so long winded…but I’m trying to give a sense of the space. Any insight is greatly appreciated…so, Thank you(s) in advance.

[preludesam]

Best advice I have see is from GungHoGolf

https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/golf-simulator-forum/simulator-builds/321105-lighting-for-impact-swing-camera-high-fps/page2#post372071

[Sr Linksalot]

Thank you x 3!
That's the thread I was looking for... very helpful!

[climb.on]

This is great advice. Will come in very handy on my build.

[MongoOnlyPawn]

I think it also makes a difference if you are trying to use a swing camera as opposed to just playing golf. If it's just playing golf, get a light on the hitting mat, doesn't need to be real bright but some kind of focused light helps, and then some light in the sitting area and you'll be fine. (Post Forum Rules from pathfindr here: https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...ge2#post372071 would work well above the ball)

You're going to need a BLEEPpot full of lumens to record swings, and it's way too much light for playing, my thoughts are it's best to set them up separately. I actually wouldn't worry about lighting above the golfer, just concentrate on the golf ball impact area.

I've attached 2 pics, one of the hitting area (without the ball light turned on) and then one of the sitting area (standing on the hitting mat) Everyone ends up tweaking things to fit their facility and their personal taste, so don't screw/glue/mount anything permanently until you've played a few rounds with different people, you'll likely want to adjust something.

[jasonreg]

I think it also makes a difference if you are trying to use a swing camera as opposed to just playing golf. If it's just playing golf, get a light on the hitting mat, doesn't need to be real bright but some kind of focused light helps, and then some light in the sitting area and you'll be fine.

Very true. When I am playing a round, my extra lighting is turned off. With the filters and "Barn Doors" I can control a lot of the light used but it does wash out the screen somewhat. When I am practicing, I mostly refer to the monitors for replay etc. so having a little washout is fine on the main screen. My lights are portable mounted on the stands they came with so it is pretty easy to adjust as required.