How to Build an Indoor Golf Simulator

Golf is a fantastic game that requires skill, precision, and patience. But what if you can't get out to the course as often as you'd like? An indoor golf simulator might be the solution you're looking for. And if you have recently purchased a garage attic lift, you now have extra space in the garage. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the steps to build your own indoor golf simulator.  There are some great videos on YouTube that can walk you through the project step by step.  

Step 1: Choose Your Space

The first step in building an indoor golf simulator is choosing the right space. You'll need a room with enough space to swing a golf club comfortably. The minimum space would be at least 10 feet wide, 10 feet long, and 9 feet high, but if you have more room, use it.  Shanks and mishits can end up in the strangest places and hopefully not in the windshield of another car parked in the garage.... A garage, basement, or spare room can work perfectly.  Test the space to insure you have plenty of room to swing a club, and start with a driver to make sure. 

Step 2: Purchase the Right Equipment

Once you've selected your space, it's time to gather the necessary equipment. Here's what you'll need:

• Golf Simulator: This is the heart of your setup. It uses sensors to detect your swing and ball flight, then simulates the result on a screen. There are various brands available, like OptiShot, SkyTrak, Garmin and Foresight.  Obviously budget has a lot to do with your selection, so do your homework. 

• Impact Screen: This is where the golf simulator will project the virtual golf course. It needs to be durable to withstand the impact of golf balls. Carl's Place sells high quality screens that can handle the abuse, but you may be able to find others. 

• Projector: A high-quality projector is required to display the simulator's graphics onto the impact screen. Look for one with at least 3,000 lumens for the best picture quality.  This is going to mount in the ceiling, so you may want to protect it with a wire cage or plexiglass cover. 

• Turf Mat: This is where you'll stand and hit your shots from. It should mimic the feel of real grass.  Don't skimp here, you don't want to have to replace this every year...

• Netting: To protect your surroundings from errant shots, you'll need netting around your impact screen.  This is separate from the "tunnel" you build for the shanks and miss-hits.  The tunnel can be built out of tarp type material and your netting will protect people or other items such as cars, cabinets, and motorcycles that are stored in the garage. 

• Computer or Tablet: Most golf simulators require a device to run their software.  You will need a "gaming" type computer with a lot of horsepower to have a realistic simulation.

Step 3: Set Up Your Simulator

Once you've gathered all your equipment, it's time to set everything up. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Install the Impact Screen: Install your impact screen at one end of your room. Make sure it's tightly secured, as loose screens can result in poor image quality.

2. Set Up the Projector: Position the projector so that it fills the entire impact screen without any distortion. You may need a ceiling mount or a shelf for this.

3. Place the Turf Mat: Your mat should be positioned in line with the center of the impact screen.

4. Install the Netting: Install netting on either side of the impact screen and above if necessary.

5. Set Up the Golf Simulator: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to set up your golf simulator. This typically involves placing the device in front of the turf mat and connecting it to your computer or tablet.

6. Calibrate the System: Once everything is set up, you'll need to calibrate the system following the simulator software's instructions. This ensures accurate tracking of your shots.

Step 4: Test and Adjust

After setting up your simulator, take some test swings and adjust as necessary. You may need to adjust the projector's focus or positioning, the turf mat's location, or the golf simulator's calibration.

Conclusion

Building an indoor golf simulator can be a fun and rewarding project. Not only will it allow you to play golf regardless of the weather, but it can also help improve your game by providing instant feedback on each shot. Just remember to choose the right space, gather the necessary equipment, carefully set everything up, and adjust as needed. Then, you'll be ready to tee off in the comfort of your own home!  Also, since you have just used a large part of the garage, you may want to invest in an Attic Lift to be able to store some of those items you don't use often in the garage.