The idea of bringing a golf simulator into your home or business is as exciting as it is confusing and overwhelming. There are so many moving pieces, from picking the perfect impact screen size to choosing a launch monitor. 

But, one thing we see our customers overlook all the time is their golf simulator projector - and this misstep can make or break your entire setup. Can you use any projector for golf simulator setups? Definitely not! That’s why we’ve put together our golf simulator projector buying guide.

We’ll help you weigh your options below, from normal throw projectors to short-throw projectors for golf simulators. Each has its place, and it’s just a matter of considering your space and budget. 

No matter which type makes the most sense for your configuration, you can count on Indoor Golf Outlet to get you set up with the perfect model from an industry-leading brand. We’ve curated our collection with the top choices available.

So, learn more below - or better yet, connect with one of our Golf Simulator Experts today for one-on-one support with picking the best golf simulator projector. A quick conversation is all it takes to clear up any uncertainties you might have and to feel more confident placing your order!

The Role of a Projector in a Golf Simulator

So many customers get hung up on choosing the best portable launch monitor or seeing which golf simulator software features their favorite courses. But it’s the projector that brings your experience to life. 

The launch monitor handles data tracking, the software simulates shots and courses with the help of a golf simulator computer, and the projector turns all of that into an immersive, full-scale visual display on your golf simulator screen.

In other words, you’d just be staring at numbers on a tablet or monitor without a projector. By integrating a projector, you could be standing on the 17th at Pebble Beach, seeing your shot shape, spin, and carry play out in real time.

Your projector has to be capable of handling large-format visuals without sacrificing clarity or creating distortion. Brightness matters to prevent a washed-out image in rooms with ambient light. The throw distance must align with your space, the size of your impact screen, and the distance that the golfer is hitting from the impact screen, or you risk shadow interference. Additionally, you need to determine if you want a projector that can provide 4K graphics, or if 1080p will meet your requirement.

That’s a lot to think about. So can you use ANY projector for a golf simulator? 

Can You Use Any Projector for a Golf Simulator?

Short answer, no. Technically, you can use a standard or normal throw projector, but there needs to be much more thought into the style and specs you choose. 

It’s also important to note you shouldn’t try to just buy any projector - it should be specifically tailored to the needs of golf simulation. Most off-the-shelf models lack the brightness, resolution, and throw ratios needed for clean, immersive visuals on large impact screens.

Why You Can’t Choose Just Any Projector for a Golf Simulator

All projectors serve the same purpose, but there are so many nuances that need to be taken into consideration - otherwise, you’ll end up frustrated when you go to actually use your system.

For example, if a projector has too long of a throw ratio it forces you to mount the projector too far behind the hitting zone, where it can cast shadows and interfere with your swing. Too short of a throw ratio when paired with an improper mounting location can cause image sizing issues as well. You need to find the sweet spot for your space and the size of your impact screen.

Low-brightness projectors (under 2,500 lumens) struggle in rooms with ambient light. The visuals get washed out. Resolution is another factor. A projector that does not provide at least 1080p resolution will look fuzzy when paired with most modern golf simulator software.

You also risk hot spotting, alignment frustration, and compatibility issues with your software or enclosure if the projector isn’t chosen with care. And in a worst-case scenario, a poorly placed unit could take a direct hit from an errant shot or your clubhead

A golf simulator is a significant investment, and the projector is a central piece of that system. So, can you use any projector for a golf simulator? Not if you’re serious about the experience. Let’s take a look at the different types of golf simulator projectors below.

Different Types of Golf Simulator Projectors

Choosing the right projector starts with understanding the types available. Each of these has its pros and cons depending on your space, screen size, and setup style.

Short Throw Projectors

These are the most common choice for golf simulators because they produce a large image from a short distance, usually 5-13 feet from the screen. This helps eliminate shadows and keeps the projector out of the hitting zone - perfect for dedicated golf simulator rooms, garages, basements, and compact sim spaces.

Ultra-Short Throw Projectors

Ultra-short throw projectors can sit less than 6 feet from the impact screen and still cast a huge image, so they’re great for tight rooms, shallow enclosures where the projector is mounted from the frame, and floor mounted setups. This comes at a cost though, and it requires precise calculation of measuring your impact screen and then mounting the projector in the proper location based upon the projectors throw ratio. Typically these projectors have a tighter zoom range, or no zoom capability at all, which makes the setup process a bit more tedious..

Normal or Standard Throw Projectors

These need more distance (often 15+ feet) from the screen. They can work well in large spaces and in rooms that are designed for dual-purpose such as a room for golf simulation and watching sports and movies. However, casting shadows or having the projector interfere with your swing is more likely with a normal throw projector compared to a short-throw projector. The benefit is that normal throw projectors are typically cheaper than short throw projectors, but they are generally less practical for standard golf simulator setups.

Laser Projectors

Laser projectors are available in all throw types and offer a long lifespan (often 20,000+ hours), low maintenance, and high brightness. They’re a great long-term investment, especially for high-use simulators.

Lamp-Based Projectors

Lamp projectors are more budget-friendly up front however, bulb replacements can add up over the course of time. They still perform well, but the cost of ownership and time commitment for maintaining them needs to be accounted for. Additionally, lamp-based projectors typically do not perform as well in rooms where dust is present (such as garages and workshops) when compared to laser-based projectors. As with most things, you get what you pay for with a projector.

Tips on Choosing the Right Golf Simulator Projector

It’s clear a golf simulator projector is among the most important pieces in your setup. Get it right, and your screen becomes a vibrant, immersive digital golf course. Get it wrong, and you’re left with shadows, distortion, washed-out images, or worse - projector damage from a stray ball.

Don’t sweat it, though. Our golf simulator projector buying guide will ease any uncertainty and leave you feeling confident and capable of making the right choice for your budget and space. 

Start With Your Room Dimensions

Measure your space carefully before diving into any projector options. Specifically, here are the dimensions you need to gather before choosing the best golf simulator projector:

• Distance you are planning to mount the projector from your impact screen (throw distance)
• Ceiling height and your enclosure height (if you are using one)
• Viewable screen height and width (this is the white portion of the screen only)
• Overall room depth, width, and lighting conditions

A short throw projector is likely your best bet if you are trying to mount the projector 10-14 feet from the impact screen. These projectors are typically mounted from the ceiling, 1-3 feet behind the hitting area. They are capable of casting large images from close ranges, preventing shadows and freeing up more room for your swing.

An ultra-short throw projector is also another option if you are planning to floor-mount the projector in front of the hitting area, or if you are planning to mount the projector to a shallow enclosure frame.

On a rare occasion we see a standard or normal throw projector used when our customers are working with a dual-purpose room such as a room designed for both golf simulation and watching sports and movies. Oftentimes, these rooms are deeper, feature a large impact screen, and a seating area. With this kind of application, the projector ends up being mounted 15-25 feet from the impact screen and from the ceiling. While considering a normal throw projector, it’s important to be aware of how far the projector is mounted behind the hitting area, as the greater this distance becomes, the higher the likelihood of shadowing becomes..

Consider Screen Size and Aspect Ratio

While choosing a projector, you need to ensure it can produce an image that matches the aspect ratio of your impact screen. The aspect ratio of your impact screen is determined by your viewable screen dimensions (the height and width of the white portion of the screen). As an example, if your impact screen is a 16:10 aspect ratio, you need to ensure that your projector has a 16:10 selectable aspect ratio within the menu settings. Within the “Specifications” tab on our projector product pages, we list all of the selectable aspect ratios that the projector features so you can easily confirm this information. Most golf simulator impact screens fall into one of these four aspect ratios:

• 1:1: Perfectly square with the height matching the width
• 4:3: Most common aspect ratio for standard sized impact screens and enclosures. Viewable screen width is greater than the viewable screen height.
• 16:9: Widescreen format that matches modern projectors while providing true, 4K resolution. Requires a very wide space (14’+ room width) to accommodate a 16:9 impact screen or enclosure. 
• 16:10: In between a 4:3 and 16:10 layout with regard to the height vs. width measurement. Often used in large rooms with plentiful space. Provides a resolution and image quality that is superior to 4:3, while not as robust as true 4K 16:9.

Double-check the projector’s selectable aspect ratios and ensure that it can accommodate the aspect ratio of your viewable screen dimensions before purchasing. You want to fill the entirety of the impact screen while not leaving any white space on the screen for the best experience. In the case that you have an impact screen that does not fall within a 1:1, 4:3, 16:9, or 16:10 aspect ratio, setting a custom resolution on your golf simulator computer is always an option to fill the impact screen, just keep in mind this can stretch the projected image which is not ideal.

Focus on Brightness and Contrast

Your projector needs enough brightness to cut through ambient light and still look sharp on your golf simulator impact screen. Look for at least 3,000 lumens of brightness for well-lit rooms. 2,500 lumens is cutting it close, but this can work in darker spaces or those with more controlled lighting. If you are looking for the most robust image, 5,000+ lumens of brightness is ideal.

Contrast ratio also plays a role in image clarity. A higher contrast ratio means better definition between light and dark areas, so you’ll be able to better see course details like bunkers, slopes, or shadows.

Just remember: advertised contrast ratios can be wildly inflated. Focus more on brightness and real-world reviews than marketing claims. We can help you get a better sense of actual performances for any of the models on our site if you get in touch with our customer service team.

Resolution Matters More Than You Think

Many golfers overlook resolution, but you’ll wish you didn’t when you tee it up and see grainy or pixelated visuals. This issue is particularly prevalent on large impact screens, and it can break the sense of realism while making it harder to follow your shot path.

We recommend 1080p (Full HD) at the bare minimum. If you can afford it, 4K or WUXGA (1920x1200) are the gold standard. These projectors are definitely more expensive, but like we said earlier, you get what you pay for.

4K or WUXGA projectors provide exceptional clarity, and can future-proof your setup. They’re worth it especially if your simulator software supports high-res environments like GSPro or E6 CONNECT.

Understand Mounting Options

Your projector's throw ratio and viewable screen dimensions will determine how and where it needs to be mounted. We’ve touched on this already, but here’s a quick refresher:

• Short Throw Projectors typically mount 10-14 feet from the impact screen, great for conventional simulator setups where the projector is ceiling mounted slightly behind the hitting area.
• Ultra Short Throw Projectors typically sit less than 6 feet from the impact screen making them great for tight rooms, while mounting the projector to the enclosure frame, and floor mounted setups.
• Normal Throw Projectors mount further away from the impact screen compared to short throw projectors and are typically used for dual purpose rooms such as those designed for both golf simulation and watching sports and movies.

Features like keystone correction, lens shift, and zoom allow you to fine tune your image if your projector ends up not being centered or level. These are not standard features for most golf simulator projectors so take a look at the specifications before making your purchase if these are features that you need to perfect your setup.

While searching for the optimal projector for your space and budget, it is paramount that you keep the projector OUT of your swing path. No matter how robust the projector is, if you are not able to mount it in a location that allows you to swing freely based upon its throw ratio and your viewable screen dimensions, none of the other features matter. Browse our extensive collection of golf simulator projector mounts to pair with your new projector.

Don’t Overlook Lag and Input Delay

You want near-instant feedback between your shot and the display on screen - after all, maximizing golf simulator accuracy is always the goal. You don’t want to hit a shot and then sit there waiting anxiously to see the result.

So, don’t settle for any projectors that have more than 50 ms input lag. Ideally, you’d invest in a solution with 16-30 ms or less for real-time responsiveness. Again, you get what you pay for.

Think Long-Term: Maintenance and Longevity

There are two main types of projectors: lamp-based and laser-based. Like we said earlier, lamp-based projectors are cheaper initially but you’ll be replacing bulbs every few thousand hours. That’s not just expensive, it’s a hassle.

Laser projectors typically offer greater value in the long run since they last 15,000-30,000 hours without any maintenance, while also providing better brightness retention over time.

We believe the larger investment in a laser-based projector is well worth it if you plan on playing frequently, or while leaving your simulator running for events or extended practice sessions. Another benefit of laser-based projectors is that they are typically more resilient when it comes to handling minor dust particles to ensure that you have a clear and crisp image no matter how clean your space is.

Regardless, we recommend dust-proofing your simulator space as efficiently as possible - especially if your space isn’t climate-controlled. Simulators are expensive, and you want to project your investment. Speaking of which…

The Budget Side of Things

We’ve brought up cost and value throughout our golf simulator projector buying guide, and for good reason. It’s definitely something that needs to be taken into consideration, given the fact that good projectors cost at least a few thousand dollars. Cheap projectors:

• Lack the brightness needed for rooms with ambient light
• Don’t support large screen formats
• Struggle with keystone distortion
• Have short lifespans or poor support

But, you don’t need to spend $5,000 to get a solid projector. While cutting corners will leave you disappointed or cost more in the long run, you can get solid value for the money when you shop with a trusted company like Indoor Golf Outlet. Here’s a rough budget guide to get started:

• Under $2,000: Entry-level projectors (often lamp-based, or laser-based projectors with low lumens).
• $2,000-$3,000: Great short-throw options with solid brightness and resolution. Entry-level 4K graphics.
• $4,000+: High-end, 4K laser projectors with 5,000+ lumens, ultra-low lag, and advanced correction features.

Ready to find the best golf simulator projector for your budget? Look no further than our collection, where there’s a model for every price range. 

Still Not Sure What Type of Projector for Golf Simulator Best Suits Your Needs? Let Our Experts Give You a Suggestion!

As your one-stop shop for golf simulators online, you can count on our customer support team to point you in the right direction after talking over your needs and budget. 

We never push you towards one projector over another based on industry relationships or profit margins. Instead, we work relentlessly to pair you with the BEST possible solution, no matter what it may be.

We’ve tested and reviewed every product we carry, so our team knows what works and what doesn’t whether you’re looking for something simple and affordable or commercial-grade performance.

Get in touch today for a free consultation with one of our Golf Simulator Experts. In the meantime, here are a handful of our top projector picks - each with different strengths depending on your space and budget:

BenQ TK700ST 4K HDR Short Throw Projector – $1,799

This lamp-based projector delivers a clean, responsive image ideal for simulation software and real-time shot feedback with 4K HDR native resolution, 3,000 lumens, and just 16.7 ms input delay. 

It’s great for conventional golf simulator setups thanks to its short throw ratio, and it punches way above its price point. A favorite for home setups that demand sharp visuals and ultra-low lag.

BenQ AH700ST 4000-Lumen Short Throw 1080P Laser Golf Simulator Projector – $2,299

The AH700ST is a laser-based projector that delivers 4,000 lumens of brightness and automatic adjustment capabilities for ease of installation. Enjoy a hassle free setup as the projector automatically identifies your impact screen aspect ratio and produces an image to match it whether that be 1:1, 4:3, 16:9, or 16:10.
The projector’s 0.69~0.83 short throw ratio makes it an ideal choice for conventional golf simulator setups where the projector is mounted slightly behind the hitting area.

BenQ AK700ST 4000-Lumen 4K Short Throw Laser Golf Simulator Projector – $2,899

All of the same great features as the AH700ST while providing 4K capability. With automatic adjustment capabilities, a throw ratio that makes it ideal for most simulator rooms, and 4,000 lumens of brightness, the AK700ST offers the highest grade image quality and feature set for any projector under $3,000.

BenQ LK936ST 4K HDR Short Throw Laser Projector – $4,899

The LK936ST delivers 5,100 lumens, razor-sharp 4K resolution, and an optimized throw ratio for a premium experience with brilliant clarity. 

The laser light source is built for long-term use, and the image quality is unmatched. Ideal for those building a dedicated simulator space who want elite-level performance. Simply put, the gold standard for golf simulator projectors!

Wrapping Up Our Golf Simulator Projector Buying Guide

So can you use any projector for a golf simulator? Definitely not, and we hope this golf simulator projector buying guide has left you with clarity on your next steps.

From throw ratio to brightness, resolution, and input lag, every detail affects how immersive and accurate your setup feels. While not every projector is built for golf simulation, the right one will deliver crisp visuals, seamless feedback, and will integrate perfectly with your setup.

Whether you’re building a home simulator or outfitting a commercial space, we’ve got the gear, expertise, and support to help you nail it. Get in touch today now for help comparing projector models and specs!