Carl's Place vs. The Net Return: Which Golf Simulator Enclosure Is Right for You?
If you are deciding between Carl's Place and The Net Return, the short answer is this: Carl's Place is the modular, custom-sized enclosure for dedicated simulator rooms, and The Net Return Pro Series is the fast-assembly freestanding bay for shared or multi-use spaces. The right pick comes down to one question — is this room only ever going to be a simulator, or does it serve another purpose?
What Each Brand Actually Is
Carl's Place
Carl's Place builds pipe-frame enclosures in standard and custom sizes — from a bare-bones DIY kit at $1,000 up to a fully loaded C-Series Pro package at $5,895. You choose the size (7.5×10, 9×10, 9×12, 10×12.5, or custom to the inch), the impact screen material, and the accessories. Everything ships as components you assemble in place. The enclosure becomes part of the room — it is not designed to move.
Carl's Place also offers a Curved enclosure ($4,894.95) for rooms where a curved impact surface improves ball containment or the room shape does not suit a flat screen. It uses the same pipe-frame system but wraps the screen for a wider peripheral field of view.
The Net Return Pro Series
The Net Return Pro Series Package ($1,499) is a freestanding, tool-free simulator bay that ships ready to unfold. The 8-, 10-, and 12-foot widths set up in under 30 minutes — no drilling, no permanent wall anchors, no freight-sized pipe kit. When you are done, side barriers retract and the whole unit breaks down into a compact footprint. It is the only option on this list designed to be stored when not in use.
Specs You Need to Know
| Feature | Carl's Place | Net Return Pro Series |
|---|---|---|
| Assembly time | 3–5 hours (two people) | ~30 minutes |
| Custom sizing | Yes — standard and custom to the inch | No — 8, 10, or 12 ft width only |
| Ceiling required | Matches your spec | ~9 ft minimum |
| Portable / packable | No — permanent install | Yes — designed to store away |
| Impact screen quality | Standard / Preferred / Premium (your choice) | Factory-tensioned barrier included |
| Ball-return system | Add-on accessory | Built-in gravity return |
| Entry price | $1,000 (DIY Kit with screen) | $1,499 (Pro Series Package) |
| Full-package price | Up to $5,895 (C-Series Pro Package) | $1,499 (one package, size choice) |
| Freight shipping | Yes (larger kits) | Yes |
The Carl's Place Lineup
Carl's Place sells at three distinct tiers, each with a different balance of cost and completeness:
DIY Enclosure Kit with Impact Screen — $1,000
The Carl's Place DIY Kit is the starting point — pipe frame, fittings, and impact screen. You source the hitting mat, side baffles, and projector separately. Best for buyers who already have some components or want to build out gradually.
C-Series DIY Package — $2,250
The C-Series DIY Package adds more complete framing, improved screen material options, and matched accessories over the base kit. A more finished setup without stepping up to the Pro price.
C-Series Pro Package — $5,895
The C-Series Pro Package is the fully loaded build — premium impact screen, complete enclosure framing, and all the side and ceiling baffles for a dedicated sim room. The price reflects that you are buying a finished bay, not a starting point.
Curved Enclosure Kit — $4,894.95
The Curved Enclosure Kit is a specialty option for rooms with non-standard layouts or buyers who want the wider field of view a curved screen provides. Same pipe-frame system, curved geometry.
Which One Is Right for You?
Pick Carl's Place if…
- Your simulator has a dedicated room — a finished basement, a converted garage, a purpose-built bay — that is not used for anything else.
- You need a custom size because the room has odd dimensions, soffits, or a non-standard ceiling height.
- You want to choose your impact screen quality — Standard for casual play, Preferred or Premium for heavy daily use.
- You are comfortable with a half-day assembly in exchange for a permanent, room-filling installation.
Pick The Net Return if…
- Your simulator shares space with another use — a garage you park in, a basement that doubles as a rec room, a living space.
- You want to be hitting balls within 30 minutes of opening the box.
- An 8-, 10-, or 12-foot standard width suits your space and you do not need a custom footprint.
- You want a built-in ball-return system without sourcing one separately.
Where Each Falls Short
- Carl's Place is a pipe frame — it performs exceptionally but will never look as seamless as a room built around the enclosure. Assembly requires two people and a few hours.
- The Net Return is optimized for a broad use case including net practice as well as simulator play. The impact surface does not hold tension the same way a dedicated high-tension screen does, and the 8/10/12 ft width options may not fit every room exactly.
How We Help You Choose
As authorized dealers for both Carl's Place and The Net Return, we have no incentive to push one over the other. We ask two questions on every consultation call: what does the room look like, and does it serve another purpose? Those two answers settle the decision nine times out of ten.
Browse our best-selling packages to see pre-configured bundles, or jump straight to the Carl's Place C-Series Pro Package or The Net Return Pro Series Package.
Ready to build your setup?
Call (855) 718-4560, email support@golfsimgenies.com, or start a free consultation. Tell us your room dimensions and whether the space is shared — we will recommend the enclosure that fits, not the one with the highest margin.