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How To: The Home Simulator Project (Under $5K)


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Hello MGS Community,

I'm a long time consumer of MyGolfSpy, but this is my first Topic I've created. The gist of this thread is how to build the best Home Simulator for $4,000. That seems like a lot, but in my honest opinion, this is the lowest cost you can get while getting a full sim experience with true ball data instead of random ball data assumed from club data systems like the Optishot's infrared system. I'm not here to brag about anything as you can see from pictures below that I built this system over a number of years and countless hours of research.

In the below spreadsheet, I work through an analysis of each of these components and review them based on personal experience and the reviews of trusted golf equipment reviewers:

1. Launch Monitors

2. Hitting Mats

3. Nets and Impact Screens

4. Simulator Softwares

5. Projector

In the spreadsheet, I provide data on my research, actual use, recommendations, costs, and links to the products. I will say you can spend a lot more than $4,000 using my spreadsheet, but you can also spend less. There are always more expensive and cheaper options out there that will work, but I have done my best to give an in depth review of those products including the pros and cons on when to go expensive vs. when is the cheaper option just as good if not better. Popular brands in the analysis are Skytrak, Flightscope Mevo, GC2, Optishot, Net Return, Carl's Place screens, Viewsonic projector, Fiberbuilt, Truestrike, The Golf Club 2019, and TruGolf by E6. 

Here is the viewable spreadsheet:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hbjBM2Iuk7QC4s6XDVrrWlrEZ7lDRvdwN0qTulBDK7k/edit?usp=sharing

Below are some pictures of my final and some of my earlier setups:

7D5492C8-FB75-4D5E-B957-C09267876915_1_105_c.jpeg.f07f4ad240ec39c983e37ba808df9e19.jpeg

 

3B904A0C-01D9-4E1B-9588-EB965EBCA5A1_1_105_c.jpeg.12920c7154aeafe57343b8632b450dd2.jpeg

197AA804-B37C-445C-B764-237873AF4351_1_105_c.jpeg.6e5d92f372d14de428e2a48b1d326480.jpeg27BA5375-4F78-4400-956A-7D092586B256_1_105_c.jpeg.0417475c381e1389476c7f102bf903c7.jpeg

77D56906-AE71-4912-914B-0A23A762649D_1_105_c.jpeg

Edited by thechrisgibbs
  • Driver: image.png.c67e4844d8a191f8afb6a4e307a65ffa.png Stealth 8* turned down to 6* X-Stiff, Graphite Design Tour AD XC-6
  • 3 Wood: image.png.a1548764b69c6d3406f6f9f1ab1acd22.png Sim 14* X-Stiff, Aldila Rogue Silver
  • 2 Iron/2 Hybrid: Mizuno image.png.e2dedc2a71191940659367b8fac460ef.png MP-20 HMB, Graphite Design Tour AD; image.png.f066373041037bed32d08e715a7127f2.png Forged Tec set to 17* X-Stiff, Catalyst 6.0
  • P-4 Irons: image.png.d0a79f435e2331981ac11a33dd54e77a.png MP20, Dynamic Gold X100 
  • Wedges:  image.png.5e4bb78c97a6cf70133b4dfd9b768747.png Vokey SM9 50 degree 08F, 56 degree 08M and 60 degree 08M
  • My Putter: image.png.dce9f23e6ed6368fab8361d0c072c157.png B.2, LA Golf Shaft
  • Ball: image.png.0ca81de9028caab738d4428af820440f.png AVX
  • 5.3 Handicapped; Right Hander; from Salt Lake City, Utah
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Something to note in my analysis is that places like shopindoorgolf.com and rainorshinegolf.com offer full Simulator experience packages for home use, but the MINIMUM price is $4999, and it doesn't include a simulation software like The Golf Club 2019. It only includes the Skytrak base software which is good for the range, but you're missing the actual golfing a simulated course experience.

  • Driver: image.png.c67e4844d8a191f8afb6a4e307a65ffa.png Stealth 8* turned down to 6* X-Stiff, Graphite Design Tour AD XC-6
  • 3 Wood: image.png.a1548764b69c6d3406f6f9f1ab1acd22.png Sim 14* X-Stiff, Aldila Rogue Silver
  • 2 Iron/2 Hybrid: Mizuno image.png.e2dedc2a71191940659367b8fac460ef.png MP-20 HMB, Graphite Design Tour AD; image.png.f066373041037bed32d08e715a7127f2.png Forged Tec set to 17* X-Stiff, Catalyst 6.0
  • P-4 Irons: image.png.d0a79f435e2331981ac11a33dd54e77a.png MP20, Dynamic Gold X100 
  • Wedges:  image.png.5e4bb78c97a6cf70133b4dfd9b768747.png Vokey SM9 50 degree 08F, 56 degree 08M and 60 degree 08M
  • My Putter: image.png.dce9f23e6ed6368fab8361d0c072c157.png B.2, LA Golf Shaft
  • Ball: image.png.0ca81de9028caab738d4428af820440f.png AVX
  • 5.3 Handicapped; Right Hander; from Salt Lake City, Utah
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Check this out - pretty cheap and well done!

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

DriverCobra  Aerojet LS
Woods-
Cobra  LTD 3w 15*, 5W 19*,  F9 24* 
Irons- XXIO X (6-A)

Wedges- Callaway Jaws Raw (54/58)

Putter- Bettinardi BB56
Ball- Maxfli Tour X/Wilson Triad
Buggy- Clicgear 4.0
Bag- Callaway Org 14/Fairway C

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26 minutes ago, StrokerAce said:

Check this out - pretty cheap and well done!

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

That’s incredible. I know what I’m doing whenever I do an addition in the next few years! Already got the projector

Check out my reviews:

:ping-small:  G710 Irons Official Review I :Fuji: MC Shaft & :EVNROLL: V Series Putter Official Review

:cobra-small: 2022 Forged Tec's Official Review I Logo.png.7f297574516267afc6959b36be364cf9.pngNitron Push Cart Official Review

WITB:

Weapons of grass destruction (link to WITB)

:ping-small: Traverse is filled with all this shiny metal and tracked by :Arccos:

:cobra-small: RadSpeed 8* - MotoreX F1 6X :taylormade-small: SIM 3W - Project X HZRDUS Green

:titleist-small: U505 Driving Iron 17* - Project X HZRDUS Black :cobra-small: SpeedZone 4H - Project X HZRDUS Black

:cobra-small: 2022 King Forged Tec's 4-PW - KBS $ Tape 130 :titelist-small: 48 (SM8), 52 & 60 (SM7) - Nippon Modus 125 S 

:EVNROLL: ER2VI :titelist-small: PROV1X #19 

Are you a veteran? Check out the Veterans Golf Association (VGA) Thread!

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3 hours ago, StrokerAce said:
Check this out - pretty cheap and well done!
https://rogueengineer.com/diy-golf-simulator-plans/


He can kiss that split AC unit goodbye if I go play there.

IMG_4161.jpg

:callaway-small: Epic Max LS 10.5 - Motore X F3 6X | :cobra-small: Speedzone 5-wood - Ventus Blue 8S | :titelist-small: TSi3 20* Hybrid - KBS Proto 85S

:edel-golf-1: SMS Pro 4-PW - Steelfiber i110S | :taylormade-small: MG3 Raw Black 50.09, 54.11, 58.11 - DG TI S200

:EVNROLL: ER2B | :titelist-small: Pro V1x | :918457628_PrecisionPro: NX9 Slope | Jones Trouper R | :CaddyTek: CaddyLite EZ v8

 

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24 minutes ago, B.Boston said:


He can kiss that split AC unit goodbye if I go play there. emoji1787.pngIMG_4161.jpg

Right I can sky one no problem, not to mention a nice wedge with poor trajectory control. Many way I can take that one out.

:callaway-small: Epic Max LS 9° :Fuji: Ventus Blue 6X  (2021 Official Review) | :callaway-small:Epic Speed 18° Evenflow Riptide 70g 6.0
:titelist-small: 816 H1 21° Mitsubishi Motors Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Chemical industry Mitsubishi  Rayon Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, mitsubishi, blue, company png |  PNGEgg Diamana S+ Blue 70 S | 
image.png.08bbf5bb553da418019f0db13c6f4f9a.png SMS 4-5/SMS Pro 6-PW  image.png.267751aa721ee9cf3944fa2ff070b98c.png  Steelfiber i95 S (2023 Official Review)
:ping-small: Glide 4.0 50°.12°S/54°.14°W/58°.6°T PING Z-Z115 Wedge Flex | :cleveland-small:  SOFT 11S Super Stroke Mid-Slim 2.0
:ping-small: Hoofer Bag | :titelist-small: Pro V1 | Right Handed | Tracked by :ShotScope: V3

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This is my fall project I am going to convert my garage and add the simulator 

:cobra-small: Speedzone Driver Tensei AV Blue or  :ping-small: G400 SFT 10. KBS TD 50 Category 3 shaft 

:cobra-small: King Speedzone Black Yellow Fairway 3 wood Tensei AV Blue 65 

:cobra-small: F9 SpeedBack Black Grey Fairway 5 Wood   :Fuji: ATMOS Tour Spec Blue 7 shaft

:titelist-small: T300 4i-GW - Tensei AV Blue AM2 Regular Flex  or :mizuno-small: JPX 900 Hot Metal 5 - GW Project X Lz 4.5 Regular Flex Graphite 

:ping-small:   Glide 2.0 SS Wedges 54 & 58 

:taylormade-small: TP Red White Ardmore Putter - BGT Stability Tour Black shaft 

:918457628_PrecisionPro:Precision Pro NX7 range finder 

:cobra-small: Ultralight Cart Bag 

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17 hours ago, StrokerAce said:

Check this out - pretty cheap and well done!

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

StokerAce, I had definitely read that blog post and a few others, and it's a pretty incredible set up for $1,050 (he says $700, plus a projector which maybe he already had). My initial thoughts are that the Optishot 2 is awesome for a simple "For Fun" setup. The point of my analysis is to help folks find a set up that includes Ball Data. I've used the Optishot 2 and it is a lot of fun. The problem is if you hit it fat or thin, there is no feedback for that as it is only reading the club path, face angle, and club speed. 

  • Driver: image.png.c67e4844d8a191f8afb6a4e307a65ffa.png Stealth 8* turned down to 6* X-Stiff, Graphite Design Tour AD XC-6
  • 3 Wood: image.png.a1548764b69c6d3406f6f9f1ab1acd22.png Sim 14* X-Stiff, Aldila Rogue Silver
  • 2 Iron/2 Hybrid: Mizuno image.png.e2dedc2a71191940659367b8fac460ef.png MP-20 HMB, Graphite Design Tour AD; image.png.f066373041037bed32d08e715a7127f2.png Forged Tec set to 17* X-Stiff, Catalyst 6.0
  • P-4 Irons: image.png.d0a79f435e2331981ac11a33dd54e77a.png MP20, Dynamic Gold X100 
  • Wedges:  image.png.5e4bb78c97a6cf70133b4dfd9b768747.png Vokey SM9 50 degree 08F, 56 degree 08M and 60 degree 08M
  • My Putter: image.png.dce9f23e6ed6368fab8361d0c072c157.png B.2, LA Golf Shaft
  • Ball: image.png.0ca81de9028caab738d4428af820440f.png AVX
  • 5.3 Handicapped; Right Hander; from Salt Lake City, Utah
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15 hours ago, Nolan220 said:

This is my fall project I am going to convert my garage and add the simulator 

Since I am in my garage and it slants backwards, I actually had to build a small platform too. I used sub-flooring that I bought at Home Depot and had them cut it for me. Then I just drilled in the supports (slices of the sub-floor) and put my hitting mat on top of it.

If your plan is to build this up in the fall, you should buy the Skytrak ASAP as they are backordered since everyone is stuck at home!

  • Driver: image.png.c67e4844d8a191f8afb6a4e307a65ffa.png Stealth 8* turned down to 6* X-Stiff, Graphite Design Tour AD XC-6
  • 3 Wood: image.png.a1548764b69c6d3406f6f9f1ab1acd22.png Sim 14* X-Stiff, Aldila Rogue Silver
  • 2 Iron/2 Hybrid: Mizuno image.png.e2dedc2a71191940659367b8fac460ef.png MP-20 HMB, Graphite Design Tour AD; image.png.f066373041037bed32d08e715a7127f2.png Forged Tec set to 17* X-Stiff, Catalyst 6.0
  • P-4 Irons: image.png.d0a79f435e2331981ac11a33dd54e77a.png MP20, Dynamic Gold X100 
  • Wedges:  image.png.5e4bb78c97a6cf70133b4dfd9b768747.png Vokey SM9 50 degree 08F, 56 degree 08M and 60 degree 08M
  • My Putter: image.png.dce9f23e6ed6368fab8361d0c072c157.png B.2, LA Golf Shaft
  • Ball: image.png.0ca81de9028caab738d4428af820440f.png AVX
  • 5.3 Handicapped; Right Hander; from Salt Lake City, Utah
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17 hours ago, Lacassem said:

That’s incredible. I know what I’m doing whenever I do an addition in the next few years! Already got the projector

I would say you probably want 10 Cubic Feet. My garage is about 9'5" tall, and I have definitely scraped the ceiling with my driver! I almost bought a shed unit to build in my backyard, but that would cost around $5K, and I was on a budget of sorts.

  • Driver: image.png.c67e4844d8a191f8afb6a4e307a65ffa.png Stealth 8* turned down to 6* X-Stiff, Graphite Design Tour AD XC-6
  • 3 Wood: image.png.a1548764b69c6d3406f6f9f1ab1acd22.png Sim 14* X-Stiff, Aldila Rogue Silver
  • 2 Iron/2 Hybrid: Mizuno image.png.e2dedc2a71191940659367b8fac460ef.png MP-20 HMB, Graphite Design Tour AD; image.png.f066373041037bed32d08e715a7127f2.png Forged Tec set to 17* X-Stiff, Catalyst 6.0
  • P-4 Irons: image.png.d0a79f435e2331981ac11a33dd54e77a.png MP20, Dynamic Gold X100 
  • Wedges:  image.png.5e4bb78c97a6cf70133b4dfd9b768747.png Vokey SM9 50 degree 08F, 56 degree 08M and 60 degree 08M
  • My Putter: image.png.dce9f23e6ed6368fab8361d0c072c157.png B.2, LA Golf Shaft
  • Ball: image.png.0ca81de9028caab738d4428af820440f.png AVX
  • 5.3 Handicapped; Right Hander; from Salt Lake City, Utah
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3 minutes ago, thechrisgibbs said:

I would say you probably want 10 Cubic Feet. My garage is about 9'5" tall, and I have definitely scraped the ceiling with my driver! I almost bought a shed unit to build in my backyard, but that would cost around $5K, and I was on a budget of sorts.

So I finished my basement 3 years ago. The unfinished ceiling is 10' and the finished drop ceiling is about 8' 6" so I would just remove the drop ceiling most likely and see where that gets me once we do an addition. Plenty of room width/length wise but would need to test out that full swing down there and see where I am at.

Check out my reviews:

:ping-small:  G710 Irons Official Review I :Fuji: MC Shaft & :EVNROLL: V Series Putter Official Review

:cobra-small: 2022 Forged Tec's Official Review I Logo.png.7f297574516267afc6959b36be364cf9.pngNitron Push Cart Official Review

WITB:

Weapons of grass destruction (link to WITB)

:ping-small: Traverse is filled with all this shiny metal and tracked by :Arccos:

:cobra-small: RadSpeed 8* - MotoreX F1 6X :taylormade-small: SIM 3W - Project X HZRDUS Green

:titleist-small: U505 Driving Iron 17* - Project X HZRDUS Black :cobra-small: SpeedZone 4H - Project X HZRDUS Black

:cobra-small: 2022 King Forged Tec's 4-PW - KBS $ Tape 130 :titelist-small: 48 (SM8), 52 & 60 (SM7) - Nippon Modus 125 S 

:EVNROLL: ER2VI :titelist-small: PROV1X #19 

Are you a veteran? Check out the Veterans Golf Association (VGA) Thread!

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1 minute ago, Lacassem said:

So I finished my basement 3 years ago. The unfinished ceiling is 10' and the finished drop ceiling is about 8' 6" so I would just remove the drop ceiling most likely and see where that gets me once we do an addition. Plenty of room width/length wise but would need to test out that full swing down there and see where I am at.

If you didn't want to remove the entire drop ceiling, Rick Shiels did something similar with his garage where he cut out a 3' x 6' section and raised it. You would want that around 2' behind your stance. If you look at that first picture, you can see where my driver and occasional 3 wood scrape the ceiling haha.

  • Driver: image.png.c67e4844d8a191f8afb6a4e307a65ffa.png Stealth 8* turned down to 6* X-Stiff, Graphite Design Tour AD XC-6
  • 3 Wood: image.png.a1548764b69c6d3406f6f9f1ab1acd22.png Sim 14* X-Stiff, Aldila Rogue Silver
  • 2 Iron/2 Hybrid: Mizuno image.png.e2dedc2a71191940659367b8fac460ef.png MP-20 HMB, Graphite Design Tour AD; image.png.f066373041037bed32d08e715a7127f2.png Forged Tec set to 17* X-Stiff, Catalyst 6.0
  • P-4 Irons: image.png.d0a79f435e2331981ac11a33dd54e77a.png MP20, Dynamic Gold X100 
  • Wedges:  image.png.5e4bb78c97a6cf70133b4dfd9b768747.png Vokey SM9 50 degree 08F, 56 degree 08M and 60 degree 08M
  • My Putter: image.png.dce9f23e6ed6368fab8361d0c072c157.png B.2, LA Golf Shaft
  • Ball: image.png.0ca81de9028caab738d4428af820440f.png AVX
  • 5.3 Handicapped; Right Hander; from Salt Lake City, Utah
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57 minutes ago, thechrisgibbs said:

Since I am in my garage and it slants backwards, I actually had to build a small platform too. I used sub-flooring that I bought at Home Depot and had them cut it for me. Then I just drilled in the supports (slices of the sub-floor) and put my hitting mat on top of it.

If your plan is to build this up in the fall, you should buy the Skytrak ASAP as they are backordered since everyone is stuck at home!

yeah I will have to build a subfloor my garage floor is pretty bad, Also I have the garage door rails that could be in the way .. so need to see if I can move them higher or something .. thats a good idea about the skytrak I will check it out... 

:cobra-small: Speedzone Driver Tensei AV Blue or  :ping-small: G400 SFT 10. KBS TD 50 Category 3 shaft 

:cobra-small: King Speedzone Black Yellow Fairway 3 wood Tensei AV Blue 65 

:cobra-small: F9 SpeedBack Black Grey Fairway 5 Wood   :Fuji: ATMOS Tour Spec Blue 7 shaft

:titelist-small: T300 4i-GW - Tensei AV Blue AM2 Regular Flex  or :mizuno-small: JPX 900 Hot Metal 5 - GW Project X Lz 4.5 Regular Flex Graphite 

:ping-small:   Glide 2.0 SS Wedges 54 & 58 

:taylormade-small: TP Red White Ardmore Putter - BGT Stability Tour Black shaft 

:918457628_PrecisionPro:Precision Pro NX7 range finder 

:cobra-small: Ultralight Cart Bag 

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20 hours ago, thechrisgibbs said:

Something to note in my analysis is that places like shopindoorgolf.com and rainorshinegolf.com offer full Simulator experience packages for home use, but the MINIMUM price is $4999, and it doesn't include a simulation software like The Golf Club 2019. It only includes the Skytrak base software which is good for the range, but you're missing the actual golfing a simulated course experience.

One other thing, I'd love to review and add my thoughts to any other products for a Home Sim setup to add to my Google Sheet. If you have anything you want me to put into the spreadsheet, let me know! Also, if you are building a budget, you can copy and past the spreadsheet onto your own google sheet and use the =Sum() function to get your budget.

Also, on a completely unrelated note, anyone else getting nonstop ads about golf simulators?

  • Driver: image.png.c67e4844d8a191f8afb6a4e307a65ffa.png Stealth 8* turned down to 6* X-Stiff, Graphite Design Tour AD XC-6
  • 3 Wood: image.png.a1548764b69c6d3406f6f9f1ab1acd22.png Sim 14* X-Stiff, Aldila Rogue Silver
  • 2 Iron/2 Hybrid: Mizuno image.png.e2dedc2a71191940659367b8fac460ef.png MP-20 HMB, Graphite Design Tour AD; image.png.f066373041037bed32d08e715a7127f2.png Forged Tec set to 17* X-Stiff, Catalyst 6.0
  • P-4 Irons: image.png.d0a79f435e2331981ac11a33dd54e77a.png MP20, Dynamic Gold X100 
  • Wedges:  image.png.5e4bb78c97a6cf70133b4dfd9b768747.png Vokey SM9 50 degree 08F, 56 degree 08M and 60 degree 08M
  • My Putter: image.png.dce9f23e6ed6368fab8361d0c072c157.png B.2, LA Golf Shaft
  • Ball: image.png.0ca81de9028caab738d4428af820440f.png AVX
  • 5.3 Handicapped; Right Hander; from Salt Lake City, Utah
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