Indoor practice setup

[Bigjim1022]

This may be the wrong forum but we'll start here.  Towards the end of this season I was playing some of my worst golf in awhile.  I decided that it was time to get some lessons and commit to getting better.  Lessons and practice have helped and I'm back to shooting scores at least as good as before my swing fell apart.  Problem is, I'm in VT and our season is pretty much done.  I want to keep practicing over the winter and keep improving so I am thinking of building an indoor practice net/hitting area for my garage.  

 

I won't be doing a sim, don't have the $$ for that and it needs to be somewhat portable as I'll need to get my car in there as well.  I've done some searches and read some other threads but was hoping to get some first hand recommendations.  Garage is pour concrete floor (like many garages I'm guessing) and the ceilings are high enough that I think I can hit every club in my bag-maybe not driver.  It fits a Dodge Durango so while I don't know exact dimensions there is space.  

 

I know I need a net and a mat to hit off of so what have you guys used with success and what am I not thinking of?  

Thank you!

[khalespace]

What is the point of hitting ball and having no idea of how far it goes, direction?

 

You need at least 9.5" ceiling space. You can do a portable, inexpensive simulator like the Garmin R10 ($600). 

Hitting Mat

Hitting Net - portable

Ipad or Iphone - use an Iphone/Ipad to HDMI cable to TV on the wall

 

You will need at least $1,000 assuming you already have a TV and Iphone or Ipad.

 

[Bigjim1022]

25 minutes ago, khalespace said:

What is the point of hitting ball and having no idea of how far it goes, direction?

 

You need at least 9.5" ceiling space. You can do a portable, inexpensive simulator like the Garmin R10 ($600). 

Hitting Mat

Hitting Net - portable

Ipad or Iphone - use an Iphone/Ipad to HDMI cable to TV on the wall

 

You will need at least $1,000 assuming you already have a TV and Iphone or Ipad.

 

I can still work on mechanics, impact position etc. 

 

Any recs on a good net?  Mat? 

[sprcoop]

I'm in AZ so year round outdoor golf is a given and I still put up a PVC net with mat in my back yard.  I'm very happy with my C grade Rawhide mat for $100.  You know when you hit it fat.  No problems with wrists or elbows and I trended towards golfers elbow before I ever got it.   YMMV.

 

The setup cost me less than $300 (net, PVC, mat) and I've saved half that in range balls already.  The convenience is worth something also.

 

I got a PRGR Red Eyes a couple years ago ($92 included shipping) that works well and I'm only about 8' from the net.  CHS, BS and total distance only but useful.  Even if I don't play or go to the range for a couple weeks I don't have any big surprises with ball flight.

 

At about 300 balls a week I will be dead before it wears out.  After 6 months I see no wear.  My C grade mat looks much better than the example of a C grade they picture.

 

https://rawhidegolfball.com/collections/golf-mats

[DallasDan]

I'm 6ft tall. You need at least 10 foot high ceilings to hit driver. 

 

My simulator upstairs is in an 18x13 room which is plenty of space for just a single person to practice. If you're hitting into a net I would think that 10 ft of width is enough and about 15 ft of length. I'm sure you can squeeze into a tighter space than 10x15 but then you would be messing with the mental part of your game .....am i going to hit the wall or not? 

[khalespace]

1 hour ago, Bigjim1022 said:

I can still work on mechanics, impact position etc. 

 

Any recs on a good net?  Mat? 

I have fiberbuilt mat, but it is at $500. I have wrist pain when hitting into regular mats, fiberbuilt mats have grass in the hitting area that lessens the impact on the wrists.

For the net, get archery nets. They last longer and more quiet.

You also need a landing mat. I used Craigslist to buy an 8x10 remnant artificial grass for $1 a square feet. They have these left over after big jobs.

 

I think it is just a little more fun and effective if you are able to see ball flight and distance just to validate your drills and practice.

 

Here is my simulator.

Edited October 29, 2021 by khalespace

[Cliffy2020]

Here’s my winter practice set up for the last 4 years.  Paired up with Mirror Vision app I can goof off all winter long.

 

Edited October 29, 2021 by Cliffy2020

[Bigjim1022]

1 hour ago, khalespace said:

I have fiberbuilt mat, but it is at $500. I have wrist pain when hitting into regular mats, fiberbuilt mats have grass in the hitting area that lessens the impact on the wrists.

For the net, get archery nets. They last longer and more quiet.

You also need a landing mat. I used Craigslist to buy an 8x10 remnant artificial grass for $1 a square feet. They have these left over after big jobs.

 

I think it is just a little more fun and effective if you are able to see ball flight and distance just to validate your drills and practice.

 

Here is my simulator.

Wow that's a sweet setup, I like the idea of the Fiberbuilt mat too.  Giving some consideration the a Sim I just don't know If I have enough garage space for the 6' behind and 8' in front to catch flight.  Going to measure tonight.  

[Bigjim1022]

56 minutes ago, Cliffy2020 said:

Here’s my winter practice set up for the last 4 years.  Paired up with Mirror Vision app I can goof off all winter long.

 

I like that net, where did you get it?  

[Precis1on]

38 minutes ago, Bigjim1022 said:

Wow that's a sweet setup, I like the idea of the Fiberbuilt mat too.  Giving some consideration the a Sim I just don't know If I have enough garage space for the 6' behind and 8' in front to catch flight.  Going to measure tonight.  

 

You should have just enough for radar flight, but would probably recommend a camera based sim either way. 

[jmevox]

I have the fiberbuilt mat and the net return pro which is imo the best net you can buy. I personally would never practice by just hitting into a net though without a launch monitor. I use skytrak. How would you know if you’re hitting bad hooks or slices? Then you’re just practicing the same mistake over and over. 

[Bigjim1022]

1 hour ago, Precis1on said:

 

You should have just enough for radar flight, but would probably recommend a camera based sim either way. 

Camera based sim?  How do I tell which is which?  Sorry, this is a new foray in the golf world for me.  I hadn't really considered a sim or MLM with any level of seriousness until well...today LOL

[PoeKingShankspeare]

There are many ways to make an indoor hitting bay with less money. If you're handy with tools, you shouldn't be spending lots of money. You can use drop cloth, PVC, straps. For the mat, you can get one on Ebay, Amazon, or do what I did... I went to a local range and asked if they have mats they are getting rid of. I got two used one which are industrial made and they are still usable for they don't hurt my wrist or hands. I also have another mat (3-1) I got from amazon that's less than $40.

 

I have a decent set up and soon to have a sim... And since I don't have a sim yet, I use paper targets. I hang half sheets of paper on my net (on different parts of my net) and hit them with my full swings. I also flop over my net as part of my practice. My wall is protected with a drop cloth that hangs behind my net. And velcro'd to my wall are foam used packaging and egg crate type foam for extra protection. the drop cloth hides the foam..... the net, I got from amazon for $50 -$60 two years ago and it's held up great. I use my hitting bay at least 3 times a week. 

 

Once my Sim arrives, I'll replace my set up with a impact screen......

[Bigjim1022]

56 minutes ago, PoeKingShankspeare said:

There are many ways to make an indoor hitting bay with less money. If you're handy with tools, you shouldn't be spending lots of money. You can use drop cloth, PVC, straps. For the mat, you can get one on Ebay, Amazon, or do what I did... I went to a local range and asked if they have mats they are getting rid of. I got two used one which are industrial made and they are still usable for they don't hurt my wrist or hands. I also have another mat (3-1) I got from amazon that's less than $40.

 

I have a decent set up and soon to have a sim... And since I don't have a sim yet, I use paper targets. I hang half sheets of paper on my net (on different parts of my net) and hit them with my full swings. I also flop over my net as part of my practice. My wall is protected with a drop cloth that hangs behind my net. And velcro'd to my wall are foam used packaging and egg crate type foam for extra protection. the drop cloth hides the foam..... the net, I got from amazon for $50 -$60 two years ago and it's held up great. I use my hitting bay at least 3 times a week. 

 

Once my Sim arrives, I'll replace my set up with a impact screen......

Which sim did you go with?  This thread sent me down an entirely different rabbit hole I wasn’t expecting.  Looking at the Garmin R10 but haven’t read enough about it to decide if that’s the best way to go!

[PoeKingShankspeare]

7 minutes ago, Bigjim1022 said:

Which sim did you go with?  This thread sent me down an entirely different rabbit hole I wasn’t expecting.  Looking at the Garmin R10 but haven’t read enough about it to decide if that’s the best way to go!

Garmin Approach R10.... the only thing with the shipping crisis, it's a very long wait. Good luck in finding a faster shipping... Mine should arrive next month around thanksgiving.. I ordered mine back in the end of Sept.

Edited October 29, 2021 by PoeKingShankspeare

[Bigjim1022]

2 minutes ago, PoeKingShankspeare said:

Garmin Approach R10.... the only thing with the shipping crisis, it's a very long wait. Good luck in finding a faster shipping... Mine should arrive next month around thanksgiving.. I ordered mine back in the end of Sept.

Yeah I saw the estimated wait time is 5-8 weeks. Seems like that one would be decent for indoor and outdoor (if I choose) uses.  Plus I have a Garmin watch that I really like and already use the Garmin golf app.  

[Precis1on]

4 hours ago, Bigjim1022 said:

Camera based sim?  How do I tell which is which?  Sorry, this is a new foray in the golf world for me.  I hadn't really considered a sim or MLM with any level of seriousness until well...today LOL

 

Normally two options for launch monitors. Doppler radar or camera based. You generally need more space for Doppler to be accurate (Trackman, Flightscope, Garmin). Dopplers sit behind you and need space. The top end Dopplers like Trackman are highly touted for their accuracy. Camera based (Foresight, Skytrak) are also quite good, and require much less space to perform, especially behind the golfer. They sit adjacent to the ball. The top end camera based GCQuad from Foresight is also quite accurate and trusted by tour pros. 

[Bigjim1022]

2 hours ago, Precis1on said:

 

Normally two options for launch monitors. Doppler radar or camera based. You generally need more space for Doppler to be accurate (Trackman, Flightscope, Garmin). Dopplers sit behind you and need space. The top end Dopplers like Trackman are highly touted for their accuracy. Camera based (Foresight, Skytrak) are also quite good, and require much less space to perform, especially behind the golfer. They sit adjacent to the ball. The top end camera based GCQuad from Foresight is also quite accurate and trusted by tour pros. 

Thank you, makes much more sense now!

[Motoboss]

ok, so I call it my “low cost” practice build and in reality it is, comparatively.  I bought these parts one or two at a time until I had a setup I was happy with. Fortunately I have a one car attached garage which I used for my motorcycle, but now without one I put it to better use than storage. The area is insulated but without permanent heating but a space heater works fine down into the 20”s C. The flooring is just old carpet or discarded rugs  accumulated over time with one inch foam squares under the net area to absorb ball rebound. I can chip, easy wedge through rescue/hybrid but mainly a 7 iron is a perfect club. It all just works!
 

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PUTTING GREEN

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[me05501]

I've made a little hitting station in my workshop that's good up to about a 4 iron. 

 

The blanket I added after hitting about five balls total. I'm so close to the net that the balls hit it carrying a lot of speed. The blanket helps absorb the impact. 

I get some idea of the starting direction of the shot based on where the ball falls after it hits, but mostly I'm judging based on the quality of contact.

 

As for distance, I have a Swing Caddie SC200 that is on most of the time that I'm practicing. It estimates the distance of the shot and announces it out loud.  Hearing the distance of each shot is helpful in terms of having a feedback loop between my intent, my swing, and the results in terms of quality of contact and distance.

 

I've learned to accurately estimate the distance number before I hear it simply based on the quality of contact that I feel, the balance of my follow-through, etc. I'll hit a shot and imagine the number and it is often confirmed by the SC200. Hopefully this is helping me create new neural pathways to connect good intent and technique with good results. It feels a lot better than hitting and hoping! 

 

Lately my routine has been to warm up with some rope swings, then hit about 20 balls with a Whippy Tempomaster 6 iron (similar to Lag Shot trainer) followed by a total of maybe ten balls with my own 7 iron.

 

The Whippy club is phenomenal for tempo/speed training as it is totally unforgiving of any swings that aren't smooth and balanced, and it encourages you to gradually accelerate the club from the top. You can't manhandle it...you have to turn and keep turning. It has really helped my quality of contact and path issues. I hit the Whippy 6 iron and my own 7 iron the same distances, which makes sense as the club lengths and lofts are very similar (back when my Whippy was made a 6 iron was still a 6 iron). 

 

I limit my "live" swings to 10-12 because A) I don't want to lose the feel of the Whippy swing and 2) I don't want to beat my hands and elbows to bits using the mat.  

 

Edited January 27, 2022 by me05501