Question 1

Does floor projection interfere with camera-based launch monitors?

Accepted Answer

No, floor projection does not interfere with camera based launch monitors. These units rely on infrared light for their cameras and sensors, and standard projectors do not emit meaningful infrared output. Many photometric launch monitors even work reliably in direct sunlight, which contains far more infrared light than a projector, so ambient or floor projected light is very unlikely to cause detection issues.

Question 2

How do I show the SQUARE hitting zone on screen while using GSPro?

Accepted Answer

There is no built in way to display the SQUARE hitting zone inside GSPro, since the zone image only exists in the SQUARE software and only one program can connect to the launch monitor at a time. Workarounds include an overhead projector or a focused spotlight shining down on the correct spot, turning on the ready beep for audio confirmation, and placing a reference ball at the proper distance to the side of the SQUARE as a visual aid. A YouTube hack called SQUARE VISION may also work if you are willing to set it up yourself.

Question 3

Will a $160 Amazon 2K lumen projector work for floor putting line projection?

Accepted Answer

Maybe, and it depends on room darkness and whether a spotlight lights the hitting area. These cheap projectors are not rated in true ANSI lumens, so actual brightness and contrast vary a lot between units, and they typically lack zoom, so image size is controlled only by distance from the floor. In a fully blacked out room they can work, but a spotlight over the hitting area will wash out the image. Buy from Amazon so you can return it if it does not work.

Question 4

How long does a SIGPRO Softy hitting strip typically last?

Accepted Answer

A SIGPRO Softy has been reported to last about two years of regular play before needing replacement. It stays easy on the joints and feels like taking a real divot, punishing fat shots without pain, but it is not the most durable surface and will develop depressions where it gets hit most over time.

Question 5

How to fix Square launch monitor connecting to laptop but not reaching GSPro on host PC?

Accepted Answer

Check the firewall on the host PC first. A common cause is the connection between the Square connector and GSPro being blocked, which you can confirm by pinging the correct IP and port from Command Prompt and manually opening that connection if it is blocked. Also verify the Bluetooth link between the laptop running the Square connector and the launch monitor itself, since a weak Bluetooth signal or outdated firmware can cause the same symptom even when the monitor reads fine on a phone app.

Question 6

Can I trust ProjectorCentral's throw distance calculator for mounting placement?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you entered the correct screen size, projector model, and image height, the calculator's numbers are accurate. Before drilling mounting holes, confirm the position by temporarily setting the projector on a table, chair, or ladder at the calculated spot and checking the image. This proof of concept step catches input errors before you commit to permanent holes, since a small mistake in the numbers can throw the placement off by several inches or feet.

Question 7

How far should a short throw projector be mounted from the impact screen?

Accepted Answer

About 9 feet 8 inches back for a BenQ TK710STI throwing onto a golf simulator impact screen, mounted directly above the hitting area. Before permanently mounting it, place the projector on a table at that distance and check that the image fills the screen top to bottom. Any leftover overfill on the left or right sides can be corrected afterward using a custom resolution setting.

Question 8

What is the best upgrade from a Garmin R10 without a subscription fee?

Accepted Answer

A photometric launch monitor like the Uneekor Nova is a common upgrade path from the R10 that needs no subscription and works for both left and right handed play. Photometric units read short chips and putts far more reliably than radar based units like the R10, which often need a webcam workaround for putting. For a lower budget the SQUARE HE runs about 700 USD indoors only, while the SQUARE OMNI adds outdoor use for about 1600 USD and performs close to a 5000 USD launch monitor.

Question 9

Is a 4K projector worth the extra cost for a golf simulator screen?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your screen size and viewing distance. On a typical 10.5ft by 8ft golf simulator screen, a 4K projector like the Optoma GT2000HDR will actually output around 2880x2160 in the custom aspect ratio used for simulators, not true 4K, but it still looks noticeably sharper than 1080p. If budget is tight, a non 4K projector is fine to start and you can upgrade later; if you can afford it, buy the 4K unit and use its corner correction for off center mounting.

Question 10

Where can I find a checklist or kit for building a golf simulator myself?

Accepted Answer

Use the build kit guide at mysimsetup.com, which lists the parts needed to source everything yourself. Sourcing materials individually through that guide is usually cheaper than buying a turnkey package, while a pre-built kit gets you up and running faster with less research. Choose based on whether you value saving money or saving setup time. See DIY golf simulator build kit checklist: https://www.mysimsetup.com/guide/build-kit

Question 11

What turf should I use to cover a golf simulator room floor that I won't hit off?

Accepted Answer

Cheap green turf from a home improvement store like Lowes or Home Depot works fine for flooring you will not hit off or putt on. Premium putting turf such as Money Putt is built for a true 10 to 11 stimp roll, which only matters if you want a practice putting green feel. For plain floor coverage that just needs to look like turf, there is no need to pay for putting quality.

Question 12

What core components do I need to build a golf simulator setup?

Accepted Answer

You need a screen, projector, frame, turf, hitting strip, and a PC to run the simulation software. You can start cheaper by skipping the screen and projector and hitting into a net while watching ball flight on a TV instead. A hitting strip is worth investing in since it takes the most wear. A SIGPRO Softy hitting strip paired with a SIGPRO 12 enclosure from Shop Indoor Golf has been reported as easy to set up and reliable, and Carl's Place is another option people have had good results with.

Question 13

Can an 11 foot wide golf simulator room fit both righty and lefty golfers?

Accepted Answer

Not comfortably with a radar based launch monitor like a Garmin R10. An 11 foot room forces both handed players to stand near center with hitting areas on either side, so the R10 needs to physically move left and right behind the ball, typically via a sliding track or a fixed mounting plate you swap between positions. The recommended minimum width for accommodating both is 16 feet. Below that, build for your dominant hand first and treat the other as a compromise.

Question 14

Do golf sim tournaments require putting to be set up?

Accepted Answer

No, most tournaments still support play without putting, though some are run in an autoputt format for those who have it. If you plan to add putting later, keep your setup flexible rather than building it out from day one. Key things that affect putting later are whether your launch monitor supports it, whether your hitting strip is smooth enough for a good roll, and whether your hitting area is large enough to fit a putting surface beside the hitting strip.

Question 15

What short throw projector is best around $500 to $600 for a golf simulator?

Accepted Answer

The BenQ TH671ST is generally the best value short throw projector in the $500 to $600 range, new or used. Also watch marketplace listings closely since budget options like the Optoma GT1800 or GT1900 turn up refurbished or used for as little as $200 to $300, offering similar performance for less if you are patient.

Question 16

Should the hitting strip sit flush with the putting turf or higher?

Accepted Answer

The hitting strip should sit about 1/8 to 1/4 inch higher than the surrounding putting turf, not flush. If the two surfaces are perfectly flush, the club head can catch the edge of the putting turf during the swing and rip it. A cutout of cardboard or foam under the hitting strip is enough to create that small height difference on an otherwise even subfloor.

Question 17

How big should a golf simulator room be for one right handed golfer?

Accepted Answer

A minimum of 20 feet wide by 15 feet deep by 10 feet high is the usual starting point for a single golfer swinging from the center, giving enough clearance for both right and left handed swings. Smaller rooms can feel claustrophobic and trigger indoor swing syndrome, where players unconsciously alter their swing to avoid hitting walls or the ceiling. A room built 20 by 14 by 10 feet has been reported to comfortably fit one right handed golfer with a little extra corner space for a second person.

Question 18

How much is the Uneekor license transfer fee when reselling a launch monitor?

Accepted Answer

The transfer fee is $100 per launch monitor device, plus $50 for each hardware add on like Performance Optix, Swing Optix, or Balance Optix. This applies any time the license key changes hands, even if the previous owner only used it briefly. If the transfer happens before a trial period or annual subscription expires, the remaining time carries over to the new owner. Uneekor's original hardware warranty stays with the original purchaser only.

Question 19

Why does GSPro webcam putting speed not match real green stimp feel?

Accepted Answer

Because the GSPro putting chart is calibrated for flat, no-grain putts and does not account for real world factors like grain direction or slope. To make it feel realistic, first measure the actual stimp of your putting surface, then in GSPro set up a putt of that same distance and tune your webcam putting settings until the roll matches your real mat. Once webcam putting is dialed to your surface's true stimp, it will transfer to on course feel at that same stimp.

Question 20

How can I show multiple camera feeds on TVs without a video matrix switch?

Accepted Answer

Use the YouTube TV app's multiview feature to build a custom channel that splits one screen into up to four individual images, each fed from a different camera or source, with no matrix box or extra hardware needed. This works well if four images is enough, for example turning one 98 inch TV into the equivalent of four 49 inch screens. If you need more than four separate feeds or full independent TVs, you still need a physical video switch matched to your TV and input count.

Question 21

How should the bottom of a golf simulator impact screen be secured to the floor?

Accepted Answer

Run the bottom of the screen down into a gap between the hitting mat or turf and the subfloor, about 2 inches deep, so nothing can roll or bounce underneath it. Bolting the screen tight above the turf works too, but a bungee cord tied to angle iron on each side lets the screen give slightly on impact without creating a trampoline effect that sends balls bouncing back oddly.

Question 22

How should a golf hitting mat be resized to avoid standing on the seam?

Accepted Answer

Cut the mat down into a narrower hitting strip rather than replacing the whole mat, trimming only enough to move your stance off the seam so you preserve as much usable mat as possible. Many players use a similar strip setup, with one reporting a 1 foot by 2 foot strip works fine. Also enlarge or replace the surrounding turf so no bare cement is left exposed where the mat used to sit.

Question 23

How do I get a Mevo Plus or Gen2 to register short chip shots under 10 yards?

Accepted Answer

Move closer and switch modes. Stand about 3 to 4 feet in front of the unit for chips under 15 yards instead of the usual 8 feet, and make sure chipping mode is enabled in the FS Golf app before hitting. RCT balls are also recommended for all shots indoors, since without them radar units often produce estimated rather than measured spin numbers, especially on higher speed shots.

Question 24

Why does a golf simulator screen look worse than the image in online videos?

Accepted Answer

Because those videos overlay the clean computer output on top of the footage rather than filming the projected image directly, so the picture always looks sharper than anything a projector can actually produce on a screen. To get closer to that quality on your own setup, check that your projector and graphics card are not stuck in Eco or power saving mode, since that alone can noticeably dull brightness and detail.

Question 25

Is the Big Moss insert the same size as the SIGPRO Softy strip?

Accepted Answer

No, the Big Moss insert is the same width but about 1.75 inches longer than the SIGPRO Softy. It can be trimmed down to fit if needed. It is not worth swapping a SIGPRO Softy strip for a Big Moss insert until the Softy is actually worn out, since players report the Softy holds up well and stays easy on the joints for years of regular play.

Question 26

Can a cheap hitting mat be upgraded without replacing the whole thing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, cut a hole in the old mat and drop in a proper hitting strip. After wearing out a GoSports hitting mat, one setup used a SIG Soft Lite hitting strip cut to fit into a section removed from the GoSports mat, so the surrounding turf and backing stayed usable while only the worn hitting area got replaced. This costs far less than buying a full new mat.

Question 27

How do you extend WiFi from the house to a detached garage golf simulator?

Accepted Answer

Run a physical Ethernet cable rather than relying on a wireless extender or bridge. Wireless extenders like the TP-Link TL-WA850RE can work but have been reported as unreliable, dropping out some days and working fine on others. Running a 30 foot Cat5 Ethernet cable, either buried in a trench or laid along the ground, gives a stable connection, just route it away from mowers or snowblowers if it stays above ground.

Question 28

What kind of tees work best for a golf simulator?

Accepted Answer

Rubber or plastic practice tees made for simulators work best, not real wooden tees, since mats are hit repeatedly. For indoor setups, tethered tees such as K2 tees stay attached to a base so they do not get lost or launched into the screen. Avoid black colored tees outdoors, since they are easy to lose in grass. See K2 tethered simulator tees product page: https://k2golf.com/

Question 29

Why does GSPro use the wrong tee box in a custom SGT league?

Accepted Answer

Check the scorecard for that course on the SGT website before creating the league event, since not every tee color is available on every course. If white tees are not offered, GSPro will default to another tee such as the tips even though white was selected. Pick the yardage that is actually available for that specific course when setting up the event.

Question 30

How wide can a golf simulator screen wall practically go before it gets impractical?

Accepted Answer

Most golf simulator screens are built at 16x9 or 16x10, not full room width. Going wider than about 16 feet edge to edge requires a much brighter and pricier projector, more ceiling height for coverage, and stronger light control, while only a small fraction of that extra screen ever gets hit by shots. For a 22 foot wide room, the more practical route is a 16x10 screen with framed side walls a foot or more deep for ball containment, padding the remaining sides instead of covering the full width.

Question 31

How do you attach putting turf to foam floor tiles in a golf simulator?

Accepted Answer

You do not need adhesive between the turf and the foam. Glue 1 inch foam tiles to the concrete floor first, then lay the putting turf directly on top of the foam without any tape or glue holding the two together. Turf like NP45 or Money Putt is heavy and stiff enough that it just lays flat and stays in place on its own.

Question 32

How do you connect a Golfjoy Spica to GSPro using the Golfjoy Beta connection instead of Open API?

Accepted Answer

Convert your GSPro license from Open API to Golfjoy, then switch to the beta version of GSPro and select the Golfjoy Beta option in the connection dropdown. This gives you access to the impact cam directly inside GSPro without running the Golfjoy software alongside it, which is lighter on the GPU than running both programs at once. Note the on screen ball ready indicator may not turn green even with that setting enabled, so many players just check the green light on the Spica unit itself instead.

Question 33

How to make a Fiberbuilt Player Preferred hitting strip flush with putting turf?

Accepted Answer

Build the surrounding putting turf up on 1 inch gym foam plus turf so it sits level with the hitting strip itself. One setup using a Fiberbuilt Player Preferred 4x10 stance mat with a hitting strip achieved a flush transition between the strip and NP45 putting turf this way. The stance mat's rubber edge still sits about half an inch above the putting surface, but that raised edge is only on the sides and does not interfere with putting through the flush center area.

Question 34

Is SynPutt from Lowes as good as Moneyputt for a golf simulator putting surface?

Accepted Answer

SynPutt is likely fine as a budget option but lacks the attached padding that higher end putting turf like Moneyputt includes, since it is designed to also work outdoors over compacted pea gravel. That padding difference is the main driver of the price gap. Expect SynPutt to wear faster in stance areas and possibly play a bit slower, so pair it with a durable separate stance mat if you go this route.

Question 35

How do you pick between short throw projectors like the BenQ 936ST and 700ST for a golf simulator?

Accepted Answer

Pick based on mounting location, lumens, and throw ratio, not the model name. Measure your exact screen size and hitting stance distance first, then run those numbers through a projector throw calculator to see which units actually fit your ceiling height and mount position. The BenQ 936ST throws 0.61 versus the AK700ST's 0.81, but the 936ST adds vertical and horizontal lens offset for more mounting flexibility. A 16x9 screen works fine with either despite official ratings capping lower.

Question 36

Should pink foam board go under or on top of the turf layer?

Accepted Answer

Put EVA foam tiles on top of the pink foam board, then turf on top of that. Placing turf directly on pink foam board crushes and dents the foam where a player stands, especially at heavier body weights, based on side by side testing of both configurations. The EVA layer spreads out foot pressure so the pink foam underneath keeps its shape over time.

Question 37

What's the best way to control aim in a golf simulator setup, touchscreen or control box?

Accepted Answer

A hybrid setup works best for most players. A dedicated control box handles shot aiming for about 95% of shots since it allows fine adjustments, with keyboard arrows for microtweaking putts. Touchscreen is better suited for user interface tasks like clicking through menus and setting up rounds, plus letting guests aim their own shots from the tee without needing to sit at the computer.

Question 38

How to make OBS change scenes based on club selection in GSPro for floor projection?

Accepted Answer

Use the Advanced Scene Switcher plugin for OBS, not Auto Scene Switcher. It lets you trigger scene changes based on on screen content, either by matching a color or by using OCR to read text values like the selected club, then firing an action when that value changes. For a purpose built option, the OBS_OpenGolfCoach_Plugin on GitHub was made specifically for floor projection overlays like putter reference lines. See OBS plugin built for floor projection overlays: https://github.com/TaylorOpenLaunch/OBS_OpenGolfCoach_Plugin

Question 39

What ceiling height do I need for a golf simulator room?

Accepted Answer

About 10 feet is the usual minimum. With less height, taller golfers can clip the ceiling on the backswing or follow through with drivers and long irons, and flooring or a hitting mat adds extra thickness that eats into that clearance. At 8.75 feet, expect to lose full swings with woods and possibly some irons; someone 6'4" with roughly 10 feet of ceiling can already scrape it with a driver.

Question 40

How do I stop the front edge of a Money Putt hitting strip from lifting up?

Accepted Answer

Secure the hitting strip to the floor with double sided sticky tape or Velcro so it cannot shift when the club catches the front edge. Also raise the hitting strip so it sits about 1/8 to 1/4 inch higher than the surrounding turf, since the club travels farther through the grass than expected and a flush strip can catch and tear, ripping the turf up to an inch in bad cases.

Question 41

How do you play an online multiplayer round with a friend from different homes?

Accepted Answer

Create a room using the invite players option, then give your friend the room name so they can join from the online play menu. Alternatively, create a public room instead of a private one, and your friend can find and join it from the public room list, downloading the course automatically if they do not already have it.

Question 42

How far should a camera-based launch monitor be placed from the screen?

Accepted Answer

Any distance works, unlike radar units such as Rapsodo which need a set minimum distance to track properly. Camera based launch monitors like the Uneekor Spica read the ball and clubhead directly, so placement is flexible. A hitting area 10 to 11 feet from the screen works fine, though the unit needs roughly 5 to 10 inches of ball flight after impact to pick up the shot.

Question 43

How big is the hitting area detection zone on a golf simulator launch monitor?

Accepted Answer

About 12 by 10 feet on a SIGPRO Softy mat, based on real world testing with the Spica launch monitor. The ball reads correctly almost anywhere on the mat except right at the very back edge, and putting is also detected off to the side of the hitting area, not just straight ahead.

Question 44

Can a SkyTrak launch monitor connect to GSPro?

Accepted Answer

Yes, using the Springbok connector, and multiple players have gotten it working successfully. SkyTrak's manufacturer has publicly stated it wants to block GSPro compatibility, but as of now it has not been able to prevent this workaround. Putting performance through this connection has not been confirmed as reliable, so test it before relying on it.

Question 45

How far back should you hit from the screen in a golf simulator enclosure?

Accepted Answer

About 9 to 11 feet back works well, roughly the length of a standard hitting strip. This gives plenty of clearance even when the impact screen frame or mounting supports sit a few feet in front of the hitting area, as with a Protee launch monitor mounted 3 feet ahead of the tee. Enclosure depth and hitting mat length are the main limiting factors.

Question 46

What UPS or surge protector should I use for a golf simulator PC?

Accepted Answer

A 1500VA/900W UPS like the CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD3 works well for a simulator PC with a 1000W power supply, especially in areas with frequent power flickers. Expect the battery to last about 18 months and the sinewave inverter about 3 years before replacement is needed. Buying through a retailer with a strong warranty, such as Costco, is worth it since most UPS units eventually fail.

Question 47

What hitting strip size gives the most flexibility for a golf simulator hitting hole?

Accepted Answer

A 12x30 inch hitting hole gives the most flexibility for fitting different hitting strips, since many popular mats like the Sig Softy only come in 12x28 and won't fill a larger cutout cleanly. If you already have a 12x36 hole, options narrow considerably. When flexibility matters more than a specific mat, build the surrounding floor up first so you can add a hitting strip later rather than cutting a fixed size hole.

Question 48

Why does webcam putting misread the speed of long putts?

Accepted Answer

The camera is likely losing a clean lock on the ball once it travels farther from the tee position, which throws off distance and speed readings. Place three or four balls at increasing distances along the putting path and check the mask window at each spot, the ball must appear as a solid white circle with no other white noise at every position, not just at the starting point. Uneven lighting further down the path is the most common cause of a lost lock, so check that lighting stays consistent 4 to 5 feet from the start.

Question 49

Why does a second monitor change my main display resolution to 1440x1080?

Accepted Answer

This happens because two mirrored displays automatically match to the lower shared resolution and refresh rate, so if either screen is limited to 1440x1080 the whole mirrored setup drops to that. Fix it by opening the Nvidia Control Panel, selecting the affected display, and using the fit to screen or scaling option to force it back. This will not be a perfect native fix, but it removes the stretching and restores a usable picture.

Question 50

Why do GSPro courses sometimes cause weird ball physics like huge side spin or ricochets?

Accepted Answer

Course quality issues, not launch monitor error, usually cause it. GSPro relies on course designers and a small pool of beta testers to check pin placements, stimp, tee boxes, colliders, and hazards, but they rarely play through the whole course multiple times before release. Badly placed colliders or terrain on a rushed or poorly tested course can produce physics glitches that have nothing to do with what the launch monitor actually recorded.

Golf simulator questions, answered by owners

Software (24)

Hitting mats and turf (20)

Launch monitors (15)

Projectors (15)

Enclosures and impact screens (11)

Network, cables and AV (7)

Room size and space (6)

DIY and build (3)

Everything else (2)

Playing and tournaments (1)

Buying and value (1)

Computers (1)

Calibration and alignment (1)

Accuracy and ball data (1)

Lighting (1)