aG blog

John Anderson is Senior Project Manager for aboutGolf.

About the Design

My most memorable simulator design job to date was a highly-customized PGA TOUR Classic Simulator with a full raised floor, retractable side curtains and curved ceiling.

 What Made This Job So Unique

While I enjoy a good challenge, there are times when I want to kick myself for saying, “If you can swing a club in your space, we can make a golf simulator work.” 

This motto – which has become a sort of anthem throughout the department – has invited all sorts of projects that have tasked me to push the limits. It’s never been the amount of time or work that made a job difficult; rather, it’s always my desire to pull off a design no matter what … my refusal to disappoint a client.

Undeniably, every designer at aboutGolf has faced his challenging jobs – but, it seems to me this particular job was the ultimate test.

The homeowner really wanted an aboutGolf PGA TOUR Simulator and had a very limiting space to work with – to say the least. What was my answer to him? “OK – it’s go time, then!”

The room was on the second floor of the client’s home and was currently being used as a home office. The vaulted ceiling was constructed with open timber framing and was low along the sides (approximately 7’ 4” above the floor) and highest point in the center was roughly 10’ 3”.  Additionally, the room had two structural decorative iron crossties running through the space, which could not be removed. 

Further, the client wanted the largest possible image, requiring the projector to be placed low enough to shine under the cross beams. This ultimately resulted in the image being taller than the elevation of the cross beams; so, we custom-mounted the projector and had to curve the ceiling! 

Along the right side wall was a fireplace that protruded into the space, which would make left-handed swing clearance extremely tight.

Needless to say … every dimension mattered, right down to the inch. 

Further customization included:

• Using the client’s desired PC cabinet, ensuring proper ventilation and wiring capabilities
• Installing retractable side curtains to allow windows along each side to remain functional
• Accommodating a staircase coming up through the floor, very near the tee area 

While this not a comprehensive list of all the details – and not nearly a complete itemization of challenges – you probably have a good idea of the planning and dedication required to pull it off.

No matter how many designs I complete, this particular job always stands out as my favorite. It was thrilling for both me and the client when all was said and done!