Do not want to miss golf practice even for a day? Well, you have to build a golf simulator so when you can not play outdoors you can practice indoors. However, to get the same feeling you have to invest in a golf simulator projector.
There are hundreds of golf simulator projectors out there. However, you have to pick the right one, here are the few projectors that I find worthy of your consideration;
Best Projector for Golf Simulator
- Best Overall: Optoma GT1090HDR Laser Home Theater Projector
- True Golf-Simulator: BenQ MW632ST WXGA Short Throw Projector
- Versatile: ViewSonic PJD5353LS Short Throw Projector
- Affordable: JMGO O1 Pro UST Movie Projector with Dynaudio Speakers
- Easy to use: Optoma GT5600 Ultra Short Throw Projector
- Advanced: Epson EpiqVision UST LS300 3LCD Smart Laser Projector
- Affordable: BenQ MX819ST XGA SmartEco Short Throw 3D Projector
1. Optoma GT1090HDR Laser Home Theater Projector
Optoma is a well-known brand that can be trusted even with your eyes closed. The Optoma projectors are a bit expensive, however, they are truly worth every penny. Want to know what made me pick this Optoma GT1090HDR short throw laser projector for this job? Here are a few reasons;
Laser technology
The best part of this Optoma deal is that it uses laser technology to do its job. It does not have a traditional lamp or anything to light up the screen.
The laser technology rewards you with higher brightness and longer life. Moreover, it uses less power and requires low-cost ownership as compared to lamp projectors.
Lumens and contrast ratio
The Optoma projector is fairly bright as well. As per the manufacturer, it features 4200 lumens and a 300,000:1 contrast ratio to project an impressive image on the screen.
The 4200 lumens and high contrast ratio make the projector bright and vivid enough for both favorable and unfavorable environments.
Short-throw
Later in this post, you would find out how important the throw ratio for the golf simulator projector is.
In simpler words, the short-throw projector serves this job best than the other options. Since this projector is the product of the best brand, fairly bright, vivid, and has impressive service life and more importantly short-throw, it offers you all the fair reasons to consider and hire.
Pros
- Does not require lamp and filter replacements for up to 30,000 hours
- Ensures low-cost and virtually maintenance-free operation
- Delivers high-definition content without downscaling or compression
- Versatile enough to serve other jobs as well
- Easy to install
- Support for 120Hz rapid-refresh rate
Cons
- Not suitable for children under 3 years
2. BenQ MW632ST WXGA Short Throw Projector
BenQ is a reliable name, we often see it listed on the list of best projector brands. The BenQ projectors are surprisingly bright, vivid, and have an impressive lamp life. Don’t we expect the same from our golf simulator projectors? We do.
Made for golf simulator
This BenQ MW632ST WXGA short throw projector is one of quite a few projectors that are truly made for golf simulators.
The golf simulator projector was designed and crafted to keep the requirements in mind. Therefore, the other projector can go wrong but this BenQ never.
Supported screen size
The BenQ projector is capable of serving all kinds of needs. You can light up a screen size from 92″ to 150″ without any hassle.
For the 92″ inches it works best when the projection distance is 4.7ft to 5.6ft, for 100″ 5.1ft to 6.15ft, for 120″ 6.1ft to 7.3ft, and for 150″ screen you would notice the best result when the projection distance is 7.6ft to 9.2ft.
Remote-controlled
The best part of this deal is that the BenQ projector is remote-controlled.
You simply install it anywhere you want and don’t have to keep reaching the projector to change the settings.
The projector comes with a remote and it can be controlled via remote without any hassle.
Pros
- Features auto verticle keystone
- Has a smart eco-mode
- Feet can be adjusted
- Brightness; 3200 lumens, contrast ratio; 13000:1
- Comes with all necessities
- Gives more accurate, vivid color, even in well-lit rooms
- Has a 10,000 lamp life
- Short-throw just as the golf simulator needs to be
- Made to serve in the golf simulator
- Easy to set up
Cons
- None
3. ViewSonic PJD5353LS Short Throw Projector
ViewSonic is recognized as a budget-priced projector brand. For almost all projector needs, ViewSonic has a solution. Since we are searching for a golf simulator projector today, I picked this ViewSonic PJD5353LS short-throw projector quite suitable for the job. Here’s why;
Energy-saving mode
Since the ViewSonic is one reliable brand, the projector would be bright and vivid.
What makes this ViewSonic projector more recommendable is the energy-saving mode. You simply switch to the energy-saving mode and practice as long as you want.
Connectivity
This ViewSonic projector is not made for any specific purpose. Therefore, it has all the qualities to meet almost all kinds of projection needs. Keeping every projection need in mind, the projector offers flexible connectivity.
It has HDMI, VGA, and several other ports for hassle-free connectivity. Moreover, it does not require you to search and order a connector as it already comes with a VGA cable.
Usability
As stated above, the projector is not made to serve any particular need. It has all the qualities to be used for golf simulators, educational, professional, and home entertainment purposes.
So whenever you would like to switch from indoor to outdoor golf practice, you can uninstall and use the projector for other purposes.
Pros
- Have an enlarged speaker chamber
- Has lamp life up to 10,000 hours
- Delivers incredibly clear and audible sound
- Simple setup and control
- Backed by a 3-year limited parts and labor coverage
- Can be connected to media players, PCs, Macs, and mobile devices without any hassle
- Remote controlled
- Bright and clear
4. JMGO O1 Pro UST Movie Projector with Dynaudio Speakers
JMGO is a least-known projector manufacturer however, that does not mean it is not worthy of your consideration. This projector would suit aspiring golf simulators who are a bit tight on the budget.
Easy to mount
The most promising thing about this projector is that it does not limit you to mount the projector in one certain way.
It supports a ceiling mount, tripod mount, and table mount. You can consider any mounting type according to our requirements.
Short-throw
For a golf simulator, the projector has to be short-throw. Otherwise, the projector would not be able to serve your golf simulating needs.
Keeping the golf-simulating needs aside, the short-throw design offers an immersive and uninterrupted viewing.
Comes with speakers
The package includes built-in 10W speakers. The 10W speaker produces powerful stereo sound. You would not have to connect additional speakers to fetch powerful sound.
Pros
- Remote and app-controlled
- Delivers vivid and saturated images
- Lamp life; 45000 hours
- Does not hurt the eyes
- Stronger contrast, better focus
- Affordable
Cons
- A little less bright as compared to the options suggested here
5. Optoma GT5600 Ultra Short Throw Projector
Optoma does not need any introduction. Whenever you have to get a quality projector for any projection needs this brand would not disappoint you.
Bright and clear visuals
The indoor golf practice would only help in boosting your skill if you can see and aim better.
Therefore, the projector has to be bright and clear. Fortunately, this projector delivers bright and clear visuals so you can improve your golf without leaving the home.
Install and play design
This Optoma projector is designed and crafted for ease of use. All you have to do is install and play, the auto keystone correction would help you achieve the right image size without any hassle.
Versatile
This Optoma projector has all the qualities people look for in projection needs. Whether you set it up for home theater or golf simulator, the projector would serve you without any discrimination.
Pros
- Enables you an average 4 hours of viewing time every day for 10+ years
- Rewards you with a PC-free media player, image viewer, and document reader
- Easy to install, play, transport, and store
- Ensures easy cable management
- Supports 144Hz rapid-refresh rate
Cons
- Does not support 1080p 120Hz.
6. Epson EpiqVision UST LS300 3LCD Smart Laser Projector
We all agree that Epson has rewarded us with the best projectors. This short-throw projector is one of the few Epson products that the company deserves an award for. Fortunately, the projector is not that expensive therefore here it is;
Supports big screen
When we shift outdoor golfing to indoor golfing, there are a few things we need to be careful with.
The two most things we need are a fairly bright projector and a big screen. More importantly, the projector has to support a big screen projection as well.
Fortunately, this Epson projector is fairly bright and supports a big screen as well. If you consider this for your indoor golfing needs, there only needs to be a big screen the projector would handle the rest.
Easy to mount
This Epson short-throw projector uses laser technology to light up the screen. Therefore, you would not have to find a perfect spot to light up the screen to perfection. You can mount it anywhere on the wall and get a lasting golfing experience.
Built-in Android TV
For the golf simulator, you do not need an Android TV. However, if you are practicing indoors for a short period, you can use the projector later for home entertainment purposes.
Pros
- Comes from a well-known brand
- Impressive design, image quality, and lamp life
- The projector delivers a true audiophile performance
- Does not hurt the eyes and the environment
- Comes with built-in Android TV
Cons
- Not a specific golf-simulator projector
7. BenQ MX819ST XGA SmartEco Short Throw 3D Projector
Last but not least on my recommendation list is the BenQ MX819ST XGA smart eco short throw 3D projector.
It caught my attention for the golf simulator needs for a variety of reasons. The three important ones are;
Uncompromised image quality
Most energy-efficient projection solutions demand you to compromise on the image quality.
Fortunately, this projector is an exception. It does not consume much power and delivers fairly bright, vivid, and uncompromised image quality.
Affordable
Unlike the other options on the list, this BenQ projector is highly affordable. You will get an amazing image quality and better lamp life for just $318.
Ease to use
The controls are placed on the top of the projector. Moreover, the controls are easier to understand as well. You can install and use the projector without even reading the guide thoroughly.
Pros
- Goes automatically into Eco Blank Mode when no source is detected
- Affordable, reliable, and energy-efficient
- Impressively bright and vivid
Cons
- Not a 4k supported projector
How to Find the Right Projector for a Golf Simulator?
To find the best projector for a golf simulator you need to know what qualities a golf simulator projector should have.
It is because there would hardly be a projector specifically made for this job. You have to keep your requirements in mind and search for the projector in the home theater or gaming projectors.
You need to know that the requirements of this job are a bit different than the home theater and gaming. Therefore, you have to pay attention to the details listed on Amazon very carefully.
If the projector is not bought carefully, you would end up wasting your money and have to deal with the constant issues and inconveniences.
If you do not want to waste money or constantly deal with issues and inconveniences, here are the few factors you need to pay attention to;
- Type
- Throw distance and ratio
- Brightness
- Contrast ratio
- Connectivity
- Mount type
- Price
Type
The first thing that you should pay attention to is the type. There are two types of projectors; laser and lamp projectors.
The lamp projector is the oldest whereas the laser is the most advanced type. The lamp projector uses a lamp and the laser one has a laser light source to light up the screen.
Now you have to decide whether you should go for a laser or a lamp projector. For the golf simulator, both a laser and a lamp projector can be hired.
The laser projector however is a better option. The laser projectors produce brighter, sharper, and better images as compared to the lamp projector.
Moreover, this advanced version does not overheat much, is easy to set up, and requires less maintenance as compared to the traditional ones. So, if you do not have the time and energy to pamper the projector, get a laser projector.
Throw ratio
Once you shortlist the few laser/lamp projectors, you have to judge the projector by it’s throw distance or throw ratio.
Keep in mind that for a golf simulator, you would need a short throw distance projector.
If you do not hire a short throw distance projector for the job, you will have to make peace with your shadows appearing on the screen.
Generally, the throw ratio between 0.3:1 to 1:1 is considered ideal for the job. However, you still have to determine your ideal throw ratio yourself. So, figure out where you are going to hang the projector and the screen, measure the distance and divide the answer by the width of the screen to judge what would be the ideal throw ratio.
Brightness
The throw distance is not all that you have to be super careful with. Even for the golf simulator, the projector has to be fairly bright. To determine how bright the projector should be you first have to figure out whether there is ambient light or the environment is 100% light controlled.
If there is more ambient light, the more lumens you would need to light up the screen. However, if the environment is light controlled, even 3000 lumens would do a satisfactory job. For this purpose, try finding a projector with 3000 to 5000 lumens.
Contrast ratio
I can not emphasize enough the importance of contrast ratio in boosting the image quality. Since it improves the image quality, go for a projector with a higher contrast ratio. Try considering a projector with a contrast ratio above 2000:1.
Connectivity
You have to be concerned about the projector’s connectivity as well. Almost all newer models have HDMI, VGA, USB, RCA, and Audioout input ports. Therefore, if you are considering a newer model you might only have to demand the projector to have two or three HDMI ports.
Mount type
Even before searching for the projector, you have to decide where you want to install your projector. Whether you want to hang it up on the ceiling or prefer installing it on the floor using special mounts.
I prefer installing the projector on the ceiling, you have to look for your convenience and decide your ideal mounting type.
Read also: Is IMAX Worth it? A Complete Review
Price
Setting a budget and finding a suitable option is super important, whether it’s a golf simulator projector or anything else. So, you have to determine how much you can pay for a projector, shortlist a few options, judge the protector by its specs, and find an affordable option.
Read also: RCA Home Theater Projector
