Reddit Users Garage Golf Simulator Build
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Making the Big Investment: Launch Monitor
Budget Priorities: Don’t Skimp on the Hitting Strip
Cost-Saving Hacks: What Worked for Cole
Wishlist: What Would Cole Upgrade if He Had the Budget?
The Payoff: What Makes It All Worth It
Unexpected Costs and Lessons Learned
Advice for Beginners: Start Smart
Budget Priorities: Don’t Skimp on the Hitting Strip
Cost-Saving Hacks: What Worked for Cole
Wishlist: What Would Cole Upgrade if He Had the Budget?
The Payoff: What Makes It All Worth It
Unexpected Costs and Lessons Learned
Advice for Beginners: Start Smart
Dreaming of a top-notch golf simulator without the hefty price tag? Cole (@coleteesoff) shows it’s possible with some creativity, careful budgeting, and a few DIY hacks. His journey to creating an affordable, fully functional garage golf simulator is packed with tips to help you get the most out of your space and budget.
Making the Big Investment: Launch Monitor
Cole’s most significant expense was his launch monitor, a necessary investment for any high-quality simulator. He chose the MLM2Pro, a budget-friendly, entry-level model. While it took some time for the monitor to properly register chip shots, recent software updates have resolved the issue. In fact, the MLM2Pro will soon feature additional metrics, like club path and face angle, making it an even better choice for golfers looking to improve their game without spending a fortune.
Budget Priorities: Don’t Skimp on the Hitting Strip
For Cole, one of the biggest lessons learned was not to skimp on the hitting strip. A mid-range strip left him with wrist pain, which in turn affected his iron play. After upgrading to the SIGPRO Softy hitting strip, he found that it significantly reduced his injury risk and enhanced his performance. Cole highly recommends investing in a quality hitting strip, as it’s essential to both comfort and accurate shot tracking.
Cost-Saving Hacks: What Worked for Cole
Cole was able to save a considerable amount of money by getting creative with certain aspects of his setup. Here are a few of his key cost-cutting strategies:
DIY Solutions:
- Net vs. Impact Screen: Instead of an expensive impact screen, Cole used a simple net. He also already had a pull-down projector screen, so he projected onto the wall opposite his stance and hit into the net. This solution saved him hundreds of dollars.
- Affordable Mats: While the hitting strip is a must-have investment, Cole was able to cut costs by opting for a budget-friendly stance mat from Amazon. For his purposes, the mat didn’t need to be anything fancy, so this was an easy way to save money.
DIY Solutions:
- Mobile Hitting Platform: One of Cole’s most ingenious solutions was a mobile hitting platform. Made from plywood and gym mats, it’s lightweight and can be stored away, allowing Cole to reclaim his garage space when needed.
- Storage Solutions: Cole also built a simple but effective storage system for his balls and tees, as well as a club organizer with labeled slots for easy access.
- Lighting and PC Setup: To ensure the launch monitor could accurately track the ball’s spin, Cole rigged up extra lighting. He also connected his gaming PC to his garage setup via Bluetooth, allowing him to use the more powerful PC for his simulation without cluttering up the garage.
Wishlist: What Would Cole Upgrade if He Had the Budget?
While Cole’s setup works well for now, if he had more funds, he’d focus on upgrading to an impact screen. He believes it would increase immersion and help with the overall realism of his simulation. However, his current setup is sufficient for his needs, especially as his budget is allocated elsewhere—like golf lessons and new clubs.
The Payoff: What Makes It All Worth It
Cole’s favorite part of his simulator is the ability to practice whenever he wants. Whether it’s a quick session between meetings or a full round at Augusta at 5 AM, his simulator gives him the flexibility to play whenever the mood strikes. Instant feedback on every shot has been invaluable for Cole. He’s added 10 mph to his driver swing by making small improvements to his mechanics, which wouldn’t have been possible without the simulator’s detailed metrics.
Unexpected Costs and Lessons Learned
The journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. One unexpected cost was the need to upgrade his hitting strip sooner than expected. Additionally, his initial projector failed after just one ball strike, requiring a replacement. Cole also didn’t anticipate the need for shank nets, but quickly learned they were essential to protect his garage from errant shots.
Advice for Beginners: Start Smart
For anyone just starting to plan their own budget golf simulator, Cole’s advice is to prioritize your space and your launch monitor. Consider your needs—whether you want a system for indoor use only, or something portable for range use—and choose accordingly. From there, focus your budget on a quality hitting strip, and then build up your setup gradually with a net, impact screen, projector, or TV. It’s all about setting priorities and upgrading as funds allow.
Cole’s budget-friendly garage golf simulator is a prime example that with creativity and smart choices, you can build a great setup without breaking the bank. By focusing on what matters most—such as a good launch monitor and hitting strip—you can create a simulator that meets your needs and helps improve your game.
Ready to start your own garage golf simulator build? Check out more of Cole’s tips on his Instagram @coleteesoff, and start your journey toward a DIY simulator today.
Ready to start your own garage golf simulator build? Check out more of Cole’s tips on his Instagram @coleteesoff, and start your journey toward a DIY simulator today.
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