Fix usable screen size
Measure the visible image area inside borders and enclosure—not the advertised outside dimensions.
Measure before you buy
Golf Simulator Projector Buying Guide UK: Throw Ratio, Screen Size and Placement
Start with the finished screen width and possible lens position. Throw ratio determines whether the image fits; aspect ratio determines whether it fills the usable screen without distortion.
The calculation that matters
Throw ratio = lens-to-screen distance ÷ image width. If the lens is 3.0 m from a 4.0 m-wide image, the required ratio is 0.75. Check the manufacturer’s actual throw range and whether measurements are taken from the lens.
Worked planning examples
| Usable image width | 0.5 throw | 0.75 throw | 1.0 throw |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 m | 1.50 m lens distance | 2.25 m | 3.00 m |
| 3.5 m | 1.75 m | 2.63 m | 3.50 m |
| 4.0 m | 2.00 m | 3.00 m | 4.00 m |
| 4.5 m | 2.25 m | 3.38 m | 4.50 m |
These are geometry examples, not projector recommendations. Zoom range, lens offset, installation tolerance and the manufacturer’s calculator still need checking.
The decision checklist
Choose aspect ratio
Match 16:9, 16:10, 4:3 or a supported custom output to the screen and simulator software.
Mark safe lens positions
Avoid the club arc, ball impact, golfer’s head and locations that create a strong shadow.
Calculate throw range
Use image width—not diagonal—and confirm zoom tolerance on the exact model.
Set brightness
Consider screen size, ambient lighting, wall colour and whether the room remains multipurpose.
Confirm the signal chain
Check PC output, cable length, required resolution, refresh rate and projector input.
Aspect ratio without wasted pixels
16:9
Natural for Full HD and 4K content and useful when the room also serves as a cinema, but can demand more width.
16:10
Provides extra height for a given width and is common in commercial presentation projectors.
4:3 or squarer screens
Can suit constrained rooms, but verify that the projector and computer can output the shape without stretching or severe unused areas.
Resolution
1080p remains practical. 4K improves large-screen detail but raises projector and PC cost; geometry still comes first.
Questions to ask a supplier
Control ambient light
Reducing light on the impact screen often improves contrast more effectively than chasing lumen figures alone.
What we would avoid
Place the projector so the golfer’s body and club do not block the beam. Test both handednesses.
Protect the projector
Use a secure mount or suitable floor enclosure outside likely ball and club paths, while preserving ventilation.
Complete the room plan
Confirm the screen, enclosure, hitting position, projector, computer, cabling and launch-monitor placement as one compatible layout before ordering any component.
Official planning references
BenQ screen size and distance · BenQ aspect-ratio guidance · TrackMan simulator specifications.
Frequently asked questions
What throw ratio is best for a golf simulator?
There is no single best ratio. Divide lens-to-screen distance by image width. Short-throw ratios around 0.5 to 1.1 are commonly used, but the exact projector must match the measured room.
How many lumens do I need?
It depends on screen size, ambient light and image expectations. TrackMan currently recommends more than 5,000 lumens for its simulator specification, but darker home rooms may work with different outputs.
Is 4K worth it?
It can improve detail on a large screen, but only when the computer, software, aspect ratio and budget support it. Correct geometry is more important than headline resolution.
Plan your home golf simulator
Work through the decisions in the order that prevents expensive mistakes: space → budget → tracking → room components → software.
1. Will it fit?Height, width, depth and swing clearance2. What will it cost?Complete UK budgets, not just monitor prices3. Which tracking type?Camera vs radar for your available spaceSingle garagePlan around typical UK constraintsUnder £5,000Balanced complete-room routesOngoing costsSubscriptions and software fees explained