Hi All!
I moved out of a townhouse into a standalone house ~1yr ago, and finally settled enough to start to consider golf sim as a priority. I'm in the initial stages of figuring out what I want for a sim in the garage. I've perused a bunch of this forum and other websites, so I'm familiar with some concepts but by no means a know-it-all. I would love to get feedback from any of you seasoned sim build veterans out there!
My overall goals/objectives:
1. A place to hit balls with launch monitor feedback in the evenings once the kids are asleep. Driving range/target practice mode is primary use. Identify yardages, work on technical changes, build skill. Eventually might play with friends and/online down the road, but certainly not the focus.
2. Quick and seamless setup/takedown. Reduce the "friction" to getting started hitting balls. Make it a better option than driving to the closest year-round range/sim ~20min away.
3. Minimize the risk of damage to anything
4. Minimize the sound elsewhere in the house
5. Don't break my bank (obviously) but spend where/if it makes sense
Location: I have a 3-car garage--the first 2 bays with a double-door are where we park our 2 cars. The 3rd bay has its own single door, and it's where we keep a bunch of toys for two young kids (bikes, scooters, mini-car, etc), stroller, snowblower, and a 12’x4’ BirdieBall putting green I built. The total dimensions of the garage are 28'w x 19'd x 12'h (back wall has shelving that uses up ~2-3'). The garage doors are both wall mount jackshaft Liftmaster 8500W. Since the 3rd bay is a bit tight (~10.5' wide from wall to car) and I'd be relocating all of the stuff with each use, I figured the double-bay would be better for the sim. While that would require moving both cars out/in, I’d have peace of mind for errant shots. If I'm moving 1 car, it's not much more effort to move 2.
Enclosure: Retractable to & motorized screen/enclosure seems ideal. I've been looking at the SportScreen so that it's out of the way when not being used yet quickly & easily in place when needed. My ceilings are higher than the requirements. Any idea on best practice to accommodate? Does it need to attach to the floor somehow? 16’ model seems better since I have the space?
Launch Monitor: Start out with SkyTrak and with option to upgrade to a higher-end/more-data model (GC3 or overhead, etc) later down the road if I see the benefit. Don’t feel the need to invest $10K+ in this part alone quite yet.
Computer/Projector: No idea yet! Haven't looked into these much. Does it ever make sense to start with just an iPad to start? Or if I’m getting the enclosure with a screen then might as well project?
Mat/Hitting Strip: I used a CCE mat with a net previously and don’t love it. I've read great things about Fiberbuilt. Looking at the 7x4 Studio Mat (incl hitting strip & space for SkyTrak). I don’t know any lefties who need to be accommodated, so I don’t need center turf. The garage floor has flexible PVC interlocking tiles in place already. I haven't measured for levelness, but I think there's some slight slope front-to-back. Do I need to build some sort of enclosure for the mat? Would love to be able to move it out of the way when not in use so that cars aren’t driving over it. What’s the ideal approach for that?
Climate: I’m in northern NJ. The garage is insulated but not heated/cooled, so it can get cold in the winter and hot/humid in the summer. Is climate control only for comfort or is it essential for any component(s)?
Sound: One of my kids has his bedroom above the garage. What options do I have to reduce noise? My kid doesn’t need complete silence but louder impact noises would be a dealbreaker.
Install: I’m handy but by no means a construction expert. Time is also limited with the young family, so would probably look to contract out the install of the enclosure at a minimum. Should I look to a company like Par2Pro for a more all-inclusive approach to the design/components? What kind of premium would I pay?
Any/all thoughts welcome! I can also provide pics/sketch of the space, if helpful.
Thanks in advance!
I moved out of a townhouse into a standalone house ~1yr ago, and finally settled enough to start to consider golf sim as a priority. I'm in the initial stages of figuring out what I want for a sim in the garage. I've perused a bunch of this forum and other websites, so I'm familiar with some concepts but by no means a know-it-all. I would love to get feedback from any of you seasoned sim build veterans out there!
My overall goals/objectives:
1. A place to hit balls with launch monitor feedback in the evenings once the kids are asleep. Driving range/target practice mode is primary use. Identify yardages, work on technical changes, build skill. Eventually might play with friends and/online down the road, but certainly not the focus.
2. Quick and seamless setup/takedown. Reduce the "friction" to getting started hitting balls. Make it a better option than driving to the closest year-round range/sim ~20min away.
3. Minimize the risk of damage to anything
4. Minimize the sound elsewhere in the house
5. Don't break my bank (obviously) but spend where/if it makes sense
Location: I have a 3-car garage--the first 2 bays with a double-door are where we park our 2 cars. The 3rd bay has its own single door, and it's where we keep a bunch of toys for two young kids (bikes, scooters, mini-car, etc), stroller, snowblower, and a 12’x4’ BirdieBall putting green I built. The total dimensions of the garage are 28'w x 19'd x 12'h (back wall has shelving that uses up ~2-3'). The garage doors are both wall mount jackshaft Liftmaster 8500W. Since the 3rd bay is a bit tight (~10.5' wide from wall to car) and I'd be relocating all of the stuff with each use, I figured the double-bay would be better for the sim. While that would require moving both cars out/in, I’d have peace of mind for errant shots. If I'm moving 1 car, it's not much more effort to move 2.
Enclosure: Retractable to & motorized screen/enclosure seems ideal. I've been looking at the SportScreen so that it's out of the way when not being used yet quickly & easily in place when needed. My ceilings are higher than the requirements. Any idea on best practice to accommodate? Does it need to attach to the floor somehow? 16’ model seems better since I have the space?
Launch Monitor: Start out with SkyTrak and with option to upgrade to a higher-end/more-data model (GC3 or overhead, etc) later down the road if I see the benefit. Don’t feel the need to invest $10K+ in this part alone quite yet.
Computer/Projector: No idea yet! Haven't looked into these much. Does it ever make sense to start with just an iPad to start? Or if I’m getting the enclosure with a screen then might as well project?
Mat/Hitting Strip: I used a CCE mat with a net previously and don’t love it. I've read great things about Fiberbuilt. Looking at the 7x4 Studio Mat (incl hitting strip & space for SkyTrak). I don’t know any lefties who need to be accommodated, so I don’t need center turf. The garage floor has flexible PVC interlocking tiles in place already. I haven't measured for levelness, but I think there's some slight slope front-to-back. Do I need to build some sort of enclosure for the mat? Would love to be able to move it out of the way when not in use so that cars aren’t driving over it. What’s the ideal approach for that?
Climate: I’m in northern NJ. The garage is insulated but not heated/cooled, so it can get cold in the winter and hot/humid in the summer. Is climate control only for comfort or is it essential for any component(s)?
Sound: One of my kids has his bedroom above the garage. What options do I have to reduce noise? My kid doesn’t need complete silence but louder impact noises would be a dealbreaker.
Install: I’m handy but by no means a construction expert. Time is also limited with the young family, so would probably look to contract out the install of the enclosure at a minimum. Should I look to a company like Par2Pro for a more all-inclusive approach to the design/components? What kind of premium would I pay?
Any/all thoughts welcome! I can also provide pics/sketch of the space, if helpful.
Thanks in advance!
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