It is probably safe to say that every midwestern golfer’s dream is to have their very own simulator setup.

The selection, affordability and quality of home simulators has exploded in the past few years. When I started down the path of building my new home I knew I wanted to incorporate a golf space in the basement. With that thought in mind I started building my custom simulator.

First Step: Negotiation

As any golfer knows the first step in any golf discussion is getting the approval of your significant other. I was able to convince my wife that a large space in our new basement could be used for a golf simulator but could also double as a home theatre and entertainment venue. Armed with the green light I began my build.

Second Step: Investigation

I began to research home simulators and quickly realized that I could not afford an all-in-one custom build. I could, however, afford to purchase separate components and build the setup myself. I was able to choose a launch monitor, computer, projector and software pretty easily.

Not everyone will have the luxury of building a new home when deciding to put in a simulator so you will have to decide if you have existing space that is usable. Make sure you have at least 10 feet of ceiling clearance and 20 feet from screen to wall. Then decide if you are going to dedicate a space to a permanent simulator or have something that is temporary or moveable.

There are tons of resources online for the best setups people have used but I went with the following components: 

1. Projector: Optoma – GT1090HDR short throw 1080HD
2. Launch Monitor: Foresight GC3
3. Screen / Enclosure: Carl’s Place
4. Turf: Carl’s Place Anti-Fatigue Mat
5. Computer: High-End Gaming Computer (eg: Options on Amazon)

When it comes to the launch monitor there are a few things to consider.

1. What is your budget?

2. What accuracy do you want to have? Do you want it just for fun or for a realistic experience?

3. Do you want the launch monitor to be portable for range or course use?

4. Do you have the computer, tablet and/or phone to run the required software?

5. Is the software a one-time cost or annual subscription?

I opted for the Foresight GC3. I wanted to have a realistic and immersive experience but didn’t have the budget for a GCQuad or Trackman. I also love the portability of the GC3 as well as the lifetime software purchase with additional courses available.

The modular nature of my home simulator also makes it easier to start with cheaper components and upgrade later.

Third Step: Build

The most daunting part of the home sim was the screen and surrounding material since it would be the only thing stopping an errant shot from damaging the windows and walls in the room!

I investigated building walls with wood and foam, making fabric panels and buying a hitting net, but none of those options could provide a clean, professional aesthetic. Right before settling on a less than ideal option, I came across Carl’s Place in Milton, WI.

Carl’s Place offers a large selection of custom as well as standard off-the-shelf enclosure options at various price points, and they have standard sizes including 7.7′ x 10′, 7.7′ x 13′, 8′ x 8′, 8′ x 10.5′, etc. These sizes are meant to fit nicely with the common 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios found in most projectors. These standard sizes come in two different packages: DIY and Pro.

The DIY Golf Simulator Enclosure Kits include an impact screen, nylon enclosure and connector fittings. Carl’s Place will tell you what pipes you need, or just add the optional Pipe Framing Kit and you’ll have an all-in-one golf enclosure. Designed for high-end and commercial golf simulator installations, the Pro Golf Simulator Enclosure Kits are the perfect balance between top-of-the-line performance, easy installation and of course, reasonable pricing!

They also offer a “Build Your Own” option that was great for me since my room was not very close to any of their standard sizes. Zach on the Customer Service team was great to work with and he helped me determine the size to order based on the height, width and depth of my space.

There is about 3” of black padding around the edge of my enclosure (which provides the professional aesthetic I was looking for).

Carl’s has a great online tool for making your selections. You can choose screen material from Standard, Preferred and Premium. Height, Width and Depth are all customizable, and the materials are sewn to fit perfectly over the EMT pipe size that corresponds with your enclosure. You can also add custom foam corner inserts and extension nets to soften shots that hit the frame and keep shanks from popping holes in your drywall! I opted for the foam wedges but skipped the nets since my enclosure is 5’ deep x 16′ wide, so there is plenty of room along the sides to miss.

I should also mention that I chose the Carl’s Place 9’ x 5’ anti-fatigue hitting mat. They may not offer this option anymore, but they have added a lot of turf options to their site in the last couple months since my purchase. This mat is very soft and takes regular tees which really improves the authenticity of the experience.

Tips for purchase / installation

• Get Help! This build is reasonable with two people, but three or more makes it easier to balance, pass tools and keep the fabric clean.
• Measure your room carefully! You NEED to have at least 12 inches of space behind the screen so high ball speed shots can flex the screen. You also need to be realistic about the height of the room and ability to swing clubs. You may think you can swing a driver with a 9’ ceiling, but when you add the thickness of a hitting mat and put drywall or drop ceiling in, it may no longer work.
• I suggest leaving a little more than 3 inches around the perimeter of the enclosure. Mine was a bit tight to assemble and we had to get creative to fit the pieces without hitting the ceiling.
• Get the Premium Screen if you can afford it! The premium material deadens sound and bounce-back exceptionally well and looks so good when my family uses the simulator for movie nights or video games.
• Buy your own EMT pipe! Carl’s will sell you the pipe for your build, but you can easily get it at a big box store for less (you will have to transport it and cut it yourself).
• Keep the screen and enclosure fabric off the ground to avoid dirt getting everywhere. You can also clean the EMT pipe with a wet rag since it will likely be very dirty from the store.

Fourth Step: Enjoy