How To Choose The Best Golf Impact Screen For Your Golf Simulator

The impact screen of a golf simulator will make all the difference in overall usability and performance. However, with all the different pieces you must put together to set up a great simulator, many golfers are unsure of what they need for a golf simulator screen. Let’s look at how to choose the best impact screen for your golf simulator.

Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Golf Impact Screen For Your Simulator

When you start putting golf simulators together, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all of the different aspects that need to be considered. You will question whether you have enough space, whether your launch monitor is good enough, is the screen material right, and what software is best? Luckily the golf simulator screen should be a relatively easy decision. Keep these things in mind, and you will end up with a great all in one solution for your golf simulator room.

Aspect Ratio

The first thing you need to determine is the aspect ratio of your screen. To get the perfect aspect ratio take into consideration the size of your golf simulator space as well as the projector that you have purchased and its capabilities.

With each aspect ratio, there are different screen sizes that will be available. The typical aspect ratios are 1:1, 4:3, 16:10, and 16:9. When you decide on the aspect ratio, you will then be given screen sizes that range from around 7’7″ to 10’10”.

The idea behind the perfect aspect ratio is that you will want your projected image to fill the entire screen in front of you. If your golf screen has an image that only displays on half of your screen, your golf simulator room will have a completely different feel to it.

Screen Material

Screen size is one of the most critical parts of your golf simulator setup; once you have that figured out, then you can move on to the other most important aspects of a golf simulator setup.

Golf impact screens are made of fiber and mesh sewed together to create a product that will display a clear image while also withstanding the impact of a golf ball. The impact screen material will have a major impact on the total price of the screen you purchase.

If you want a premium golf simulator experience, the fibers on the golf screen must be tightly wound. It is nearly impossible to get a quality image when there are significant gaps in the mesh of your screen. Screen material will have a major impact on the total pricing of your golf simulator screen, but it is perhaps one of the most critical pieces of this puzzle.

Image Quality

The image quality that you get from a golf simulator will be tied into a few things, not just a quality impact screen. Image quality comes from the projector technology, software and the impact screen put together. If you purchase an impressive 4K projector and then pair it with the wrong impact screen, the simulator experience will be underwhelming.

A golf simulator build is something that requires quality equipment throughout the entire process. From the launch monitor to the projector to the golf impact screens, if you are going to put in a golf simulator, it pays to have it be a quality unit.

Finished Edges

The finished edges of a golf simulator screen will impact the overall screen size. When you are purchasing the screen, you must consider the aspect ratio and how much space you have to hang this impact screen.

The finished edges of the screen typically have grommets where you can change the impact screens. This finished edge needs to be durable as it will have some pressure applied to it each time a golf ball hits the center of the impact screen.

Minimal Bounceback

As you shop for high quality impact screens, bounce back is a consideration to keep in mind. Take a look at your golf simulator room dimension and try to think about where a golf ball is going to go when it hits the screen.

For most golfers, it is important to consider not just how much the screen will flex but where the ball will go once it hits. If an impact screen is too tight for your golf simulator room dimensions, chances are the ball will come back at you. It could also do damage to a projector on the ground.

In addition, the golf screen needs to stop a ball from hitting the wall behind it. Most screens that are available for purchase when you shop indoor golf simulator supplies will give you an idea of the bounce back to expect. In addition, you must also install your impact screens according to the recommendations from the manufacturer.

Shape

The aspect ratio is going to play into the dimensions of your home simulator and the overall shape. Golf simulator owners typically find that a large rectangular shape with a taller ceiling gives the best overall experience. For some smaller spaces, a square screen may be the only option to get a high quality image.

Take careful measurements not just of your wall space where the impact screen will go but also the entire room and dimensions.

Noise

When you hit a ball into the impact screen, it will make a noise. Some of the materials used will dull the impact noise a bit, and others are loud. If your simulator setup is in a large basement or garage area, the noise may not bother you. However, in a small room, the noise can be really loud. Look for an impact screen that has some noise dampening features to help combat this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you have a better idea of what to look for in a golf simulator screen, it’s time to answer a few of the questions that we are most commonly asked about these golf simulator accessories.

What type of screen do I need for a golf simulator?

For a golf simulator, you will need an impact screen. Most impact screens are made from ballistic grade material, and they can withstand golf shots at over 100mph. The golf simulator screens are made of heavy duty material, and they will also be able to project a perfect image.

Many golfers will try and cut corners when it comes to the ideal impact screen and use something that is not built for golf. The end result could be ricocheting balls, rips in the screen, and poor projected image.

Golf simulators can work with a computer or tablet, although it will change the experience. Until you have the budget to purchase a high quality golf simulator screen, it is often best to wait.

With the 4:3 aspect ratio, you can see that the heights are all ten feet or above. This is ideal for a golf simulator set up because of the clearance needed for a golfer to swing the club properly. Another popular screen size is the 16:9 aspect ratio, but the problem with this is that you will need quite a bit of width. The size of your room will impact the screen that you can choose.

How tall should the golf impact screen be?

The minimum height of the golf impact screen is about eight feet, but this will not work well for a taller golfer. The 9 to 10 foot range is really what is needed for a high quality image that projects across the entire screen. For the best overall experience, the image must display across the entire screen.

How much are golf impact screens?

Golf impact screens will vary in price depending on the manufacturer and the materials and size. Most will be in the $300 to $1000 range. Another option golfers have is a full enclosure that will have an impact screen on the far end and then nets down both sides. This can be a great way to protect your space.

Top Golf Simulator Screen Options

There are many different simulator screens to choose from; here are a few that are worth looking into.

Cimmaron Sports Extra Heavy Duty Screen Enclosure

Easy Sim Kit Simulator Impact Screen

Golfbays Indoor Golf Simulator Screen

Recap

Hopefully, you feel as though you have a better idea of what it takes to choose the best impact screen for your simulator. Each part of the golf simulator buying process takes a good amount of research and understanding. Many golfers end up purchasing a package system so that they don’t have to worry about these individual benefits and flaws. However, if you can learn what it takes to get a high-quality screen, you can put an excellent golf simulator room together.