When you can’t make it out to the green, having a golf simulator in your home or office can be a great way to relax and practice your shot.
With today’s high-tech projectors, you can create a massive image that makes it feel more like you’re playing for real.
If you’re looking for an affordable projector for a golf simulator, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we will discuss some of the best short throw projectors for golf simulators.
The short throw projector is the most commonly used type for simulator setup.
Before we get into the details of the best short throw projectors on the market, let’s talk about what we should consider before purchasing the projector that’s right for us.
Also, check our article on the Best Projector for sports bars.
Buying Guide for the best short throw projector for Golf Simulator
We’ve put together a quick buying guide for you guys to help you find the best short throw projector for golf stimulator.
Lumens
This is a measure of light output that determines image brightness.
In general, the brighter you intend to make your room’s ambient lighting, the more lumens you’ll need to maintain a bright image.
We recommend a projector with at least 2000 lumens if you intend to keep your room dark.
It’s a good idea to invest in a projector that produces 3000+ lumens to ensure that you always have a bright and clear image.
Even with a 3000 lumens projector, the image on the screen may not be bright and vibrant enough to look good. In this case, going up to 4000 or even 5000 lumens is probably worth it.
Projection Distance And Throw Rate
The throw ratio or throw rate, as well as the throw distance, are critical features to consider when purchasing a short-throw projector.
The ideal throw ratio or rate for a projector should be between 0.30 and 1.11.
Because the image will be too small if the throw rate exceeds this range.
Furthermore, a short-throw projector should have a throw distance of 4-5 feet. What is the point of purchasing a short-throw projector if you increase the distance?
Connectivity & Mount Type
To begin, will you place your projector on the ceiling or the floor? Mounting it on the ceiling has advantages, but it is more difficult to set up and requires more room depth.
If you want to keep your projector on the floor, there are unique floor mounts available. These have space constraints, so if you intend to use one, make sure your projector will fit inside.
Furthermore, when mounting on the floor, keep the I/O ports in mind — if they’re on the side, you won’t be able to hide the cables.
Second, ensure that your projector is HDMI compatible. Almost all of them do, though older models might not. This is required for getting the simulation onto the big screen.
Lamp vs Laser
The majority of golf stimulator projectors are now laser projectors. This means that instead of a lamp, they use a laser to project light.
Both lamp and laser projectors have advantages and disadvantages. So the decision is entirely up to you based on your requirements.
Laser projectors are a bit pricey, but if you buy one, you will save money on replacement.
Because an LED bulb or lamp needs to be replaced because it becomes dull and reduces brightness.
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Best short throw projector for Golf Simulator in 2022
We have a shared golf simulator projector with 4k resolution and other useful features for you.
The goal of sharing these products is to decide which is best for you.
Optoma GT1080HDR
It’s reasonably priced for a 1080p short throw projector, it supports 4K input, it outputs an impressive 3800 lumens, and you can mount it from a short distance away.
A bright, high-quality image is essential in golf simulators, and the GT1080HDR delivers.
Many golf simulator owners have used it with great success, and it is one of the most commonly used projectors for golf simulators.
For richer, more accurate colors, the GT1080HDR projector employs Digital Light Processing (DLP) and HDR10 technologies.
Even with a fair amount of ambient lighting in the room, the projector’s 3800 lumens produce a bright, sharp image.
The 0.5:1 throw ratio effectively means that the projector can produce a 100′′ image while being only 1.1 meters away from the screen.
One of the GT1080HDR’s most vital points is its fast response time (8.4ms), which translates to little lag between your shot and the result on the screen.
But it’s not just good for golf. It can also be connected to gaming consoles or media players, with support for Amazon Fire TV Stick HD, Google Chromecast, and Apple TV.
The projector has HDMI connectivity, so you can easily connect your laptop, computer, or other device running the simulation software to the projector.
Because it is a short-throw projector, the GT1080HDR can be mounted on the floor or ceiling without casting shadows. People appreciate the image’s high quality and low cost.
BenQ TK700STi
The BenQ TK700STi is designed with gamers in mind, making it an excellent choice for a golf simulator.
For one thing, it has a lightning-fast input lag, as low as 4ms when gaming in full HD.
This is supplemented by dedicated picture modes for sports games, RPGs, and first-person shooters, which optimize the already high picture quality to match the style of the game you’re playing.
This means realistic on-screen details with no motion blur or other glitches that can disrupt your play in a golf simulator.
The BenQ TK700STi is also extremely versatile, allowing it to be used in various settings.
Its short-throw lens allows it to produce a 100″ image from as close as 6.5 feet away, and its 3,000-lumen lamp produces a bright, saturated image even in rooms with moderate ambient light.
Automatic keystone correction and corner fit correction simplify the setup process, making it one of the simplest options to install in your playing area.
If you only intend to use the projector for a golf simulator, the BenQ TK700STi has no significant drawbacks.
It does, however, have some limitations for multi-use setups. While it does support streaming, it does so via an Android TV dongle that must be plugged into one of the two available HDMI ports.
This can be a problem in more complex setups, such as if you want to use it in conjunction with a cable box or another game system in addition to your golf simulator.
Its speakers are also deficient in terms of output and sound quality. Again, this may not be a big deal for golf simulators, but it does mean that you’ll need external speakers for home theatre or other types of games.
Panasonic PT-VMZ51U
The PT-VMZ51U projector from Panasonic is similar to the PT-VZ580U, but with a few key differences, including a much higher contrast ratio, more lumens, and a laser light source (rather than a lamp) that delivers consistent brightness and color accuracy.
The PT-VMZ51U, like the PT-VZ580U, is not a short-throw projector, but it can perform admirably when mounted on the ceiling some distance away from the screen.
The Panasonic PT-VMZ51U has a throw ratio of 1.09-1.77:1, which means it should be mounted at least 10 feet away from the impact screen.
A high 5200-lumen output combined with a massive 3,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio results in bright, vivid, rich, colorful, and crisp images in virtually any covered environment.
The SOLID SHINE laser light source in the 3LCD projector provides up to 20,000 hours of deep imaging performance.
The PT-VMZ51U is also lightweight, portable, and compact, weighing only 14.3 pounds.
You will pay a premium for this projector’s laser technology, but we believe it is worth it for the superior image quality, quick startup, and low maintenance.
It is brighter, quieter, and more power-efficient than the previous VMZ50U model.
Optoma UHD38
The Optoma UHD38 is arguably the best gaming projector in its price range.
In Enhanced Gaming Mode, the input lag is reduced to single digits, and the 240Hz refresh rate ensures blur-free action, providing an immersive and realistic gaming experience.
The Optoma UHD38’s picture quality is also ideal for golf simulators. Its native 4K resolution, combined with a high Dynamic Black contrast, provides excellent detail and clarity, and an 8-segment color wheel provides vibrant, realistic colors.
With the right simulator, you can experience what it’s like to be out on the green.
The bright lamp also helps here. It produces an impressive 4,000 lumens, more than enough for light-on viewing or partially outdoor spaces.
Because it is a standard throw projector, the Optoma UHD38 will almost certainly require a ceiling mount.
Because it lacks features like lens shift and has a limited zoom, you’ll also need to be fairly precise with your placement.
On the plus side, its lightweight design makes it simple to install, and it has a wide horizontal and vertical keystone correction range.
It also has input options other than HDMI, which is useful for plugging in peripherals or running PC-based simulators.
YABER Y31
Your budget will be strained by the time you have purchased all of the equipment required for a golf simulator.
Golf simulators are expensive, and by the time you look at some of the laser projectors, you’ll be thinking it’s time to look for a deal.
Fortunately, this is where the Yaber Y31 comes in. This is a popular 4k projector for a golf simulator setup.
Its low input lag and aspect ratio make it a good choice, even if it isn’t as impressive as other golf simulator projectors.
The high dynamic contrast ratio is one of the features that help it stand out.
The images projected on the screen are of very high quality, with great detail and clarity.
The most important thing to remember when looking for a golf projector is to balance your budget with the quality of the projector.
Don’t go cheap just to save money; it should improve your golf simulator experience.
It has a three-year warranty and they stand by its product. Furthermore, SmarEco technology can be used to help reduce lamp power consumption and extend the overall life of the projector.
Where to mount your Golf Simulator Projector?
The keys to projector placement include ensuring that it will fill your screen while also keeping it out of harm’s way.
The main options for a safe projector placement are discussed below.
Ceiling
A ceiling-mounted projector should ideally be directly behind the golfer and far enough away that the golfer’s backswing and follow-through do not come into contact with the projector.
If you think it’s out of the way but it’s not, it can throw the golfer off mentally and even change their swing.
This means you may have to mount it at an angle so that the projected image enters the impact screen.
Make sure your projector has the ability to adjust vertical and horizontal keystone as well as the image’s corners to fill your screen nicely.
A ceiling-mounted projector has the disadvantage of being more difficult to adjust, move, and maintain than a projector on the floor or on a table/cart.
Floor Mounted
Floor mounting is a good idea, but some extra precautions must be taken.
If you want to floor mount, you should almost certainly position the projector in front of the golfer to avoid having to deal with shadows on the screen. Shadows on the screen detract from the experience.
In that case, it will almost certainly be in danger of being hit by balls from the club or bouncing back off the impact screen, so a floor projector protective case is almost a requirement.
Also, if you need to collect your golf ball(s), it will be slightly in the way, but it will be out of the way of other people walking around your golf simulator enclosure.
Table/Cart
While it is possible to place your projector on a table or cart, we recommend avoiding it as much as possible.
The first reason is that golfer shadows may appear on the screen.
The second reason is that the cart or table may interfere with your setup or take up unnecessary space on your computer table.
Yes, if you have enough space and this is your only option, you can mount your projector on a cart or table.
We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for projector placement because each golf simulator setup is unique.
How Accurate are Golf Simulators?
Golf simulators differ in terms of accuracy.
If the simulator says you can hit a seven iron 152 yards, the course may show 150 or 154 yards.
If the numbers differ significantly, you may have an issue with one of your simulator’s settings.
Most of the time, accuracy on your at-home golf simulator should be in the 90-98 percent range.
You will get very close to perfect results if you use a simulator on a golf course, such as the TrackMan launch monitor.
Given that these units can cost tens of thousands of dollars, it’s easy to see why accuracy would be improved. For a detailed answer check our article How Accurate are Golf Simulators?
F.A.Qs
What screen size is ideal for a golf simulator?
The screen size of 16′ by 9′ is ideal for a golf simulator. The 16-foot length offers the ideal aspect ratio of 16:9 and enough space to swing a golf club without fear of hitting a wall. This allows golfers to focus on playing their best game.
How far away should a projector be for a golf simulator?
In general, you should place the projector 6 to 8 feet away from the screen. If you go any further back, your hit will cast shadows.
Every projector has slightly different numbers and maximum distances. When placing on the floor, you have more placement options.
Final Verdict
Having a golf stimulator projector will make life much easier for you.
But we understand that finding the right projector is not easy, especially if you are doing it for the first time.
In this article, we discussed one of the best short throw projector for golf simulator.
You can easily select one of these or get an idea from the products shared about the functions and specifications of a stimulator projector.