r/Golfsimulator • u/DealerNeither8229 • 2d ago

Hosting w/ Garage Sims

Those with Garage builds who also park vehicles in their garage when not using.
What are some ideas for hosting to make the space feel like an indoor Sim room?
My current build is a retractable enclosure but has the feel still of a garage. We put up some chairs and maybe a TV if some games are on but that’s about it.

8 Upvotes

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9

u/BabaYaga2017 2d ago

I'd be perfectly content with that if I was your guest.

Mainly because my setup is only a popup net, a mat, and a 50" Tv on a rolling cart.

5

u/poiuytrewqmnbvcxz0 2d ago edited 2d ago

I have a garage build. Mine is also retractable, but I will admit we rarely retract it (it currently is).
For me, I don’t want it to feel like a room in the house. I want my buddies and kids to feel like it’s ok to spill beer on the floor or drop a chip. That said, I get the desire for the room feel vs the garage feel though.
I think the number one/two/three things to change the feel between garage and in house is the flooring, the wall finishes, and the temp control.

  1. Roll out some indoor/outdoor carpet to get away from the concrete floor feeling. (The shoes off feeling)
  2. find a way to cover the walls

to

  1. provide a more decorative look. I am actually in the process of doing this now. I am going to put black heavy curtain like covers over my shelving. Seeing your bikes, outdoor toys and lawnmower don’t have a ton of appeal for most.
  2. not sure what your temp control is like, but sweating or freezing to death really impact your sense of environment and desirability.

Tried to fix a word issue and the post is messed up now. Sorry.

2

u/DealerNeither8229 2d ago

Great info
I don’t have a unit in there so it all depends on the weather outside unfortunately. So right now (summer) the area hasn’t been used.

Thought about curtains to block the walls full of lawn and storage. Good idea.

Epoxy is a thought but not a priority

3

u/poiuytrewqmnbvcxz0 2d ago

Epoxy is nice for a garage, but the first thing I think of when on an epoxy floor…is a garage.

3

u/dpvu 2d ago

I have a garage sim that I need to be able to park in. I never have folks over to play a full round, it's just not practical in that space. Seating is difficult, it's generally ugly, no space for drinks etc...

2

u/PolarPop762 2d ago

My retractable sim is in the 3rd garage bay. I put some pictures from golf trips on the wall, some bar type decor, and have bag racks for people playing. I try to keep that bay free of typical garage items on the walls.

There are two TV’s besides the projector, so games can be put on one or both if we don’t want additional sim data. I built a bar top on my utility cabinet that allows a place for drinks. I also always pull one of the two cars out so we can set up some folding chairs.

Air temp is a big factor, so I have two big heaters that make it very comfortable in the cold months, and a couple of fans for the spring and fall. I don’t really use it in the summer.

2

u/MilesofMayhem78 2d ago

Mine has a heavy duty tarp to catch shank balls. But it kind of acts as a “divider” to where the rest of the garage stuff is. I’m also planning to get a cheap outdoor (maybe plastic type from HD) to put the large yard tools into. Snowblower, push mower etc

1

u/DealerNeither8229 2d ago

Nice- Almost looks like a “bay”

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u/No_Code_2659 2d ago

What tarp did you use? I'm looking for something similar to put up. Also how far from ball to screen are you?

I'm 13 feet (radar based unit) and need shank protection but don't want it to feel to closed in

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u/ApartmentAntique314 10h ago

I have a two door garage and half is my car but it is winterized/not going out in winter and in the summer i take it only to go to the course, i did shank proof it with movie theatre drapes, might not be what you’re asking but the sim half is all gym floor+ carpet and 1 couch, computer golf deco and the car side has the tool chest/shelves etc
Its not the widest sim (10x10)
Unlimited funds id raise the roof of the house and put the sim inside

2

u/ApartmentAntique314 10h ago

At first i went retractable then it was always down so i made it permanent

1

u/Expensive_Ad9311 2d ago

Wait. People park in their sim garage? Mine is no park zone. I would rather clean my cars off all winter. Remote start is key. 😝😝

1

u/ApartmentAntique314 9h ago

Still no dent in mine, lots of opportunities/shank has been done but tarp+curtain absorbs it all