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Why Your Screen Choice Matters
The impact screen takes every shot. It needs to stop 150+ mph golf balls, display crisp projected images, absorb sound, and last for years. A cheap screen fails in months. A quality screen becomes invisible - you stop thinking about it entirely.
Here's how to choose the right one.
Impact Screen Basics
What Impact Screens Do
- Stop the ball safely without damaging walls behind
- Display projected images with proper brightness and color
- Absorb sound to reduce the "thwack" of impact
- Last for years under repeated abuse
Materials
Woven polyester (most common)
- Tight weave stops balls effectively
- Good projection surface
- Various weights and qualities
Ballistic nylon
- Military-grade durability
- Excellent ball stopping
- Higher price point
Golf-specific composites
- Engineered for optimal projection
- Enhanced sound dampening
- Premium pricing
Top Impact Screens Ranked
#1 Carl's Place Impact Screen - Best Overall
Carl's Place dominates the home simulator market for good reason. Their screens offer excellent quality at reasonable prices.
Available sizes: 8x8 to 16x10 feet Price range: $150-400
Why we recommend it:
- Excellent projection surface - bright, accurate colors
- Good ball stopping - appropriate for driver speeds
- Sound dampening - quieter than many competitors
- Affordable - best value in the market
- Easy installation - grommets included
- Proven durability - thousands of satisfied users
Considerations:
- Not the absolute quietest option
- Premium screens exist for those wanting more
Best for: Most home simulator builds. The value-to-quality ratio is hard to beat.
#2 HomeCourse Pro Screen - Best Premium
HomeCourse screens are the choice for premium builds where quality trumps cost.
Available sizes: Custom and standard sizes Price range: $400-800
Why it's premium:
- Superior projection quality - designed for optimal gain
- Exceptional durability - commercial-grade construction
- Quieter impact - better sound absorption
- Seamless appearance - no visible stitching or seams in viewing area
- Professional finish - looks like a commercial bay
Considerations:
- 2-3x the price of Carl's Place
- Overkill for budget builds
Best for: Premium builds, professional installations, or those who want the absolute best.
#3 Carl's Place Premium - Best Mid-Range
Carl's upgraded offering bridges the gap between their standard screen and premium competitors.
Price range: $250-500
Why consider it:
- Better projection surface than standard
- Quieter impact
- Same proven Carl's quality and support
- More affordable than HomeCourse
Best for: Those wanting better than standard without premium pricing.
#4 DIY Screens - Best Budget
For extremely tight budgets, DIY options exist:
Blackout cloth: $50-100
- Works in a pinch
- Poor durability
- Subpar projection quality
Commercial projection fabric: $100-200
- Better projection than blackout
- Questionable ball-stopping durability
- Requires careful selection
Considerations:
- False economy in most cases
- Risk of ball breakthrough
- Replace sooner than quality screens
Best for: Temporary setups or extremely limited budgets.
Screen Size Guide
Minimum Sizes
| Use Case | Minimum Width | Minimum Height | |----------|---------------|----------------| | Net only (no projection) | 8 ft | 7 ft | | Basic simulator | 10 ft | 8 ft | | Full simulator | 12 ft | 9 ft | | Premium/wide view | 14+ ft | 10 ft |
Sizing for Your Space
Measure your space:
- Wall width available for screen
- Ceiling height minus frame and mounting hardware
- Distance from hitting position to screen
Screen should be:
- At least 2 feet wider than your stance
- Tall enough to display full ball flight arc
- Proportioned to your projector's aspect ratio (usually 16:9)
Our Recommendations
| Room Width | Screen Size | Notes | |------------|-------------|-------| | 10 ft | 8x8 ft | Tight but workable | | 12 ft | 10x8 ft | Good for most | | 14 ft | 12x9 ft | Comfortable | | 16+ ft | 14x10 ft | Premium experience |
Frame Options
The screen needs something to hang on. Options range from DIY to professional.
DIY PVC Frame ($50-100)
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Easy to assemble
- Customizable
Cons:
- Can flex on impact
- Less professional appearance
- May require reinforcement
Best for: Budget builds, temporary setups
DIY Metal Conduit Frame ($100-200)
Pros:
- More rigid than PVC
- Still affordable
- Good durability
Cons:
- Harder to cut and assemble
- Needs proper connectors
Best for: Budget builds wanting more rigidity
Carl's Place Pro Frame ($400-600)
Pros:
- Engineered for golf simulator use
- Easy assembly
- Proper screen tensioning
- Professional appearance
- Adjustable
Cons:
- Higher cost than DIY
Best for: Most permanent installations
Commercial Enclosures ($800-2,000)
Full enclosure systems with side nets, ceiling baffles, and integrated frames.
Pros:
- Complete solution
- Maximum protection
- Professional finish
Cons:
- Highest cost
- May be overkill for home use
Best for: Premium builds, commercial installations
Installation Tips
Screen Tensioning
Proper tension is critical:
- Too loose: ripples distort projected image
- Too tight: stress on grommets, uneven wear
Methods:
- Bungee cords (most common) - provide some give on impact
- Rope/paracord - tighter tension, less movement
- Turnbuckles - adjustable tension, professional look
Distance from Wall
Leave 6-12 inches between screen and back wall:
- Allows ball deceleration
- Reduces wear on screen
- Quieter operation
- Prevents wall damage
Screen Height
Bottom of screen should be 6-12 inches off floor:
- Allows air circulation
- Easier cleaning
- Reduces low-ball wear
Projector Alignment
- Center projector with screen center
- Minimize keystone correction (distorts image)
- Test full image coverage before finalizing
Screen Care and Maintenance
Regular Maintenance
Weekly:
- Inspect for wear spots (especially center)
- Check tension and adjust if needed
Monthly:
- Clean with damp cloth if dusty
- Inspect grommets and attachment points
- Check frame stability
Extending Screen Life
- Vary your hitting position - moves wear spot around
- Use proper golf balls - range balls wear screens faster
- Control temperature - extreme cold makes material brittle
- Avoid moisture - can cause mold and material degradation
When to Replace
Signs your screen needs replacement:
- Visible thinning or wear-through risk
- Permanent discoloration affecting projection
- Loss of ball-stopping capability
- Torn grommets causing tension issues
Common Questions
Q: Can I use a white bedsheet?
Technically yes, but it won't stop balls safely and wears through quickly. Don't risk damage to your walls, equipment, or yourself.
Q: How long do screens last?
Quality screens: 3-5+ years with regular use Budget screens: 1-2 years Heavy commercial use: 1-2 years even with quality screens
Q: Do I need a screen for net-only practice?
For net-only (no projection), a heavy-duty net or hitting bay works fine. Screens are primarily for projection. However, impact screens are quieter than nets.
Q: What's screen gain?
Screen gain measures how much light the screen reflects. Higher gain = brighter image. Most impact screens are around 1.0 gain (neutral). Some premium screens offer 1.1-1.3 for brighter images.
Q: Matte vs glossy?
Matte screens (standard) disperse light evenly - good for wide viewing angles. Glossy screens can have hotspots but may appear brighter from center position. Matte is preferred for most simulator setups.
Q: Gray vs white screens?
- White: Brighter image, standard choice
- Gray: Better contrast in ambient light, can appear dimmer
White is recommended for most golf simulators unless you have significant ambient light issues.
Our Recommendations
Budget Build: Carl's Place Standard
At $150-250 for most sizes, it's the obvious choice for budget builds. Quality is legitimately good.
Mid-Range Build: Carl's Place Premium or HomeCourse Standard
$300-500 gets you better projection and durability without reaching premium pricing.
Premium Build: HomeCourse Pro
If budget allows, the HomeCourse Pro provides the best combination of projection quality, durability, and appearance.
Professional/Commercial: HomeCourse Pro or Commercial Enclosure
For heavy use or professional installations, invest in commercial-grade products designed for the abuse.
Complete Screen Setup Cost
| Component | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium | |-----------|--------|-----------|---------| | Screen | $200 | $400 | $700 | | Frame | $75 DIY | $500 Pro | $800 Enclosure | | Mounting hardware | $25 | $50 | $100 | | Total | $300 | $950 | $1,600 |
Final Thoughts
Your impact screen is a critical component that affects daily experience. Don't cheap out here - a quality screen provides years of reliable service while a budget screen fails and frustrates.
For most home builds, Carl's Place screens with a quality frame system provide the best value. Upgrade to HomeCourse for premium builds where budget allows.
Related Resources
- Best Short Throw Projectors - Projector pairing guide
- DIY Projector Enclosure - Protect your projector
- Garage Build Guide - Complete installation guide
- Build Your Own Simulator - Equipment packages at every budget
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