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 Carl’s Place golf impact screens: the Standard, the Preferred, Premium, or High-Contrast Gray. The ceiling and walls are made of black nylon fabric, which attach to a frame of 1-inch electrical metallic tubing (EMT). Carl's Place sells these pipe framing kits for an easy add-on of pre-cut pipes, or you can save a little money and cut them yourself. The pipes 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.

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 Enclosure can come with either Carl’s Premium golf impact screen or High-Contrast Gray. Both offer high quality projected image and the best noise dampening qualities. The wraparound enclosure cover is made out of light-absorbing Blackstop™ Fabric.

Foam inserts are included to protect the frame and the golfer from ricocheting balls.

The frame for the Pro enclosure is made out of 2-inch EMT pipes (sold separately), which connect with 2-inch steel fittings. Other optional add-ons include back cover kits, ceiling safety baffles, or a crossbar to help mount electronics wherever you need them, as well as the mounts. 

Zach said that one of the best benefits of a Pro enclosure is that "You can mount your golf simulator projector, golf launch monitor, lighting and more, while also standing and hitting inside of it."

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 or High-Contrast Gray 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 creating a wall-to-wall, built-in golfing environment.

You can add wall and ceiling protection as well for a fully protected room, choose between heavy-duty padded panels or acoustic carpet tiles or curtains.

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.