golf simulator

[theballboy]

hi all, looking to get some advice on simulator build if anyone has experience

Background

I detest the winter and Im a different person in the summer. The idea of a golf simulator to work on my swing, bit of exercise, mates around for socialising really appeals

Have a net out the back garden I use for summer but considering some type of simulator now for my garage (bottom floor integrated townhouse) Currently having garage door bricked up with new window / radiators installed



Concern

Big concern is height. Current height = 8ft 5i (2.56m)

Width seems fine at 10'5 wide (3.17mwide) x 19ft length (5.8m long)



I may only be able to get away with irons / hybrids (maybe cut down driver) but its still better than nothing – (have steep swing anyways I need to flatten out lol)



Thoughts currently are digging down into concrete so as to inset stance and hitting mat / launch monitor then taking 3in notch out of above joist giving me 8ft 8in total (could maybe dig down a couple more inches and leave some sort of ramp incline in front for putting which might get me another 2 inches so 8ft 10’



Would love to hear peoples thoughts on the height limit of this



Other considerations

Is 8ft5in enough for screen / projector throw

I seemingly have the length and width

Thinking basic screen and netting, used skytrak (£1k) projector (£0.5k) so hopefully (£3k total fit out) which as I say will be better than nothing and better than a basic net

 

[Albo]

I looked at doing it in our garage, but in the end backed out , even having gotten permission from the boss.
The reason I backed out was partially hight per yourself, but for me also width.
Biggest worry was what it would do to my swing, read a lot on swings getting worse due to cramped indoor setting and having to work a swing within that space.
I think I could have got away with a normal swing but was never convinced.
Good luck if you go for it and let us know how it turns out

 

[Mel Smooth]

You can't notch out the bottom of the joists, so that's a no-no.
If you need the clearance, dig down.
Personally I wouldn't bother - for all the expense you can just go and hire an indoor sim for probably about £20 an hour and it will be a far better set up than what you are going to produce with the budget you have.

 

[Springveldt]

I’ve thought of getting one for a while, actually bought a Rapsodo (but never use it) as like most in the UK I’m limited by ceiling height. If you have under 9 foot (ideally 10) I just wouldn’t bother with it, you will mess up either your swing or the ceiling.

I took out the living room light one morning warming up with one of those short clubs that have a heavy weight on it so I know there is no way I could swing a full size club and I’m not even tall.

 

[Newnsy]

Don't do it!!!!!! I did it in lock down in a pretty similar set up garage height etc, I didn't have the possibility to dig down because the house is 3 floors and the garage is on the middle floor with kitchen in basement.

yeah I used it during lock down but could only really use wedges and pitch shots, could never really hit full shots and feel comfy so ended up just being a waste of money

 

[theballboy]

You can't notch out the bottom of the joists, so that's a no-no.
If you need the clearance, dig down.
Personally I wouldn't bother - for all the expense you can just go and hire an indoor sim for probably about £20 an hour and it will be a far better set up than what you are going to produce with the budget you have.

Interesting you say that about the joists. Surveyor friend of mine saying I could notch 3in out of 6 for around foot length of joist.
I'm 50 50 on the whole thing at the minute
Well definitely be putting my garden net in there and inserting my mat into concrete floor
Generally only hit irons , hybrids and 4 wood into net in garden anyways so should be sound for that in there with 8ft 10'

My net is an archery baffle net top quality (although green) thinking of getting another in white just to go in front of it (green one should help further behind it with ball deflection) then some side netting

Will build it to 4.3 ratio, mat positioned correct distance Incase I do add a projector and launch monitor

So just 2nd hand projector and launch monitor are the only additional outlay beyond what I'm doing anyways. So £1500 max might be worthwhile

 

[theballboy]

Don't do it!!!!!! I did it in lock down in a pretty similar set up garage height etc, I didn't have the possibility to dig down because the house is 3 floors and the garage is on the middle floor with kitchen in basement.

yeah I used it during lock down but could only really use wedges and pitch shots, could never really hit full shots and feel comfy so ended up just being a waste of money

Cheers, thanks for reply
What was height you were working with yourself
What was your overall spend?
Anything for sale lol?

 

[theballboy]

I’ve thought of getting one for a while, actually bought a Rapsodo (but never use it) as like most in the UK I’m limited by ceiling height. If you have under 9 foot (ideally 10) I just wouldn’t bother with it, you will mess up either your swing or the ceiling.

I took out the living room light one morning warming up with one of those short clubs that have a heavy weight on it so I know there is no way I could swing a full size club and I’m not even tall.

When I cut some plasterboard from ceiling (already patched in different places and unfinished from a burst pipe so no worries about damaging it) I'll have 9ft (although that's where joists may get in way - hence concept of notching few inches at peak height of swing

 

[theballboy]

You can't notch out the bottom of the joists, so that's a no-no.
If you need the clearance, dig down.
Personally I wouldn't bother - for all the expense you can just go and hire an indoor sim for probably about £20 an hour and it will be a far better set up than what you are going to produce with the budget you have.

Yeah we have a place here that has bulk purchase options for sim hire credits. Might consider that as an alternative for the winter

 

[Mel Smooth]

Interesting you say that about the joists. Surveyor friend of mine saying I could notch 3in out of 6 for around foot length of joist.
I'm 50 50 on the whole thing at the minute
Well definitely be putting my garden net in there and inserting my mat into concrete floor
Generally only hit irons , hybrids and 4 wood into net in garden anyways so should be sound for that in there with 8ft 10'

My net is an archery baffle net top quality (although green) thinking of getting another in white just to go in front of it (green one should help further behind it with ball deflection) then some side netting

Will build it to 4.3 ratio, mat positioned correct distance Incase I do add a projector and launch monitor

So just 2nd hand projector and launch monitor are the only additional outlay beyond what I'm doing anyways. So £1500 max might be worthwhile

You cannot take 50% out of a joist anytime mate. Not only that, you’d be doing multiple joists in the middle of a ceiling - trust me, don’t do it.

When the room above comes crashing into the garage, your insurance will be invalid.

 

[Wanabe]

I am a Surveyor. You can only cut a 3rd depth out of a timber before it becomes weakened. However in a modern townhouse I reckon your joists will be on the limit of what they can carry, hence why so many modern houses have settled timber floors. Having converted my double garage you need minimum of 9 feet and even then it will be in your head. You will end up with indoor swing syndrome whereby you can not replicate your normal swing. Digging down is fraught with potential issues, pipes, electrical cabling drains etc and would be prohibitively expensive. Better to move house. Sorry to burst your bubble but I have been there.

 

[Newnsy]

Cheers, thanks for reply
What was height you were working with yourself
What was your overall spend?
Anything for sale lol?

I Had about 255cm of Space took out about another 15-20 on of the ceiling Wife loved that !!!!!!!!

You can swing a club fine but it just feels like your are about to hit something so you adjust your swing and never feels right, spent a fortune bought a GCQuad Screen and mat off foresight and extra software (Golf Club) , already had a PC projector etc

I still want a sim at home but it will have to wait till we move house, and next time I want out buildings

 

[theballboy]

Looks like it's a burst bubble indeed then
Let's hear people's thoughts on longest club one could swing 8 '6"
6i
Hybrid?

Maybe just stick with the net but indoors
Better than nothing

 

[Springveldt]

Looks like it's a burst bubble indeed then
Let's hear people's thoughts on longest club one could swing 8 '6"
6i
Hybrid?

Maybe just stick with the net but indoors
Better than nothing

I'd be worried about hitting into a net all winter without something telling me the ball flight, you might end up ingraining a massive slice or hook without even realising.

It sounds like you are determined to go ahead with it tbh.

 

[theballboy]

I'd be worried about hitting into a net all winter without something telling me the ball flight, you might end up ingraining a massive slice or hook without even realising.

It sounds like you are determined to go ahead with it

id like to get something sorted for winter in the way of swinging
but outside into the net in winter isn't ideal with weather, was just gonna transfer inside.

Are you saying nets in general
Do you think I'd be better adding the projector?
Net outside? Or just nothing?

Genuine question

 

[Springveldt]

id like to get something sorted for winter in the way of swinging
but outside into the net in winter isn't ideal with weather, was just gonna transfer inside.

Are you saying nets in general
Do you think I'd be better adding the projector?
Net outside? Or just nothing?

Genuine question

If you are determined to hit into a net (outside or inside) I'd get some sort of launch monitor just to make sure you aren't ingraining a fault. That's why I bought a Rapsodo, if I decided to hit into a net then I'd want feedback on where the ball was going. I've just never set it up though but if I did set my net back up in the garden I'd definitely use the launch monitor with it.

 

[theballboy]

If you are determined to hit into a net (outside or inside) I'd get some sort of launch monitor just to make sure you aren't ingraining a fault. That's why I bought a Rapsodo, if I decided to hit into a net then I'd want feedback on where the ball was going. I've just never set it up though but if I did set my net back up in the garden I'd definitely use the launch monitor with it.

Yeah any additional feedback is gonna be helpful was my thinking.
Then videoing swing on top of that also for making interesting changes. Even if it's irons

 

[theballboy]

I have my impact screen (white closeknit archery baffle from golfbays) ordered with a further dark green close knit baffle to go behind it to manage additional impact / negate bounceback.
was swinging 4 wood down there recently with no issues so that's more than enough - will sort a cut down driver.
gonna push ahead

 

[Neilds]

I have my impact screen (white closeknit archery baffle from golfbays) ordered with a further dark green close knit baffle to go behind it to manage additional impact / negate bounceback.
was swinging 4 wood down there recently with no issues so that's more than enough - will sort a cut down driver.
gonna push ahead

What is the point of practising with a club you won't be using on the course? Surely this will only mess up your swing with a normal driver?

 

[theballboy]

I alternate between a 45 and 44 cut-down driver on the course

What is the point of practising with a club you won't be using on the course? Surely this will only mess up your swing with a normal driver?

point is to have an option alongside all the other clubs I can hit