New build for a family of awful golfers

[rossross]

I have been lurking for a while, reading tons of threads but I would love input on my scenario. I have an unfinished room in my basement that I would like to turn into a simulator room.

Details:
I’m not a good golfer, I’m doing this to improve my game and get my kids (12 and 13) who are young into the game.
Floors are concrete right now.
I’m not trying to break the bank, but I want to do this right. Thinking $6k-$8k
The room is 21ft x 17.5ft, 8.8 ceiling

Questions for the group:

• I'm guessing I want the screen on the 17ft wall so I can take advantage of the length and get a 16x9 screen on that wall.
• Flooring. Part of my thinks I should just leave it concreate and maybe just stain it, but not sure that’s a great idea for a simulator room. What would you guys do for flooring in a room like this? I would say turf the entire room, but I’m also thinking resale and something should be underneath.
• Is any software better at fun things and not just courses?. Thinking putt putt, golf games, for the kids.
• Knowing that we are bad golfers, what things do you recommended to protect the walls and ceilings. I was thinking wall padding the entire space like this guy did (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWXE316klaA) or maybe I just do a deeper enclosure material, so it covers the golfer and sides.
• What depth am I looking at to cover the golfer and protect walls and ceilings, where are they hitting from?
• Knowing that this room is being finished (drywall, electric, lighting, etc), is there anything you wish you did. (Ethernet drops, HDMI runs, etc)
• Is sound important, I wouldn’t think it would be, but you tell me.

I would love any input or recommendations after reading the above.

[rossross]

BTW, I'll post pictures of my progress.This is the room right now, middle wall (frame) will be removed.

[COgolfengineer]

How tall is your ceiling? It looks short in the picture. Have you tried swinging a club down there?

[rossross]

Shit... Well I thought 8.5 - 9ft was good enough. Maybe it's not... I'm 5'11 and my follow through is REALLY close to the ceiling. I imagine anyone taller would have an issue.

[COgolfengineer]

After you add flooring, that could be 1-2" thick so your height will only reduce. Some people still build a sim with low ceiling height and just use irons and maybe a hybrid is the longest club they can use.

[rossross]

I actually just spent 30min swinging down there and I think I'm good. My driver is the only club that comes close and I honestly think that's because I have shitty form. The exact measurement right now is 106 inches, maybe I can find a creative way to get a couple more inches where I tee off.

[Bob Ferguson]

Depending on what's above the swing area you can cut the floor joists out and header it off. Ideally if the joists are running the same way that your hitting Leave 1.5 inches of the joists (that's the width of the shoe on a circular saw ) .Then you can glue and screw a piece or 3/4" plywood between the joists to stiffen up the floor above. Disregard if there's a bearing wall above the swing area or if you have a tile floor. Did it in my garage with a room above and also at my nephews, no issues. I'm a building contractor and I don't think your house will collapse right away Took me a couple hours it's very easy.

[rossross]

Yea, I plan to run this by the guy finishing and see what he says. I know nothing load bearing is in the way.

[golfsimulatorsite]

what system are you using? All right hand?

[rossross]

All right hand.... been doing lots of research and I'm thinking Mevo +or Skytrack + is the way to go. Leaning towards Mevo+.

[golfsimulatorsite]

We stock both. I DM you, Send me pics and dimensions of room and I will get you a layout. thx
chip
spectrum golf

[rossross]

It's been a while since I posted. I'm making progress and learning a ton. I have decided to go in some different directions.

Here is what I have purchased/have so far.
Screen: 8x14 - Bullseyes Apex Mills DNB381
Padding: I'm building my own panels and using Marine vinyl with memory foam.
Lighting: Philips LED Indoor/Outdoor Dimmable PAR38 1200-Lumen
Projector: BenQ LH820ST
Laptop: GIGABYTE AORUS 15G

Plan to purchase:
Hitting Mat: Fiberbuilt Grass Series Studio Golf Mat - Single Hitting - 7'x4'
Launch Monitor: Bushnell Launch Pro (i'm pissed I missed the recent deal)
Turf: Unknown

Attached are some new pics. I managed to get a couple of inches more out of my basement ceiling and the height is now 107 inches in the swing area.

[rossross]

More photos, building my own removable panels. Not sure what I'm going to do with the ceiling yet.

[Godfather]

Did you finish? How do you like the projector?

[DivotTool]

The panels look good, can you give details on your process for making them?

[rossross]

Wall Fabric:

https://www.marinevinylfabric.com/products/marine-vinyl-fabric?variant=14525732998

Creating Padded Panels:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWXE316klaA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6LovADuyZ0

This was the biggest pain in the ass but it looks ok. I hired a contractor to figure out the ceiling, I struggled with this. I used nicer foam, thicker.

[rossross]

It's been a while since I updated. This project has taken me WAY longer than I thought it would. It should be done in a week or so. Here are some updated pics.

Tips: Don't buy your launch monitor until you're ready for it. This is going to take longer than you think. lol

[rossross]

More progress

[gobble]

How far is your tee from the screen? Why is the projector in front of the hitting area? I've never seen it done that way.

Did you end up doing anything to raise your ceiling?

[rossross]

Call it poor planning. It's where the projector needed to be to fill the screen. It's not in the swing path or ball path. I raised the ceiling a little and ended up bringing 105 into the swing path. These photos might snow it a little better.

It's tight, but it works for me, and I'm 6ft. There is not anyone taller, though. It's what I had to work with; it is what it is.

[rossross]