Affordable Golf Simulator

[StrokerAce]

I know, I know ... it's an Optishot2 and not a trackman or GC Quad or even a skytrak.... but, it's relatively inexpensive, would be fun during the winter and looks pretty simple to build.

I've gotta try this!

https://rogueengineer.com/diy-golf-simulator-plans/

[Tom the Golf Nut]

That is exactly what I did. Lots of fun during the off season or rainy days. Takes a bit to dial everything in but it works well. Projector is key don't skimp there. I built a similar platform too.  I suggest going to the Optishot website and review system requirements and lighting so you don't have any surprises.

[fixyurdivot]

Great stuff.  An aerospace engineer... guys already got street cred .  He mentions that the screen built in this instruction is for foam balls only.  I wonder if he has an option for real ones?  

@Tom the Golf Nut, can your set-up handle real balls?

[cnosil]

10 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

Great stuff.  An aerospace engineer... guys already got street cred .  He mentions that the screen built in this instruction is for foam balls only.  I wonder if he has an option for real ones?  

@Tom the Golf Nut, can your set-up handle real balls?

Probably because they built the screen so close to the wall.   To hit real balls there should be a 12"+ gap between the net/screen and the wall.  And if you hit enough shots a ball will eventually go through.   MGS headquarters has gone through a few,  but those nets are getting hit into a lot. 

[fixyurdivot]

11 minutes ago, cnosil said:

Probably because they built the screen so close to the wall.   To hit real balls there should be a 12"+ gap between the net/screen and the wall.  And if you hit enough shots a ball will eventually go through.   MGS headquarters has gone through a few,  but those nets are getting hit into a lot. 

If I were to invest in this DIY, I'd most definitely want capability to hit real balls. I wonder if anyone makes a screen specially designed for golf LM use?  Even a standard screen with a reinforced bullseye area would be good.

[hckymeyer]

Here is an article on screens from MGS, I'd definitely go this route.  https://mygolfspy.com/carls-place-impact-screens-the-real-deal/

Also if you are going to put in the work to build a setup like this I would highly recommend building it not specifically for just an optishot.  The platform, screen, netting, any sort of cage type structure that you build should translate to a different launch monitor setup as well.  If down the road you want to upgrade to a skytrak or more you don't want to have to rebuild half your setup.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

17 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

Great stuff.  An aerospace engineer... guys already got street cred .  He mentions that the screen built in this instruction is for foam balls only.  I wonder if he has an option for real ones?  

@Tom the Golf Nut, can your set-up handle real balls?

Yes I can hit both.

I went the inexpensive route. I got a king size white sheet over a canvas drop cloth. Then behind these is carpeting from when I removed the carpet from my daughters room and put in Pergo. All these are suspended from the celing. No bounce back. Ball hits and drops. Sheet $20.00, drop cloth $30.OO, carpet free. This has held up for a few years already. If any sagging occurs wash and dry the sheet or spend $20 on a new one. Still have the originals up.

[fixyurdivot]

5 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

Yes I can hit both.

I went the inexpensive route. I got a king size white sheet over a canvas drop cloth. Then behind these is carpeting from when I removed the carpet from my daughters room and put in Pergo. All these are suspended from the celing. No bounce back. Ball hits and drops. Sheet $20.00, drop cloth $30.OO, carpet free. This has held up for a few years already. If any sagging occurs wash and dry the sheet or spend $20 on a new one. Still have the originals up.

I like the way you think!

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Thanks, I can get creative. Impact screens are expensive and don't hold up long enough.

[cnosil]

9 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

If I were to invest in this DIY, I'd most definitely want capability to hit real balls. I wonder if anyone makes a screen specially designed for golf LM use?  Even a standard screen with a reinforced bullseye area would be good.

as people have mentioned,  there are lots of screens specific for LM use.  The problem is that the ball generally hits the same spot over and over again so they wear out.   Lots of options out there and they can be inexpensive.  

[fixyurdivot]

1 minute ago, cnosil said:

The problem is that the ball generally hits the same spot over and over again so they wear out.

Oh. Well then, in my case, no problem .

[golfish!]

18 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

Oh. Well then, in my case, no problem .

Kind of like how i never have to worry about caving in my driver face from repeated impact in the same location. I spread out the impacts over the face to increase lifecycle of my drivers.

[Cold snow bird]

This is an old thread but I want to revive it with one of the most cost effective indoor putting DIYS out. It also saved me from the treachourous Erie winters, lol. I paid around $100 for a 15' roll and it rolled surprisingly super pure as advertised. I even chalk line on it and being a D1 player, I seriously feel like I'm on an outdoor putting green getting the most out of my practice. To the build the base costs $150-200 for a 4x 15' build. Heres the DIY i used for the project    https://camrygolf.com/indoor-putting-green-diy-build-plan/  

[RanMan]

Sure, all would like a reasonably priced simulator.  What direction should I go?  Here is where I believe the things are headed.  An I phone app that works.  Not how, not yet, but hold on.  One is on the way.  

[bjm1208]

Best DIY impact screen directions I’ve found:  https://gunghogolf.com/articles/diy-impact-screen-enclosure

Optishot is good for hitting balls and playing courses.  Mevo+ or Skytrak if you want metrics to work on your swing

[Harpua728]

Feel free to message me if you are interested in a discount on new Mevo+ from FlightScope.

[pinskeer2]

OptiShot 2 is the most affordable. Other sims cost thousands more. You will need a platform to use with it. And do not expect Trackman like results. It is fun though. Here is my full review:

 

[Parshooter36]

On 1/31/2022 at 4:56 PM, bjm1208 said:

Best DIY impact screen directions I’ve found:  https://gunghogolf.com/articles/diy-impact-screen-enclosure

Optishot is good for hitting balls and playing courses.  Mevo+ or Skytrak if you want metrics to work on your swing

I used this for my enclosure, it turned out great.

Edited February 15, 2022 by Parshooter36

[Achilles2K]

For the price the OptiShot 2 looks great. The stats are more than adequate - Club speed / face angle / path / contact. I can hit it a long way but I need to learn to control path and face angle. I can hit balls all day long at the local driving range fitted with Trackman and not have a clue about those stats. Nice trace line on the screen - but what caused that flight?

[Bossfan]

I enjoy my Optishot. I was originally going to get Skytrak as part of my setup when we finished our basement. I had a spot all picked out in the unfinished area of the basement. Of course when everything was finished my sim area was much smaller than I had envisioned.  I decided real balls were not really a safe option. Reviews for Skytrack and accurate results with foam balls weren’t very encouraging. It seemed like $2000 for less than accurate readings didn’t excite me a whole lot. I decided to give Optishot a shot. I did a lot of research. Found a way to tape my driver so it read my driver as well as the rest of my clubs. Played with the distance settings a little and it a pretty good simulation of what I do on the course. It gets me through the winter and it’s helped my game all for around $700 with the mat and net.