How to Choose a Golf Impact Screen Material

You’re as committed to a golf simulator as you are to your game. You’re ready to swing your clubs at your leisure and now it’s down to material considerations. A super cheap golf screen material will quickly leave you with tears in your screen as they don't hold up well again the force of a repeatedly hit golf ball.

Set yourself up for your best game by choosing the right golf impact screen material.

What is a golf impact screen?

Impact screens are used in golf simulators to stop the ball after you hit it and to provide a smooth surface onto which you can project an image.

Impact screens are not necessary - some people just hit the golf ball into a basic net - but without one, you will not feel like you are actually on the golf course.

Picture this, you're inside a golf simulator, you tee up, hit that ball, and right there in front of you is a life-size image of your ball flying down the center of the fairway. Beautiful, right? That's an impact screen.

Alternatively, with a golf net, you hit the ball and see it caught in a net. Then look over to the side at a small monitor to see where the ball went. Still nice, but because you can’t project an image onto a hitting net you don't get that realistic experience like you would with a golf impact screen.

What is the typical material for a golf impact screen?

Polyester mesh is a popular choice for golf impact screens due to the strength of the fabric.

A polyester mesh that is durable enough to not tear when struck with fast-moving golf balls, and woven tightly enough to provide you the best image quality possible, is going to make the best material for a golf impact screen. This type of golf screen material is going to be a layered, heavy-duty polyester, like Carl's Place Premium Impact Screens.

Carl's Place Premium Impact Screens are a great choice if you want to have the best golf simulator image quality. Though we do offer three levels of impact screen quality to meet the needs of any golf simulator budget.

The main difference between them is how smooth the screen is (and therefore the image), as well as their durability.

PICK THE BEST GOLF SCREEN MATERIAL FOR YOUR USE

Carl's Place offers 3 different impact screens:

Carl's Place Golf Hitting Screens Comparison

How long do golf impact screens last?

Our impact screens are heavy-duty fabrics tested to withstand thousands of strikes at up to 250 miles per hour, exceeding the highest Pro average ball speeds of just over 180mph.  However, like any material, they will show wear.

It varies greatly depending on your use. If you're using your golf screen in a commercial facility where it is being struck constantly all day long, you'll see wear faster than an occasional home user. Depending on the frequency of use, as well as the style and ability of the user will all contribute to the service life of a screen.

Burn marks on impact screens are a common occurrence, particularly with high-spinning shots, and tend to increase as golfers refine their skills. These marks are a natural result of the impact process and should be anticipated as part of the normal wear and tear associated with using a golf simulator. They serve as indicators of your dedication to improving your game and are not indicative of any defects in the screen's quality or durability.

Learn more information about extending the life of your golf screen.

OPTIONS TO HANG YOUR GOLF SCREEN

DIY Golf Impact Screens

For a handy DIYer, you can just get an impact screen and build the frame for it yourself or use a truss system, freestanding, or a hanging kit. Most impact screens (including ours) come with grommets around the outside edge so you can safely mount your impact screen to any frame you choose.

Build Your Own Golf Screen Frame

Source your own fittings and pipes online and/or from your nearest big box store.

Carl’s Place Golf Enclosure Kits With Impact Screens

For a more convenient option, choose the enclosure kits for the screen and everything you need to build the enclosure. Carl’s Place Golf Enclosure Kits include an impact screen that can take hits up to 250 MPH, a black nylon enclosure, all required 6-inch ball bungees, a weight bag for the bottom of the screen, steel corner fitting for frame construction, and detailed assembly instructions.

See Carl’s golf simulator enclosure kit reviews by checking out our testimonials.

Golf Screen Material Summary

Golf impact screens are what let you visualize a golf course or driving range in front of you in a golf simulator. They need to have a smooth surface for you to project an image on. They also need to be durable enough to catch golf balls traveling at high speeds.

The quality of golf impact screens varies and you just need to find what fits your needs and your budget.

Once you decide on your golf impact screen material, your next task is to determine the finishing edges and the size you need. Check out these resources:

• Mix and Match Carl’s Custom Golf Impact Screen with Made-to-Order Finishing Options

• How to Select the Best Golf Screen Size

For more product-specific information, including frames to build your own hanging impact projection screen, golf simulator wall panels, or to consider accessories, see ‘How to Build a Golf Simulator‘.