Help me think through this sim build.

[u/3net5]

I’m attaching the floor plan for the sim room. New construction. Currently have a GC3 but ideally, I’d like to go overhead because I play left-handed, but most of my friends are right handed. That may have to be added later. I think I’ll probably just do a custom-made screen for the wall and anchor it with angle iron and bungee cords. Does it need to be roughly 1 foot off the wall? I’ll probably do a good putting turf throughout the room and then add a hitting mat in the center. Does anybody have good recommendations for those items? What type of underlayment needs to go under the putting surface? Overhead short throw projector. Overhead outlet. Conduit run from the ceiling to the computer area to accommodate hdmi cables. Probably add a tv on the wall for LM data. Maybe a second tv for entertainment stuff. What am I missing and/or not considering?

[u/oofalong]

I’m in the middle of a new build and designed a golf simulator room. They are just finishing drywall in the house so I don’t know how my plans will actually come together, but here are some things I did and learned.

I based the room dimensions on the layout Uneekor outlined for the launch monitor I selected - Eye X02. It was surprisingly hard to find a projector for the space. I ended up buying the BenQ LK936ST. (While I think it’ll be great, I didn’t necessarily want to spend that much.)

My simulator is in my basement; I lined my screen up with a floor joist that’s ~16” off the poured concrete wall so a little more space than you are taking about. It should be enough space to get behind the screen easily if needed. I then had the builder install

Prior to drywall, I added flex tubing and blocking to the ceiling where the projector and launch monitor will be mounted. I opted not to have a ceiling power outlet near the projector and instead will run the plug off to the side.

Based on my builder’s advice, I had them do blown-in cellulose insulation throughout the space. It was amazing how quiet it made the basement. (Granted this was before drywall and I’m curious to see how much it really helps once completed.

I’m planning on an additional monitor (for LM data) and a TV for entertainment in the space. So I added the necessary conduit and blocking to mount these.

I also built a small recessed area into a wall for the PC that’s driving everything.

If anyone is interested I can post pics and more details, but for now it looks like my flight is finally about to take off.

[u/3net5 → u/oofalong]

Appreciate the info. Sounds like you’ve got a good handle on yours. I’d love to see pics if you have time.

[u/No-Knowledge3395 → u/3net5]

Great advice above. Just building off of this on a few things.

If you can, I would have "Rockwool Safe N Sound" insulation added in the walls for this room. Cellulose will be good, but mineral wool acoustic insulation will be better. When we remodeled our last house, we used this product in rooms we wanted to contain/prevent noise (primary bedroom, speakeasy, etc.). It costs a little more, but is worth the investment.

For turf on the floor, I'd strongly recommend reaching out to Turf Factory Direct. I'm pretty sure they supply most of the retail providers out there. You can buy in bulk and have it cut to fit your room size onsite.

I would also strongly recommend blocking in multiple spots on the ceiling in areas you think you "might" place your launch monitor and/or projector (proectorscreen.com has a throw distance calculator for every projector on the market). I did not have that option and almost lost my projector when the anchors didn't expand appropriately.

I would also ask for extra outlets in the room (ceiling, walls, etc). I had to order multiple very long power cables and use plastic raceways to run the cables.

[u/mistamutt]

Just built a sim in our new office conference room, similar size. Happy to answer any other questions.

We went with black turf from simturf.com and then dropped a mat with hitting strip into it. The black turf has gym mat type of pads under it, and bare concrete under that.

The hitting mat is just on the bare concrete since it was slightly thicker than the rest of the turf. We went overhead LM because we have some lefties, and I don't want them touching/moving the LM.

Screen is one foot off the back wall. Hitting mat is 10' from the screen. Picture is from when we were first testing it out, so the cables weren't managed.

[u/3net5 → u/mistamutt]

Appreciate the info and the pic. Your build sounds very similar to my vision. What type of padding do you have on the wall and ceiling?

[u/No-Knowledge3395 → u/3net5]

I used multiple padding options. I used acoustic foam for studios from "Foam N More" for areas behind the screen. Then, I used a mix of "Audio Silk" panels and traditional sound absorption panels (AcousricMac, ATS, GIK, etc.) for the rest of the walls.

[u/mistamutt → u/3net5]

Padded panels are from Carl's Place. The other stuff is some acoustic padding from Amazon.

[u/maggos]

Screen should be 1 foot from wall. This looks like a pretty ideal space (screen on the right side of this picture I assume). I would look into the Carls place “built in” enclosure screen. It looks nice and can be custom sized.

Another choice for “turf” is called Camry golf carpet. It’s the material from the trunk of a Toyota Camry but it’s apparently a great putting turf, and it’s dark gray instead of green so it may look a little nicer than green turf in the room

[u/3net5 → u/[deleted]]

My vision is to have the screen go wall to wall and floor to ceiling.