Indoor golf

Choosing a golf simulator projector. Throw, brightness, resolution, placement and the mount.

The projector puts the round on the screen, and five things decide whether it works in your room: throw ratio, brightness, resolution and aspect ratio, where it hangs, and how it is mounted and cabled. This guide takes them in that order.

Shop projector mount kits Check your room in the builder
BenQ LK936ST 4K HDR Short Throw Laser Golf Simulator Projector
Throw ratioBrightnessMounting

Throw ratio

Throw distance is ratio times width. Short throw or standard, set by your room.

Throw distance equals throw ratio multiplied by image width. A projector with a lower ratio sits closer to the screen for the same image, so a shallow room wants a short-throw unit. Measure your image width, multiply by the projector's stated ratio, and that is how far from the screen the lens sits. The BenQ LK936ST in our catalog has a throw ratio of 0.81–0.89.

  • Short throw

    Sits closer to the screen and reduces shadows. The BenQ LK936ST is a short-throw projector.

  • Standard throw

    Sits further back for the same image. Needs more distance and a mount position clear of the swing.

Brightness and room light

Room light sets the brightness. A dark basement and a lit bar ask different things.

Room light affects the projector brightness you need. A basement with the lights down needs less; a venue with windows or house lighting needs more. A larger image spreads the same light over more screen. Brightness is stated in lumens on each projector page; the BenQ LK936ST is rated at 5,100 lumens. Control the light where you can.

Resolution and aspect ratio

Match the screen, then the software. Aspect ratio first, resolution second.

The projector's native aspect ratio should match the impact screen, or part of the screen goes unused. SIG impact screens come in 1:1, 4:3, 16:10 and 16:9; check both product pages. Resolution decides how sharp the image is at the screen size. The BenQ LK936ST is 3840 × 2160 (4K UHD) with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Check the simulator software's output options too.

Placement and shadow

Above and behind, out of reach. So the player does not block the image.

The projector hangs from the ceiling above and behind the hitting area, so the light passes over the player and the club cannot reach it. Short-throw projectors sit closer to the screen and reduce shadows. Center the lens on the screen where you can, and use the projector's own adjustments, as its manual describes, to square the image.

Mounting

A QualGear mount for your ceiling. Flat, drop, sloped or truss, with a stated weight rating.

QualGear projector mounts are our own products. Each one lists a weight rating on its product page; check it against your projector's weight. QualGear sells kits for flat, drop, sloped and truss ceilings, and Pro-AV 1.5-in NPT extension pipes to set the projector's height. Fix to structure, not to drywall alone. Installation and labor are not included; we recommend professional installation for commercial venues.

  • Flat or joist ceiling

    Fix into a joist. Locate the joist first; the throw distance sets where the mount goes.

  • Drop ceiling

    QualGear drop-ceiling projector mount kits come in 2 ft × 2 ft and 6 in × 2 ft versions. Tile size matters.

  • Sloped or truss

    QualGear sells sloped-ceiling and truss projector mount kits for these ceilings.

  • Weight rating

    70 lb on the QualGear CA, VA and TA projector mount kits; 30 lb on the PRB-717 low-profile mount. Compare with the projector's stated weight.

HDMI length

Measure the run, not the distance. PC to projector along the ceiling and down the wall.

Measure the cable path the way it will run: from the PC up the wall, along the ceiling and down the mount to the projector, with slack at both ends. The straight-line distance is always shorter than the run. Pick the next length up, and choose a cable rated for the resolution and refresh rate you use. The HDMI cables in our builder come in 3 ft, 6 ft and 10 ft; cable ties and clips keep the run tidy.

Who answers what

QualGear for mounts, partners for projectors. Mounting and cables from us; projector support from partners.

Golf products, including the projector in the golf catalog, are sold by QualGear and fulfilled by our partners, who ship them directly and handle product support, warranty and returns. Contact us first and we will route your request. QualGear mounts and HDMI cables are our own products: US-based support — real people, Mon–Fri 9–5 CT, 972-423-5015 — and orders for QualGear items placed by 2:00 pm CT ship the same business day.

Questions

Projector questions

What throw ratio do I need for a golf simulator?
Divide the distance you can put between the lens and the screen by your image width; the result is the highest throw ratio that works. Shallow rooms end up with short-throw units. The BenQ LK936ST has a throw ratio of 0.81–0.89, and the builder shows the lens distance once your screen width is known.
Where should the projector go so I don't cast a shadow?
On the ceiling above and behind the hitting area, so the light passes over your head. A short-throw projector sits closer to the screen and reduces shadows. Center the lens on the screen and keep the projector where a club at full extension cannot reach it.
Do I need a 4K projector?
Not necessarily. Match the aspect ratio to the screen first; higher resolution then gives a sharper image on a large screen. Check what resolution your simulator software outputs and what your PC can drive. The BenQ LK936ST is 3840 × 2160 (4K UHD) at 16:9.
What HDMI cable length do I need?
Measure the run from the PC up the wall, along the ceiling and down to the projector, add slack at both ends, and pick the next length up. The HDMI cables in our builder come in 3 ft, 6 ft and 10 ft. Choose a cable rated for the resolution and refresh rate you use.
Will a QualGear mount hold my projector?
Each mount page lists a weight rating: 70 lb on the QualGear CA, VA and TA projector mount kits and 30 lb on the PRB-717. Compare it with your projector's stated weight, and check the mounting holes against the mount's product page. Pick the kit for your ceiling type.
Who supports the projector if something goes wrong?
The projector in the golf catalog is sold by QualGear and fulfilled by our partners, who ship it directly and handle product support, warranty and returns. Contact us first and we will route your request. The QualGear mount and cables are ours, with US-based support Mon–Fri 9–5 CT.
Still have questions? Contact us

Plan it, then build it. Measure the room, then choose a package or each part.

Build your simulator

Choose each part; the builder checks it against your room where the maker publishes a size, and adds the whole build to your cart.

Start the builder

Check your room size

Ceiling, width and depth decide what fits.

Read the room guide