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  • Fold-Up Garage Sim with Pics

    I thought I would add my garage simulator to the site to help anybody else with ideas and to help them with their addiction!! This website and the people on here have been invaluable for me and have provided great insight and ideas.

    I have a three stall garage in MN with 9.5 ft ceilings. I need to be able to use the space for other stuff at times too (Harley parking in summer, etc). So I built a simulator that folds up to the ceiling and allows the use of the third stall garage door.

    The frame is built out of 1" metal conduit with corners from tarps.com. The impact screen wraps around the backside of the frame and attaches to the front conduit with tarp clips and bungee (4 per side). Nothing behind it and it works great, ball comes right back to my feet on most shots. The conduit has pipe foam around it to reduce sharp edges and deaden any mishits.

    It hangs from the ceiling with flexible hangers I purchased at Home Depot that allow it to raise up enough for the back edge to clear the ground when pivoting. I hung black automotive carpet on the inside of the frame up to the impact screen. I purchased the carpet at Menards. Comes in 6 foot widths which worked out perfect and looks great. $.50 a sq ft and super strong.

    Purchased a BenQ short-throw projector on Craigslist.

    I went with Optishot to get started and really like it after I got my driver taped and working better, but I'm already planning on upgrading to Skytrak next fall. I purchased a hitting mat online and cut slots for the optishot sensor and placed it on 3/4 plywood to make it level.

    as you can tell from the pictures, I started finishing the walls in my garage, but now all I ever want to do is play golf out there! It was -15 in MN last week and I was golfing in Hawaii in my garage with some buddies and a cold beer. Well worth it!!!
    Last edited by PunchoutPro; 01-25-2017, 05:15 PM.

  • #2

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    • #3
      Looks nice! How is the noise level inside the house from your sim (shot noise and ball hitting screen)? I am hoping to also do a garage setup but by kids rooms are right above the garage and I am afraid the noise may not allow me to play once they are sleeping.

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      • #4
        I use real golf balls so the driver impact is as loud as you would suspect and echoes a little in the garage. The impact screen definitely has a loud "whump", so it might be kind of loud in a room above it. Depends on how well your kids sleep!

        Optishot has the option for foam balls which are ok and quite, but I prefer to use real golf balls and it looks like you have Skytrak anyways. Hoping to upgrade too.

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        • #5
          Very cool setup. How heavy is it and how to you get it back up on the ceiling? Where in MN are you? I live over by the Chaska Town Course, if you play there ever.

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          • #6
            It's not very heavy. Only takes one person and I use a step ladder. It just lifts up and hooks over two bike hanger hooks. When building it, I was estimating the location of the ceiling mounted projector and it turned out pretty good. The projector is within the screen frame when it's stored up on the ceiling.

            Takes only a few minutes to set up. I'm still jealous of anyone who has a dedicated room inside for this, but this system works great.

            I'm in the north metro and see at least one positive benefit for global warming in MN!!

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            • #7
              This is fantastic. I am in the planning stages for a very similar garage stall build. I don't need mine to swing up and down but did want to stretch my screen around the frame like this to maximize screen size. Anyways, its nice to know it works well like this. You may want to experiment with memory foam mattress covers or pack blankets to minimize sound and bounce back. Others have had success and I would be very curious to know if it works.

              Now for the serious questions:
              Is this garage 20 feet high? Or are you only 3 feet tall?
              What are you doing hiding behind the snow shovel over there? I'm so confused!!!!

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              • #8
                My lord it was like trying to spot Waldo! Or maybe a Hobbitt?

                But seriously, this is a fantastic setup and think I will aim for mine to be just like this one.

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                • #9
                  Haha! Didn't realize the mirror was in the pic!

                  It's old bathroom mirror I use for practice.

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                  • #10
                    Very nice design punchoutpro. question: what are the flexible hangers from Home Depot u mentioned. In your first pic, it just looks like metal bike hooks to me. And I am guessing pics were taken before you mounted projector as I don't see it. Once again good job

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                    • #11
                      Click image for larger version

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ID:	99858 They are a velcro strap attached to an eye hook. I originally tried using bike hooks and they worked, but because it has to lift up a little for the back edge to clear the floor, they would sometimes come off the hooks. The velcro ones work great, are really strong and safe.

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                      • #12
                        Thanks for the reply. I have never seen those, but then again never had a real need for same

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                        • #13
                          That's a nice set-up you have there! I would like to do something similar. Can you tell me how big your screen is? It looks to be about 9'x8', do you feel cramped at all when you swing?

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                          • #14
                            Yep. It's about 9x9 and it wraps around the frame some. It doesn't feel cramped at all. I am 6' 1" and can swing all of my clubs with real golf balls. Lefties have to hit a little off center because of the side wall.

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                            • #15
                              How did you achieve the nice, clean crease in the automative carpet where it transition from the ceiling to the wall?

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