How to Build a $50,000 Golf Simulator For $5,976!
Intro
Last year I thought I had the perfect simulator, but throughout the year I have found some things that have improved my simulator substantially. In this article, I will lay out how to build one of the best and cheapest golf simulators possible saving you tens of THOUSANDS of dollars.
To have a good golf simulator it takes 5 important elements, which are the flooring, enclosure, projector, computer, and the launch monitor. Not only will I guide you through these things but I’ll also give you some tips on some cool extras, how to convince your wife to build one, and some simple changes I would make to my simulator.
Flooring
Some people think that you need to put everything on a wooden platform I don’t agree with that. For my simulator, I just used some 1-inch thick foam interlocking tiles. These cost about $300-$400 depending on how many you need for your space.
On top of the tiles, you can lay down your turf. One important note to make is that the only turf that matters is the turf on your hitting strip. For my simulator we used a cheaper navy turf that I liked the look of for the majority of the space. It was $0.99 per square foot which overall cost me $520. Sometimes I’ll use the cheaper turf for putting which isn’t perfect, but it does the job. Also, if you want to make an extra purchase of these turf cutters for $40 these make that work much easier, but if you have something already that you think would work that’s great as well. Another helpful thing to have handy is some carpet tape or velcro which shouldn’t be more than $14, this will hold the corners of the turf to the square tiles.
For the hitting strip, I used to have the Divot Action Mat, but I found that I had to replace the turf on it almost every month, and since the board has a downward divot your shots aren’t very realistic. So to remedy this I made my own in this video for around $60. It just took 3 things; 1 inch thick hitting turf, polycarbonate or plywood, and some construction adhesive. You’ll just need to measure the size of the hitting space then cut that out and make the same shape of turf and plywood or polycarbonate. For my hitting strip I used polycarbonate, but just using plywood would probably give you the same result and be a little more cheap. The homemade hitting strip should last you forever so it is well worth it to take the time to make.
Estimated Cost:$994
Enclosure
I think that the padding on your walls takes your simulator from looking just okay to amazing. I made these vinyl padding tiles, and they cost me around $1,400. If I had gotten all of my resources premade, it would’ve cost $8,000-$10,000. Also, it would’ve been about double if I had paid for a construction company to come in and build it for me. To make my tiles I just used some marine vinyl leather($620), egg crate foam($414), plywood($280), staples($90), and a stapler. They are pretty simple, but they do take some time to put together. I have a video that gives a more detailed breakdown of how to build them. They take LOTS of staples though, around 10,000(120-150/tile). Overall I think building your tiles and enclosure is worth it but it takes some time.
The purpose of the pads is not to prevent bounce back it’s mostly for protecting your walls. Sometimes the board on the bottom of my simulator will get hit and the ball bounces back SUPER fast. To make sure we’re still staying safe I made a bumper to put on the bottom portion of the screen. It’s just made from some extra padding covered in blue cloth that matches the turf. I think it looks pretty good and has made my simulator much more safe.
When looking at the structure of the Simulator most people use 1-inch EMT piping to build a rectangular frame, mine is a little unique from those because I built it in my barn. All you need though is OSB, studs($377), and your vinyl wall panels for your enclosure structure. To hold the screen you’ll need bungees, eyehooks, and tarp clips to hook up the screen with. However, when you build your screen make sure to have the screen be bigger than the opening where you see it on the other side. This is because you’ll want a pretty seamless look for your screen, and you’ll need extra space in the back to ensure this and to be able to hook it up with the bungees and clips.
When it comes to good screens I found an AMAZING screen on Reddit that was a top-secret link to an impact screen that was half off($390). This was still pricey, but well worth it compared to the normal cost of premium impact screens. If you’re interested in purchasing this screen you can reach out to me at my email (golfbustersofficial@gmail.com). If you are getting a different one make sure to get one that’s 3-ply. The one we used at first broke fast because it wasn’t thick enough. Our current one only has one small hole created by a broken driver shaft flying into it. This being said it was a user error, so not a problem with the screen at all. I expect the screen to last me a minimum of 3-5 years if not longer.
For the best use of the simulator make sure to get Titleist RCT balls($70) which you’ll need for the Mevo+. They also work great with the Apogee. The RCT balls should last you the whole winter if not longer. Also, be sure to get some birtees($20) which will last you forever.
Estimated Price: $3325
Launch Monitor
The most important thing about your simulator will be your launch monitor. I have tested almost every launch monitor under $5,000, and the one I would best recommend is the Mevo+. Which you can get the LOWEST possible price on for just $1,800 when you use my discount code GolfBusters10. I recommend getting a battery pack along with the Mevo+ so it doesn’t die while you’re playing. Its accuracy is 98-99% as accurate as monitors on the top of the market for a MUCH lower price.
If you are looking to spend over $5,000 on one of the best of the best launch monitors though, I recommend getting the Apogee. It almost has Siri built into the launch monitor, so you don’t ever have to touch your mouse to control the monitor. Another thing I love about the apogee is the INSANE accuracy. It constantly has AI measuring shots in their lab making the accuracy that much better. It also gives you a video of your club going through impact and your club face with lots of data. To get an Apogee over $1000 off just use my discount code GolfBusters10. If you don’t think either of these is for you and you are considering a different one take this simulator quiz to determine the math for you.
Estimated Price: $5,125
One really important thing is the projector you decide to get, a mount for a projector shouldn’t be much more than $100. I got a projector for $1,290, but I’ve built other simulators for people with a cheaper projector that only costs around $711, which is a great way to save some money. You’ll have to make sure to put it in the right spot so you have a perfect image. For one of the projectors we have suggested, you should put it around 9-10 feet high and 14-18 feet away from the projector.
Estimated Price: $5,976
Computer
You’ll need a PC for a functional simulator for whatever launch monitor you get but you can also connect an iPad if you want to save money depending on if the launch monitor has iPad compatibility. I made my PC, so I had it already, but the PC I’ve sent to some people shouldn’t cost you more than $1,000 to get a PC or an iPad.
Estimated Final Price:$5,976
Add-Ons
One thing I think elevated my simulator to another level is the 65-inch TV($400) I put on the side. This TV is great for viewing shot data or just playing some regular TV while we play a round of golf.
I also have enjoyed having my club holder($43) on my wall which is perfect because instead of searching through my bag for the right club I can just choose from them all lined up on the wall, which I think looks pretty cool as well.
Another thing I think has escalated the play at my simulator is the hole-in-one pot. How it works is to play you put one dollar into the pot, and once someone finally hits a hole in one they get all the money in the pot. Right now the pot is $332, so whenever anyone is close they always get way more excited since there is the hole-in-one pot.
Something you don’t need, but I have found to be very nice is a couch. While people are hitting you can relax with the group on the couch. I found one for a decent price($600) on the Facebook marketplace that works great.
One common thing people ask about is how we navigate all the cords and the internet. I know some people get hotspots for their simulator, but we just ran an ethernet cord from our house to our simulator. Then we run all the cords for the simulator in the ceiling to where it needs to go and cover them with cord concealers. These things all combined shouldn’t cost more than $232.
An add-on that is a fan favorite would have to be the bar. I put a mini fridge($290) under the counter where we put drinks and snacks. This is also a place where you can put a little bag of your extra balls and tees. I have my PC set up at the bar for the simulator, and it doubles as my workstation.
The last cool add-on I made to my simulator was golf pong. I just had to get a 4-inch saw drill bit($15) to attach to my drill. I sawed 6 circles in the style of cup-pong. I just attached the piece of turf to the foam, you can use either glue or the carpet tape you used earlier to do so.
Convincing the Wife
Don’t leave the room labeled as just a golf simulator. Your simulator can be used for SO much more. Your screen can be used as a theater room where you and your family can have movie nights, or you can install a garage door so you can watch a movie and have a fire outside. Another great thing is that the kids can play in the room, and even learn to play golf without having to take them to a course. Another great thing we did is get a hot tub, so while the boys are golfing on the simulator the girls can go chill in the hot tub.
Things I Would Change
There are only 2 things I would change about my simulator as a whole. I would have made the simulator’s bumper 8 inches instead of 12 because people still hit it quite often. Minimizing the size of that would just make that happen a little less. The other change I would make is having the screen either 6 inches to a foot taller. Just to have even more height range when hitting.
Important Links
Master Copy of ALL needed links to build your OWN golf simulator
