DIY vs. Pro vs. Curved vs. Built-In: Which golf enclosure is best for your space?

Carl’s Place offers several different enclosure options, including the DIY, the Pro, the Curved, and the Built-In Golf Room Kit.

Some might think of the DIY and Pro enclosures as siblings. They look somewhat alike, but they also have clear differences. We’re thinking similar to Mario and Luigi. The DIY, or Mario, is smaller and came first, while the Pro, or Luigi, is larger and was born a short time later. 

“That’s weird,” said Zach, a Carl’s Place Customer Service Representative, when asked about the comparison. “I would say Chevrolet versus Cadillac, or something similar.”

“How about a McDouble versus a Big Mac?” Ashley, another Carl’s Place Customer Service Representative, asked. 

Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

And, added a few years after the DIY and Pro Enclosures was the more immersive Curved Enclosure Kit. All three of these free-standing enclosures come with detailed assembly instructions. Make sure you actually read those instructions.

“All of the  golf simulator enclosures are easy to assemble and put together in the same basic manner: create a cage, put the fabric over the cage and hang the screen,” Zach said. “It’s pretty simple, but keep the assembly instructions handy just in case you run into any trouble.”

Each are customizable down to the inch, have optional add-ons, can be used for home or commercial use, and look similar with black fabric surrounding a high quality Carl’s Place golf impact screen, but they also have their own features.

Then there's the built-in kit, which provides the options to maximize your space and install a permanent indoor golf haven. Indoor golfers have the option to just order a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling impact screen, or add on wall and ceiling protection in the form of padding or curtains. 

Compare Carl's Enclosures and Built-In Golf Room Kit

Below, we will go through the differences between Carl's golf simulators and why they can be great for your space.

Quick Comparison Chart: Carl's Enclosures vs. Built-In Golf Room Kit

DIY Golf Simulator Enclosure Kit

The Carl’s Place DIY golf simulator enclosure kits offer an easy way to build a safe spot where you can hit a golf ball without worrying about it ripping through your drywall or breaking a window.

To suit a wide range of budgets, they can come with any of the three Carl’s Place golf impact screens: the Standard, the Preferred or the Premium. The ceiling and walls are made of black nylon fabric, which can attach to an optional pipe framing kit or 1-inch electrical metallic tubing (EMT). The pipe kits or EMT connect to each other using 1-inch steel fittings. 

A cable attaches the bottom of the impact screen to the enclosure frame, keeping balls from going behind the enclosure while providing a seamless turf-to-screen visual. The DIY enclosures can come with foam inserts to protect the frame around the screen. Net wall extensions and safety baffles are popular add-ons available with this kit.

“It’s a cost versus performance thing,” Zach said. “You can get a DIY enclosure with pipes and safety foam inserts shipped for free and for a great price overall.”

Ashley agreed, adding that the quick set up and tear down is a perk of a DIY enclosure.

“If you get the pipe framing kit with the screen and enclosure material, it gives you all components that will fit together easily,” Ashley said.

DIY golf simulator enclosures can max out at 124.75 inches high by 163.33 inches wide and can be made to order in just a few days. 

Pro Golf Simulator Enclosure Kit

The Carl’s Place Pro golf simulator enclosure is a high-end version available in wider and deeper dimensions with higher end finishes and more optional add-ons.

The Pro comes with the Carl’s Place Premium golf impact screen by default, which provides the highest quality projected image and the best noise dampening. The ceiling and walls are made out of high quality black knit fabric.

The frame for the Pro enclosure is made out of 2-inch EMT pipes, which connect with 2-inch steel fittings. Similar to the DIY enclosure, foam inserts are optional add-ons to protect the frame and the golfer from ricocheting balls.

Other optional add-ons include the pre-cut 2-inch EMT pipe kit; net wall extensions; electronic mounts for projectors and other overhead launch monitors, and up to five ceiling safety baffles. 

“The black sports knit fabric gives the Pro golf enclosure a super smooth, high-end, finished look,” Ashley said.

Zach added that one of the best benefits of a Pro enclosure is that you are able to build an all-containing setup. 

You can mount your golf simulator projector, golf launch monitor, lighting and more, while also standing and hitting inside of it.

Pro enclosures can max out at 123 inches tall by 240 inches wide and 240 inches deep. They can be made to order in our home state of Wisconsin.

You can check out the size difference in this real world application. 

Carl's Curved Enclosure Kit

The Curved Enclosure takes all the great things about the Pro Enclosure and makes them even better. With a sturdy 2" EMT pipe frame, you get those wider and deeper dimensions, plus the Premium impact screen for crisp, clear visuals.

The curved screen design gives you a wider field of view that pulls you into the action. The panoramic display adds serious depth and realism, and it’s all designed to be DIY-friendly.

The ceiling and walls are made with Blackstop™ fabric, our best material. It’s sleek, professional, and blocks out unnecessary light.

We include foam inserts for extra safety, and you can add optional upgrades like a pre-cut pipe kit, a back cover kit, mounts for your projector or overhead launch monitor, and safety baffles.

These curved enclosures can go as big as the Pro Enclosures—up to 10 feet tall, 20 feet wide, and 20 feet deep—so you’ve got plenty of room to play.

Carl's Built-In Golf Simulator Kit

Carl’s built-in kit transforms an entire room into an indoor indoor golf paradise. Instead of a free-standing enclosure, it seamlessly integrates into the space, using the room’s walls as the enclosure to maximize every inch.

The screen is cleverly mounted to the corners of the room, and you can add optional wall padding—choose between heavy-duty foam panels or acoustic carpet tiles—for extra protection and a polished look.

It’s not just for golf, either! The setup easily doubles as a home theater for movies or sports, keeping the space open for other activities.

While the installation does require a bit more skill and DIY know-how, it’s still totally manageable without needing to hire a pro.

Need more comparison information on our golf simulator enclosures? Get in touch with our expert customer service team.