Safety Warning: Indoor golf carries risks. Please read our Full Safety Disclaimer before building.
The biggest lie in the golf simulator industry is the “Enclosure Kit.”
Go to any major retailer, and you will see metal frames selling for $2,500 to $4,000. They look slick. They promise an easy setup.
But if you look closely at the specs, you will realize something annoying: It’s just EMT pipe. The same conduit pipe you can buy at Home Depot for $20 a stick.
At SimGolfLab, we believe you should spend your money on the tech (Launch Monitor, PC, Projector), not on metal tubes.
This guide is the official SimGolfLab “Divorce-Proof” Enclosure. It costs roughly $500, requires zero sewing, and you can build it this Saturday.
The Specs (What We Are Building)
We are building a “standard garage” sized cage. It fits in a typical bay while leaving room for the garage door opener.
- Width: 10 Feet (fits standard impact screens)
- Height: 8 Feet 6 Inches (fits under 9ft ceilings)
- Depth: 5 Feet (catches shanks, saves floor space)
Phase 1: The Shopping List
You need to make two stops: Home Depot (for the heavy stuff) and Amazon/Specialty (for the connectors and screen).
Stop 1: Home Depot (The Hardware)
Walk into the electrical aisle. Do not buy PVC pipe (a golf ball will shatter PVC and send shrapnel into your eye). You need 1-Inch EMT Conduit.
(Note: We don’t link these because shipping 10ft pipes is expensive. Go buy them locally).
| Item | Quantity | Description | Est. Cost |
| 1″ EMT Conduit | 11 Sticks | 10-foot lengths (Steel) | ~\250 |
| Pipe Insulation | 12 Sticks | Foam tubes (Pool noodle style) for 1″ pipe | ~\30 |
| Duct Tape | 1 Roll | Black Gorilla Tape | ~\10 |
Stop 2: Online Orders (The “Engine”)
Home Depot does not sell 3-way corner connectors for EMT. You must order these online.
1. The Corner Fittings (Crucial)
You need steel fittings that lock into place. Do not use plastic.
- Buy: 1-Inch EMT Canopy Fittings (Kit).
- Quantity: You need at least 6 “3-Way Corners” and 2 “2-Way L-Corners.”
2. The Impact Screen (Do Not Cheap Out)
You can use a cheap tarp for the sides, but do not use a cheap tarp for the screen. It will look like a wrinkled bedsheet and is louder than a gunshot when hit.
- The Pick: GoSports Golf Simulator Impact Screen.
- Note: Select “Finished Edges with Grommets.” Do not buy raw fabric unless you own an industrial sewing machine.
- Size: 8′ x 10.5′ (4:3 Aspect Ratio).
3. The Tools & Fasteners
- 6-inch Ball Bungees (50 Pack) – To hold the screen.
- Heavy Duty Tarp Clips – To clip side protection.
- Tube Cutter – Ensure it is rated for steel/EMT, not just copper.
Phase 2: The Cut List (The “Ikea” Instructions)
Take your 11 sticks of 10-foot conduit. Clear a space in the driveway. Here is exactly where to cut.
(Pro Tip: De-burr the edges! After cutting, use a metal file to smooth the sharp edge so it doesn’t slice your screen).
1. The Width (Top & Bottom)
- Take 2 Sticks.
- Cut: NOTHING. Leave them at 10 Feet.
- Label these: “Top Crossbar” and “Bottom Crossbar.”
2. The Height (Legs)
- Take 4 Sticks.
- Cut: Cut them down to 8 Feet 6 Inches.
- Label these: “Vertical Legs.”
- (Save the scraps).
3. The Depth (Sides)
- Take 4 Sticks.
- Cut: Cut them down to 5 Feet.
- Label these: “Side Depth.”
4. The Spare
- You have 1 Stick left. Keep it. If you mess up a cut, this is your insurance policy.
Phase 3: The Assembly
Step 1: Build the Roof on the Ground
Lay out the Top Crossbar (10ft) and two Side Depth bars (5ft). Connect them using two 3-Way Corners. Tighten the eye-bolts on the connectors. You now have a “U” shape on the floor.
Step 2: Raise the Roof
Lift the front of the “U” shape and insert two Vertical Legs. Now the front of your cage is standing. Insert the back legs.
- Note: The bottom rear corners should use the 2-Way “L” fittings (since there is no bar running across the back of the floor).
Step 3: The “Shank Tank” Protection
Take your Pipe Insulation. Snap it over the vertical legs and the top crossbar. Use the Gorilla Tape to secure it.
- Why? If you hit a hosel rocket (shank) into a bare steel pole, the ball will ricochet back at your face at 100mph. The foam kills the bounce. Do not skip this.
Step 4: Hang the Screen
- Use the Ball Bungees. Loop them through the grommets on the screen and wrap them around the pipe.
- Lab Tip: Start with the top corners, then the bottom corners. Then fill in the sides. This prevents wrinkles.
- Gap Check: There should be a 2-3 inch gap between the screen and the pipe. The bungees act as shock absorbers.
Phase 4: The “Blackout” (Optional)
Right now, you have a screen and a skeleton frame. If you shank a ball, it will fly through the side gaps.
To finish the “Simulator Look”:
- Buy Black Commando Cloth or Heavy Black Curtains.
- Use the Tarp Clips to clip the fabric to the top and side pipes.
- This creates a “Black Box” that stops stray balls and makes the projected image look brighter and richer.
“I Have More Money Than Time…” (The Upsell)
Does cutting metal pipe in your driveway sound like hell? I get it.
If you want this exact setup delivered to your door in a box—pre-cut, color-coded, and with custom nylon pads—you can buy a kit. It costs about $300-$500 more than the DIY route, but it saves you the trip to Home Depot.
The Best “Done-For-You” Alternative:
The Spornia SPG-7 uses the same dimensions but comes with premium corner pads and a weighted impact screen.
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