How to Build a $50,000 Golf Simulator For $5,976!
Table of Contents
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.
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
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 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
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
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
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