Golf Simulator on a budget for my garage

[BKnox22]

I've had great luck with Skytrak the last few years, and have a simple set up that prices out around $5k. I've helped a few buddies install the same thing after they've tried mine.

 

-Skytrak: https://www.skytrakgolf.com/SkyTrak-Launch-Monitor-Game-Improve-Package

-BenQ short throw projector: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010MDRIEA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-Retractable screen: https://www.par2pro.com/shop/product_info.php?country=US&products_id=490&osCsid=qc2mnm2j7itd7mqvljtcppfaa6&currency=USD

-Side netting: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DAFLW4O/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-5'x5' mat https://thegolferspick.com/products/fairwayhero-premier-golf-mat-5x5

I screw the mat down to a piece of plywood, and cut out a 1'x2' size rectangle in the hitting area of the plywood.

I cut a gel pad (https://www.ebay.com/itm/125166188083?hash=item1d247c7633:g:KH8AAOSwpqNiFvod) to fit the cutout.

 

If you end up going with a Skytrak, I have some easy set up tips to make sure everything is aligned correctly.

 

Edited February 24, 2022 by BKnox22

[sm_watts]

I don’t know how many times I’ve opened the pinned BST ad for the optishot, but I know that isn’t what I really want.  My wife just agreed to let me take over our sunroom instead of half of the garage, but there’s a lot of windows in there

[denglishdoc]

On 2/24/2022 at 5:56 PM, sm_watts said:

I don’t know how many times I’ve opened the pinned BST ad for the optishot, but I know that isn’t what I really want.  My wife just agreed to let me take over our sunroom instead of half of the garage, but there’s a lot of windows in there

my optishot was fun while being a disappointment. its not accurate enough to be useful but it is fun for drinking with the guys. it served as a proof of concept of sorts for my wife to prove i would use a simulator. love my skytrak. in a perfect world i would have a GC3 but as a farmer i dont have that kind of coin. 

[Exactice808]

On 2/25/2022 at 5:45 PM, denglishdoc said:

my optishot was fun while being a disappointment. its not accurate enough to be useful but it is fun for drinking with the guys. it served as a proof of concept of sorts for my wife to prove i would use a simulator. love my skytrak. in a perfect world i would have a GC3 but as a farmer i dont have that kind of coin. 

I had an optishot for about 2 days, could never get it to work.  It was a great toy,  But stepped up to an ES14 which was 1million times better.

 

then the Mevo+ and never looked back.  If Had extra money to waste, I would get me a GC3 but thats not in the cards. (As I mentioned my kids would shank one into the unit)..... but yeah optishot...unless for drinking games..... couple hundred more and gets you something even remotely better R10, ESB1, SC300 etc.

[sm_watts]

Well folks, I decided the garage was not a good option, so I cleaned out our sunroom that has a sloping ceiling (and made a few bucks selling the table and foosball game) and ordered the GoSports 10’x7’ net ($79.99 on Amazon), the GoSports 5’x4’ hitting mat with interchangeable pieces ($200), and bought 10’x8’ mesh tarp at Harbor Freight for $25. This is what $300 can get you for the mat/net setup:

Edited March 5, 2022 by sm_watts

[sm_watts]

Now I just need to be patient and find a Garmin R10 for sale…

Edited March 5, 2022 by sm_watts

[nbar]

I recommend the Garmin R10. I have one and it works great. I just bought GSPro software and it is outstanding in my opinion better than TGC 2019 or E6 connect. I have an optishot which I don't use anymore because the graphics are ancient game like. The R10 has home tee hero with 40,000 courses included it is on the same level as the optishot graphics. 

[sm_watts]

8 hours ago, nbar said:

I recommend the Garmin R10. I have one and it works great. I just bought GSPro software and it is outstanding in my opinion better than TGC 2019 or E6 connect. I have an optishot which I don't use anymore because the graphics are ancient game like. The R10 has home tee hero with 40,000 courses included it is on the same level as the optishot graphics. 

I just watched a couple of youtube videos on this... so you purchase & download the GSPro software and use that for your simulator, then use the R10 just to track the shots?

[nbar]

15 hours ago, sm_watts said:

I just watched a couple of youtube videos on this... so you purchase & download the GSPro software and use that for your simulator, then use the R10 just to track the shots?

Yes GSPro will work with several different Launch monitors R10, Skytrac, Uneekor EyeXO, Uneekor QED, Mevo plus maybe more. I use the R10 and find it very accurate. Check the space requirements on the R10 to see if you have the room. You may know this but the R10 works through the Garmin golf app and you PC check all the hardware requirements.