Home › Projectors

Golf simulator projectors: throw ratio, lumens and price

31 projectors used in golf simulators, with throw ratio, brightness and input lag from the makers and independent tests. Enter your screen and distance and the table shows which ones fit.

Screen width

Screen height

Lens to screen

Throw ratio needed–

Projector	Resolution	Throw ratio	Lumens	Light	Input lag	Price	Lens to screen	Best for
Optoma ZW350ST	WXGA	0.52	3,600 ISO	Laser	–	$909	1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)	Cheapest laser option in sim packages
BenQ TH671ST	1080p	0.69–0.83	3,000	Lamp	16.4 ms	$949	2.8–3.4 m (9 ft 2 in–11 ft 1 in)	Lowest-cost entry for a dark room
ViewSonic LSD500HD	1080p	1.13–1.47	–	Laser	16.3 ms	$1,050	4.6–6.0 m (15 ft 1 in–19 ft 7 in)	Cheap brightness in deeper rooms (standard throw)
ViewSonic LSD400HD-ST	1080p	0.50	4,000	Laser	16.3 ms	$1,085	2.0 m (6 ft 8 in)	Budget 1080p laser short throw
BenQ LW600ST+	WXGA	0.72–0.87	3,200	LED	33.4 ms	$1,199	2.6–3.2 m (8 ft 8 in–10 ft 5 in)	Entry budget where resolution matters less
BenQ AW30ST	WXGA	0.72–0.87	3,200	LED	33.4 ms	$1,199	2.6–3.2 m (8 ft 8 in–10 ft 5 in)	Entry budget (WXGA)
Optoma GT2000HDR	1080p	0.50	3,500	Laser	17.0 ms	$1,199	2.0 m (6 ft 7 in)	Budget 1080p laser for small rooms
BenQ LH730	1080p	1.30–1.56	4,000	LED	33.4 ms	$1,299	5.3–6.3 m (17 ft 4 in–20 ft 10 in)	Deep rooms where a standard-throw projector can sit well behind the golfer
Optoma GT2100HDR	1080p	0.50	4,200	Laser	–	$1,299	2.0 m (6 ft 8 in)	1080p laser short throw on a budget
Optoma GT2400HDR	1080p	0.48	4,200 ISO	Laser	16.7 ms	$1,299	2.0 m (6 ft 5 in)	1080p laser for small rooms (very short 0.48 throw)
ViewSonic LS711HD	1080p	0.50	4,200	Laser	–	$1,364	2.0 m (6 ft 8 in)	1080p laser short throw for small rooms
Optoma GT2300HDR	1080p	0.50	3,600 ISO	Laser	16.7 ms	$1,399	2.0 m (6 ft 7 in)	Budget 1080p with golf-software picture modes
BenQ AH30ST	1080p	0.69–0.83	3,000	LED	16.7 ms	$1,499	2.8–3.4 m (9 ft 2 in–11 ft 1 in)	Entry budget, lower ceilings and square (1:1) screens
Optoma GT3900UHD	4K	0.50	4,000 ISO	Laser	16.7 ms	$1,499	2.0 m (6 ft 8 in)	Cheapest 4K laser short throw (2026)
Optoma ZK431ST-B	4K	0.50	4,100 ISO	Laser	16.7 ms	$1,799	2.0 m (6 ft 8 in)	Budget 4K in small rooms
BenQ AH500ST	1080p	0.50	4,000	Laser	33.4 ms	$1,999	2.0 m (6 ft 8 in)	Small rooms, low ceilings and floor mounting
Optoma ZH450ST	1080p	0.50	4,200	Laser	16.2 ms	$1,999	2.0 m (6 ft 7 in)	Durable 1080p short throw for a light-controlled room
BenQ TK710STi	4K	0.69–0.83	3,200	Laser	16.7 ms	$2,199	2.8–3.4 m (9 ft 2 in–11 ft 1 in)	Multipurpose gaming/movie + golf room with light control
BenQ AH700ST	1080p	0.69–0.83	4,000	Laser	33.4 ms	$2,299	2.8–3.4 m (9 ft 2 in–11 ft 1 in)	Overhead mount behind the tee with automatic screen fitting (1080p)
BenQ LH860ST	1080p	0.50	5,000	Laser	16.7 ms	$2,399	2.0 m (6 ft 8 in)	Bright 1080p for small rooms / floor mounts
Panasonic PT-VMZ51 (U/BU/SU7 variants)	WUXGA	1.09–1.77	5,200 ISO	Laser	–	$2,495	4.0–6.5 m (13 ft 1 in–21 ft 3 in)	Deeper rooms (standard throw) wanting lens shift
BenQ LK830ST	4K *	0.50	4,000	Laser	16.7 ms	$2,499	2.0 m (6 ft 8 in)	4K in tight rooms or floor mounts (0.5 throw)
Optoma ZK521ST-B	4K	0.79	5,000 ISO	Laser	16.7 ms	$2,699	3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)	Bright 4K mid-price, overhead mount
BenQ AK700ST	4K	0.69–0.83	4,000	Laser	33.4 ms	$2,899	2.8–3.4 m (9 ft 2 in–11 ft 1 in)	4K all-rounder for mid-size rooms with auto screen fit
LG ProBeam BU53RG	4K	0.94–1.14	5,000	Laser	–	$3,799	3.8–4.6 m (12 ft 6 in–15 ft 2 in)	Deeper rooms wanting 4K with lens shift
BenQ AK800ST	4K	0.69–0.84	5,000	Laser	18.6 ms	$3,999	2.8–3.4 m (9 ft 2 in–11 ft 2 in)	New 4K build in a brighter or hybrid cinema/golf room
Epson PowerLite L690SU	WUXGA	0.80–1.36	6,200 ISO	Laser	–	$4,661	2.9–5.0 m (9 ft 7 in–16 ft 4 in)	Bright 3LCD for rooms with ambient light, flexible placement
BenQ LK936ST	4K	0.81–0.89	5,100	Laser	34.0 ms	$4,899	3.3–3.6 m (10 ft 10 in–11 ft 10 in)	Large screens, premium builds, rooms with some ambient light
Epson PowerLite L695SE	WUXGA *	0.50–0.70	6,000 ISO	Laser	–	$5,710	1.8–2.6 m (6 ft–8 ft 5 in)	Premium bright build needing short throw with lens shift
BenQ AK900ST	4K	0.82–0.89	6,000	Laser	18.6 ms	$5,999	3.3–3.6 m (10 ft 11 in–11 ft 10 in)	Premium large or curved screens, rooms with ambient light
Epson PowerLite L795SE	WUXGA *	0.79–1.36	7,000 ISO	Laser	–	$6,104	2.9–5.0 m (9 ft 6 in–16 ft 4 in)	Very bright commercial-grade bays

* Pixel shift (not a native 4K panel). Prices are US prices at the maker or a retailer, or list prices, on October 12, 2026.

What matters when you choose

Throw ratio

Throw ratio is the distance from the lens to the screen divided by the image width. Impact screens are usually 4:3 while projectors are 16:9 or 16:10, so the screen height decides: a 10 × 7.5 ft (3.05 × 2.29 m) screen needs a 16:9 image 13.3 ft (4.06 m) wide. At a throw ratio of 0.5 the projector sits about 6.7 ft (2.03 m) from the screen; at 0.69–0.83, about 9.2–11.1 ft (2.8–3.4 m), roughly above the tee.

Placement

Above or slightly behind the tee is the most common position and casts the least shadow. Mount the projector square to the screen: keystone correction softens the image and often adds lag. Ultra-short-throw projectors (below 0.4) do not work with impact screens, because the image distorts when the screen moves and the unit sits in the ball’s path.

Brightness

Most home setups need 3,000–4,000 lumens. With lights or windows on, aim for 4,000 or more, and 5,000+ with a grey screen in a bright room. A 4:3 image on a 16:9 projector uses only 75% of the light, and measured brightness is often well below the spec sheet (two reviews measured 24–30% less).

Laser, 4K and lag

On a tight budget pick laser before 4K: a laser lasts the life of the projector and starts instantly, while lamps lose brightness early. 1080p and 1920 × 1200 are the most popular choices because the fabric of an impact screen hides much of the difference. Input lag in the table runs from about 16 to 34 ms; keystone correction can push it to 50 ms, so mount the projector square to the screen.

Frequently asked questions

What throw ratio do I need for a golf simulator?

Divide the distance from the lens to the screen by the image width. For a 10 × 7.5 ft (3.05 × 2.29 m) screen a 16:9 projector must draw a 13.3 ft (4.06 m) wide image, so 0.5 means about 6.7 ft (2.03 m) away and 0.69–0.83 means 9.2–11.1 ft (2.8–3.4 m).

How many lumens does a golf simulator projector need?

3,000–4,000 lumens for most dim rooms, 4,000 or more with lights or windows on, and over 5,000 with a grey screen in a bright room.

Is a 4K projector worth it for a golf simulator?

Less than you might think. Impact screens have a fabric texture, so 1080p and 1920 × 1200 are the popular choices. BenQ puts the 4K premium at about $600; choose laser first.

Can I use an ultra-short-throw projector?

No. It sits right below the screen, where balls can hit it, and the image distorts when the impact screen moves.

Sources

Independent: no maker pays to be listed or ranked. How we earn money. Prices and specifications checked October 12, 2026.