What projector do you need for a golf simulator?

Why a simulator projector is different

A projector for a golf simulator has an awkward job. It has to fill a large impact screen with a bright picture, in a room that is not always fully dark, while a golfer stands between it and the screen swinging a club. Put it in the wrong place and you cast a shadow on the screen, or hit it.

That is why most home setups use a short-throw projector mounted close to the golfer, and why the projector is usually chosen after the screen size is known.

Throw ratio and short throw

What throw ratio means

BenQ defines throw ratio as the distance from the projector to the screen divided by the width of the picture. A projector with a throw ratio of 0.8, for example, needs to be 2.4 m away to make a picture 3 m wide.

Why short throw suits golf

Short-throw projectors have low throw ratios; BenQ quotes a range of about 0.5 to 1.1. They make a big picture from a short distance, which means the projector can sit above or just behind the golfer instead of far back in the room, where the golfer would block the light.

Trackman makes the same point from the other side: a projector that cannot fill the screen from a short distance can cause shadows and limits where you can install it. Check the throw ratio before anything else.

Where to mount the projector

BenQ’s guidance is to mount the projector on the target line, roughly 7 to 8 feet (about 2.1 to 2.4 m) from the screen, and no more than 3 to 4 feet behind the golfer, so the player does not cast a shadow. Most people mount it on the ceiling.

Two practical points:

• Ceiling height matters. BenQ notes that with ceilings under 9 feet (about 2.7 m) you may need to tilt the projector and use keystone correction, which it says compromises image clarity. Another reason ceiling height counts; see our golf simulator size guide.
• Keep it out of the swing. The projector must be well clear of the top of your swing and your follow-through. An installer will check this against your height and swing.

How bright should it be?

Brightness is measured in lumens. BenQ suggests:

• about 3,000 ANSI lumens as a starting point for a smaller impact screen;
• 4,000 lumens or more, ideally a laser projector, for screens 10 feet (about 3 m) wide or larger.

Trackman’s own guide pictures a 6,000 lumen Full HD projector in a simulator room. The darker you can make the room, the less brightness you need. Dimmable lights help: you want light on the ball and a dark screen area.

1080p or 4K?

BenQ says Full HD 1080p or WUXGA is acceptable, but 4K is preferred, and recommends 4K for impact screens wider than 14 feet (over 4 m).

4K has a cost beyond the projector. Trackman notes that 4K setups put more demand on the computer’s graphics card, and simulator software lists higher specifications for it: GSPro, for example, recommends an RTX 3080 or better and 32 GB of memory for 4K, against an RTX 3070 or 3060 Ti for 1080p.

Picture shape

Impact screens are usually set up at about 4:3, which gives more height for the swing. BenQ recommends a projector with a native 16:9 or 16:10 picture, adjusted to the screen, and says image quality greatly improves with those native shapes. Read more in our guide to golf simulator screens.

Laser or lamp?

BenQ describes laser projectors as essentially maintenance free, with consistently bright images for well over a decade. Lamp projectors fade with use: its example is a lamp rated at 4,000 lumens dropping to about 3,000 after a year or so. Tekden puts a replacement lamp at about £100 to £300. Laser costs more up front but saves on lamps and keeps its brightness.

What golf simulator projectors cost

Published UK prices, read 26 October 2026 (a guide, not a quote; the listings do not say whether VAT is included):

The GolfBays and Tekden cost guides both treat the projector as one of the main parts of a simulator budget, alongside the launch monitor and the enclosure. The cost calculator lets you compare a 1080p short-throw with a 4K laser in the overall price.

Mounting and cabling

A ceiling mount needs a secure fixing into joists, and power and an HDMI cable to the computer. Long HDMI runs can need an active cable or extender. In a garden room or garage, plan the projector socket when the electrics go in, so cables are not trailing across the hitting area.

If you are not confident fixing into a ceiling or running cables, this is the part of the job most worth paying an installer for. See golf simulator installation, or follow our step-by-step guide to setting up a golf simulator.

A quick checklist

• Measure the screen width and height first.
• Choose a throw ratio that fills that width from about 2.1 to 2.4 m.
• Match brightness to screen size and how dark the room is.
• Decide on 1080p or 4K, and check your computer can drive it.
• Plan the mount, power socket and HDMI run before any finishing work.