What is the Best Projector for a Golf Simulator?

Indoor golf simulators can be a great addition to any home. Not only can you keep your golf game at its top level when you are away from the course, but golf simulators are also quite fun.

Unfortunately, you will need some equipment to get the perfect setup for a golf simulator. Some of that equipment is going to be technical in nature and can get a bit confusing.

We have put together our top five picks for the best projectors for a golf simulator on the market. There are options on this list for all budgets, and we are confident there will be something here that will help you get your golf simulator up and running today.

Top 5 Best Projectors For Golf Simulators

1. Optoma EH200ST Short Throw Projector

At the top of our list is the Optoma Short Throw Projector. There are quite a few benefits to this projector, so stay with us as we go through just a few.

This is a high-speed moving projector which you will need for a golf simulator to function correctly. You will also love the HDMI port that allows you to present directly from your mobile phone or tablet. The HDMI may help you if your golf simulator software happens to be compatible with your smartphone as well.

Another reason we love this model is that it is called the Short Throw. This essentially means that it can project a very high-quality image from only a few feet away. When working in a confined space, this is precisely what you will need. Although most golfers would love to own their large practice facility, most will be working in a garage, basement, or extra bedroom.

The images will project in 1080p, so you will feel as though you are on the golf course.

Overall this is a great projector that is going to work for your golf simulator, your business needs, and movie night or two as well!

2. BenQ MW612 WXGA Projector

Next is the BenQ Business Projector. This model is going to be a bit more friendly to your wallet than our top choice, but it still comes with a ton of great benefits. For starters, you will love that you can choose between a short-throw or long-throw option.

Depending on the size of the room you are working with, choose something that will project your golf course simulator images accurately. The BenQ has the excellent image quality and works with a wide variety of devices.

There are two HDMI cables and a USB Power supply. You also have the option to use this as a wireless projector. The contrast ratio is 20,000:1, just like our top model. The clarity is so good with this particular projector that it helps to reduce eye strain as well.

We have two things that we love about the Ben Q, the first is the quick and easy setup, and the second is the warranty. Getting up and running quickly and having a warranty to stand behind any issues are two critical factors in projector ownership.

3. ViewSonic 3600 Lumens SVGA High Brightness Projector

The ViewSonic is perhaps the best deal you will be able to find for a golf simulator projector. The pricing on this model is going to be very hard to beat, but you won’t be missing too many of the features by going with the less expensive model.

The ViewSonic is capable of big-screen projection from 15 feet to 8 inches. You can have this unit set up and ready to work in just a matter of minutes. The throw distance (which we said was significant to keep in mind) is 1.19m-13m.

Another factor that we have not talked about yet is the lamp life. Sometimes the lamp will need to be replaced in your projector; luckily, the ViewSonic will last for up to 15,000 hours. This is a lot of golf!

You will have the ability to connect to most media players and mobile devices with the HDMI input options included with this model. You also will get a remote control to help you operate the projector even when not standing right next to. With a three year warranty and all of these great features, nobody will argue that the ViewSonic is undoubtedly a deal.

4. Epson VS250 Projector

Epson is a well-known name when it comes to electronics. The Epson VS250 is a high functioning and affordable projector to pair with your golf simulator technology.

Even in a well-lit room, the Epson promises some great color and brightness. This is an excellent feature for a golf simulator projector because you don’t want to have to play in the dark just to see the golf course or the driving range on your wall.

Epson is compatible with a wide range of devices, both PC and Mac. The Epson also has wireless capabilities as well to make connecting with your iPhone or your Ipad very easy. The Epson model is going to work best for smaller setups. When you need the big screen projectivity, you may want to go with a different model.

5. Optoma GT1080HDR Short Throw Projector

Last on our list is the Optoma Short Throw Gaming Projector. This is a premium model, and it has a few extra features that our top choice Optoma did not have. This model is usually priced a bit high, but you can watch for the price to lower from time to time.

Being that this is a gaming projector, you can expect to see the high quality and vivid images that move very quickly. You will notice that the Optoma allows for brighter whites and deeper blacks when it comes to color.

The fast response time is going to be refreshing when you want to feel as though you are genuinely on the golf course. This Optoma also has a short throw lens that allows a 120″ image from only four feet away. Where most of the models we reviewed had a 20,000:1 contrast ratio, the Optoma has a 50,000:1.

The full HD 1080p images can be seen with the use of various devices. The connectivity options on this unit include Fire Stick and Apple TV; there is quite a bit you can do with the Optoma aside from using it as a golf simulator projector.

Buyers Guide

When purchasing a projector for your golf simulator, you will have to learn some technical jargon. If you are one of those people that loves technology and thrives on this stuff, then you will have no issues. However, if you still have the old flip phone in your pocket, you may be a bit confused by the stats and terminology associated with these protectors. Here are a few of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing a projector.

Throw Ratio

You probably noticed that most of the options we recommended said that they were short throw projectors. The short-throw allows for a projector to work in a confined or restricted area. You will very likely not be working with ample space when installing an at-home golf simulator, so short throw options are going to work best.

The throw ratio is the distance the projector needs to be from the screen to get the width desired on the simulator. If you don’t use a short throw option, you may see a shadow on your hitting screen

Lumens

You will see lumens talked about quite a bit when shopping for a projector. Lumens is going to talk about the brightness of the picture. As we mentioned earlier, not all golfers want to practice in the dark. You don’t have to as long as you choose the proper projector that will be bright even in a lighter setting.

Resolution

The resolution is the number of pixels in the image projected on the screen. When you have a high resolution, the picture will be much more clear. Most of the options in our review had a 1080p resolution, which is quite good. As long as this is matched with the proper amount of speed, you should have no issues with your golf simulator experience.

Pricing

The pricing is kind of all over the place when it comes to projectors. An expensive feature that may matter to some golfers might not matter for you. Make sure that you pick something with great value and warranty. A cheap unit with no warranty is not as good of a decision as the middle of the road priced unit with a three-year warranty.

Connectivity

Most of these projectors have a wide range of connectivity options. Many of them even have wireless connections, as well. Make sure that your simulator can easily connect to your projector. The wireless connection is not always going to be the fastest, so you will want to check for HDMI and other connectivity options before making your final decision.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can you use any projector for a golf simulator?

Yes, you can use any projector for a golf simulator. With that being said, some options will work better than others. Some projectors will be slow, and some will need a large area to function correctly. There are several considerations you should take into account before purchasing your golf simulator projector.

What size room do you need for a golf simulator?

When you purchase a golf simulator, it will often give you some recommendations on the size of the room. Remember that you will have to take into consideration the height, width, and length of the room. As a general rule of thumb, you are going to want about ten feet of width, fifteen feet of length, and ten feet of height.

Many people question the height requirement and try and make it work with 8.5 feet of height clearance. This will depend on your height and your golf swing. You don’t want to ever swing in an area where your golf swing feels restricted; this will lead to poor habits.

Where do you put a projector for a golf simulator?

There are different ways you can install a golf simulator projector. The traditional approach was for a ceiling mount; however, there are options for floor mounts as well. If you are working in a space where a ceiling mount will not be an option, make sure you look into the floor mount capabilities.

Conclusion

Setting up an at-home golf simulator is exciting and fun. If you purchase the right equipment, now you should be set for many years. We love our top choice, the Optoma Full 3D. Although it is a bit more money than some of the other options, this is a very high performing model that will make you feel like you joined a private country club in your basement!