More golfers are investing in simulators. At least, this is what I’m hearing - and it’s easy to understand why: launch monitors have become more affordable, the technology is getting better, and they come with more games and features.
If you’re a keen player, you have probably pictured having your own sim in the comfort of your home. I know I have.
Maybe you’ve worked out the logistics: Could you justify the expense? Where would it go? How much space would it take up? Those kinds of questions.
Even if there are several more affordable launch monitors on the market and building your own simulator needn’t cost five figures, you still need a fair bit of room to swing a golf club without feeling inhibited.
I have one room in the house where it would be just about viable, as well as a garage that has been cleared of all junk as if in preparation for the day I’m finally given the green light to build my own sim.
However, these are shared spaces. I’ll get to the point: the rest of the family don’t want my golf obsession taking over the living room/garage - and that’s entirely fair enough.
Recently, though, I experienced the Vanish Series retractable golf enclosure from SportScreen, a Canadian company that specializes in retractable screens.
And the dream of having my own simulator to play and practice on until I have blisters on my hands is well and truly alive again.
Should you have had the pleasure of installing your own simulator at home or in the office, the enclosure, although a key part of the kit, is probably not the piece of equipment that generated the most excitement for you. That would be the launch monitor.
However, as mentioned, the enclosure is a very important part of the set-up. You could have one of the best launch monitors on the market, but you won’t get much joy out of it if you don’t invest in a decent enclosure.
And then there’s the issue of flexibility. A lot of enclosures aren't really designed for being put up and down continuously - they’re rather fixed, and that can be a deal breaker.
The Vanish Series is different, for it’s retractable. It might not be the ‘glamour purchase’ when it comes to home sim set-ups, but it all feels very slick and exciting when you get a remote control in your hand and watch your room switch from sim set-up to garage/living space in super quick time.
On the remote control, this is also compatible with home automation systems (for example, Google Home, Alexa, etc.), while for the more budget-conscious customers, there is a hand-crank option.
First up, though, let’s talk quickly about the installation. Everything you need comes with the package: impact support membrane, impact screen, side screens, ceiling panel, corner pieces, side baffles, front baffle, wall/ceiling brackets, and assembly hardware.
The installation itself isn’t especially difficult - doable on your own but much quicker and more advisable if you work as a pair. I had some help from a PGA expert, and a power tool or two does make things quicker and easier.
If, like me, DIY is not your thing, I’m told the tech support line is very good, and there is plenty of helpful information and live support online at thesportscreen.com. Basically, you shouldn’t be left feeling like you’re out of your depth!
Now, it’s called ‘Vanish’ because that’s exactly what it does - it disappears. One click on the button on your remote control and the impact screen folds itself up to give you your room back.
Are the mounting brackets going to be an eyesore in your living room? Perhaps. they're a little obtrusive, yes, although this is less likely to be an issue if you install your sim in a spare room or the garage.
Once you’re up and running, there’s no need to worry about any loose balls escaping. The impact screen, side panels, and baffles are of very good, reliable quality.
We’re talking about a really heavy-duty, premium impact screen that is not only very effective, but also displays the graphics very crisply. I tested the Vanish with the Square Golf launch monitor, and the screen provided a superb canvas for very clear projection.
Perhaps one of the biggest compliments I can give the Vanish Series is how good it looks even when you don’t have your launch monitor and you're playing a beautiful course: it has a very premium look and feel.
That might mean you just choose to leave it up. However, if you do need the space, just click that button…
