Your projector brings the course to life, so it needs to fit your room as well as it looks. We stock short throw golf simulator projectors from BenQ and Optoma, in HD and 4K, laser and lamp, chosen to fill a big impact screen from close range in a typical garage or sim room.
Golf Simulator Projectors
Golf Simulator Projectors
How to Choose a Golf Simulator Projector
Resolution and brightness get most of the attention, but whether a projector actually works in your sim comes down to how it fits your room, your screen and your PC. These are the four things to check before you buy.
SHORT THROW
Most sim bays are only 4 to 6 metres deep, so you need a short throw projector that fills a big screen from close range. Standard home theatre projectors need far more distance.
RESOLUTION
A quality 1080p projector looks excellent. 4K raises the detail ceiling on bigger screens, but only if your PC can render your software in 4K.
LASER OR LAMP
Lamp projectors cost less up front. Laser projectors hold their brightness longer and don't need replacement lamps, which suits sims that get plenty of use.
ALIGNMENT FEATURES
Keystone, four-corner correction and lens shift decide where you can mount it. If your mount might sit off centre, this matters more than the price tag.
HD or 4K Golf Simulator Projector?
You don't need 4K for a great golf simulator. The deciding factor is usually the PC behind the projector, not the projector itself. A 4K projector fed by a PC that can only render 1080p simply upscales the image, so you pay for resolution you can't see. Our 4K vs HD projector guide covers it in full.
CHOOSE HD IF
Your PC isn't 4K capable, you run your sim from an iPad, your screen is on the smaller side, or your budget is better spent on your launch monitor or enclosure.
CHOOSE 4K IF
You want the sharpest image on a larger screen, your PC can drive it, or you plan to upgrade your PC soon. Swapping a mounted projector later is far harder than swapping a graphics card.
Need a PC that can keep up? Browse our golf simulator PCs or read our golf simulator PC guide.
Throw Ratio and Mounting Your Projector
Plan your mount before you buy. Real rooms rarely cooperate, and ceiling joists, downlights, fans and garage door tracks often push the ideal mounting spot off centre. Our throw ratio and keystone correction guide walks through every step.
WORK OUT YOUR DISTANCE
Each projector's throw ratio tells you how far back it needs to sit to fill your screen. Use the manufacturer's calculator to check it suits your bay.
CHECK YOUR CEILING
Look for joists, lights, smoke detectors and fans where you plan to mount, before your enclosure goes up.
OFF CENTRE? CHECK KEYSTONE
Many entry level projectors only have vertical keystone and must be mounted dead centre left to right. For an off-centre mount, choose horizontal keystone, four-corner correction or lens shift.
FINE TUNE ON SCREEN
Use the manufacturer's calculator as a starting point, then match the image to your screen edges with a custom resolution on your PC.
Shop Projectors by Brand
We stock golf simulator projectors from BenQ and Optoma, two of the most trusted names in short throw projection. Comparing the two? Read our BenQ vs Optoma golf simulator projector comparison.
BenQ golf simulator projectors
A wide range of HD and 4K short throw models, supported by BenQ's purpose-built golf simulator planner.
Optoma golf simulator projectors
HD and 4K short throw options, from value lamp models to laser projectors built for simulator use.
Complete Your Golf Simulator
Your projector shows the picture. To turn it into a working sim you also need something to project onto, something to hit off, something to read the ball and something to run the software. Want it bundled? Check out our golf simulator packages or build your own simulator step by step.
IMPACT SCREENS
A smooth, tightly woven screen is what lets a 4K image actually look sharp. Shop golf impact screens.
ENCLOSURES
Designed to help control light around the screen. Shop golf simulator enclosures.
LAUNCH MONITORS
Often the better place to spend extra budget. Shop golf launch monitors.
HITTING MATS
Every sim needs one. Shop golf hitting mats.
Golf Simulator Projector FAQs
Can I use a normal home theatre projector for a golf simulator?
Usually not. Standard home theatre projectors often need 1.5 times the image width in distance or more, which a typical 4 to 6 metre sim bay can't give you. Golf simulator projectors are short throw, generally between 0.49:1 and 0.9:1, so they fill a big screen from close range.
Where should a golf simulator projector be mounted?
Typically on the ceiling, just above and slightly behind the hitting area. Centre the lens to your screen rather than the projector body, as the lens on most short throw models sits off centre in the housing.
Can I mount my projector off to one side?
Only if it has horizontal keystone, four-corner correction or lens shift. Without one of these, an off-centre mount leaves a distorted image you can't correct. Check each product's alignment specs if your ceiling has obstructions.
Is a laser projector worth it for a golf simulator?
If your sim gets regular use, generally yes. Laser projectors keep their brightness for longer and skip lamp replacements. A lamp projector is still a sensible choice if you want to keep the upfront cost down.
How do I get the image to fit my impact screen exactly?
Start with the manufacturer's projection calculator, mount the projector so the image height lines up with the top of your screen, then set a custom resolution on your PC and reduce the width until the image sits exactly on the screen edges.
Not sure which projector suits your room?
Send us your room dimensions, screen size and PC setup, and we'll help you work out throw distance, keystone needs and resolution before you buy. Request a call with a sim expert.
How long does delivery take?
Most in stock orders dispatch within 1 to 2 business days, with an estimated delivery time of 2 to 10 business days anywhere in Australia.