Top 6 Best Projectors for a Golf Simulator in 2022

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Are you a golf enthusiast but living somewhere with a climate that makes playing year-round unsuitable?

If so, there’s no need to pack those clubs away.

Today, we’ll outline a range of projectors you can use to practice at home when time’s too tight for a visit to the course or the weather is not to your liking.

Here’s a snapshot of the models we’ll be exploring in our hunt for the best projector for golf simulators:

Quick Comparison Table

IMAGEPRODUCTFEATURESPRICE
YABER Y31 9000L Native 1920x1080P ProjectorYABER Y31 9000L Native 1920x1080P Projector• Brightness in Lumens: 7200
• Contrast Ratio: 10000:1
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BenQ HT2150ST 1080P Short Throw ProjectorBenQ HT2150ST 1080P Short Throw Projector• Brightness in Lumens: 2200
• Contrast Ratio: 15, 000: 1
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ViewSonic 4K ProjectorViewSonic 4K Projector (3500 Lumens, 3840 x 2160p)• Resolution: ​4K UHD 3840 x 2160p
• Brightness in Lumens: 3500
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Optoma EH200ST Full 3DOptoma EH200ST Full 3D• Brightness in Lumens: 3000
• Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1
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BenQ MW632ST WXGA Short Throw ProjectorBenQ MW632ST WXGA Short Throw Projector• Brightness in Lumens: 3200
• Contrast Ratio: 13000:1
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Best 6 Projectors for Golf Simulators Reviewed


1. Optoma HD27 Home Theater Projector (3200 Lumens, 1080p)

Quick Summary

  • ​Brightness in Lumens: 3200
  • Contrast Ratio: 25,000:1
  • Resolution: ​1080p Full HD
  • Screen Size Range: 71-inches from 8 feet; 107-inches from 12 feet
Optoma HD27 3200 Lumens 1080p Home Theater Projector

A regular home theater projector you can press into action with your golf simulator is the Optoma HD27.

Occupying a very small footprint at just 11.73 x 3.7 x 9 inches, you’ll have plenty of room left over for your simulator, screen, and clubs.

There are 6 picture modes (Bright, Cinema, Game, Reference, User and Vivid), and 4 presets for color temperature (Cold, Cool, Standard and Warm).

Brightness is an impressive 3200 lumens while the resolution is 1920 x 1080p in full HD. The contrast is acceptable at 25,000:1. This translates to crystal clear color reproduction to make your round of golf pop off the screen.

Optoma HD27 3200 Lumens 1080p Home Theater Projector

 You won’t miss any of those key details, and you’ll be able to pick out shadows and textures so it feels like you’re on the green and not in the garage.

Optimum operating conditions give you a great deal of leeway. The projector works anywhere from 5 to 40 degrees Celsius and in humidity levels as high as 85%. Altitude is pegged at 3000 meters.

You can expect up to 8000 hours of lamp life, giving you outstanding value for your money from a projector specialist. Parts and labor are guaranteed for 1 year while the lamp is backed for the first 3 months. What’s not to love?

2. BenQ HT2150ST 1080P Short Throw Projector (2200 Lumens, 1080p)

Quick Summary

  • ​Brightness in Lumens: 2200
  • Contrast Ratio: 15, 000: 1
  • Resolution: ​1080p Full HD
  • Hardware Interface: HDMI
BenQ HT2150ST 1080P Short Throw Projector | 2200 Lumens | 96% Rec.709 for Accurate Colors | Low Input Lag Ideal for Gaming | Stream Netflix & Prime Video,White

BenQ’s HT2150ST comes in 3 configurations. This version is a short throw model with a firm focus on color accuracy to bring a dose of realism to your simulated round of golf.

This short throw projector gives you up to 100 inches of display at a range of just 1.5 meters, making it ideal if you’ve got limited space for your set-up.

DLP image quality means no image decay and consistent picture delivery. But how about the figures that count?

The brightness of 2200 lumens could be improved along with the 15,000:1 contrast. It’s more than fit for the purpose, but it just lags slightly behind some of the competition.

The resolution is the expected 1920 x 1080p.

You’ll get a pair of HDMI inputs and an onboard 10-watt speaker. Rated at just 29 decibels in operation, you won’t have your peaceful game marred by a noisy projector either.

Weighing 8 pounds and measuring up at 4.8 x 15 x 10.9 inches, you should be able to slip it just about anywhere. A handy remote streamlines operation—an added bonus.

BenQ HT2150ST 1080P Short Throw Projector | 2200 Lumens | 96% Rec.709 for Accurate Colors | Low Input Lag Ideal for Gaming | 2D Keystone for Flexible Setup

Since this projector was developed with gamers in mind, you’ll get remarkably little lag, so you won’t have the mechanics of your round spoiled by a glitchy performance.

For an immersive and bright display to make your simulated round appear hyper-real, the BenQ is well worth popping on your shortlist.

3. ViewSonic 4K Projector (3500 Lumens, 3840 x 2160p)

Quick Summary

  • ​Brightness in Lumens: 3500
  • Contrast Ratio: 16:9
  • Resolution: ​4K UHD 3840 x 2160p
  • Connectivity: HDMI 1.4 (HDCP1.4), HDMI 2.0 (HDCP2.2), USB 2.0 Type A
ViewSonic True 4K Projector with 3500 Lumens HDR Support and Dual HDMI for Home Theater Day and Night, Stream Netflix with Dongle (PX747-4K)

If you’ve got a more fluid budget and exacting standards, industry legend ViewSonic delivers a stunning 4K projector in the form of the PX747-4K.

3820 x 2160p resolution will allow you to feel like you can see every blade of grass on the fairway and every grain of sand in the bunker.

You can get 4K resolution projected on a screen as vast as 300 inches without any dip in clarity. This should obviously be more than sufficient for even the most ambitious home golf simulator set-up.

3500 lumens of brightness gives you a sharp and precise picture, making you question whether you’re actually out on the course. This brightness is delivered in any kind of backdrop, so it makes no difference where you choose to place this strong contender for the best projector for a golf simulator.

ViewSonic 4K Projector with 3500 Lumens HDR Support and Dual HDMI for Home Theater Day and Night (PX747-4K)

The warranty is class-leading with parts and labor-backed for 3 years and a 1-year guarantee on the lamp. You can expect fully 15,000 hours of use from this, far outflanking the opposition.

The 1.2 wide optical zoom gives you plenty of latitude with mounting.

Everything you need, including the remote, comes bundled so you can break out your clubs and tee off straight out the box.

4. Optoma EH200ST Full 3D (3000 Lumens, 1080p)

Quick Summary

  • ​Brightness in Lumens: 3000
  • Contrast Ratio: 20,000:1
  • Resolution: ​1080p
  • Connectivity: 2x HDMI v1.4a (w/ MHL v1.2), Audio Out 3.5mm, 12V trigger, 3D-Sync, USB service
Optoma EH200ST Full 3D 1080p 3000 Lumen DLP Short Throw Projector with 20,000:1 Contrast Ratio and MHL Enabled HDMI Port , white

Next up we’ve got another Optoma, this time a short-throw model perfect if you’re operating with space constraints but not prepared to sacrifice your round of golf at home.

Reasonably costly, it’s the price you’ll pay for the benefit of up to 100 inches of display at a distance of just 3.5 feet from projector to screen.

The 0.5:1 lens gives you 1080p resolution, so the ball and course will all be sharply picked out on screen, allowing you to focus fully on your swing.

Brightness is at the upper end and rated at 3000 lumens. Contrast is 20,000:1 so you won’t experience any vagueness or muddiness with picture quality.

Connectivity is as robust as you’d expect from Optoma. You’ll get a pair of HDMI ports along with the other outputs you need. Onboard 10-watt audio brings a slice of sound to your round.

Optoma EH200ST Full 3D 1080p 3000 Lumen DLP Short Throw Projector with 20,000:1 Contrast Ratio and MHL Enabled HDMI Port

DLP technology brings you rapid response and refresh rates and, with Texas Instruments’ BrilliantColor Technology baked in, you’ll be glad you dug a little deeper and invested in this projector. When set against the cost of a single decent club, the Optoma suddenly seems like a great bargain.

Using just 0.5 watts of power in standby mode and serving up a fantastic bulb lifespan, you’ve got a complete package here. All you need is the best golf simulator and you’ll be ready to pound the fairway year-round, whatever the weather.

5. BenQ MW632ST WXGA Short Throw Projector (3200 Lumens, 1080p)

Quick Summary

  • ​Brightness in Lumens: 3200
  • Contrast Ratio: 13000:1
  • Resolution: ​1280×800 (WXGA)
  • Keystone Adjustment: 1D
BenQ MW632ST WXGA Short Throw Projector | 3200 Lumens | 3D | 10W Speaker | Keystone | 1.2X Zoom | Golf Simulation

Rounding out our quest for the best projector for a golf simulator, we’ve got a top-notch short throw model, again from BenQ.

With a WXGA resolution of 1280 x 800, you’ll get a noticeable upgrade on the picture offered by SVGA.

The short throw design means this projector works well in limited spaces. And, let’s face it, it’s often a case of needing to set up a golf simulator where there’s not quite enough room for comfort.

With a brace of HDMI ports, you’ll have your simulator set up in no time so you can start practicing your swing and driving those balls, even if it’s pouring rain outside.

BenQ MW632ST WXGA Short Throw Projector | 3200 Lumens | 3D | 10W Speaker | Keystone | 1.2X Zoom

To put the 10,000 projected lamp life into perspective, that translates to roughly a decade of normal use. Calculate the cost of this projector per year and the only question you’ll be asking yourself is why you didn’t invest in the BenQ sooner.

You should now have a clear idea the contenders for best projector for a golf simulator, and which best suit your needs and budget.

We’ll round out with a snapshot of 5 of the most frequently asked questions so you can buy with your eyes wide open and get ready to enjoy golf around the clock.

6. YABER Y31 9000L Native 1920x1080P Projector

Quick Summary

  • Brightness: 8500 lux
  • Contrast Ratio: 10000:1
  • Resolution: 1920 x 1080p
  • Hardware Interface: VGA, AV Port, USB, HDMI, Headphone
YABER Y31 Native 1920x 1080P Projector 7200 Lux Upgrade Full HD Video Projector, ±50° 4D Keystone Correction Support 4K, LCD LED Home Theater Projector Compatible with Phone,PC,TV Box,PS4

The Yaber Y31 home projector offers fantastic image clarity, sharp colour contrast, and comprehensive image detailing that guarantees a fully immersive virtual golf playing experience. Employing top-of-the-line German LED source and other high-quality materials, the Y31 home projector boasts of the impeccable ± 50° 4D keystone correction feature that ensures proper alignment for each attempted golf stroke.

If that was not all, Y31 delivers the first of its kind One-Click Restore and Zoom function to adjust screen size according to convenience. Even better, handy remote controls can help customize the golf stimulation to zoom into the putting green for a magnified view.

Its native 1920*1080 resolution lens and a remarkable contrast ratio of 10000:1 delivers high-definition images without further compression or downscaling. This feature warrants a unique golfing experience in 4k display.

In addition, the projector comes with built-in 3W dual stereo speakers along with an SRS sound system. Such an incredible auditory experience and the advanced cooling system add to the appeal of the Y31 home projector.

With its broad compatibility, the video projection size ranges from 50” to 300”, laying out a vast space for displaying your virtual golf course, and giving plenty of opportunity for practising the perfect swing!

YABER Y31 9000L Native 1920x1080P Projector

If you want the best features in a suitable price range, the affordability offered by the Y31 projector is ideal. Not to mention, Yaber provides lifetime professional support technical support, a 6-month back and a 3-year repair guarantee.

Users can expect a feature-packed projector that provides a flawless golf stimulator experience with combined capabilities of multiple reflective lenses that produce high-resolution images, intelligent temperature control systems, auto-adjustable screens, and much more.

Projectors for Golf Simulators: The Basics

A golf simulator gives you a VR facsimile of a real game of golf, but it’s more than just an arcade game.

The best simulators are highly tech-driven. You’ll enjoy feedback on all the crucial metrics you need to improve your game. You’ll be amazed at the accuracy of the data on swing analysis, ball flight, and spin. The best part is you can take that information and put it to work on the course.

With your simulator in place, you’ll need something to view the game on and that’s where projectors enter the equation.

Which are the different types of Projectors

1. DLP (Digital Light Processing)

This is the most complex type of projector. It features a technology developed by Texas Instruments. A lamp sends light through a tiny spinning color wheel. This then bounces off a DMD (digital micro mirror device) chip. Reflected light passes through the tilting mirrors on the lens and then up onto the screen. Quality comes with a high price tag.

2. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

Using transmissive technology, LCD projectors are cheaper while still capable of strongly reproducing color. Source light from a standard lamp passes through a trio of liquid crystal display light panels. Some colors pass through while others are blocked, and the image on-screen is generated. On the downside, LCDs are bulkier, lack contrast, and are prone to overheating.

3. LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)

Splicing DLP and LCD technology, LCoS displays are costly but deliver vastly superior color reproduction.

Once you’ve decided on which type of projector makes the best fit for your golf simulator, keep an eye out for some key terms.

The brightness of the image displayed is expressed in terms of lumens.

The throw ratio is the distance from projector to screen relative to width.

Resolution is described in terms of pixels and describes how sharp the picture is.

In terms of brands manufacturing the best projector for golf simulators, Optoma and BenQ are industry leaders. For this reason, we’ve included a pair of projectors from each of these.

ViewSonic also makes some superb projectors. Also, keep an eye out for LG—it’s costly but well worth a look.

OK… With the basics covered, we’ll break down the top 5 best projectors for your golf simulator in a little more detail.

Frequently Asked Questions


01 What is a golf impact screen made of?

Golf impact screens are made from heavy-duty woven polyester and can withstand direct impact up to 250mph with almost no bounce-back. Some come reinforced with silicon. The best impact screens can take thousands of hits before showing any signs of wear.

02 What is the best golf simulator for the home?

The more accurate question would be, “What’s the best golf simulator for you?” Think about budget and your comfort levels with tech to whittle down your shortlist. OptiShot offers a wide range of options to suit all tastes. If you’re looking to spend a little less, the Rapsodo R-Motion is well worth a look.

03 How high should a ceiling be for a golf simulator?

Many home golf simulators call for a space of 10 x 15 x 10 feet, but this is not always practical. Many basements – a common location for a golf set-up – have ceilings as low as 7 feet while the recommended minimum height for a ceiling is 8.5 feet.

04 How much space do you need for an indoor golf simulator?

In an ideal scenario, locate your simulator and screen in any space like a garage that’s at least 10 feet wide, 15 feet long and as much above 8.5 feet as the room or outbuilding permits.

05 Do golf simulators improve your game?

Absolutely. You can improve in two key ways. Firstly, you’ll be able to put in plenty of practice at times when it’s impractical to hit the golf course. Beyond that, the way in which the simulator analyzes your game and offers feedback that you can work on is the next best thing to having a golf pro at home.

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