What to Consider When Choosing a Golf Simulator Impact Screen

When choosing a golf simulator impact screen, you should consider picture quality, aspect ratio, durability, size, and enclosure type.

Picture Quality

You want the screen to be of good quality with a clear picture. A poor-quality screen that gives you blurred images can ruin the virtual experience.

For an immersive experience, you want the images to be crisp. Who wants to play Augusta on a blurry and grainy screen?

A white screen with a smooth surface gives you the best picture. And when the weave on the screen is tighter, the picture quality is generally better.

Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio relates to the width and height of your screen. Generally, a 4:3 aspect ratio suits a screen with a square shape. Most screens support this aspect ratio.

However, a 16:9 aspect ratio gives you a wider, more rectangular image on the screen. Therefore, this works better with widescreen golf simulators.

It’s essential to match your screen with the aspect ratio of the projector you’ll use. That ensures the image on the screen will fit perfectly and give you the best experience.

Durability

The durability of a golf impact screen is essential to consider. You don’t want to punch a hole in the screen after a few hits with the driver.

Not only does the screen have to absorb fast ball speeds, but it must do so repeatedly. Therefore, you’ll want a screen that’s made of durable material, like all the screens on our list.

Of course, some screens are more durable than others. So, think about how much you’ll be using the golf simulator screen before buying it. The more you’re going to use it, the more durable you want it to be.

Size

Considering the size of a golf simulator impact screen is crucial. It needs to fit your space, so it’s important to check the minimum space requirements.

The company will provide this information on its website. They’ll give you width, height, and depth measurement requirements.

Some people may be tempted to overlook the depth requirements, but that’s a mistake. This measurement ensures your safety when hitting against the golf impact screen.

Enclosure

You’ll want to consider the enclosure when choosing a golf simulator impact screen. Some screens come without an enclosure, while others have a full enclosure surrounding the screen.

A full enclosure is the best choice for protection and ease of set-up. They have sidewalls and sometimes nets to stop mishits from causing any damage. You’ll be glad of this when it stops a ball from smashing your computer, TV screen or just finished walls.

Also, many enclosures have black sides and upper walls. This stops light from falling on the screen, ensuring you get the best possible picture.

So, consider the enclosure for protection and a better overall golf simulator experience.

Roll Up or Retractable Screen

People with less space or who need to keep their simulator area multi-purpose often choose a roll up type screen.  They mount to a ceiling or wall and get out of the way so you can use the space for things like driving in a car or a workshop.

Typically they are purchased with flooring you can roll up too.

The roll up screens tend to be more costly, need time to be set up if stowed away and you need to add some sort of side protection separately.  People usually choose from three options to add side protection from shanked balls and deflections.  The options are:

a) Padded adjacent walls

b) A curtain system (they retract too)

c) Side netting that gets incorporated to the screen assembly

What Type of Screen Do I Need for a Golf Simulator?

For a golf simulator, you need a heavy-duty golf impact screen that’s tough and durable enough to take the repeated impact. A screen with a double layer or even a triple layer will offer the best durability.

A double-layer impact screen works well for a golf simulator. It’s durable enough to give you a clear picture of the simulation.

However, if you want to use the impact screen for other uses like a home theatre, it’s best to go with a triple-layer screen. This generally has fabric with a tighter mesh that displays an excellent picture for a home theatre, while additional shock-absorbing materials make it perfect for a golf simulator.

Can You Use a Normal Projector Screen for a Golf Simulator?

No, you can’t use a normal projector screen for a golf simulator. Instead, you need to use a golf impact screen for a golf simulator.

Golf balls travel at high speeds, and they’ll easily punch a hole in a standard projector screen. Not only will that ruin the screen, but it’s also dangerous. When the golf ball breaks the screen, it could ricochet and hurt you or someone else.

How Long Do Golf Impact Screens Last?

For personal use, a golf impact screen should last at least one year but usually longer. Of course, it depends on how often you use it and how many golf balls you hit.

Some golf impact screens can last for up to 5000 shots. However, some premium screens can take up to 15000 shots.

How Far Should a Screen Be from a Golf Simulator?

A screen should be at least six feet from a golf simulator, while the maximum distance is about 14 feet. 10 feet is the optimal distance.

However, this depends on the system you’re using too so  always check with the manufacturer to see how far the optimal distance is for their product.

Conclusion

Overall, a full enclosure is the best golf impact screen option. The large screen has HD quality and gives you a clear picture that fills 100% of the screen.

The screen is tough and durable, withstanding golf ball speeds of up to 250 mph. And the sturdy enclosure offers excellent protection to the surrounding area.

A netted cage is the best budget option. You can use it as a projection screen, an impact screen, or a baffle net. It’s great for indoor and outdoor use too so you could keep shorter versicle pipes for indoor use, then in the summer take it outside and use full 10' high vertical posts.