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I wanted to share something in case others could benefit from it.
My simulator build is low budget and mostly DIY. As part of my journey back to golf I got started by looking at gadgets to ease back into playing after a long absence from the game.
I found some "swing groover" products but decided I could build one that worked better for me for less myself.
The tool works well with the Optishot2 due to the way the unit reads the club and not the ball.
What I ended up with, when paired with the Optishot2 is a way to hit real balls without a net setup, and works fine without the Optishot2 also, but they work well together, so I thought I would share with you all.
It's basically some 1/2 inch pipe fittings, an "S" carabiner, wire rope and a real golf ball. I have different lengths for Tee shots versus playing off the turf. All the parts can be had at the big box home supply houses. If you use the black gas pipe not the galvanized pipe it would be even cheaper than what I show in the pictures. I have built a few variations now, including some that allow lights to be mounted over the sensors and more. See the second photo.
Even if you are a tour level hitter, the wire rope far exceeds the stress on it. I checked the forces in play against the materials, but please feel free to do the same.
I used coated wire rope to avoid any club damage if I totally miss or top the ball.
I also have versions using climbing rope instead of the wire rope, but using the wire rope has worked well and allows me to embed the stopper/ferrule inside the ball.
I did my research and the better non metal ropes (strong climbing rope) at a 1/8" sized can handle it as well. Please make sure you use a good stopper knot, or that you crimp your wire rope well. With the carabiner you can swap out for your preference. I use a stopper knot under the ball on the rope ones, with a Yosemite Bowline knot to connect to the unit.
You assume all the risk, so I recommend hitting the first few softly and trying with something to catch it if it lets loose until you are sure your work will hold up. FWIW I have had one show signs of slipping, out of the dozen I have made, but none have ever given out on me after thousands of swings.
There is a commercial product that exists for this too, that you can find if you aren't handy. I use it too, and that's where I found the Yosemite bowline knot to use, but think the DIY build is doable for most folks.
The dimensions you use should match what you need, but I used 1/2 inch pipe, a few two by four pieces and plywood for the base, the verticals are 10", two 4 1/2 inch pieces between the elbows and the T to the pipe that extends out over the sensor pad / hitting area. It's a piece of a pipe (I think 8 inch), a connector, a 1 1/2 inch or smaller (close) nipple and an end cap. A metal "S" carabiner and coated wire rope and a ferrule / stopper kit. I used a size of Carabiner that can't detach from the pipe due to the size of the opening so it has to be on when the cap is put on the end of the pipe, but you can get ones that can be fully removed, I just don't see them that size at the orange or blue box stores, while they have the one shown in stock. Drill a hole in the ball the thickness of your rope, and crimp on the wire rope to needed height for tee/fairway for your setup. I notched just enough of a hole in the bottom of the ball to allow the stopper to hide just up inside the ball so the club face never hits any thing but the ball.
I think the pictures alone may have been enough to explain all you need to know, but let me know what questions you have or if you build one for yourself.
The second photo shows a subsequent version with light mounts, cornhole bags used for weight to keep the unit stable, and a club holder / table top setup using milk crates and some plywood.
Regards
My simulator build is low budget and mostly DIY. As part of my journey back to golf I got started by looking at gadgets to ease back into playing after a long absence from the game.
I found some "swing groover" products but decided I could build one that worked better for me for less myself.
The tool works well with the Optishot2 due to the way the unit reads the club and not the ball.
What I ended up with, when paired with the Optishot2 is a way to hit real balls without a net setup, and works fine without the Optishot2 also, but they work well together, so I thought I would share with you all.
It's basically some 1/2 inch pipe fittings, an "S" carabiner, wire rope and a real golf ball. I have different lengths for Tee shots versus playing off the turf. All the parts can be had at the big box home supply houses. If you use the black gas pipe not the galvanized pipe it would be even cheaper than what I show in the pictures. I have built a few variations now, including some that allow lights to be mounted over the sensors and more. See the second photo.
Even if you are a tour level hitter, the wire rope far exceeds the stress on it. I checked the forces in play against the materials, but please feel free to do the same.
I used coated wire rope to avoid any club damage if I totally miss or top the ball.
I also have versions using climbing rope instead of the wire rope, but using the wire rope has worked well and allows me to embed the stopper/ferrule inside the ball.
I did my research and the better non metal ropes (strong climbing rope) at a 1/8" sized can handle it as well. Please make sure you use a good stopper knot, or that you crimp your wire rope well. With the carabiner you can swap out for your preference. I use a stopper knot under the ball on the rope ones, with a Yosemite Bowline knot to connect to the unit.
You assume all the risk, so I recommend hitting the first few softly and trying with something to catch it if it lets loose until you are sure your work will hold up. FWIW I have had one show signs of slipping, out of the dozen I have made, but none have ever given out on me after thousands of swings.
There is a commercial product that exists for this too, that you can find if you aren't handy. I use it too, and that's where I found the Yosemite bowline knot to use, but think the DIY build is doable for most folks.
The dimensions you use should match what you need, but I used 1/2 inch pipe, a few two by four pieces and plywood for the base, the verticals are 10", two 4 1/2 inch pieces between the elbows and the T to the pipe that extends out over the sensor pad / hitting area. It's a piece of a pipe (I think 8 inch), a connector, a 1 1/2 inch or smaller (close) nipple and an end cap. A metal "S" carabiner and coated wire rope and a ferrule / stopper kit. I used a size of Carabiner that can't detach from the pipe due to the size of the opening so it has to be on when the cap is put on the end of the pipe, but you can get ones that can be fully removed, I just don't see them that size at the orange or blue box stores, while they have the one shown in stock. Drill a hole in the ball the thickness of your rope, and crimp on the wire rope to needed height for tee/fairway for your setup. I notched just enough of a hole in the bottom of the ball to allow the stopper to hide just up inside the ball so the club face never hits any thing but the ball.
I think the pictures alone may have been enough to explain all you need to know, but let me know what questions you have or if you build one for yourself.
The second photo shows a subsequent version with light mounts, cornhole bags used for weight to keep the unit stable, and a club holder / table top setup using milk crates and some plywood.
Regards
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