SIGPRO Golf Simulator Screens: The best golf impact screens for indoor golf
Impact Screens for Indoor Golf & Media Rooms
Creating our own impact screen
After experiencing supply chain issues with vendors during the COVID-19 pandemic, we felt bringing impact screen production in-house was necessary. Cutting out the middleman allowed us to exert more control over quality, cost, and inventory availability.
We cut and sew all of our impact screens in-house, making sure everything that goes out the door will satisfy our customers.
By managing everything from sourcing raw goods to manufacturing, we can ensure consistent quality and keep our prices competitive. So when you buy from us, you can be confident we have paid attention to every small detail.
The Annual 200,000 Shot Test
When we created our SIGPRO Premium impact screen, we wanted to make the best solution on the market.
We had MyGolfSpy, the leader in independent testing, subject our impact screen to an intensive test on the key metrics of bounce back, noise level, durability, screen sag, and image clarity. This standardized test measures how long the screen will last by repeatedly applying force to the fabric over time, showing how many shots it can withstand before breaking. You can see the results in this article.
The bursting strength of the screen was also put under examination by an independent textile testing facility. These tests provided empirical data that shows the SIGPRO Premium fabric is the best with respect to thickness, bursting strength, and weight per unit area.
A brief summary of MyGolfSpy's article shows that Screen A (SIGPRO Premium) outperformed the Screen B (Carl's Premium) on the following metrics:
• Bounce Back
• Noise Level
• Durability
• Screen Sag
• Image Clarity
We designed our impact screen with golfers in mind, ensuring their indoor golf experience is comfortable, durable, and realistic.
Choosing the right impact screen for your home golf simulator setup is crucial. Typically, golfers aren’t aware of what separates performance between budget, mid-level, and premium options. On the surface, it seems like a pretty straightforward product. But it’s a bit more complicated! In this article, we’ll review all aspects of an impact screen and explain why The Indoor Golf Shop manufactured our solution based on our customers' feedback.
What To Look for In an Golf Impact Screen
Using our experience with testing, manufacturing, and selling impact screens, we want to pass that knowledge on with this quick checklist for buying an impact screen.
When considering a new impact screen, it’s essential to answer the following questions:
How durable is the impact screen? Will it hold up over thousands of golf shots? We believe this is the most important feature. That's why our screen was submitted to independent textile testing laboratories where the screen is run through accelerated life testing. One of the tests measures bursting strength - which is a critical metric in determining how long a fabric will last. These tests provided empirical data that shows the SIGPRO Premium fabric is the best with respect to thickness, bursting strength, and weight per unit area.
Will it fit your space? Are there enough size options to satisfy the requirements of your space? Our screen material comes in 126" width. This matters because most other screens on the market are only 120" wide.
Will it provide image clarity? With 4K graphics becoming more popular, can it offer a crisp viewing experience?
How loud is it? Poorly constructed screens will create a lot of noise, which can be harsh (and even damaging) to your ears in a small space. Our screen is the thickest on the market at 3.54mm, which allows for a quiet screen with minimal bounce back.
Does it absorb shots properly? You don’t want the ball bouncing back too far, as it can become dangerous
How easy is installation? How do you want to hang/mount your impact screen?
How Screen Construction Affects Performance & Durability
Customers typically ask us the difference between a budget impact screen and a premium option. Much of that is reflected in the thickness and quality of the screen materials used. Generally speaking, the thicker the screen the better the performance across various key metrics. That's why we opted for a triple layer spacer mesh design for our SIGPRO Premium material.
Here’s what you can expect from a better screen:
• It won’t tear or sag after repeated impact . Thinner screens will start to show dimples in areas of repeated impact, affecting image quality (eventually, they will tear).
• You will see a much crisper image from your projector.
• Shots will be much quieter as they make impact.
• The screen will absorb faster ball speeds and not bounce back as far.
So, when evaluating different impact screens and seeing cheaper options on Amazon for under $100, you can rest assured it will not perform as well in all these areas.
Manufacturers will use thinner, inferior materials to bring down the cost. This is similar to the golf mats. You truly get what you pay for!
Sizing Options
The Indoor Golf shop has sold to thousands of customers, and we know that every home or commercial simulator setup has different size constraints. Here are considerations based on your available space, desired aspect ratio, and screen quality needs:
Aspect Ratio
Most golfers should aim for 16:9 or 16:10 (Rectangle) aspect ratios for optimal viewing. These are ideal for displaying 4K resolution. This is slowly becoming the standard for better graphics on various simulator software options and using the space as a home theater for TV and movies.
However, they can be challenging to fit in residential spaces due to the width requirements.
4:3 aspect ratio screens are popular for residential setups because they are more versatile with room dimensions. This aspect ratio balances screen size and viewing quality, especially in standard room sizes.
Premade or custom impact screen sizes
At the Indoor Golf Shop, we offer over 20 different screen sizes across four aspect ratios. These are designed to meet the needs of about 95% of users. These pre-made options simplify the selection process, allowing you to choose a screen that fits your space without additional customization. However, since we manufacture our screens, we can offer custom sizing for those with unique needs.
Customization goes beyond just size; we can finish the screens with features like 2.5-inch vinyl edges, grommets, or hook-and-loop closures to secure the screen optimally based on individual needs. You can always contact our team directly to have your questions answered.
Maximizing Resolution and Viewing Area
Ideally, the goal is to optimize pixel density within the viewing area. For customers who want the sharpest, most vibrant display, selecting the largest possible screen that fits their space is recommended, especially if using 4K projectors.
Installation Options
Here are the most common methods for setting up an impact screen tailored to different environments and preferences:
Grommeted Edges with Bungees or Shock Cord
This is one of the simplest and most widely used installation methods. Grommets are positioned along the perimeter of the screen, allowing it to be attached to a frame using bungee or shock cords. Golfers often grommet the screen's top, left, and right sides, securing these edges with bungees.
The bottom edge can be left loose or weighted down. This setup provides flexibility, allowing the screen to absorb impact effectively. The bungees add a bit of give, which helps reduce bounce-back and tension on the screen. The bottom can have grommets, could have a pocket to allow a shock cord to be run through it, or the bottom of the screen could be a bit longer such that it's loose and lays on the floor - typically for the third option there will be a back screen.
Dual Screen Velcro Attachment
This setup is especially popular in commercial settings or indoor use of dual-screen systems. The rear screen is securely mounted with grommets, while the front screen, often the premium screen, is attached via Velcro to the rear screen.
This configuration makes it easy to replace the front screen without fully dismantling the entire setup. Users can simply peel off the worn screen and re-attach a new one. Dual-screen Velcro systems are perfect for high-use environments, such as commercial golf simulators, where screens may need frequent replacement due to wear. Additionally, we can offer custom options for any scenario in your home or business.
Wrapping it up
As you can see, there’s more than meets the eye with simulator impact screens. Whether it’s durability, sizing, noise, safety, or the many other factors we discussed, it is one of the most important elements of your setup to get right.
As always, our team of experts is here to answer your questions. Don’t hesitate to call us to help you make the right decision.
