Sluggo’s DIY Simulator

[Sluggo42]

Covid covid covid.. blea

so I got a net, and a cheapo fake turf to hit from. Too hard, so then I got a launch pad, which is a dream to hit off of, and then I got the shot vision app for distances. So then I decided I wanted to see where all these shots are going, so I got an Optishot. Then I ordered a new hitting surface for the Optishot because the one that comes with it is fine, if you don’t mind hitting off concrete. So then I’m hitting into my $79 net and have blown thru it twice now. So I bought a 12x12’ patch of Home Depot cheapo fake grass, well cuz it’s green. So then I ordered a 10x10 archery netting cuz all the better hitting screens are sold out. The archery netting works ok to project on, it’s a little grainier they say. Then I ordered a set of corners for the 3/4 emt frame, and bougot a 10 pack it 10’-3/4” emt conduit pipes. I cut the back ones down to 9’, because 10’ is just really high. And then I cut 8” off the front 2, so the front is 4” taller than the back. Then I bought 3 tarps 8x12’ for the sides. I cut two of the 10’ lengths in half to make the bay 5’ deep.. the screen had grommets on just two sides, so I bought a grommet kit and made a bunch of holes to hang it with on top, and used the existing grommets for the sides  good screens have a fold sewn in so when you hang it, it’s supported the whole length, vs. a bunch of holes like mine has. I used zip ties to tie everything together..

I put a half sheet of plywood with a few bricks under the back edge under the fake grass so the balls would roll back to me, and also put a few layers of cardboard on the plywood to soften the “bounce”. The tarps are to cut out direct light from hitting the screen and washing the projection out. I also ordered a projector and it’s supposed to be here next Tuesday.  Also ordered an 8x8 impact pad that’ll go behind the screen, but it’s back ordered too. It will eliminate the “see-thru”, as well as any back light getting thru, and make a better picture, and I also think it will help keep the screen from getting a million dimples, because I hit the ball so darn hard hehe ..

so here are a few pics with it to this point. I’ll post more pics after the projector is running.

optishot is ok, but one just needs to understand it’s just a toy. It does however show you a few things that are cool, like club path and face angle. It’s quite inaccurate, but knowing that going in is fine. The game lets me get my swings in, and will provide a visual on top of it all that’s fun.

but Ive already turned the stupid bird noises off, good grief, who decided that was a good thing?

cant wait for the projector Next week..
 

[BigtazzGolf]

I like it dude.
So did you have a plan on paper or just wing it on the fly?



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[pozzit]

Sluggo I would highly recommend extra padding on the optishot from https://www.arsenegolf.com/ it adds a good half to 3/4" but is well built and will feel so much better then the thin mat. Also it can hold a tee.

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[Sluggo42]

That is exactly the turf I ordered, from the same place, o that’s good.

this was not a planned out thing, very much Shooting from the hip. I still have no idea where the projector will go

i did hit a few wedges and everything works so far. I also ordered some flat black non reflective tape for the bottom of my woods so they’ll read better on the Optishot, but I also just use my 5 iron off the tee, and the Optishot will still give me driver distances. And I can putt with the iron, without the ball and that works too.

for me really- the Optishit is really only a nice visual vs nothing. But it’s still much better than empty net blasting. But in fairness, you can really sort of dial your irons in with the control options in settings to get it to be close to your actual distances. But so far for me the woods are useless, which is why I usually just drive with the 5 iron. We’ll see if the non reflective tape works... I’m also close to buying an sc100 for truer distances that I can also run at the same time. 
anyways, cheers

[pozzit]

That is exactly the turf I ordered, from the same place, o that’s good.
this was not a planned out thing, very much Shooting from the hip. I still have no idea where the projector will go
i did hit a few wedges and everything works so far. I also ordered some flat black non reflective tape for the bottom of my woods so they’ll read better on the Optishot, but I also just use my 5 iron off the tee, and the Optishot will still give me driver distances. And I can putt with the iron, without the ball and that works too.
for me really- the Optishit is really only a nice visual vs nothing. But it’s still much better than empty net blasting. But in fairness, you can really sort of dial your irons in with the control options in settings to get it to be close to your actual distances. But so far for me the woods are useless, which is why I usually just drive with the 5 iron. We’ll see if the non reflective tape works... I’m also close to buying an sc100 for truer distances that I can also run at the same time. 
anyways, cheers

I don't hit any woods on my optishot it's just not accurate and get some really screwy numbers I only use it for irons and set gimmies to 5 feet. If you have a utility iron or thinner hybrid (gapr mid style) those seem to read fine but woods not so much. Yea the projector is a great addition it feels like you're actually aiming at something.

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[HeathS16]

Love it! Just bought a net and a turf pad so I’m only 7-8 behind happy hitting!


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[toehold57]

Where’s your camera setup? How can you expect to take on TGX without cameras?

 

We want video!!

 

 

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[Sluggo42]

15 hours ago, toehold57 said:

Where’s your camera setup? How can you expect to take on TGX without cameras?

 

We want video!!

 

 

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Oh it’s coming, just you wait! Should be by the middle of next week

costs approximately so far, I just used my MacBook so that’s not in there...

I’ll update if I think of any other costs as I go along

first net .....      $79

launch pad       $199

green carpet.   $70

optishot.           $300

3/4 emt/tarps.  $100

corner kit.           $37

opsht turf.           $70

screen/backer.  $275

projector             $100

puter cables.      $50

total.......             $1280

[juspoole]

Great work - looks like plenty to keep you occupied on crappy days and through this coming winter.  I'm curious how long you think the optishot will hold up and when you will want to pull the trigger on something with a bit more accuracy.

[Nolan220]

this is awesome .. i am working on building out my garage to get for to hit indoor. 

[Sluggo42]

1 hour ago, juspoole said:

Great work - looks like plenty to keep you occupied on crappy days and through this coming winter.  I'm curious how long you think the optishot will hold up and when you will want to pull the trigger on something with a bit more accuracy.

Yea... good question. It’s just so darned expensive to make the next step. I think I should get a year on the new turf, if not more. I thinks they’re pretty sturdy as long as you don’t actually hit one of the sensor strips. I’ve been looking at all the cheapo LM’s like the sc100 etc, just for real distances, but I do already have a pretty good idea so I can set the Optishot to reflect those numbers, and I’ve got the shot vision as another game so to speak. The Optishot holds its value pretty well, and it’s only $300 anyways, 

here in SoCal, it’s pretty well real golf time all year round, and they’ve opened most tracks now, so I can’t really justify much more. I think my next toy will be a powered push cart of some form...

all I wanted was to just hit balls into a net, but the Optishot puts a glimmer of reality into it... gimmie a few days to finish up everything and get the projector going, and I’ll post a few quick vids so people can see what $1200 will get you- aside from a new set of irons ha!

[pozzit]

12 hours ago, Sluggo42 said:

Oh it’s coming, just you wait! Should be by the middle of next week

costs approximately so far, I just used my MacBook so that’s not in there...

I’ll update if I think of any other costs as I go along

first net .....      $79

launch pad       $199

green carpet.   $70

optishot.           $300

3/4 emt/tarps.  $100

corner kit.           $37

opsht turf.           $70

screen/backer.  $275

projector             $100

puter cables.      $50

total.......             $1280

Well you went much nicer then my setup. I made this setup just before winter of 2016 and have had all but the JagmanJoe turf since then. I only hit foam balls so it makes it much simpler. I have an old(2012) laptop but i basically DIYed everything about it.

Optishot (Ebay)... $230

Optishot JagmanJoe Turf (bought 2019).... $65

Mat (construction foam & cheap grass carpet) ... $40?

Net (conduit, zipties & white durible fabric) ......$50

Projector...$89

Total ... $465ish 

Like i said a lot of random DIY. The stance mat i made is basically shot foam broke down where I stand. I did get a few moving blankets to add to the back in case I wanted to try real balls but my wife is way to concerned of me putting a hole in the wall, car, or anything else. 

As for the Optishot itself, I have really enjoyed it I use it only in the winters to keep swinging. As mentioned before I only use foam balls and only use it with my irons since its more headache then its worth with the woods. Although I haven't take the best care of it leaving it in the garage all winter & summer but its lasted and have seen no performance or durability issues. 

My mindset with the Optishot is like playing imaginary golf on the range. you get to hit balls, change clubs, play around, and have fun with some practice. Is it a Launch Monitor NO and it doesn't advertise this, but its a heck of a lot of fun and if you plug in your distances it can be just as good as any range session. 

Edited May 18, 2020 by pozzit
Added Photo

[Sluggo42]

Started launching a few into the chute. It’s all working ok so far. Getting a sloppy screen, might need to fiddle with that somehow

[Sluggo42]

ok, the next vid should be with the screen lit up! Fingers crossed!!

[pozzit]

13 hours ago, Sluggo42 said:

ok, the next vid should be with the screen lit up! Fingers crossed!!

Come on Sluggo this isn't a Optishot video on Youtube without those birds chirping on high volume.

Setup looks like its coming along great once that projectors up you will be living in there.

[Sluggo42]

7 hours ago, pozzit said:

Come on Sluggo this isn't a Optishot video on Youtube without those birds chirping on high volume.

Setup looks like its coming along great once that projectors up you will be living in there.

Omg im so ashamed because I forgot to durn those dam birds off- really i am, I can’t stand those noises. Why the heck are they even there?

[pozzit]

I feel like it resets evertime you relaunch the game. I never use that computer for anything but optishot so its at volume 1 just to hear some faint churping and usually play music or MGS podcast as i play

[Sluggo42]

My projector came today! But unfortunately my hdmi converter cable doesn’t work on a Mac grrrrrr, so I had to order a different one, and it’ll be here on Friday...

here’s a blank shot just to hold us over till then... never mind that I didn’t focus till after I took this pic... I wonder how bad the wrinkles will look ...

[Sluggo42]

I wonder if I should bring my 3000 watt PA (the band days) in to make the birds And the crowd noises sound more realistic... maybe I could add some airplane and freeways noise, for more realism. Maybe some dogs, coyotes, and like a hawk or two.... ka-kaaaaa!

[pozzit]

YES don't forget some random FORE or swearing you may hear from other holes.