Easy methods to Construct a DIY Golf Simulator

Do you know that in accordance with the Nationwide Golf Basis (NGF) an estimated 6.2 million People performed golf utilizing a simulator in 2023? That’s a 73% improve from pre-Covid ranges.

Furthermore, the macro information suggests this development of elevated world participation will proceed over the subsequent decade.

As such, there’s an honest probability you’ve contemplated including some kind of “at-home” golf answer on multiple event. Nonetheless, the sheer variety of choices is mind-numbing and, at first look, probably seem cost-prohibitive. However, as the good Lee Corso cautions, “Not so quick, my mates ….”

WHERE DO I BELONG?

Let’s take into account three buckets of would-be golf simulator shoppers.

The primary are these for whom finances shouldn’t be the first concern. Put in a different way, that is the golfer who isn’t going to stress whether or not the ultimate price ticket is $50K or $60K or pursuing a business possibility. On the different finish of the spectrum is the golfer who is likely to be restricted in finances, area, or presumably each.

Then, there’s the ol’ DIYer—the man or gal who sits someplace between Bob Vila and Sideshow Bob. Yep, that’s me. I’m not a grasp craftsman, however I’ve constructed a shed (albeit a really primary one). I can change a lightweight fixture, however I’m not going to transform my kitchen.

I take pleasure in DIY tasks, even when it means the completed product isn’t centerfold beautiful, if it may well save me the price of an expert set up.

A easy “atta boy” from my buddies or a ”you actually did that by your self? ” from my spouse is ample. If that sounds such as you, let’s check out steps (and missteps), supplies and key choice factors in constructing your golf simulator.

LET’S GET STARTED

Step one is to find out how a lot area you have got for this venture. Most golfers underestimate the room wanted to accommodate each right- and left-handed golfers whereas accounting for a really perfect side ratio (relationship between the width and top) of the hitting display screen.

Ideally, the ceiling top is a minimum of 10 toes. Something past 10’6” is superfluous until you’re attempting to accommodate Andre The Big (might he relaxation in peace). Conversely, something lower than 10 toes will restrict which golf equipment you should use. In the event you don’t have a minimal of 9 toes, I’d probably bag the venture or be content material hitting wedges and punch 6-irons.

By way of width (right here’s the place side ratio issues), projectors and software program are inclined to optimize with a 16:10 or 16:9 side ratio. As such, when you have 10-foot ceilings, you’ll need a width of a minimum of 16 toes.

Then you definately’re going to need 17 to twenty toes of depth, ideally 25 if the intent is to offer seating or room for others to observe with out worry of taking a 3-wood on to the chops. The display screen will sit 12 inches off the again wall (enable room for the display screen to flex) after which the strike mat will sit roughly 9 toes from the display screen. From there, an extra six to seven toes is required behind the golfer (swing radius, entry/exit, that kind of factor).

You definitely can work with much less actual property though you’ll need to make some compromises. In my case, I’ve loads of top and depth, however solely 12 toes of width. In consequence, I positioned the hitting mat barely offset (proper of heart as you face the display screen) and adjusted the side ratio to 4:3. It’s not an enormous deal due to how present projectors can appropriate for this however, once more, an extra couple of toes on both facet would remove any want for picture manipulation.

FRAME

I used 1 ½” slotted angle iron from Residence Depot to construct the body. Relying on what’s behind the angle iron, you’ll want wooden screws and washers (wall anchors in the event you’re going into drywall) to affix the angle iron to the wall/ceiling.

If the precise size for every bit, the ironmongery shop would possibly have the ability to reduce it to size for you. In any other case, seize an angle iron noticed or electrical cut-off instrument with a skinny blade for reducing metallic so as to regulate every bit as wanted throughout set up.

You probably have somebody who owes you a favor, an additional set of arms to carry the angle iron in place when you get the primary couple of anchors in is a bonus. If not, the vertical items on every wall aren’t too tough to handle. The ceiling items are, nonetheless, one other story. My suggestion is to chop the full size in half and set up every bit individually. Managing a six-foot piece of angle iron is arduous however not not possible. As a bonus, your higher and anterior deltoids will function a reminder of your accomplishment for a minimum of the subsequent three days.

Shoot for one screw (or wall anchor) each 12 to 18 inches. In the event you’re going instantly right into a stud, each 24 inches is ok however watch out to not stress the drywall by inserting too many screws too shut to 1 one other.

It’s unlikely a lot of you’ll run into my wall-curb conundrum however, in that case, right here’s the repair. As a result of my storage has a concrete lip on the underside, I wanted to create a vertical wall by bracketing two 2x4s from the highest of the concrete to the ceiling. It ought to be pretty apparent however make any wanted modifications to your area earlier than putting in the body.

SCREEN

It will be straightforward to miss the display screen and assume this is a chance to avoid wasting a few bucks. I’d warning towards that line of pondering. A high-quality display screen goes to last more, take in sound higher and venture the next high quality picture. The SIGPRO Premium display screen is the place you must begin (and sure finish) your search. An alternative choice is the SIGPRO Most well-liked. Both means, the display screen might be ordered in any dimension to suit your area. From there, it’s microwave dinner straightforward to put in. Merely line up every grommet on the perimeter of the display screen with a slot on the angle iron. Then loop a bungee ball wire by, ensuring the ball finally ends up sitting behind the display screen. This may turn out to be essential if you set up the carpet trim.

FLOORING

It’s not a necessity however the SIGPRO Premium flooring elevates any simulator area and offers it a decidedly customized really feel. That’s the upside. The draw back is that it’s fairly dear. In its place, take into account a SIGPRO Tremendous Softy hitting mat.

In the event you determine to go the premium flooring route, seize a rubber hammer and prepare to sweat. Past that, a foam pad or additional set of tiling knee pads will aid you keep away from pointless discomfort. In the event you had been born earlier than 1984, what I’m speaking about. In the event you’re beneath 30 years previous, you’re most likely not going to pay attention anyhow. (Your time is coming. Simply wait.)

The flooring is shipped as particular person items which match collectively like a big jigsaw puzzle. My recommendation is to put out one row at a time, utilizing the rubber hammer to pound every bit collectively, working from one edge to the opposite. As soon as the row is full, begin hammering that row into the present row. Maintain going till it’s full.

There isn’t an actual science or method to this. The one saving grace is that every piece doesn’t want to sit down completely flush with the adjoining piece. On this case, “shut sufficient” suffices.

Once you lay the laser-cut turf on high of the flooring, place some heavier objects (books, weights and even young children work) alongside the perimeter for a number of hours. As soon as flat, use double-sided tape alongside the perimeter and across the hitting mat to forestall the turf from sliding.

TRIM

Velcro is your pal. SIGPRO screens include a strip of Velcro constructed into the display screen border. Matching black carpet in numerous widths adheres, effectively, such as you’d count on it to. The chief profit is a clear, completed aesthetic that hides slight missteps or unpleasant blemishes.

TECH

Launch displays are the engine that drives the golf simulator machine. Digicam-based methods have a tendency to supply higher accuracy (significantly indoors). Additionally, radar-based items (e.g., Trackman) require extra depth to generate correct measurements. Because of this, I counsel beginning your search with Foresight, Garmin, or Bushnell and discovering a product with the options you want at a snug value level.

Regardless, every launch monitor unit wants a pc to run the simulation software program and connect with your projector. The software program will primarily decide how a lot computing horsepower you want. I’m no card-carrying member of the Geek Squad however a secure guess is to deal with the processor (latest-generation Intel Core i7), RAM (16 GB is really useful) and video card (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050) as the important thing parts.

Concerning the projector, the primary choice level is decision. A 4K projector (probably dearer) is the higher possibility in case your setup will double as a house theater or you have got a eager curiosity in future-proofing your tech as soon as all video migrates to the next decision. A regular high-definition (1920×1200) projector is ample for many purposes. I made a decision on the Panasonic VMZ51U as a result of it presents 5,200 lumens (nice for areas with pure mild) and a lens shift perform that means that you can venture from a variety of distances and orientations with out distorting the picture. (Fast be aware: In the event you see language selling horizontal/vertical and/or nook/keystone correction, that tells you the projector has the performance to regulate the picture form for many any oddball projection points.)

Projector set up is simple. Assuming the ceiling top is comparatively uniform, mounting {hardware} attaches to the ceiling and the highest of the projector. The extension arm means that you can cling the projector on the appropriate top. To find out this, I wired the projector to the pc and positioned the projector on high of an eight-foot stepladder which I slid round to approximate the ultimate set up location.

** Electrical: Relying in your scenario, it is likely to be clever to have an expert electrician set up further shops (one within the ceiling for the projector and one on your launch monitor and laptop, respectively). Ideally, you must determine the place you’re going to position the launch monitor and laptop earlier than starting any electrical work.

CURTAINS/CEILING PANELS

The retractable curtains are easy to put in and primarily beauty though I do have a single window in my storage I needed to cowl up. The curtain tracks might be mounted instantly into the ceiling. Or, if you wish to get super-fancy, tack a 2×4 into the ceiling after which connect the curtain tracks to the two×4. Paint the two×4 black after which cling a small strip of carpet off the two×4 to cowl the tracks.

Inevitably, somebody will hit a pop-up (or try a super-flop) and put a pleasant golf-ball-sized gap in your ceiling. To stop this, you’ll be able to both set up particular person ceiling tiles (main ache within the ass however they give the impression of being incredible) or foam/cloth baffling. I used Liquid Nails and Velcro to stick every tile to the ceiling. Yep, I took the extra arduous route however as a result of I didn’t wish to stand on a ladder with my arms prolonged ready for the Liquid Nails to remedy, I taped a number of towels to a bit of PVC pipe which I wedged right into a ladder to do the holding for me. Then, each hour or so, I repeated the method till it was full. Set up is akin to doing 25 consecutive a great deal of laundry: 5 minutes of labor, adopted by 45 minutes of ready … advert nauseam.

IF YOU BUILD IT …

Golf simulators are to right now’s market what sizzling tubs had been to the Nineteen Eighties and Nineties—all the craze. Quite a few choices give shoppers loads of decisions and it appears most of my {golfing} buddies both have one or are contemplating some kind of at-home golf answer.

Past the nuts and bolts of the method, listed below are three ideas that you just would possibly wish to take into account:

* Don’t let perfection turn out to be the enemy of progress. A DIY golf simulator area isn’t going to look the identical as a professionally put in one—and that’s OK. Because it’s completely useful and meets your wants, that’s finally what issues.

* Ask for assist. Many “DIYers” are unbiased varieties who take pleasure in working alone, tackling duties and discovering options to issues. That’s nice. Nonetheless, an additional set of arms will turn out to be useful, significantly when constructing the body and putting in the display screen.

* Give your self loads of time. Assuming you have got all of the supplies readily available, you possibly can knock this out over an extended weekend. My suggestion is to interrupt the venture down into three elements:

1) Framing/Display/Trim

2) Flooring

3) Tech Set up (Projector, Launch Monitor, Laptop/Software program set up and calibration)

With that, I’m positive you have got loads of questions … so fireplace away!