What is the difference between short throw and ultra-short throw projectors?

Short throw projectors have throw ratios between 0.6:1 and 0.9:1, sitting 6-9 feet from a 10-foot screen. Ultra-short throw projectors have ratios under 0.55:1, sitting just 4-5.5 feet from the same screen. Ultra-short throw is ideal for tight spaces and floor-mounted setups, while short throw is the most versatile option for ceiling mounting.

What throw ratio do I need for my golf simulator room?

Divide your available projector-to-screen distance by your screen width. That gives you the maximum throw ratio your room supports. For example, if you have 7 feet between projector and screen with a 10-foot screen, you need a throw ratio of 0.7:1 or less. Most rooms 12-16 feet deep work well with short throw (0.69-0.83:1), while rooms under 12 feet deep need ultra-short throw (0.5:1).

Can I ceiling mount an ultra-short throw projector?

Yes, ultra-short throw projectors can be ceiling mounted, though they are most commonly floor-mounted or placed on a low shelf. The advantage of ultra-short throw is the ability to work in low-ceiling rooms where standard ceiling mounting isn't practical.

What is the best projector for a small golf simulator room?

For rooms under 12 feet deep, ultra-short throw projectors with a 0.5:1 throw ratio are the best option. Budget picks include the Optoma ZW350ST ($909) and GT2000HDR ($1,199). For 4K in a small room, the BenQ LK830ST ($2,499) or Optoma 4K400STx ($2,289) are excellent choices.

Does the BenQ LU710 work for golf simulators?

Yes, but only in rooms with 18+ feet of depth. The LU710 has a standard throw ratio of 1.13-1.46:1, meaning it needs 11-15 feet from a 10-foot screen. It delivers excellent specs (4,000 lumens, WUXGA resolution, laser light source) and is a great choice for deep rooms like large basements or commercial spaces.

How do I avoid shadows with a golf simulator projector?

Use a short-throw or ultra-short-throw projector. These models sit close to the screen (between the golfer and the screen or off to the side), so the light path doesn't cross through the hitting zone. Ceiling mounting a short-throw projector above and behind the golfer's head is the most shadow-free configuration for most rooms.

What is the minimum room depth for a golf simulator?

With an ultra-short throw projector (0.5:1 ratio), the minimum practical room depth is about 12 feet for a 10-foot wide screen. This provides 5 feet for the projector throw distance and 6-7 feet for the golfer's hitting area. With short throw projectors (0.69-0.83:1), plan for at least 14-16 feet of depth.

Short Throw vs Ultra-Short Throw vs Standard Throw: Projector Placemen

Short Throw vs Ultra-Short Throw vs Standard Throw: Projector Placement Guide for Golf Simulators

Short Throw vs Ultra-Short Throw Projector Placement Guide

Throw ratio is the single most important specification for determining whether a projector will physically work in your golf simulator room. Get it wrong, and the image either won't fill your screen or the projector won't fit in your available space. Get it right, and installation becomes straightforward.

This guide explains the three categories of throw ratio -- standard throw, short throw, and ultra-short throw -- with real room dimensions, mounting strategies, and specific projector recommendations from our golf simulator projector lineup.

Understanding Throw Ratio

Throw ratio is the relationship between the projector's distance from the screen and the width of the projected image:

Throw Ratio = Distance from Projector to Screen / Screen Width

A throw ratio of 0.5:1 means the projector needs to be half the screen width away. For a 10-foot wide screen, that's 5 feet. A throw ratio of 1.0:1 means the projector sits one full screen width away -- 10 feet for a 10-foot screen.

Lower throw ratio = closer to the screen. Higher throw ratio = farther from the screen.

The Three Categories

Ultra-Short Throw (0.4:1 to 0.55:1)

Ultra-short throw projectors sit extremely close to the screen -- typically 4-5.5 feet from a 10-foot wide screen. This is the most space-efficient option and the fastest-growing category for golf simulators.

Advantages:

Minimal room depth required -- perfect for shorter rooms, garages, and tight basements
Ideal for floor-mounted setups -- the projector can sit on the floor or a low shelf close to the screen
Reduced shadow issues -- because the projector is so close to the screen, the golfer's body rarely blocks the light path
Compact installations -- less wiring, shorter cable runs

Considerations:

More sensitive to screen flatness -- because the projector is so close, even small wrinkles or warps in the screen surface can cause visible distortion
Fixed throw ratio -- most ultra-short throw models don't have zoom lenses, so placement distance is more precise
Requires a protective enclosure for floor-mounted setups to shield from errant golf balls

Short Throw (0.6:1 to 0.9:1)

Short throw projectors are the most popular category for golf simulators. They sit 6-9 feet from a 10-foot wide screen -- far enough to avoid most shadow issues while still fitting in typical residential rooms.

Advantages:

Most versatile -- fits the widest range of room configurations
Zoom lens flexibility -- many models have a variable throw ratio (e.g., 0.69-0.83:1), allowing fine-tuning of projector placement
Great for ceiling mounting -- the projector hangs behind the golfer, out of the swing path, at a comfortable distance
Wider selection of models available at every price point

Considerations:

Room needs 12-16 feet of depth -- screen width plus throw distance plus space behind the golfer to swing
Body shadows possible if the golfer stands very close to the screen (though uncommon with proper hitting position 6-8 feet back from the screen)

Standard Throw (1.0:1 and above)

Standard throw projectors sit 10+ feet from a 10-foot screen. They're designed for larger spaces and offer the most installation flexibility in deep rooms.

Advantages:

Most forgiving placement -- small positional errors have less visual impact
Often available with wide zoom ranges and extensive lens shift for flexible installation
Can project very large images from distance

Considerations:

Requires deep rooms -- 16-20+ feet total depth to accommodate the throw distance plus hitting area
More susceptible to body shadows since the light path crosses the hitting zone
Longer HDMI cable runs -- may need active cables or HDMI-over-fiber for signal integrity

Which TSG Projectors Fall Into Which Category?

Ultra-Short Throw Models

Model	Throw Ratio	Resolution	Lumens	Light Source	Price
Optoma GT2000HDR	0.496:1	1080p	3,500	Laser	$1,199
BenQ AH500ST	~0.5:1	1080p	4,000	Laser	$1,999
Optoma 4K400STx	0.5:1	4K	4,000	Lamp	$2,289
BenQ LK830ST	0.5:1	4K	4,000	Laser	$2,499
Optoma ZW350ST	0.521:1	WXGA	3,600	Laser	$909
BenQ LU960ST2	0.5:1	WUXGA	5,200	Laser	$7,499

Short Throw Models

Model	Throw Ratio	Resolution	Lumens	Light Source	Price
BenQ TH671ST	0.69-0.83:1	1080p	3,000	Lamp	$949
BenQ AH30ST	0.69-0.83:1	1080p	3,000	LED	$1,499
BenQ TK710STi	0.69-0.83:1	4K	3,200	Laser	$2,199
BenQ AH700ST	0.69-0.83:1	1080p	4,000	Laser	$2,299
BenQ AK700ST	0.69-0.83:1	4K	4,000	Laser	$2,899
BenQ AW30ST	0.72-0.87:1	WXGA	3,200	LED	$1,199
BenQ LK936ST	0.81-0.89:1	4K	5,100	Laser	$4,899

Standard Throw Models

Model	Throw Ratio	Resolution	Lumens	Light Source	Price
BenQ LU710	1.13-1.46:1	WUXGA	4,000	Laser	$1,699

Room Size Requirements by Throw Category

Your total room depth needs to accommodate: screen + throw distance + hitting area (6-8 feet behind the screen for your stance and backswing).

Throw Category	Projector Distance (10 ft screen)	Minimum Room Depth	Recommended Room Depth
Ultra-Short Throw (0.5:1)	5 ft	12 ft	14+ ft
Short Throw (0.69-0.83:1)	6.9-8.3 ft	14 ft	16+ ft
Short Throw (0.81-0.89:1)	8.1-8.9 ft	15 ft	17+ ft
Standard Throw (1.13-1.46:1)	11.3-14.6 ft	18 ft	20+ ft

Note: "Minimum Room Depth" assumes the projector is ceiling-mounted behind the golfer with a hitting position about 6-7 feet from the screen. "Recommended Room Depth" provides more comfortable spacing.

Mounting Strategies by Throw Type

Ultra-Short Throw: Floor Mount or Low Shelf

Ultra-short throw projectors are naturally suited to floor-level mounting:

Position the projector on the floor or a low platform, 4-5 feet from the screen
Build or buy a protective enclosure -- essential to shield from errant balls, foot traffic, and club strikes
Ensure the screen is perfectly flat -- wrinkles are more visible with ultra-short throw because the projection angle is steep
Connect cables at floor level -- short runs, easy access

Ultra-short throw models can also be ceiling-mounted, but floor mounting is their natural advantage and what makes them ideal for low-ceiling rooms (under 9 feet).

Short Throw: Ceiling Mount (Most Popular)

The 0.69-0.89:1 range is the sweet spot for ceiling mounting:

Mount to the ceiling 7-9 feet from the screen using a universal projector mount
Center horizontally over the screen for minimal keystone correction
Run HDMI and power through the ceiling for a clean installation
Use the projector's lens shift to fine-tune vertical alignment without losing image quality

Most BenQ golf projectors in this range (AH30ST, AH700ST, AK700ST, TK710STi) support inverted ceiling mounting with automatic image flip.

Standard Throw: Rear Shelf or High Ceiling Mount

Standard throw projectors like the BenQ LU710 work best in deep rooms:

Mount on a rear shelf or table 11-15 feet from the screen
Ceiling mount far back in the room if space allows
Take advantage of the zoom lens -- the LU710's 1.13-1.46:1 range gives you 3+ feet of flexibility in placement
Be mindful of body shadows -- the golfer may occasionally block the projector's light path at this distance

Choosing the Right Throw Type for Your Room

Measure First, Choose Second

Before selecting a projector, measure these three dimensions:

Room depth (front wall to back wall): This is the maximum space you have for screen + throw distance + hitting area
Screen width: The width of the impact screen you plan to use (or already own)
Ceiling height: Determines whether ceiling mounting is viable

Then calculate: Available throw distance = Room depth - screen width - 6 feet (minimum hitting area behind the screen)

Divide that available distance by your screen width. The result tells you the maximum throw ratio your room supports.

Example Calculations

Room: 14 ft deep, 10 ft wide screen

Available throw distance: 14 - 0 (screen on wall) - 6 (hitting area) = 8 ft behind the screen, but projector goes between golfer and screen, so roughly 14 - 6 = 8 ft from screen
Maximum throw ratio: 8 / 10 = 0.8:1
Best fit: Short throw (0.69-0.83:1) or ultra-short throw (0.5:1)
Recommended models: BenQ AK700ST, AH700ST, TK710STi, or any ultra-short throw model

Room: 12 ft deep, 10 ft wide screen

Available throw distance: 12 - 6 = 6 ft
Maximum throw ratio: 6 / 10 = 0.6:1
Best fit: Ultra-short throw (0.5:1)
Recommended models: Optoma GT2000HDR, BenQ LK830ST, BenQ AH500ST

Room: 20 ft deep, 10 ft wide screen

Available throw distance: 20 - 6 = 14 ft
Maximum throw ratio: 14 / 10 = 1.4:1
Best fit: Any throw type works. Standard throw (BenQ LU710) or short throw for flexibility

Our Top Picks by Room Size

Room Depth	Screen Width	Throw Type Needed	Budget Pick	Premium Pick
10-12 ft	8-10 ft	Ultra-Short Throw	GT2000HDR ($1,199)	LK830ST ($2,499)
13-16 ft	8-12 ft	Short Throw	TH671ST ($949)	AK700ST ($2,899)
17+ ft	10-14 ft	Any (Standard ideal)	LU710 ($1,699)	LK936ST ($4,899)

Related Guides

Find the Right Projector for Your Room

Not sure which throw type fits your space? Browse our complete projector collection or call (888) 871-6110 -- give us your room dimensions and we'll recommend the exact models that fit. We carry projectors from BenQ and Optoma covering every throw ratio from 0.496:1 to 1.46:1. Free shipping and financing available.