A great example of a short throw projector for golf simulators is the Optoma GT2400HDR, with a 0.496:1 throw ratio, 4,200 lumens, and laser light source at $1,299.
Not sure which projector is right for your setup? Our Find My Projector tool matches the projectors we carry to your room size, budget, screen, and ambient light.
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.
Once you know your ideal throw ratio, pair it with the right screen. Our Projector + Screen Pairing Guide walks you through matching projectors to screens for the best results.
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 / Width of the Projected Picture
A throw ratio of 0.5:1 means the projector sits half the picture's width away. Most golf impact screens are 4:3, about 10 ft wide and 7 ft 6 in tall. To reach that full height, a 16:9 projector throws a picture 13 ft 4 in wide and leaves the extra width black. So a 0.5:1 projector sits 6 ft 8 in from that screen, and a 1.0:1 projector sits 13 ft 4 in away. A 16:10 projector's picture is 12 ft wide at that height, so at 0.5:1 it sits 6 ft back.
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 about 5 ft 4 in to 7 ft 4 in from a 10 ft wide, 7 ft 6 in tall 4:3 screen on a 4K or 1080p (16:9) projector (6 ft 8 in at 0.5:1; a 16:10 projector at 0.5:1, 6 ft). 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. On a 4K or 1080p (16:9) projector, they sit about 8 to 12 feet from that same 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in screen (the AK700ST sits 9 ft 2 in to 11 ft 1 in) -- 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 about 14 to 18 feet of depth -- 8 to 12 feet of throw for a 16:9 projector on a 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in 4:3 screen plus the 6 feet behind the projector that belong to the golfer
- Body shadows possible if the golfer stands very close to the screen
Standard Throw (1.0:1 and above)
Standard throw 4K or 1080p (16:9) projectors sit 13 ft 4 in or more from that same screen; a 16:10 projector at 1.0:1 sits 12 ft, and the 16:10 LU710 sits 13 ft 7 in to 17 ft 6 in. 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 -- the LU710 needs about 19 ft 7 in to 23 ft 6 in of depth on a 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in 4:3 screen (13 ft 7 in to 17 ft 6 in of throw plus the 6 feet behind the projector)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.496:1 | 1080p | 3,500 | Laser | $1,199 | |
| ~0.5:1 | 1080p | 4,000 | Laser | $1,999 | |
| 0.5:1 | 4K | 4,000 | Lamp | $2,289 | |
| 0.496:1 | 4K | 4,000 | Laser | $2,499 | |
| 0.521:1 | WXGA | 3,600 | Laser | $909 | |
| 0.5:1 | WUXGA | 5,200 | Laser | $7,499 |
Short Throw Models
| Model | Throw Ratio | Resolution | Lumens | Light Source | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.69-0.83:1 | 1080p | 3,000 | Lamp | $949 | |
| 0.69-0.83:1 | 1080p | 3,000 | LED | $1,499 | |
| 0.69-0.83:1 | 4K | 3,200 | Laser | $2,199 | |
| 0.69-0.83:1 | 1080p | 4,000 | Laser | $2,299 | |
| 0.69-0.83:1 | 4K | 4,000 | Laser | $2,899 | |
| 0.81-0.89:1 | 4K | 5,100 | Laser | $4,899 |
Standard Throw Models
| Model | Throw Ratio | Resolution | Lumens | Light Source | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.13-1.46:1 | WUXGA | 4,000 | Laser | $1,699 |
Room Size Requirements by Throw Category
Your room depth has to hold the projector's throw distance plus the 6 feet behind a ceiling-mounted projector that belong to the golfer, and a full build never goes below 12 feet: minimum room depth = throw distance + 6 feet.
| Throw Category | Projector Distance (10 ft x 7 ft 6 in 4:3 screen) | Minimum Room Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-Short Throw (0.5:1, 16:9) | 6 ft 8 in (16:10: 6 ft) | 12 ft 8 in (16:10: 12 ft) |
| Short Throw (0.69-0.83:1) | 9 ft 2 in - 11 ft 1 in | 15 ft 2 in - 17 ft 1 in |
| Short Throw (0.81-0.89:1) | 10 ft 10 in - 11 ft 10 in | 16 ft 10 in - 17 ft 10 in |
| Standard Throw (1.13-1.46:1, 16:10) | 13 ft 7 in - 17 ft 6 in | 19 ft 7 in - 23 ft 6 in |
Note: "Minimum Room Depth" is the projector distance plus the 6 feet behind a ceiling-mounted projector that belong to the golfer, and never less than the 12 feet a full build needs.
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, about 6 to 7 feet from a 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in 4:3 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 0.69-0.87:1 range is the sweet spot for ceiling mounting:
- Mount to the ceiling about 9 to 12 feet from a 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in 4:3 screen (16:9 models) 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 lens shift where the projector has it (the LK936ST does) to fine-tune alignment without losing image quality; the AH700ST and AK700ST have no lens shift and use Auto Screen Fit and Corner Fit instead
Running into image alignment or keystoning issues? Our Projector Troubleshooting Guide covers the most common projector setup problems and how to fix them.
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 directly behind the golfer, 13 ft 7 in to 17 ft 6 in from a 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in 4:3 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 about 4 feet of flexibility in placement
- Be mindful of body shadows -- the golfer may occasionally block the projector's light path at this distance
Lens Shift vs Keystone: Which One Should Move Your Image?
Use lens shift first whenever the projector has it, and keystone only for what is left. Lens shift moves the lens assembly itself, so the picture keeps its geometry and its sharpness. Keystone is digital: it compresses and scales the picture to square it up, and every degree of correction costs some sharpness.
Lens shift ranges are not a full rectangle. On the BenQ LK936ST, vertical shift reaches 60% of the image height and horizontal shift 23% of the width, but using one eats into the other. BenQ's example on a 177 in image (154.3 in wide, 86.8 in tall): shifted 34.7 in up, about 40% of the height, the remaining horizontal shift is about 11.8 in, or 7.6%. The closer you push one axis to its limit, the less the other axis has left.
On projectors without lens shift, the AH700ST and AK700ST among them, the order of operations matters: get the picture slightly larger than the screen first, then apply horizontal keystone until the top edge is parallel to the floor and vertical keystone until the sides are plumb, then finish with Corner Fit. Corner Fit can only pull the corners in, never push them out, which is why the picture has to start larger than the screen.
BenQ on lens shift versus keystone: optical adjustment keeps the picture sharp; digital correction trades sharpness for flexibility.
Choosing the Right Throw Type for Your Room
Measure First, Choose Second
Before selecting a projector, measure these three dimensions:
- Room depth (screen wall to back wall): Subtract 6 feet and you have the projector's throw space; the back 10 feet belong to the golfer and a ceiling-mounted projector reaches about 4 feet into that zone
- 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 minus 6 feet. Take your room depth and subtract 6 feet: that is the space you have for the projector, measured from the screen. The back 10 feet of the room belong to the golfer, and a ceiling-mounted projector can reach about 4 feet into that zone, above the swing path, which is where the 6 comes from.
Divide that available distance by the projector's picture width. On a 4:3 screen that is the screen height x 16/9 for a 16:9 projector (13 ft 4 in for a 7 ft 6 in tall screen) or x 1.6 for a 16:10 projector (12 ft). The result tells you the maximum throw ratio your room supports.
Example Calculations
Room: 14 ft deep, 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in 4:3 screen
- Available throw distance: 14 - 6 = 8 ft from the screen
- Maximum throw ratio: 8 / 13.33 = 0.6:1 for a 16:9 projector
- Best fit: Ultra-short throw (0.5:1), which sits 6 ft 8 in from the screen
- Recommended model: BenQ LK830ST (4K laser). The AK700ST needs at least 9 ft 2 in of throw, so it wants a room about 15 ft 2 in deep or more.
Room: 12 ft deep, 9 ft x 6 ft 9 in 4:3 screen
- Available throw distance: 12 - 6 = 6 ft from the screen
- Maximum throw ratio: 6 / 12 = 0.5:1 for a 16:9 projector (its picture is 12 ft wide at 6 ft 9 in tall)
- Best fit: Ultra-short throw (0.5:1), which sits 6 ft from this screen. On a full 7 ft 6 in tall screen it would need 6 ft 8 in, more than this room allows.
- Recommended models: BenQ LK830ST, BenQ AH500ST
Room: 20 ft deep, 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in 4:3 screen
- Available throw distance: 20 - 6 = 14 ft
- Maximum throw ratio: 14 / 12 = 1.17:1 for a 16:10 projector like the LU710 (14 / 13.33 = 1.05:1 for 16:9)
- Best fit: Any short throw model, or the BenQ LU710 near the short end of its zoom (it sits 13 ft 7 in back at 1.13:1)
Our Top Picks by Room Size
| Room Depth | Screen Width | Throw Type Needed | Budget Pick | Premium Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| About 12 ft 8 in to 15 ft | 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in (4:3) | Ultra-Short Throw | AH500ST ($1,999) | LK830ST ($2,499) |
| About 15 ft 2 in to 18 ft | 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in (4:3) | Short Throw | TH671ST ($949) | AK700ST ($2,899) |
| About 19 ft 7 in and up | 10 ft x 7 ft 6 in (4:3) | Any (Standard ideal) | LU710 ($1,699) | LK936ST ($4,899) |
Related Guides
- Golf Simulator Projector Setup Guide -- Distance, Mounting & Image Size
- 4K vs 1080p: Do You Really Need a 4K Projector?
- BenQ vs Optoma: Which Projector Fits Your Golf Simulator?
- Laser vs Lamp vs LED: Which Light Source Is Best?
- The Ultimate Guide to Golf Simulator Projectors in 2026
- BenQ Projector Buying Guide
- Best Projectors Under $2,000
- Best 4K Golf Simulator Projectors
- How Many Lumens Do You Need?
- Best Golf Simulator Projectors 2026: BenQ and Optoma Compared
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 within the contiguous 48 states and financing available.
