My girl and I are really getting into golf and we're playing with the idea of setting up a sim in this space beneath our patio.
We're looking for input, setup/layout suggestions, product suggestions, whatever the community can offer!
Dimensions are 21' long, 8'6" wide, 9'4" height
I think I might move some gravel around to increase the height clearance in the hitting area, I'm 6'2 and I'll probably hit the soffit under the patio with woods. Would a sunken hitting mat and a gradual uphill grade towards the impact screen have any negative effects on the launch monitor readings? Having balls roll back to the mat would be a nice feature 😅
Sim Enclosure:
We'd like to come up with something we could use year round if plausible (we live on the west coast of Canada, fairly mild weather year round. Good amount of rain if anything in the winter). It stays fairly dry under here, and drainage is good being on gravel.
That said, I'd like to enclose the left side and far end of this space with something opaque to keep light and weather out, and to protect the neighbors from the inevitable errant piss missile. I'll probably protect our own windows with plexiglass or something, maybe a net down the whole wall? (Spaced off)
I have a 10×10 pop-up tent that comes with canvas and clear walls I think I might set up over the concrete pad with some patio furniture and a little propane heater or something to get cozy when we're playing together or with friends over. Also would add some shelter to the "opening" end of the sim area.
Equipment:
I've got a gaming PC just inside the windows adjacent to the hitting area, I can run an HDMI cable out to the projector through the window and I think Bluetooth / Wi-Fi should be strong enough in this spot for the launch monitor.
We're leaning towards the square LM, being small space friendly and putting compatible, plus specs/features seem pretty solid!
I have an old 1080p BenQ projector that may or may not be adequate, I hooked it up to my PC and played some HD YouTube video, looked good enough to me at least to get started.
Would love to know if anyone has worked with a similar space and see what you've done, or if you have any recommendations on how to close it in, or tell me I'm being stupid and why this won't work / is a bad idea!
by HotFudge1547
3 Comments
Im about 20 long, 12 wide, 12 high. Your width should be fine to be offset, but if you have left and right hitters you will probably need to move things back and forth.
I would get as much height as you can: it’s a real thing to have a different driver swing because you perceive the ceiling to be lower. Hitting uphill slightly shouldn’t be a problem for any LM.
As far as the weather, wind isn’t likely to affect anything except the screen you use, it isn’t enough length for it to affect your shots. If you can keep the same dimensions while using a tarp or something to keep rain out then I would say go for it.
Might be worth it to pick out a LM first and see what the recommended distances are (L,W,H, LM to ball and ball to screen) and mock it up with cardboard, canvas, tarps, whatever. Make sure you can swing comfortably.
So I built an outside sim. Looks similar to yours but the fact you have a wall is a big plus as I’m in Colorado so it gets cold.
Recently put up a 240 heater which should make this year bearable.
I’m standing close in a 10×13 pergola. I got a retractable screen for the left side and have a curtain for the right to protect shanks. So far, no windows have been hit. I would have a curtain behind the screen to protect it from the elements behind as mine is looking a little ragged after just a year but it’s getting a lot of use.
I found a magnetic plate on Amazon for the overhead projector which works well as I put it up only when using the sim, but we’re all 6 foot and drivers are not anywhere near it as roof is 9.6 high.
Try the Ben-q and see how you get on. It’s a never ending project as there’s always something you can improve on.
One thing to note is that you will not be able to see the projector until dusk. I went with several Amazon returns all the way up to 4.5k on projectors and they just wouldn’t cut it. I mounted. Tv up for daytime play or range warm up with coffee if I’m off playing real golf.
Nah mate, you’re not being stupid….one of the best things I’ve ever done imho with zero regrets.
https://preview.redd.it/s2x9kwwgtxff1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ad6411b887946795b31535e9a7876ee47b59fdbc