Gonna go cheap (or cheap compared to most golf sims).

1. Dancin Dog made Optishot Clubtracker ($275....used off of Ebay)
2. $140 4x5 1&1/2 inch thick launch pad (will integrate the Optishot pad into this)
3. $140 10x8 foot impact (HD)screen
4. $675 Optoma HD Short Throw Projector (Amazon)
5. Two 3x10 indoor putting greens placed in front of my launching pad ($90 each off of Amazon)
6. $40 narrow-beamed overhead light to illuminate the hitting area only

Anybody got any suggestions on a cheap, reliable screen mount???

I have looked into doing it with 3/4 inch PVC piping, but would like something a bit more professional and a bit more sturdy........any ideas?

this is really cool... will be very interested in hearing about the final product and lessons learned...

How tall is your ceiling?

Ceiling is 9 and 1/2 feet, I am 6 ft tall and my driver misses the ceiling by about 3 or 4 inches (on my follow through). I wouldn't try it with a lower ceiling, but if you don't need to hit your driver, you'd be OK with a 8 and 1/2 or 9 ft ceiling.

I'll try to include some pics in the next month or so when it is done.

I used to have an Optishot. Was fun, but strictly more of a toy than anything. It's much closer to an arcade experience as opposed to a simulator. If you're looking for a training aid I'd highly recommend spending a bit more money on something with better accuracy. But if you're looking for an excuse to swing clubs indoors with some buddies then it's perfect.

You also might as well spend an extra $25 and get a new one instead of buying used to be sure you get a full warranty and everything too.

This is awesome, would love to do something like this. Perhaps consider how you will be able to upgrade your system in the future, seems like once you get going you will want to increase the accuracy and realism of your setup.

I've just started building out a simulator room in my house as well. My ceiling is 9' and I can swing my driver fine. I'm 5'9". Taller people may be limited to irons though.

I'm building my screen enclosure out of hand rail supplies. Aluminum pipe and fittings. You can buy the stuff at www.simplifiedbuilding.com. A lot of people us 1" EMT and tarp fittings. I'm buying my screen from Par2Pro, their HQ2 material.

I'm covering my floor with Syngreen putting turf with a rubber flooring underneath. I already had a nice hitting mat that I will use.

I'm using the Foresight GC2 as my simulator.

Sounds good but you'll hate the optishot. I used mine for 1 week and resold it on eBay. It's not accurate, it needs constant tinkering with lighting, club tape, driver tape etc. it can't tell a flush shot from a top or chunk etc. Sorry to rain on your parade but if you must buy it, but it used and then resell it when you don't use it anymore.

Just get the GC2 and be done with it.

I was looking at doing the same thing. Problem is my media room ceiling is too short so I was thinking about a garage retractable setup. In Texas though it gets hot so I am skeptical to put the work in for that.

I have the optishot as well, with a mat already. I am just trying to figure out if I want an impact screen or save some money and get a net. I have seen setups on YouTube and other sites were they use nets with just sheets or strong traps for the screen behind the net. They look to hold up okay.

If I had the money I would look into SkyTrak. It is cheaper than the other simulators and is just coming out with all the new technology. You can play inside or out and it connects to iPads and phones. Which means you could take it to the range. Also they just partnered with WGT, but you have to buy annual subscriptions to play on it.

I like this forum topic though. I am wondering where you are getting your screen for that size and price because you want to make sure its an impact screen and durable, unless you aren't using real golf balls.

It sounds kinda cool, I guess, but I'm not sure I see the appeal. I like to go practice outdoors, where its in stunning HD. I mean, most of the reason I play golf is to get outside.

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It sounds kinda cool, I guess, but I'm not sure I see the appeal. I like to go practice outdoors, where its in stunning HD. I mean, most of the reason I play golf is to get outside.

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Lots of us would love to do that, but not always realistic. In the time it takes me to get to a range I can hit a hundred balls in my yard. I do this while my kids watch a show or after they are in bed, times I can't really leave the house.

I have a net/mat in my back and have thought about an optishot to connect to my outdoor TV for fun. But, as mentioned, reviews have been pretty mediocre so I'm waiting. Will be interested in your thoughts.

I had a setup where I hit into a net in my garage. Not worth it to me getting an actual simulator until I am able/willing to spend some serious $$.

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Lots of us would love to do that, but not always realistic.

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Its an ordeal just to go practice. Trying to do in the evening, but fight traffic - 30 mins to course. Get to parking lot...shoes, practice balls, walk the 200 yards to the range/practice area - i'm already almost an hour into my "free time" and the range dorks want to close the range, so it is race against time to get a bucket in, then race the sunset to get some shortgame/putting in.

I don't really have any other solution right now, except to skip work.

I don't like hitting indoors or on simulators, or off of mats, so there's that too.

Thanks Androag, I'll check that site out.

I built a hitting cage / simulator in the loft of my shop last year. I went with the cheaper option on a lot of stuff but if I was to do it again the only thing I would change would be the simulator from and OptiShot to a GC2 or SkyTrack. I'll probably still upgrade that at some point but 99% of the time I just hit without tracking the shot so it doesn't really matter to me.

Here's a basic list of what I used and I'll try to get some pics up when I have time.

1. Golf cage brackets - https://www.memphisnet.net/product/996/golf-cages-money-saving
2. 3/4 EMT conduit you buy from the hardware store
3. Cage netting - http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200596403_200596403
4. Impact tarp - http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200596417_200596417
5. Full size white sheet for projector screen
6. HD projector (I had an extra sitting around)
7. OptiShot, it's more of a toy as people say. I live in Kansas so it breaks up the monotony of hitting just into the cage during the cold months. It also is fun to drink and play a "round" with your buddies.
7. Golf mat, I use the 10"x30" hitting strips. This is the best feeling hitting mat I've ever hit off of. http://www.realfeelgolfmats.com/
8. Stance mat. I use two of these stacked with a hole cut out for the hitting strip. This brings your feet level with the top of the golf mat so you aren't hitting at an uphill target. - http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rubber-mat-black-4-ft-x-6-ft?cm_vc=-10005

Total I spent less than $500 but that is because I already had the projector. Another option to consider on the projector side is to go with a normal projector that you can mount up and behind you. That's what I did and I prefer it. I wasn't keen on hitting golf balls towards an expensive short throw. You can always add netting and stuff to protect it, but a lot of freak things happens with golf balls in a cage and you don't want to be out a nice projector. Also look on Craigslist for a cheap used projector (the last one I got off there was $50).

Yaterag........thanks, I will use a combo of the 3/4 inch galvanized fittings from the Memphis store and the Northern Tool Impact Tarps as the side screens. Love the mat too, but it is a bit pricey.