By Randy – GolfLab360.com
The idea of transforming my garage into a full golf simulator bay had been in my head for years. In 2023, I finally committed to doing it. I wanted a space that wasn’t just functional — I wanted it to feel like a dedicated golf environment. Clean. Organized. And accurate.
This is the full story of how I converted a standard garage into a fully operational home golf simulator, the problems I ran into, the solutions I had to figure out, and what I wish I had known before I started.
Preparing the Garage (Early 2023)
I realized early on that building a simulator is only half the job — the other half is everything around it.
Before any enclosure or launch monitor could go up, I upgraded the garage itself:
1. Epoxy Flooring
This instantly changed the space. Durable, clean, sharp-looking.
(Thanks to Tony Bodak at Premier Garage for handling both the flooring and custom storage.)
2. Custom Storage
I didn’t want tools, bins, or random garage clutter creeping into the simulator bay. The storage redesign kept everything tight and organized.
3. Heating & Cooling
A cold garage in winter and a humid one in summer isn’t ideal for golf — or electronics.
(The ductless mini split install was done by Luxury Heating.)
4. Garage Door Opener Rework
Because I planned to install an overhead launch monitor, I needed room for a full swing arc. The existing opener had to be relocated and reworked.
(Handled by Action Garage.)
The prep work alone took weeks, but once it was done, the garage finally felt like a space ready to become a simulator bay.
Building the Enclosure
The enclosure itself was a project-within-a-project.
Mislabelled Frame Components
Some of the frame sections were labeled incorrectly. I built the enclosure once, stepped back, and immediately noticed two sections were reversed, which threw the entire frame out of alignment. I had to disassemble part of it and rebuild it in the correct order.
Help Videos Were Incomplete
Some steps weren’t shown at all. I spent a ridiculous amount of time pausing, rewinding, and comparing angles in the videos.
Screen Tension Balancing
Too loose? Wrinkles.
Too tight? Hot-spotting and stress marks.
It took micro-adjustments and several retries to get it right.
But when the enclosure was finally square, level, and tensioned, the space instantly looked like a simulator.
Installing the Projector & Launch Monitor (Summer 2023)
This is where the engineering side of things kicked in. Everyone underestimates how technical projector placement and launch monitor calibration are until they do it.
I chose the Uneekor Eye XO, the overhead-mounted model available at the time.
Projector Installation Challenges
1. Throw Distance Confusion
Depending on who I spoke to or which calculator I used, I was given up to three different mounting distances.
Once installed, the image overshot the screen by several inches. The fix? Moving the projector 2.5 inches forward — a tiny adjustment with a huge effect.
2. Keystone & Focus Issues
I initially relied heavily on keystone correction, which caused:
- Blurred edges
- Uneven focus across the screen
- A slight trapezoid effect
The solution meant repositioning the mount, re-leveling it, and minimizing keystone correction to under 5 degrees.
3. Shadow Problems
During testing, I noticed a subtle shadow appearing near my backswing and follow-through — common in garage builds.
I corrected it by adjusting both the projector height and the screen angle. Another small adjustment, but worth every minute.
Uneekor Eye XO Installation & Calibration
Installing the Eye XO introduced its own challenges — all solvable, but only with patience.
1. Alignment of the Hitting Zone
The Eye XO uses a very specific 3.5′ × 5′ hitting zone.
I initially mounted the unit ¾” off-center, which caused slight misreads in club path.
Re-leveling and re-centering fixed it.
2. Sticker-Based Club Data
The Eye XO requires reflective club stickers for tracking clubface and path.
I had to reapply them twice because the initial placement caused inconsistent readings.
3. Lighting Interference
Under certain lighting conditions, the hitting mat reflected light toward the sensors.
The solution: switching to 5000K daylight LED bulbs and angling the fixtures slightly away from the hitting area.
4. Calibration Drift
After the first calibration, ball speed numbers fluctuated.
Recalibrating on a completely level hitting surface fixed the issue — but I learned to always mark the hitting mat’s exact position.
Once dialed in, the Eye XO delivered rock-solid accuracy.
Final Setup & Completion (Fall 2023)
The last phase was the most fun:
- Tuning projector brightness and focus
- Installing the hitting mat and alignment guides
- Integrating sound and software
- Running test shots (a lot of them)
- Fine-tuning chipping and putting data
- Cleaning all cable runs and trim work
By the end of 2023, what started as a garage had officially transformed into a fully functional, polished garage golf simulator.
Was It Worth It? Absolutely — But Not Easy
A proper simulator build involves far more than people think:
- Room prep
- Lighting
- Electrical
- Ceiling geometry
- Precise measurements
- Screen tension
- Launch monitor calibration
- Projector math
- Trial and error
A lot of things need to go right.
That’s why I share these experiences — because even with a turnkey package, it’s not turnkey. And if you’re thinking about building your own, I want you to know exactly what you’re stepping into.
What I Learned (And What You Should Know)
✔️ Screen size will always feel smaller in person — go bigger
✔️ Your projector won’t be perfect on the first attempt
✔️ The Eye XO is incredibly accurate once perfectly aligned
✔️ Lighting is more important than people realize
✔️ Garage preparation is half the battle
✔️ Small adjustments (¼”–1″) make massive differences
Planning Your Own Simulator Build?
Whether you’re thinking about:
- A DIY golf simulator
- An overhead launch monitor setup
- A garage conversion
- Projector or screen sizing
- Calibration issues
- Equipment selection
I’m happy to help.
Send me your questions on GolfLab360.com, and I’ll share what I’ve learned.
If you’d like, I can now: