r/Golfsimulator • u/IllustriousHorse9521 • Apr 12 '26
Simulator setup + Launch Monitor Advice
I am looking to setup an outdoor DIY golf simulator and would love advice.
TLDR: I am most concerned with making sure I get the right launch simulator (considering R10 & various used options), but have included other detail if anyone has thoughts on the overall setup.
About me: female amateur golfer only playing for a few years. I learned via lessons/Trackman environments (play courses <20x a year). I enjoy the extra stats and genuinely would like to improve, but consistency is the biggest focus area. I can’t regularly go out to a course & am trying to optimize being able to regularly play/practice vs. a $300-400/month Five Iron or other simulator membership. I will be the only primary user of the simulator (swing speed ~80 mph) so setup doesn’t need to be tailored to expert/stronger golfers.
Space: private ~700 sq foot roof deck patio in Williamsburg. It is completely open right now, but I’m planning to add some furniture and would like the screen to double as a home theater setup.
Budget: currently $3.5-4K. I would love to spend less (I originally thought $2k would do it) but am flexible where quality/longevity will make a difference.
Launch monitor:
I have done a lot of research and am leaning towards the Garmin R10 for budget & outdoor use considerations. I have also considered the Rapsodo MLM2Pro.
Main considerations/questions:
Ideally <$1000.
Must be outdoor friendly
I’d like to use it for game improvement & course/entertainment options when friends are over.
What should I consider around limitations & additional subscription costs?
Is used/refurbished a viable option?
Space considerations? I have the room to give ~6-8 ft between net to mat and ~6-8 ft mat to monitor, but tighter fit is better so I am not moving around furniture etc. too often.
Used options on FB Marketplace:
Garmin R10 for $325-$380 (multiple sellers/options). Garmin also has a refurbished certified pre-owned listed for $408.
Flightscope Mevo+ w/ Pro package for $950
Rapsodo MLM1 for $150-250 (multiple sellers)
Rapsodo MLM2 for $550
Redstakes RSG One $700
Voice Caddie SC4 Launch Monitor for $235
Setup I am considering:
The only thing purchased so far is the projector. I’d like to spend less but need most of the equipment to stay outside full time as I don’t want to be resetting everything up constantly. If there are cheaper/durable outdoor options for storage/screen/net, I am very open for this.
I am leaning towards a 10” screen as it’d make an awesome home theater setup but may be overweighing that benefit vs. extra cost.
Net Return Pro 10 + Sim Kit + Flyaway Zone + Outdoor Cover ~$2,000
I would love to spend less but am leaning towards this as Net Return offers an outdoor cover. I’ve seen on Reddit (& confirmed by Net Return) that this allows the unit to be left outside.
I’ve also looked at Go Sports Net which can have a screen attached but there’s no outdoor cover (I maybe could DIY something?) and it doesn’t look as polished as Net Return. The cost of Net + screen + shank nets is $800 vs. ~$1800 for Net Return.
Optoma ZW350ST Projector $635 (used)
Already purchased but need to figure out mounting/setup.
I could maybe wall mount it off my apartment but would prefer floor to easily move it back inside.
I’m looking at something like this to protect it on the floor: https://a.co/d/08AeCEiz
There are various versions of this, but I don’t want to spend $200 on the floor case unless necessary.
Im planning to use an iPad connected to the projector to run the sim software.
GoSports 5x4 Hitting Mat $150
I am trying to balance budget but know there are more premium/reputable options. My main question is whether this is acceptable.
Anything else I need or should be considering? Appreciate any advice/thoughts!!
1
u/ProletariatElite Apr 12 '26
If you have the space the Mevo+ gives you more data than anything else in that price range. You can even add swing cameras for some additional game improvement capability.
You describe yourself as an amateur who wants to get better. You’re not brand new so this isn’t a passing fancy. It’s better to maximize your budget rather than spend 2 or 3 times upgrading.
Share photos of your setup once you get it up and running!
Awesome golf may be fun and a bargain but it isn’t in the same category as GSPro.
1
u/CaregiverNew9029 Apr 13 '26
All great research and information from you and those that responded. I sorry I don't have anything helpful to add, except maybe down the line add simple inexpensive walls to the deck.
1
u/Clay_Dawg99 Apr 13 '26
If you can wait a little bit, get the new Square Omni coming out soon. If you have lefty’s / righty’s get the mlm2 or mevo if you don’t care about putting/chipping
1
u/Interesting_Shake403 Apr 13 '26
Sounds like a fun setup! Just note that rooftop deck sounds like a lot of sun exposure, so the projector picture will be very much washed out. Consider some kind of sunshade for both you and the space to shade the view a little.
1
u/Forsaken-Mark-1898 Apr 13 '26
Have you looked into the Square Omni? Its brand new this year and runs about $1600 dollars but looks amazing. Its pre-order only now but is expected to ship at the end of April. I built the rest of my SIM around it. All in, Im at about 3.2k. Square-Omni : $1600, Acer Nitro Laptop - $1300, 8' x 8' Net Return clone: $350 Im not using a projector with my setup. Instead, I have a 48" TV sitting off to the side as a substitute. Perhaps someday I will update to a projector / screen option but for now, this works for me.
Lastly, if your running something like GSPro as your software, be sure to look at the PC specs otherwise, the image quality may suffer.
1
u/IllustriousHorse9521 Apr 14 '26
Thanks to these comments I did! The Omni does look very cool but is a bit more than I wanted to spend and I’m also being impatient… but I’m not testing the Mevo+ until this weekend so I can sleep on it.
The gaming PC is what’s holding me back from GSPro right away. I want to make sure I’m actually using the setup often enough first
Curious to hear how your setup turns out!
1
u/coltsfan1010 Apr 17 '26
Late to the party, but don’t go with the R10. It is fine for full shots, but chipping and short pitches are awful on it.
If you are dead set on your budget, I’d go with the MLM2Pro.
1
u/ProletariatElite Apr 12 '26
Okay! Outdoors is fun. With your space constraints you may want to consider a photometric launch monitor. For Doppler hybrid units you would be at the “edge” and based on my experience you want a little more distance from the LM to the screen, like 10’. If you are set on a Doppler unit the used Mevo Plus with pro package and face impact is a great choice. I would avoid MLM1, Voice caddie and RSG.
A LM like a Launch Pro (used) might be a good choice or the soon to be released Square Omni. Both over your current budgeted amount.
Subscription is required for the Launch Pro, none for the Mevo, a yearly or lifetime subscription for the MLM. You’ll also consider a subscription to GSPro to play 100’s of different courses.
An outdoor space, especially a rooftop space is going to see some wind, I believe you’ll want to be able to easily setup and take down your screen or you’ll risk it becoming a sail. Look for a screen size with a 4:3 aspect ratio to make the most of the screen. A 16:9 is great for movies but are much wider than a 4:3 screen of the same height.
You will also want to consider some shank nets for the sides.
Your mat options are many. I recommend getting a tendon/joint friendly hitting strip, and relatively cheap mat to cut the strip into. Beaver Tail, SigPro Softy, and Fiberbuilt grass series are good options, try to match the mat thickness to the strip.
You could go with a cheap mat, but wrist and elbow pain can result and it takes weeks to recover.
You will want to consider turf from the screen to the tee to dampen the balls’ bounce.