⛳ Is THIS the coolest garage sim?
Sim Weekly by Yardstick Golf
Good Morning, Golfer!!
Happy Open Week! The oldest tournament in golf is back, and it’s the perfect reminder to fine-tune your game. From a killer retractable setup to winning wind tips, we’ve got a “smashing” issue for you this week!
Let’s tee it up. ⬇️
🔥 Plus, scroll for your internet golf find of the week
👀 The Three-Putt: 3 Golf Picks You Can't Miss
📰 Must-Read: Wishing you were in on the action at the British Open? Us too. Check out this Carl’s Place article on how to bring Royal Portrush home.
⛳ Must-Try: British Open bag giveaway alert— PGA Superstore is giving one lucky winner a limited-edition Cobra bag to celebrate.
👀 Must-See: Seen the Happy Gilmore putter on your feed yet? We want your take—does hockey + putting make a hole-in-one, or is this collab a swing and a miss?
⛳ Is THIS the coolest garage sim?
The most common question we hear about golf simulators? How to make them retractable. So, when we spotted this ingenious retractable setup on Reddit with 208 upvotes, we knew we had to get the inside scoop. We caught up with u/joeshmoe9898 for the full breakdown on how to make your screen and hitting mat disappear when you're not in the game. Dive into his expert tips, plus advice for builders on a budget!
1. What inspired you to install a golf simulator, and why did you choose your specific location (garage, basement, spare room, etc.)?
I wanted to be more intentional about practicing and improving and with a young kid, that was getting harder to do. Seeing the setups on Reddit made me realize it’s something I could DIY. I chose my garage because it’s where I had space and it wouldn’t be in the way.
2. Walk us through your decision-making process—what factors influenced your choices for the enclosure, launch monitor, software, and other components?
It definitely snowballed. I knew I wanted a projection sim (not TV + screen). I started with a Bushnell Launch Pro, Gungho retractable screen + side rollers, 4K BenQ, and Sigpro softy 4x7. I did a ton of research, watched YouTube reviews, and created my own spreadsheet before I discovered the one on the subreddit.
The turf in front of the hitting mat was originally just home depot turf. Then I upgraded the launch monitor to the Uneekor Eye XO2, and upgraded the turf to a Birdie Ball putting surface raised by foam workout squares to match the hitting mat height. For software I’ve been using GSPro since the beginning, and I’ve even built a few of my local courses so I can play those as well.
3. What was the most difficult part of setting up your sim, and how did you solve it?
The actual install of the retractable screens and launch monitor was probably the toughest part of the install—mostly because I didn’t have a lot of extra help. My dad and I installed the screens (which required some framing because of the gable roof), then I installed the ceiling net and the launch monitor solo. It was definitely awkward doing it solo and without a flat ceiling. The rest of the setup was pretty straightforward. I remember having some initial issues with the Uneekor but their support was responsive and helped me resolve it within a day or two.
4. Where did you spend the most money in your setup, and do you think it was worth it?
Definitely the launch monitor. The Bushnell Launch Pro was arguably just as accurate, but the ceiling mount for the Uneekor was infinitely more convenient, and I like the larger hitting area. I also like that I don’t have to pay a subscription (I’m on the older Uneekor system with no sub). I ended up spending more than I originally planned because I kept upgrading. Although you can certainly have a fully functional setup for less, I’m very happy with mine.
5. For those on a tight budget, where do you think it's most important to invest in a golf sim setup?
I would probably go with the Uneekor Eye Mini Lite (used), a basic screen (you don’t need retractable), a cheap projector, and cheap PC. I would still go with GSPro.
6. If you could go back and do it again, what would you do differently?
I’m actually in the process of planning and designing a new build. For this I’ll be doing it in a designated room rather than a garage. I’ll have the entire floor be a putting turf (with full depth cups), I’m considering doing Puttview with the FSX Play integration (but it’s very expensive). If I go that direction I’ll do the Foresight Falcon. Beyond that, the only other upgrade (other than a built in sim) might be a touchscreen tv.
7. What’s your favorite part of your setup, and why?
Popping in when I have 30 minutes and playing a beautiful course. The 15’x10’ screen in 4K is awesome.
🔥 Sim Steals and Golf Deals
Top Deals:
Other Deals:
SkyTrak+ Golf Launch Monitor & Simulator | Now $1,995.00 (was $2,495.00)
Golf Club Rack for 6 Clubs | Now $65.99 (was $79.99)
10x7ft Heavy Duty Golf Practice Net | Now $94.99 (was $129.49)
JAYA Golf Hitting Mat | Now $37.99 (was $42.99)
50 Pack Acoustic Foam Panels | Now $53.09 (was $58.99)
🏌️ Winning Wind Practice
We checked the forecast for Royal Portrush, and it's shaping up to be a wet one. As a coastal course, it’s notorious for its wind. While golfers can expect moderate winds this year, they’ll still reach up to 20mph. So, it got us thinking—how do you prepare for a windy round?
We took to YouTube and found this video from Todd Kolb at US Golf TV. Even if Royal Portrush isn’t in your future, windy conditions can strike anytime! Check out these pro tips for hitting your driver in the wind.
Recap: Tips for Hitting Your Driver in the Wind
Tee the ball lower.
Move the ball back slightly in your stance.
Choke down on the club.
These adjustments help reduce ball flight and keep things steady when the wind picks up. And don’t forget to hold your finish!
Happy Watching!
Cheers, golfers! Hope your week is more WTO (Watching The Open) and less WFH. Until next time!
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