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Short Throw Projectors
Short throw golf simulator projectors use a throw ratio of 0.5–0.8, producing a full-width image on your impact screen from a ceiling-mounted position just 3–6 ft away. That tight mounting distance is what eliminates swing shadows — the primary reason short throw is the dominant projector type in home golf simulator bays. GolfSimPlanet carries 10 short throw models from BenQ and LG spanning 2,500 to 5,500 lumens, WUXGA and 4K UHD resolution, LED and laser light sources, with BenQ’s LK936ST (4K HDR laser) and AH700ST (4,000lm 1080p laser) as the two most popular choices for home simulator installations. All models support keystone correction; premium laser models include lens shift for optical image alignment. Minimum ceiling height for short throw ceiling mounting is typically 8.5–9 ft depending on model and screen height. If you are unsure whether short throw fits your room — send us your room dimensions and we calculate throw distance and mounting position for free. For rooms 15 ft+ deep, see our normal throw projectors.
BenQ LK936ST 4K HDR Short Throw Laser Golf Simulator Projector
BenQ AH700ST 4000-Lumen Short Throw 1080P Laser Golf Simulator Projector
BenQ TK700STi 4K HDR Short Throw Golf Simulator Projector
BenQ TK710STi 4K 3200lm Laser Short Throw Casual Gaming Projector
BenQ LH600ST 2500 Lumens Short Throw LED Golf Simulator Projector
BenQ LU935ST 5500 Lumens Short Throw Laser Golf Simulator Projector
BenQ AH500ST 4000-Lumen Short Throw 1080P Laser Golf Simulator Projector
LG ProBeam BU53RG 5000 Lumen Laser 4K UHD Projector
BenQ X500i 4K HDR 4LED Short Throw Console Gaming Projector
BenQ LU960ST2 WUXGA 4K Short Throw Laser Golf Simulator Projector
Short Throw Projector Models — Specs Compared
All short throw models at GolfSimPlanet are compatible with GSPro, E6 Connect, and TGC 2019 via HDMI 2.0. BenQ laser models carry a 3-year warranty; the LH600ST LED model carries a 2-year warranty.
| Model | Lumens | Resolution | Light Source | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ LH600ST | 2,500lm | 1080p | LED | Budget entry-level, dark dedicated room |
| BenQ AH500ST | 4,000lm | 1080p | Laser | Mid-range home, controlled ambient light |
| BenQ AH700ST | 4,000lm | 1080p | Laser | Most popular mid-range home simulator choice |
| BenQ TK700STi | 3,000lm | 4K HDR | Laser | 4K on a budget, dark room required |
| BenQ TK710STi | 3,200lm | 4K | Laser | 4K with improved brightness over TK700STi |
| BenQ LU935ST | 5,500lm | WUXGA | Laser | Bright rooms, large screens, semi-commercial |
| BenQ LU960ST2 | 5,500lm | 4K WUXGA | Laser | High brightness + 4K, premium home or commercial |
| BenQ LK936ST | 4,000lm | 4K HDR | Laser | Best-selling premium 4K home simulator projector |
| LG ProBeam BU53RG | 5,000lm | 4K UHD | Laser | High brightness 4K, bright or commercial bay |
| BenQ X500i | 2,200lm | 4K HDR | 4LED | Gaming-focused build, very dark room only |
Short Throw Golf Projector FAQ
What throw ratio do short throw golf simulator projectors use?
Short throw projectors for golf simulators typically carry a throw ratio of 0.5–0.8. At a ratio of 0.6, a projector needs 0.6 ft of distance per 1 ft of desired image width — so for a 10 ft wide screen, the projector mounts 6 ft from the screen. This allows ceiling mounting close to the hitting position without the golfer’s body intersecting the projection beam.
What ceiling height do I need for a short throw projector?
Most short throw golf simulator projectors require a minimum ceiling height of 8.5–9 ft for ceiling mounting at the correct angle above an impact screen. Below 8.5 ft, the image may not fill a standard 10 ft wide screen without distortion. GolfSimPlanet’s team can calculate exact mounting height for your specific model and screen dimensions — contact us with your ceiling height, room depth, and screen width.
BenQ LK936ST vs. AH700ST — which should I choose?
The AH700ST delivers 4,000 lumens in 1080p at a lower price — the right choice for screens up to 9–10 ft wide in moderately lit rooms running any of the major golf simulator software platforms. The LK936ST upgrades to 4K HDR with the same laser light source — the right choice for screens 10 ft+ wide where course detail and texture sharpness matter, or for golfers who want the highest visual fidelity from GSPro or E6 Connect.
Do I need a special mount for a short throw projector?
Yes — short throw projectors require mounts that position the unit at a precise angle and distance from the screen. Standard ceiling mounts designed for normal throw projectors do not provide the correct geometry. GolfSimPlanet carries ceiling mounts, drop mounts, and frame mounts specifically matched to BenQ and LG short throw models.
Key Features of Our Short Throw
Short Throw Golf Simulator Projectors — Key Specs & Selection Criteria
Short throw projectors are the dominant choice for home golf simulator bays precisely because of four technical attributes that differentiate them from normal throw models: throw ratio, mounting distance, shadow elimination, and ceiling height requirements. Each attribute directly affects whether a short throw projector works in your specific room — and which model within the short throw range is the right fit.
Throw Ratio: 0.5–0.8
Short throw projectors produce a full-width image from just 3–6 ft away from the impact screen. At a throw ratio of 0.6, the projector needs only 6 ft of distance to fill a 10 ft wide screen. This tight mounting geometry is what makes short throw the correct choice for rooms under 15 ft deep — where a normal throw projector would require the golfer to stand in the projection beam. All 10 models at GolfSimPlanet fall within the 0.5–0.8 throw ratio range.
Shadow Elimination
Because a short throw projector mounts at ceiling height 3–6 ft from the screen — directly above the hitting zone rather than behind the golfer — the projection beam travels over the golfer’s head and never intersects the swing path. This eliminates swing shadows entirely, which is the single most common image quality problem in simulator bays using incorrectly specified normal throw projectors. Ceiling height of minimum 8.5–9 ft is required for correct short throw mounting geometry.
Brightness: 2,500–5,500 Lumens
Short throw models at GolfSimPlanet span from 2,500lm (BenQ LH600ST LED — dark dedicated rooms) to 5,500lm (BenQ LU935ST and LU960ST2 laser — bright or semi-commercial bays). The most popular mid-range choices — BenQ AH700ST and AH500ST at 4,000lm — cover the majority of home simulator rooms with moderate ambient light. For rooms with windows or uncontrolled overhead lighting, 4,000lm minimum is recommended; 5,000lm+ for commercial installations.
Resolution & Image Quality: 1080p to 4K HDR
Short throw models in our catalog cover three resolution tiers: 1080p Full HD (LH600ST, AH500ST, AH700ST) for cost-efficient builds on screens up to 10 ft wide; 4K HDR (TK700STi, TK710STi, LK936ST, BenQ X500i) for premium home builds where course texture sharpness on GSPro or E6 Connect matters; and WUXGA 4K (LU935ST, LU960ST2) for high-brightness commercial-grade installations requiring both maximum lumens and high resolution simultaneously. All laser models include keystone correction and lens shift for precise image alignment without degrading edge resolution.
📐 Free throw distance calculation with every purchase: GolfSimPlanet’s Scottsdale, AZ team confirms mounting position, arm length, and ceiling height requirements for your specific room dimensions and screen width before your order ships. Contact us here.
Why Choose Us When You Shop Short Throw?
Why Buy Short Throw Projectors from GolfSimPlanet?
GolfSimPlanet carries the broadest short throw projector selection available from a golf simulator specialist — 10 models from BenQ and LG spanning every performance tier from entry-level LED to commercial 4K laser. Every model has been verified for throw ratio compatibility with standard home simulator bay depths, impact screen brightness requirements, and input latency under 16ms for real-time sync with Uneekor, Foresight Sports, FlightScope, SkyTrak, Garmin, and Trackman launch monitors. Unlike general AV retailers, our Scottsdale, AZ team confirms ceiling height, room depth, screen dimensions, and mount type for every short throw projector purchase — so the projector you receive is the correct model for your room, not a return waiting to happen.