The full guide: Carl's Place enclosures
This is the Carl's Place DIY enclosure GSV built in a garage in December 2023, with Carl's redesigned screen that runs all the way to the floor, Carl's HotShot hitting mat, a SkyTrak+ beside the ball and a BenQ LH820ST projector. Jay Lasco, host of Golf Simulator Videos, built it alone in about an hour and a half, showed how the new screen hangs, and was open about the one part that did not work as well. Here is every part, how the screen-to-floor design goes up, what stood out, and the parts in each spot today.
- To the floorThe picture runs from the screen down to the turf
- About 1.5 hoursTo build it alone
- About 1 ftBehind the screen, often all it needs
- From $999.95Carl's Place DIY kits today
Carl's Place's code is sent by email: get the Carl's discount code. SkyTrak's code GOLFSIMULATORVIDEOS is applied through GSV's link.
The parts in this build, today
- Carl's Place enclosures and screens5% off at Carl's Place. GSV emails you the code.
- SkyTrak ST MAXGSV code for SkyTrak: GOLFSIMULATORVIDEOS.Applied automatically through the GSV link.
- Golf simulator projectors5% off at Shop Indoor Golf with code GSV5OFF.First-time buyers only, one use. Not valid on a standalone Trackman, the Square Golf launch monitor or the ProTee VX.
- Golf hitting mats$20 off at Shop Indoor Golf with code GSVMAT. On a first order over $400, GSV5OFF takes more: 5% off.SIGPRO Softy, Super Softy, Softy Lite and Commercial Teeline mats.
Will it fit? Check the SkyTrak ST MAX fits your room in the free GSV Sim Builder, in 3D.
Buying through GSV's links and codes helps support the channel: GSV earns a small commission at no extra cost to you, and you still get every saving available.
Every part in the build
| Part | What GSV used | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure | Carl's Place DIY, the screen-to-floor redesign | On 1 in EMT |
| Screen | Carl's Premium impact screen | Cabled along the bottom, Carl's logo top left |
| Hitting mat | Carl's HotShot, 4 x 5 ft insert | See what Jay found below |
| Launch monitor | SkyTrak+ | Beside the ball |
| Projector | BenQ LH820ST | Short-throw laser |
How the screen-to-floor design hangs
Carl's Place redesigned its DIY screen so the picture comes all the way down to the ground, for a seamless look from the turf into the course. A cable is sewn inside the bottom edge of the screen:
- Thread the bolts at the bottom onto the cable already in the screen.
- Zip-tie the top of the screen loosely.
- Slowly pull the screen up until the bottom just touches the ground, or sits just off it. Jay left his a little off the floor and likes it there.
Carl's Place says the cabled bottom cuts bounce back by design, and suggests readjusting the zip ties if thick turf lets a ball slip under. The bounce-back guide covers it.
How it went together
- Alone, in about an hour and a half.
- Velcro closes it up. If Velcro is your thing, Carl's enclosure suits you, and it looks as neat as the time put into it.
- The gap behind the screen. A brace sits on the back. Jay's tip: start a few feet from the wall and work back toward it; a lot of the time it only takes about a foot.
- Premium screen. Jay always recommends Carl's Premium screen: a little quieter, it absorbs the ball, and a rough screen gives a less sharp picture.
The screen and the mat in use
The ball barely came back to the mat, and in an empty garage the screen did not crack loudly on impact. The HotShot mat was the part that did not work as well in this build: the 4 x 5 ft insert would not sit flat, and the SkyTrak's red aiming dot moved as a result. Jay showed it on camera rather than leave it out. The golf simulator hitting mat guide covers the HotShot beside the SIGPRO and Fiberbuilt mats.
This build today
| Spot | In 2023 | Today |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure | Carl's Place DIY | Carl's Place DIY, from $999.95 in its smallest size, pipe separate or as a kit |
| Hitting mat | Carl's HotShot | Carl's HotShot from $499.95, or SIGPRO Softy mats with $20 off on GSVMAT |
| Launch monitor | SkyTrak+ | SkyTrak ST MAX, $2,995 list; the SkyTrak+ is now sold only as certified pre-owned |
The Carl's Place review has every DIY size and its price, and the ST MAX vs SkyTrak+ page has what changed. The projector guide covers today's short-throw projectors.
Open a build like this in the Sim Builder
The GSV Sim Builder lays out the enclosure, the launch monitor, the projector and the mat in a room, in 3D, and checks the swing, the ceiling and the distances. This link opens a Carl's Place DIY 7.7 x 10 with a SkyTrak ST MAX, the current SkyTrak, beside the ball. Enter your own room and pick the Carl's Place size that fits.
Open this build in the Sim Builder
Get a package deal on a build like this
Want a Carl's Place DIY build with a SkyTrak? Jay works with official partners: master builders he hand-picked, who get on a call quickly and make sure the enclosure, the launch monitor, the projector and the room work together before you buy anything. They offer package deals on the whole build, DIY packages, full installation, and more. The consultation is free.
Carl's Place DIY build questions
What is the Carl's Place screen-to-floor design?
Carl's Place's redesigned DIY screen runs the picture all the way down to the ground. A cable sewn inside the bottom edge takes bolts, the top is zip-tied loosely, and the screen is pulled up until it just touches the ground or sits just off it.
How long does a Carl's Place DIY enclosure take to build?
Jay built this one alone in about an hour and a half, and a 2022 one in just over an hour.
How far from the wall should a Carl's Place screen be?
Jay's tip: start a few feet from the wall and work back toward it; a lot of the time it only takes about a foot. Carl's Place recommends 12 in at the back.
How was the Carl's HotShot mat in this build?
The part that did not work as well: the 4 x 5 ft insert would not sit flat, and the SkyTrak's red aiming dot moved as a result. Jay showed it on camera rather than leave it out.
What replaced the SkyTrak+?
The SkyTrak ST MAX, $2,995 list. The SkyTrak+ is now sold only as certified pre-owned. SkyTrak's code GOLFSIMULATORVIDEOS is applied through GSV's link.
Is there a Carl's Place discount code?
Yes. Carl's Place's code is sent by email, not posted. Use the Carl's Place discount code page to have it sent.
Is there free help planning a build like this?
Yes. Jay offers a free consultation with GSV's partner master builders, hand-picked by Jay, who check that the enclosure, the launch monitor, the projector and the room fit, and offer package deals, DIY packages and full installation.
More GSV builds
Build the rest of your sim
- Enclosure and screen$250 off at Shop Indoor GolfShop
- Carl's Place enclosure5% off, code sent by emailShopGet the code
- Projector5% off at Shop Indoor Golf. First-time buyersShop
- Simulator computerSurfThing: $100 off applied automatically, no codeShop
- TouchscreenGSV code for TouchscreenGuruShop
- Complete package$250 off at Shop Indoor Golf. GSV5OFF is more on a first order over $5,000Shop
GSV earns a small commission on these links, at no extra cost to you. Shop Indoor Golf takes one code per order.
