Creating a High School Golf Simulator room

[AmundsenGolfCoach10]

Hello all,

I am a golf coach for a high school in Chicago and I am looking into setting up a golf room for my team. We have fundraised around 10-11 K for this room and I am looking for some help around setting up our simulator system. I have attached a basic sketch of how I am planning on arranging the room to have two simulators in the space and allow for other activities.

Here are my questions:

1. I am planning on using Mevo+ -- is there a better option for high schoolers? Most of the use is more basic usage but and I am most concerned about it being able to withstand lots of usage.
2. Screens -- is it better to make your own screen or to buy one from the company? I saw a different High Scholl build and he made his own screen so I am leaning that way
3. Distance from the screen -- to get two simulators in the area I need to have both screen on the far end (the ceiling slopes so I cannot put it on the other end). Therefore, I am looking at about 9-10 ft from screen to hitting surface. From what I have read that can work, but any thoughts on this distance?
4. Projector and PC/Ipad -- our school as some older projectors and older iPad or PCs -- would these work or is it worth it to use part of our budget to purchase new ones?

Lastly, am I over thinking this and I should just get one of the bundles from Mevo+ or another company? (https://flightscope.com/collections/combo-deals/products/flightscope-mevo-2023-edition-and-simulator-bundle)

[StalefishFS3]

I have some general thoughts but before I put them down, could you elaborate on a couple things? I am not a coach, so wondering:

1. For your students, are you looking for just a driving range option or are you looking perhaps for your students to play simulated rounds or to have "on course practice"?
2. What, if any, club data will you be looking for?
3. Will you use this to practice putting/putting stroke? I see you are in Chicago, so I assume most courses are closed during a certain part of the year
4. Do you have the information available as to the graphics card(s) located in the old PC's
5. Your older projectors -- i assume they are capable of 1080 resolution, but what lumens are they?
6. Is this a semi-permanent area; that is, could you use angle iron for your enclosure perimeter vs. using EMT pipe?

Look forward to your response.

[AmundsenGolfCoach10]

These are amazing questions -- thanks for asking for the clarification

1. The main goal for this is a driving range option. The majority of the students are just decent golfers that need more swing practice than on course practice.
2. Very minimal club data - our focus is more on repeating correct swing mechanics than getting into the weeds of club data
3. I am not planning on using the simulator for putting practice instead I have some portable putting practice greens and putting mats.
4. I do not have the information about the graphics card on the PCs - our tech guy mentioned he could get me a PC but didnt give specifics.
5. There are a couple newer projectors that are options -- it looks like the lumens on them are 3,000 and 3,600 respectively.
6. Yes it would be semi-permanent. Once set up, we would use it year round -- we could use either angle iron or EMT pipe!

Thanks again for the help -- looking forward to hearing your thoughts

[StalefishFS3]

This is pretty much what i would do with an 11K budget given your goals with your students:

LM: i can't really decipher your sketch completely in the sense i do not know how much room you have behind the golfers. It appears to be limited. Regardless, I would stay away from any radar based LM for indoors use, including the Mevo+. Radar just isn't super reliable indoors. And another downside of Mevo+ is to get the most accurate readings, you have to use either a metallic dot on the ball or purchase at over 60 dollars a box the Titleist RCT balls. This will get expensive quickly.

Therefore, I would go camera based given your limited space. i would not do Skytrak -- too finicky. So, I would purchase two used GC2s, and there are many on the market right now. They are very reliable and are incredibly accurate. These can range from 2000-3000, depending on the age, condition, etc..., so for estimate sake i would calculate your maximum cost at 5,500. I have included in this cost two "shank tanks" to protect them.

The downside: GC2s have no club data. Ball only. Would need an HMT to get the club data, but a worthwhile investment. Also, you can't use an iPad with GC2s. Theoretically you can, but trust me, you can't.

Netting: I have no clue what that other person did to "make" a screen. What material was it made out of? I would not go that route. Given this will likely be a high use area, i would contact West Coast Archery and purchase two PR-20 impact screens. These should hold up very well to lots of use, and also have the benefit of being a little quieter. I have budgeted this for 1,000. I simply dont' know the size of your screen, and the cost depends on the size and whether you want it finished with grommets.

Hitting mats: not sure if you already have these. If you do not, I would buy some cheap stance mats and cut a hole in them for a hitting strip. Use either a FB Grass series strip ($280 x 2) or an EZ Tee Hybrid strip ($125 x 2). I would likely buy one of each to have options. Approximate cost: $400

Use your current projectors. Those lumens should be fine even in a relatively lit room. Won't be great but for your students should be OK.

Software for two PCs. Buy GSPro at $250/computer. Two licenses. This will be a recurring annual cost. NOTE: if you truly want to get into the data weeds, purchase a USED (repeat: USED) copy of FSX2020. GSPro is great, but FSX2020 is still better than that for pure data compilation. Cost for FSX2020 will be roughly 900-1000. This can only be used on one computer, but the license is yours and no recurring fees. Again, do not buy retail from Foresight at 3000. Also, while TGC2019 is a nice program, I don't think it is best for your exact purpose. Or E6 (too expensive anyway)

PC's are a wildcard. If you are using GSPro driving range only, almost any recent PC will do. But if you want to play simulated courses on software at 1080p, then you need a 3060ti graphics card and 16 GB of memory. Just for cost sake, you could probably get 2 PCS with an i5 processor, 3060ti, 16GB of Ram and a 1 TB SSD for around 1000 if you are patient and look for deals/used.

Other stuff: put in $50 for two bluetooth dongles and cables.

Use angle iron for your screens - better than EMT.


Summary:

LM: Two GC2s, used (with shank tanks): 5500
Archery Net Screens: $1,000
Hitting mat strips: $400
Cheap stance mats: go to a nearby driving range and ask if they have any they will give you for a case of beer or something.
Software: $500 (add $1000 if you want FSX)
Miscellaneous computer: $50
Angle iron: not sure, but won't be a huge number
Bungees/Tarp clips: $200 or so -- not exactly sure

The PCs - if you need to buy will round out your budget.

If you go the GC2 route, consider an HMT fundraiser at some point (3000-3300). You can then have a "poor man's" Quad for your students and be the envy of your district.

One more option for GC2s. There are external battery packs that you can connect to a GC2 that will extend the battery life from 3-4 hours to 10-12 hours. Roughly $50 each.

DM me if you need more info. Happy to help.