Before the Build: What to Know

Now that we’ve shared some examples, here are some important things to know right off the bat.

• • Test Your Swing Clearance Early: One of the first things you should do is take your driver into the garage and make several full practice swings. This is the single most important test to see if you have enough space.
  • You’ll Probably Want A Side-Mount Garage Opener: A standard overhead garage motor will often get in the way of your swing. To fix this, a side-mounted (jackshaft) opener will free up critical overhead space.

• • Function Dictates Design: How many car spaces do you have, and how many do you want to maintain? This dictates your available space and build type.
  • Climate Control Protects Your Investment: A garage’s extreme heat and cold will not only be uncomfortable but can damage your expensive electronics. We suggest a mini-split unit.

• Budgets Vary Widely: A bare-bones, full-DIY setup can be done for as little as $1,500. The best tech, professionally built, can cost upwards of $50,000. Know what you’re willing to spend, and add a buffer for hidden costs like building materials, cables, and customizations.
• Space Constrains Your Tech: Your room’s depth is the biggest factor in choosing a launch monitor. Radar-based units (like a Mevo+) may need more depth, while photometric units (like a SkyTrak) sit beside you and can fit in tighter spaces. You’ll also want a projector with a short throw ratio.

Next: Planning & Procurement

Design Rendering from The Club Line by Assembled Golf

Now that you know the most important considerations, it’s time to make a game plan.

• Clear Out Your Garage First: Before you start making important decisions about your build, we suggest you clear out the area. This not only makes measuring easier, but helps you envision the end result.
• Measure Twice: Measure the available area in your garage, then measure it again. This is important. Be sure to check the vertical space too, and take some practice swings.
• Make a Decision: Decide on your golf simulator solution. Will it retract? How much space will it take up? Will you get a kit, or manually source each part? Do you need to modify your garage?
• Map the Design: For the technically inclined, you can run a basic digital rendering. Otherwise, a pen and paper will work too.
• Make Necessary Garage Modifications: If you need to mod your garage opener, run electrical, or install a climate control unit, now’s the time to do it.
• Get Your Gear: While it may be tempting to do this earlier, this should be one of your last steps before starting the build. It’s the most expensive and important part, so you want to be fully prepared first.

Last: Build It

With your plan and components ready, it’s time to build.

That process will vary, so we’re not going to give you a play-by-play. Instead, here’s what to know:

• DIY Doesn’t Mean You’re in It Alone: Take full advantage of the resources available to you: read the manual, call your retailer for tech support, and bribe a handy friend with golf to help with the heavy lifting.
• Mark All Zones Before Building: Before assembling anything, use painter’s tape on your floor to mark:
  • The exact line where the screen will hang.
  • The center of your screen (for alignment).
  • Your precise hitting position.
  • Your launch monitor’s required position.
  • Your projector’s mounting spot and throw line.
  • This prevents 90% of all alignment and spacing headaches.
• Prioritize Your Mat Foundation: Your #1 priority should be safety. Never hit off a thin mat on concrete. Put rubber gym tiles, foam puzzle mats, or a heavy-duty horse stall mat under your entire hitting mat to absorb shock and save your wrists and elbows.
• Build the Frame from the Floor Up: Lay out the entire base of your enclosure on the floor. Get it perfectly square, then add the vertical posts. This ensures the frame is stable and your screen hangs flat.
• Give the Screen 12-16 Inches of Space: The screen needs room to flex and absorb impact. Jamming it against a wall will cause violent bounce-back and damage the screen. Leave at least a foot of space behind it.
• Don’t Overtighten the Screen: The goal is a flat, ‘drum-like’ surface, not a rock-hard wall. Overtightening bungees is the primary cause of dangerous ricochets and will tear the fabric. A small amount of flex is what stops the ball.
• Pad the Frame, Especially the Bottom Bar: Shanks happen. The most dangerous ricochet point is the exposed bottom metal bar of the enclosure. Cover it with angled foam, build a small wood ramp over it, or slide a weighted pipe in front of it. Pad every other piece of exposed metal.
• Control Your Lighting: Camera-based launch monitors (like SkyTrak or Uneekor) are highly sensitive to light. Avoid mixing direct sunlight with indoor bulbs, and kill any spotlights shining directly on or over the hitting area, as it can blind the cameras and cause mis-reads.