Questions/Recommendations for Best High-End Sim Build

[Houdini1611]

Long-time viewer, but first-time poster. Thank you to everyone for posting such great content-- has been quite an inspiration to see what people have done!

I am moving into a new house and will finally have the right space for a high-end simulator. My goal is to create the bestpossible high-end simulator golf experience for practice and play with friends.

The space is:

23.5 ft long
15.5 ft wide
14 ft ceiling

Assuming cost is no object, I am curious what people recommend for the setup and any advice?

A few specific questions:

1) I am leaning toward a GC Hawk/Foresight Sports setup. Is this the right choice?
2) If I do go with Foresight Sports, is it better to go directly though their team or buy through someone like par2pro?
3) Any thoughts on automatic re-tee devices and if they are worth it?
4) What is the gold standard for projectors/hitting mats?

Any and all advice greatly appreciated!

[COgolfengineer]

You have a good size space. Since you mentioned par2pro, are you in Canada? I'm a golf sim installer and would recommend a company that is agnostic to the golf simulator manufacturers, so going with par2pro or other company I would think be better than Foresight. I haven't talked with anyone who has used Foresight for their build, bit I would suspect their builds all look very similar, whereas an independent golf sim installer should be willing to do whatever you want.

For LMs, I would recommend GCHawk, GCQuad, or Eyexo2. Stick with a camera based LM rather than radar as camera is more accurate indoors, so stay away from Trackman. For golf course simulation, I recommend GSpro and will work with the Foresight and Uneekor LMs, although Foresight currently requires a 3rd party app to connect to GSpro, whereas Uneekor officially supports GSpro, so no 3rd party app.

For projector, the BenQ LK936ST is awesome. It's 4k, pretty bright, laser, etc. Courses really pop! For hitting mat, I recommend EZ Tee Hybrid. I've used multiple mats and like that the best. It's also what I install in my builds and my customers like it as well. The EZ Tee isn't great as a full mat, but better as a hitting strip. It's a bit too squishy if you stand on it, but that's my opinion.

[zmgolf]

What do you recommend as the standing mat if EZ Tee is too squishy for full mat?

[COgolfengineer]

zmgolf Can just get any cheap hitting mat from amazon in at least a 4x4ft size. If thickness doesn't line up with hitting strip, can make either the stance mat or hitting strip thicker by attaching it to gym foam tiles or whatever. Can use glue, carpet tape, or velcro.

[Bubba22]

I would suggest you contact Par2Pro for advice. SIM would depend on your needs so overhead vs portable is dealers choice depending what you want. Do you want lefties and righties? Do you want to take the sim to the range? Setup with impact screen, mat, computer and software will be your choice as there are many options.

[Houdini1611]

Thank you both for the very helpful answers!

1) I'm in the U.S., but believe Par2Pro serves both US and Canada (correct me if I'm wrong!)

2) I am leaning towards either GCHawk or GC Quad. I like the idea of having it mounted to the ceiling (Hawk), but my understanding is that the Hawk does not have putting analysis? I also live very close to the course so being able to bring the Quad to the range could be helpful... I'm kind of torn. I know it is said that they have the same accuracy, but is the Quad and Hawk really same accuracy?

3) I read a little bit about the BenQ LK936ST-- sounds amazing and will definitely purchase. Thanks!

4) Do you have an opinion on automatic re-tee technology? Is that worth installing in my sim?

[Sixmudd]

Thank you both for the very helpful answers!

1) I'm in the U.S., but believe Par2Pro serves both US and Canada (correct me if I'm wrong!)

2) I am leaning towards either GCHawk or GC Quad. I like the idea of having it mounted to the ceiling (Hawk), but my understanding is that the Hawk does not have putting analysis? I also live very close to the course so being able to bring the Quad to the range could be helpful... I'm kind of torn. I know it is said that they have the same accuracy, but is the Quad and Hawk really same accuracy?

3) I read a little bit about the BenQ LK936ST-- sounds amazing and will definitely purchase. Thanks!

4) Do you have an opinion on automatic re-tee technology? Is that worth installing in my sim?

Can’t go wrong with a quad. Look at all the pga tour pros who have/ use them. Since you’re doing a custom build, cable mgmt shouldn’t be an issue either.

regarding auto tee tech, sure why not? If money is no object, might as well get all the bells and whistles

[Bubba22]

Quad and Hawk are same in accuracy. Like Sixmudd said get all the bells and whistles if money is no object. Also consider camera setup to analyze your swing.

[Houdini1611]

Thank you-- is there a camera and software package that is considered to be the golf standard for analysis that people would recommend?

[Sixmudd]

Thank you-- is there a camera and software package that is considered to be the golf standard for analysis that people would recommend?

Swing catalyst. Also integrates well with foresight

[Hickory James]

Uneekor as good as all of them and will save a lot of money.

[BMcCullough123]

Highly recommend Uneekor eye xo…I just completed a custom build in my new home and I have zero complaints. Agree with the recommendation for the benq LK936ST, that’s what I installed and it’s fantastic.

[Houdini1611]

Thank you--

I love the idea that Uneekor eye xo integrates with GSPro easily, but hard to get over the hump that GCQuad is just more accurate. Since my Home goal is game improvement, tough hump to get over.

It seems like in an ideal world you could have GCQuad with GSPro, but I can't seem to find anyone who will share how to integrate. Very frustrating.

[zmgolf]

You can. Search youtube and there is a video. You have to install Gamechanger application and then can use with GSPro. It's an easy process

[Dax]

Integration is very simple. Have you tried going to the website? All the info that you seek can be found there, including instructions and where to go if you have questions or issues.

[Houdini1611]

You are saying integration between a GCQuad and GSPro is simple? I do not think so... my understanding is it requires downloading a blp to connect, but the instructions have been removed from this forum as well as various discord servers. Moreover, most people that seem to have done this successfully in the past have done it with the GC3, not the Quad. I'm all ears if someone has instructions though..

[Sixmudd]

You are saying integration between a GCQuad and GSPro is simple? I do not think so... my understanding is it requires downloading a blp to connect, but the instructions have been removed from this forum as well as various discord servers. Moreover, most people that seem to have done this successfully in the past have done it with the GC3, not the Quad. I'm all ears if someone has instructions though..

Your understanding is incorrect. Plenty of quad owners use gspro and integration is pretty simple and straightforward. It’s all on the sgt discord as well

[davidepope]

Thank you--

I love the idea that Uneekor eye xo integrates with GSPro easily, but hard to get over the hump that GCQuad is just more accurate.

Source? Why are you fighting Uneekor as a fantastic, easy to integrate with GSPro, and accurate solution? Pros are paid to market Foresight, but as a 3 handicap I can tell you Uneekor is spot on accurate. And if your goal is to improve then surely you will want a face-on and down-the-line camera package that lets you study your swing in slow motion, which Optix does quite nicely. Mine is even setup for voice control so I don’t have to move from hitting position to review my swing in detail.

Lastly the idea of an auto-reteeing solution is kinda silly. I have exactly one ball in my sim and it rolls back to me and I hit it over and over.

Prior to spending $25k on my simulator I visited several friends and asked lots of questions along with hitting lots of balls — have you done the same because it sounds like you’re just guessing at what you need.