DYI Home Golf Simulator

[HotIce]

Just checking in to see if anyone out there has built there own in-home golf simulator, and if so what is it equipped with (e.g. launch monitor/simulator, analysis software like e6 or Awesome Golf..., type of projector...)? I have plenty of space and looking for affordable inspiration and tips/tricks?

[Tom the Golf Nut]

A bunch of us have built our own budget golf simulator areas or just hitting bays. Here is a link my first one. Just tap the arrow in the top right corner of the picture. 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

This is the latest one.

[CFreddie]

I’m thinking of jumping into the home sim space soon but will need to go outside (net, mat, flight monitor). Leaning MLM2 as monitor, along with Spornia SPG8 net (thanks MGS). 

If I place on flat turf, this should work pretty well in normal lighting conditions right?  Was going to check out MLM2 reviews on outdoor configurations but figured I’d ask here too. 

[Nolan220]

did this one last winter in my garage, with the space I had at the time I could only do 8x8. But it works well .. I added padding to it but just not shown in the picture, I got the screen at rain or shine golf, bought the pipes from Home Depot and the connectors from Amazon, I had the hitting mat and I added the putting green carpet from Home Depot, with the padding it was prob $1,000 ish and then the skytrak was $1,600 used. 

 

[Enad23]

So you just bought carpet padding and put under the turf from Home Depot?

[Parshooter36]

Here is my setup.  I started out with just a Skytrak, hitting mat and a net but it has morphed into this.  I have a Uneekor QED launch monitor and use TGC 2019 for my simulator software.  My projector is a BenQ MP780ST I bought used to save money on the total build, but it serves my needs so I have not looke into upgrading it yet.

 

Edited October 12, 2023 by Parshooter36

[MN_Bogey_Master]

Here's the start of my simulator setup.  I have a Rapsodo MLM2PRO hitting into a net.  I ended up going to Menards and purchasing the outdoor green grass, and put 3/8" padding underneath so the balls won't get so damaged.  Next is to organize the garage so I can put up a simulator screen and projector.

[Kenny B]

3 hours ago, MN_Bogey_Master said:

Here's the start of my simulator setup.  I have a Rapsodo MLM2PRO hitting into a net.  I ended up going to Menards and purchasing the outdoor green grass, and put 3/8" padding underneath so the balls won't get so damaged.  Next is to organize the garage so I can put up a simulator screen and projector.

Nice start!  Having had a net setup, I would highly recommend getting something like the Spornia BullsEye target sheet for $40 to put on the net.  High spin balls will eat nets.

Here's what I replaced my indoor net with a little over a year ago...

 

It's in an addition that I had rebuilt.  You can follow the construction in this thread...

 

[dnjoyce]

what is the minimum height people have factored in for home set-ups? Am considering a tent/marquee for an outside space during the winter but the heights vary. It "feels" like I'd need 10 feet for driver, at least?

[JAYER38]

2 hours ago, dnjoyce said:

what is the minimum height people have factored in for home set-ups? Am considering a tent/marquee for an outside space during the winter but the heights vary. It "feels" like I'd need 10 feet for driver, at least?

My ceiling height is 10' where I'm currently hitting at. Clears every club even when I exaggerate a swing. I myself and 6'-2". Most of my clubs are 1/2" extended. I figured a 10x10x10 area is plenty of room for a swing. I took the cheap route and still finalizing the installation but can say I'm under 2k

[MattF]

3 hours ago, dnjoyce said:

what is the minimum height people have factored in for home set-ups? Am considering a tent/marquee for an outside space during the winter but the heights vary. It "feels" like I'd need 10 feet for driver, at least?

I'd stick to giving yourself 10' so you don't get too worried and develop an indoor swing.

[IndyBonzo]

Working on the same thing myself.

A question about mishits.  (Trying not to use the S-word.)  Assuming those using the sim are decent golfers (20 hdcp or less, and can reasonably hit the ball), how much of a risk is it that one misses a 10x10x5 cage?  I am considering building a 10x10x5 blacked out cage like @Kenny B's, and adding an additional 5' of netting to the front on a 12x11 rolling arch with casters (to make the netting collapsible and reduce the footprint when not in use).  Does anyone care to opine on the necessity of the additional netting?

Thank you in advance!

[MattF]

18 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

Does anyone care to opine on the necessity of the additional netting?

Unless you toe the hell out of the ball, I don't think you need it.

I just have a net in front, no sides and can count on one hand the number of times I've speared one off to the right despite hitting 1,000's of shots.

[Parshooter36]

18 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

Working on the same thing myself.

A question about mishits.  (Trying not to use the S-word.)  Assuming those using the sim are decent golfers (20 hdcp or less, and can reasonably hit the ball), how much of a risk is it that one misses a 10x10x5 cage?  I am considering building a 10x10x5 blacked out cage like @Kenny B's, and adding an additional 5' of netting to the front on a 12x11 rolling arch with casters (to make the netting collapsible and reduce the footprint when not in use).  Does anyone care to opine on the necessity of the additional netting?

Thank you in advance!

My cage is 16x9x4.  I personally have never miss the side of the cage, but I have had other people do it.  My simulator is in a building with plywood walls so I'm not worried about a stray ball here and there, but if it was in the house with drywall that would be a different story.  One place in particular in my setup that takes a lot of damage is the ceiling.  My son tends to sky his driver from time to time and has put several holes in the styrofoam drop ceiling.  I have seen other setups where they had a baffling system on the ceiling to stop popups, but I've just patched the holes so far.

[IndyBonzo]

Thank you @Parshooter36 and @MattF!

[Josh Parker]

On 1/2/2024 at 3:37 PM, Kenny B said:

Nice start!  Having had a net setup, I would highly recommend getting something like the Spornia BullsEye target sheet for $40 to put on the net.  High spin balls will eat nets.

Here's what I replaced my indoor net with a little over a year ago...

 

It's in an addition that I had rebuilt.  You can follow the construction in this thread...

 

This is an awesome setup!

[Kenny B]

21 hours ago, IndyBonzo said:

Working on the same thing myself.

A question about mishits.  (Trying not to use the S-word.)  Assuming those using the sim are decent golfers (20 hdcp or less, and can reasonably hit the ball), how much of a risk is it that one misses a 10x10x5 cage?  I am considering building a 10x10x5 blacked out cage like @Kenny B's, and adding an additional 5' of netting to the front on a 12x11 rolling arch with casters (to make the netting collapsible and reduce the footprint when not in use).  Does anyone care to opine on the necessity of the additional netting?

Thank you in advance!

My room was built using the same dimensions as what was there previously but was not built to building code.  The room is 12 feet wide and the ceiling is just a few inches under 10 feet and I haven't had any issues.  I do wish the room was a little wider.  The screen is 8x10 snd the enclosure extends out 60".  My hitting mat is 9 feet from the screen.  The occasional s*@#k does happen but all are inside the framed area.  You can see in the photo that I installed some foam panels on the right covered with a blue carpet as a precaution... my wife thought that blue carpet was appropriate signifying water!  

I purposely didn't center the enclosure to allow me access behind the screen from the left side and to insure that I had enough room to swing the driver without hitting the wall behind me.  This is why I would have liked a couple more feet room width, then I probably wouldn't need the padding on the right wall.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

In my previous house the garage celing was 9 feet and I had no issues. In my current house the garage has 10 foot celings and that 1 foot seems like a mile. I worried about other golfers, family members and whoever needing additional side protection. I did add a retractable side net. My bay is 8x8x 3 feet deep and I don't worry. I alsopaddedthe wall over the net ( I wanted the top open so as not to ingrane a restricted swing. Then I suspended a sheet of plywood that I covered in sound absorbing panels. This protects the celing from any skied shots.

Edited January 7 by Tom the Golf Nut

[JAYER38]

To add to this post those looking for a cheap option that is about the fastest setup/takedown possible.. I modeled my "sim" off of this video. I used the same ceiling mounted track and gym mats but I got a amazon hitting mat (5'x4' dual turf), golf net 20'x10' (folded so 10'x10') ancd 20'x10' hitting anvas(folded so 10'x10') off amazon.

Ill snag some pictures of it tonight but it works great for my use and I'm a high handicapper. I think total cost including my OG skytrak(bought used) was under $1400

 

 

[HotIce]

To start, I would like to thank everyone for contributing to this post.  These posts have inspired me to start my own garage sim build.  I am two weeks into and have made substantial progress (See Images). I am on a budget and my design includes making something that will not impact use of my garage; therefore, I made the decision not to buy a kit. As of right now right now I am in it for about 1K, and I am estimating an additional $200 to complete it.  What I have already purchased for 1K includes: Screen Hardware, Impact Screen (NEW), 50% of Side Curtains / Nets (NEW), Used Long Throw Dell 1510x Projector (USED), Projector Ceiling Mount (New), 25% of Flooring, and Garmin R10 (NEW). BTW, great prices for Garmin R10s on OpticsPlanet (New and Refurbished). I picked the Garmin R10 because I was looking for a launch monitor/simulator with minimal to no subscription, while keeping in space requirements.  I was willing to pay upwards of 4K for a unit, but then decided to go with Garmin R10 for now, and maybe upgrade to a less portable more accurate unit later (i.e. Uneekor Eye Mini Lite, which is not available until the end of March 2024). I will keep all posted as I progress through this buildout.

 

[Shifty]

Here's my pieced together set up with the best and most affordable software available GSPro.  863 courses, and more added every week.  In the past I played on their tours provided.  This year I bought a clubhouse, so create my own tour, with events I pick.  Keeps points, and all stats. For practice they have many different modes.  Myself I like dropping somewhere on the fairway and hitting shots from there at different distances to different greens.  Can do on any course.

My computer needs to be upgraded, as atm I have graphics at medium, would love to play at Ultra quality.

For projector I have optoma hd28hdr which is a 1080 projector.  After I upgrade my computer I will upgrade this to 4k.  It is mounted on the ceiling.

For a mat I have a Fiberbuilt.  Very realistic, and punishes you on fat shots unlike some other mats.  Hard to putt off of, but once the bristles soften up after a year of hitting it's fine, lol.

Used moving blankets for the baffle above, as I have a vaulted ceiling this part was tough.  My mother is going to sew me something nicer looking like from a theatre some day.

For a screen I have Carl's Premium.  It has very little light bleed through and is quiet when hit into.  This is my second screen purchased.  Once I shot a hole through my old one I cut it into strips, and now when playing I hang one of the strips in front of my new screen, so I hit into that.  My new screen doesn't have a mark on it due to this.  Takes me less than a minute to put up or take down.  It works great when playing xbox.  When playing Starwars Battlefront II headshots are full size, lol.

For a spotlight I got a 6000k, 30w spotlight.  It really helps with the onscreen image as you don't need other lights in the room that mess with the projector image.

For a launch monitor I have a gc2.  No club data, just ball data.  No subscription fees.  Can take to the range outside with me if I choose.  An oldie but a goodie.  For this I have the metal case, and one my stepdad built with a handle and a alignment part for switching back and forth for righties and lefties to play at the same time.  I have replaced the flash module this year, so works great.

I have 2 cheap webcams for video.  One I upgrade my computer these will get upgraded as well.  I stream to Youtube using OBS.

I recently bought, but not installed 3d printed clips to hold my clubs and 1 other set on the wall.

It is a constant ongoing thing that is never really finished.  Been improving and upgrading over the last 5 years or so.  I started with a skytrak and a net, so getting there.

Here is a video of me and a bud (Birdiestreak77) playing Deer Valley.  It is a course here in my home province of Saskatchewan.  I hurt my back about 3 weeks ago playing hockey, so just getting back into playing.  I'm holding back a little on my drives yet, but feeling decent.  Thinking I will be 100% in another week or so.

 

 

 

[JAYER38]

Have been enjoying the Net & BLP recently. Very budget friendly setup here but works great even if you catch a hosel rocket

[marcva]

Bought a skytrak and a gosport 10x7 net and will get the matching screen. Shopping for a projector. I have a country club elite may, but find it a bit punishing for fat shots. I just don't know if I want to pay for the upgrade to the better mats. I'll have to over time if I start to feel pain, or my ball striking will get better. 

Btw skytrak pricing has dropped a lot . You can get them used for a bit less than a grand and used for about 850 with the protective case. Check 2nd swing golf. Worth the extra cookie hundred over an r10.

Will but GSPro when I get a chance. I already and a couple PCs I can use.

Edited April 8 by marcva

[marcva]

On 10/10/2023 at 1:21 AM, Nolan220 said:

did this one last winter in my garage, with the space I had at the time I could only do 8x8. But it works well .. I added padding to it but just not shown in the picture, I got the screen at rain or shine golf, bought the pipes from Home Depot and the connectors from Amazon, I had the hitting mat and I added the putting green carpet from Home Depot, with the padding it was prob $1,000 ish and then the skytrak was $1,600 used. 

 

[marcva]

eBay user techswamp_vision has a lot of used bargain projectors if you want to start cheap