REVIEW - Carl's Place DIY Golf Enclosure vs Custom Pro Golf Enclosure

Hey all, wanted to share my unique perspective on Carl's Place enclosures/screens because I owned the most budget enclosure + budget screen (DIY 8'x8' enclosure w/ Standard Screen) and also recently upgraded to a custom Pro enclosure (16'x9' enclosure w/ Premium screen). I made a video review with comparisons (with video and audio examples to help illustrate my points), but here is the summary of my findings/review...

Video: https://youtu.be/__gNkH1Khe4

DIY 8'x8' w/Standard Screen

  • The screen is more sheen (you can see through it easily if any light hits it)
  • The bounceback on the Standard Screen is noticeably worse. However, the speed will be significantly reduced (I could track the ball with my eyes and could dodge it)
  • The impact noise is worse on the Standard Screen
  • The enclosure uses 1" EMT pipes as the frame, which are VERY manageable to buy and cut (you can even use a hand pipe cutting tool, which I did (It takes some forearm muscle, but very doable). I was able to go to Home Depot, buy all the pipes I needed, put them in my Forester, and brought it home. You save a ton of money by doing this yourself instead of buying from Carl's Place
  • On a 8x8 enclosure, I was able to set it up and break it down on my own...although having a buddy would have made it much easier and faster.
  • The enclosure material feels like plastic tarp
  • BUT the plastic tarp is opaque, so no light will get through it
  • The budget DIY enclosures also have velcro on the front ends, where you can attach a shank net. HIGHLY recommend doing this...it's saved my walls
  • All pipes are exposed, so highly recommend you buy Carl's Places foam inserts, or DIY your own solution.

Custom Pro 16'x9' w/Premium Screen

  • The screen is more opaque, but it is not nearly as opaque as a home theater screen. You can still see through it if light hits it
  • The bounceback on the Impact Screen is noticeably better, but you can still get some big bounce backs if you hit high and spinny. Ball will have slowed down considerably though
  • The impact noise is better/quieter on the Premium Screen
  • The enclosure uses 2" EMT pipes as its frame. This is a HUGE pain in the ass. They are significantly more expensive, heavier, and bulkier than the 1" pipes on the Budget DIY models. I would not have been able to go to Home Depot and load them into my Forester. I instead got them delivered (which is another HUGE PIA bc they come bundled up and extremely HEAVY to move around)
  • You will absolutely need a minimum of 2 friends and 2 ladders to get this installed. I bought a hand pipe cutting tool to cut the pipes, and my forearms were dying. Not to mention, you need a minimum of 2 people to cut them (one person to hold and prevent it from spinning and the other to make the cut). Highly recommend you get a saw instead. Because the pipes are so heavy, you'll need 2 people on ladders to get the pipes up in the air and connected
  • You can save a lot of money by getting the 2" EMT pipes and cutting them on your own...but I'm not sure it was worth the hassle. If you have the money, I recommend just buying the frame from Carl's Place.
  • The enclosure material feels much higher quality - its a nice soft fabric and not plastic tarp
  • BUT the fabric enclosure is see through. Light will EASILY get through it
  • There is no way to install shank nets on the Pro enclosures, so highly recommend you get a deeper enclosure if you're worried about shanks. I got the 5' depth, and I've managed to dent my wall (and so has a buddy of mine).
  • All pipes are exposed, so highly recommend you buy Carl's Places foam inserts, or DIY your own solution.

Hope this helps. Happy to answer any questions yall have!