Best Short Throw Projectors for Golf Sims
Short throw projectors are the right choice for 8 out of 10 home sim builds. Here is why, and which one to buy for your room.
BenQ AK700ST ($2,899) short throw I'd buy. 4K, 4,000 lumens, Auto Screen Fit — makes GSPro look like a window. Budget TH671ST at $799 for dark rooms.
The Short Answer
BenQ AK700ST ($2,899) short throw I'd buy. 4K, 4,000 lumens, Auto Screen Fit — makes GSPro look like a window. Budget TH671ST at $799 for dark rooms.
What is the best short throw projector for a golf simulator? The BenQ AK700ST at $2,899 is the best short throw projector for a golf simulator in 2026 — 4,000 lumens, 4K UHD, 0.69-0.83 short throw ratio, and BenQ’s Auto Screen Fit that aligns the image to your screen in seconds. For budget builds, the BenQ TH671ST at $799 delivers 1080p short throw performance that works in dark basements. For the best value with a zoom lens, the Optoma GT2200HDR at ~$999 gives you installation flexibility that no other sub-$1,000 projector offers.
Every golf simulator build starts with the same geometry problem. You have a room that is some number of feet deep. You have a screen that is some number of feet wide. You need a projector that fills the screen from a mounting position that does not cast shadows when you swing.
Short throw projectors solve this problem for 80% of home sim builds. They sit 4 to 6 feet from the screen, mount close to the ceiling, and project an image big enough to fill an 8-to-10-foot impact screen. The projector lives above and slightly behind you, out of the way of your swing. No shadows, no mounting drama.
This guide covers every short throw projector worth buying in 2026, from the $799 entry point to the $4,899 flagship. For the full landscape including ultra-short throw and standard throw, start with our Best Golf Simulator Projector guide. For budget buyers, see Best Budget Projector for Golf Simulator.
What Makes a Projector “Short Throw”?
Short throw means the projector fills a 120-inch diagonal image from 4 to 7 feet away. The throw ratio — the number that matters more than any other spec — falls between 0.5:1 and 0.85:1. A projector with a 0.69:1 throw ratio needs 5.5 feet to project a 120-inch image. A projector with a 0.83:1 ratio needs 6.6 feet.
The alternative is ultra-short throw (0.49-0.5:1), which sits 2 to 3 feet from the screen, or standard throw (1.0:1+), which needs 8+ feet. Standard throw projectors force you to mount behind the hitting area, which means your body blocks the image. Short throw and UST solve that problem. Short throw is the best fit for most garages because it gives you flexibility — you can mount it on the ceiling above the hitting zone, and the image lands on the screen without obstruction.
At a Glance
| Product | Price | Score | Best For | Throw Ratio | Lumens | Light Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ TH671ST | $799 | 7.2/10 | Dark basement, lowest budget | 0.69-0.83 ST | 3,000 | Lamp |
| Optoma GT2200HDR | ~$999 | 8.0/10 | First-time builder, zoom lens | 0.69-0.82 ST (zoom) | 4,000 | 4LED |
| Optoma GT2400HDR | $1,299 | 9.0/10 | Best overall value | 0.496 UST | 4,200 | Laser |
| BenQ TK710STi | $1,999 | 8.3/10 | 4K entry point | 0.69-0.83 ST | 3,200 | Lamp |
| Optoma UHZ35ST | $2,199 | 8.6/10 | 4K with vertical lens shift | 0.69-0.83 ST | 4,000 | Laser |
| BenQ AK700ST | $2,899 | 9.5/10 | Best overall ST projector | 0.69-0.83 ST | 4,000 | Laser |
| BenQ LK936ST | $4,899 | 9.0/10 | Commercial-grade, 5,000 lumens | 0.76-0.97 ST | 5,000 | Laser |
The Picks
Best Overall Short Throw: BenQ AK700ST ($2,899)
The BenQ AK700ST is the most recommended projector in the home sim community for a reason. It hits every spec that matters for a golf simulator and adds a feature that makes installation effortless.
The 4,000 lumens of brightness handles garages with ambient light. The 0.69-0.83 short throw ratio works in rooms from 12 to 18 feet deep. The laser light source runs 20,000 hours — you never replace a bulb. The 4K UHD resolution makes GSPro courses look like a window into a real golf course.
The AK700ST has Auto Screen Fit, which detects the screen edges and adjusts the image to fit perfectly. You mount the projector, point it at the screen, and press a button. The projector detects the screen edges and adjusts the image to fit perfectly. Without Auto Screen Fit, you spend 20 minutes tweaking zoom, focus, and keystone. With it, you spend 20 seconds.
The AK700ST also has a dedicated Golf Mode picture preset that tunes color and contrast for sim use. The difference between Golf Mode and a standard “Sports” preset is visible on the first swing — the green reads more natural, the contrast on the fairway against the rough is sharper.
Who it is for: Anyone building a sim who wants the best image and the easiest installation. If you have the budget, this is the projector. Full stop.
Who should skip it: Anyone on a budget under $2,500. The Optoma GT2400HDR at $1,299 is 70% of the performance for 45% of the price. Also skip if you need ultra-short throw for a room under 12 feet deep — the AK700ST needs 5 to 6 feet of throw distance.
Read our full BenQ AK700ST review.
Best Value 4K Short Throw: Optoma UHZ35ST ($2,199)
The Optoma UHZ35ST is the new entry point for 4K short throw with a laser light source. It launched in early 2026 and immediately became the best value in the 4K ST category.
The headline feature is vertical lens shift. This is rare in projectors under $3,000, and it matters for garage builders. When you mount a projector on a ceiling joist that is not perfectly centered on the screen, vertical lens shift lets you adjust the image up or down without moving the projector. The UHZ35ST has +/- 10% vertical shift. That one degree of freedom saves an hour of installation work.
The 4,000 lumens and 0.69-0.83 throw ratio match the AK700ST. The laser light source is rated at 30,000 hours. The 4K resolution is genuine 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160), not pixel-shifted 1080p. Input lag is 16ms at 1080p/60Hz — low enough for sim play, though the AK700ST is faster at 8.3ms.
The tradeoff is picture quality. The UHZ35ST is bright and sharp, but the color accuracy out of the box is not as good as the AK700ST. You will spend time in the settings menu tuning the Golf Mode equivalent. Once tuned, the image is excellent. Out of the box, it is good.
Who it is for: The 4K buyer who wants a laser light source and vertical lens shift at a price that beats BenQ by $700.
Who should skip it: Anyone who wants Auto Screen Fit or plug-and-play picture quality. The AK700ST is worth the extra $700 if you value your time.
Read our full Optoma UHZ35ST review.
Best Value Overall: Optoma GT2400HDR ($1,299)
The Optoma GT2400HDR is not a short throw projector — it is ultra-short throw at 0.496:1. It belongs in this guide because it is the best value in the entire golf simulator projector market, and for many buyers, the UST throw ratio is actually better than a short throw.
At $1,299, you get 4,200 lumens, a 30,000-hour DuraCore laser, IP6X dust sealing, and a dedicated Golf Sim picture mode. The 0.496 UST throw means the projector sits about 4 feet from the screen — close enough to the ceiling that shadows are impossible. The IP6X dust rating means you mount it in a garage and never think about it again.
The tradeoff is 1080p resolution. For a 120-inch diagonal image at typical sim viewing distance, 1080p looks sharp. Pixels are not visible at 8 feet. The GT2400HDR also lacks Auto Screen Fit and vertical lens shift, so installation requires precise placement.
Who it is for: The buyer who wants the best image quality for the money and has a room where a 4-foot throw distance works.
Who should skip it: 4K purists. Anyone who needs a zoom lens for flexible installation. Anyone who cannot mount the projector precisely 4 feet from the screen.
Read our full Optoma GT2400HDR review.
4K Entry Point: BenQ TK710STi ($1,999)
The BenQ TK710STi is the cheapest way to get 4K short throw from BenQ. It is the non-4K version of the TH671ST — same 0.69-0.83 throw ratio, same lamp-based light source, same 3,200 lumens — but with 4K UHD pixel-shifted resolution.
The image quality is excellent for the price. The TK710STi uses BenQ’s CinematicColor technology, which delivers 96% Rec.709 color accuracy. In a dark basement, the 3,200 lumens is bright enough for a 120-inch screen. The 4K pixel shifting is good enough that most people cannot tell the difference between this and native 4K on a sim screen.
The lamp light source is the limiting factor. It lasts 4,000 hours in normal mode and 10,000 hours in SmartEco mode. At 10 hours of sim use per week, you replace the lamp every 2 to 3 years. Replacement lamps cost $150-$200.
The TK710STi does not have Auto Screen Fit, vertical lens shift, or a laser light source. It is a straightforward 4K short throw projector that does one thing well — project a sharp 4K image on your sim screen.
Who it is for: The 4K buyer on a budget who has a dark room and does not mind replacing a lamp every few years.
Who should skip it: Anyone with ambient light in their sim room. Anyone who wants a laser light source. Anyone who wants Auto Screen Fit.
Read our full BenQ TK710STi review.
Budget King: BenQ TH671ST ($799)
The BenQ TH671ST has been the default budget recommendation for golf sim projectors for years. At $799, it delivers 3,000 lumens, a 0.69-0.83 short throw ratio, and 1080p resolution. It is the projector that made home sims affordable for the budget builder.
The TH671ST works best in a dark basement or a room with zero ambient light. The 3,000 lumens looks great in a blacked-out room, but the image washes out if any overhead light hits the screen. The lamp light source is the same as the TK710STi — 4,000 hours standard, 10,000 hours SmartEco.
The build quality is typical BenQ — solid, reliable, no surprises. The TH671ST has been on the market for years, and the track record is clean. No widespread failure modes, no firmware issues, no compatibility problems with any sim software.
Who it is for: The builder on a tight budget who has a dark room. The TH671ST plus a $100 screen and a $50 ceiling mount gets you a complete sim projection setup for under $1,000.
Who should skip it: Anyone with ambient light. Anyone who wants 4K. Anyone who wants a laser light source. The Optoma GT2200HDR at $999 is worth the extra $200 for the 4LED light source and 4,000 lumens.
Read our full BenQ TH671ST review.
First-Time Builder Pick: Optoma GT2200HDR (~$999)
The Optoma GT2200HDR solves the problem that frustrates first-time sim builders more than any other: the zoom lens lets you mount where the ceiling framing allows and zoom to fit your screen.
The 1.2x zoom lens (0.69-0.82:1) gives you 13% of adjustment range. That does not sound like much until you are holding a drill and realizing the joist is 6 inches off center. The zoom lens lets you mount where the ceiling framing allows and zoom to fit your screen. Every other projector at this price is fixed-lens — mount it at exactly the right distance or the image is too big or too small.
The 4LED light source runs 30,000 hours with no bulb replacements. 4,000 lumens is real brightness for a room with some light. Input lag is 8.4ms at 1080p/120Hz. The GT2200HDR is 1080p only — no 4K option at this price.
Who it is for: The first-time builder mounting a projector alone. Anyone who wants a zoom lens for flexible installation.
Who should skip it: 4K purists. The GT2400HDR at $1,299 is a better value if you can mount at the exact UST distance.
Commercial-Grade: BenQ LK936ST ($4,899)
The BenQ LK936ST is the short throw projector for sim owners who want commercial-grade brightness and do not care about the price. It is the projector you find in commercial sim bays at Topgolf Swing Suites and indoor golf facilities.
The 5,000 lumens is enough to play with overhead lights at full brightness. The 0.76-0.97 throw ratio is the longest on this list — it needs more throw distance than the other ST projectors, which means it works best in deeper rooms. The laser light source is rated at 20,000 hours. The 4K UHD resolution is native 4K, not pixel-shifted.
The LK936ST is overkill for a home garage. The AK700ST at $2,899 produces an image that is 90% as good in a typical home sim environment. The LK936ST exists for the buyer who wants no compromises and has the space and budget to match.
Who it is for: Commercial sim owners. Home sim owners with a 20+ foot deep room who want the brightest image possible.
Who should skip it: Anyone building a typical home garage sim. The AK700ST is a better fit for the room size and $2,000 cheaper.
Short Throw vs Ultra-Short Throw: Which One Do You Need?
Short throw projectors (0.5-0.85:1) work best in rooms 12 to 18 feet deep. The projector mounts 4 to 6 feet from the screen, above the hitting area. Your swing does not cast a shadow because the projector is mounted close to the ceiling. The tradeoff is that the projector is behind you — if you are standing between the projector and the screen, your body casts a shadow.
Ultra-short throw projectors (0.49-0.5:1) work in rooms under 12 feet deep. The projector sits 2 to 3 feet from the screen, on the floor or a low shelf. Shadows are impossible because the projector is practically touching the screen. The tradeoff is that UST projectors are harder to mount — they need a flat surface at the right height, and most garages with a sloped ceiling fight that requirement.
For most garage builders, short throw is the right choice. A standard two-car garage is 20 to 22 feet deep. The hitting area occupies the back 10 feet. The screen occupies the front 10 feet. A short throw projector mounted at the midpoint of the ceiling illuminates the screen without casting shadows on your swing.
What to Avoid
Three mistakes repeat in every sim projector forum thread.
Buying a standard throw projector for a short room. A projector with a 1.2:1 or higher throw ratio needs 8 to 10 feet of distance for a 120-inch image. That puts the projector behind the hitting area, which means your body blocks the image every time you swing. If your room is under 20 feet deep, buy short throw or ultra-short throw.
Ignoring lumens for ambient light. A 3,000-lumen projector looks great in a dark basement. In a garage with a window or overhead lights, the image disappears. 4,000 lumens is the minimum for a garage with some ambient light. 5,000+ for a commercial bay.
Skipping the mounting plan. The projector mount deserves careful planning. Ceiling joists run in one direction. Your room has a specific layout. Measure the throw distance, check the joist orientation, and confirm the mount position before you buy the projector. The Optoma GT2200HDR zoom lens exists specifically for builders who did not measure first.
FAQ
What is the difference between short throw and ultra-short throw?
Short throw projectors have a throw ratio of 0.5:1 to 0.85:1 and sit 4 to 7 feet from the screen. Ultra-short throw projectors have a throw ratio of 0.49:1 or lower and sit 2 to 3 feet from the screen. Short throw is the right choice for most home garages. UST works better in rooms under 12 feet deep.
Can I use a short throw projector in a small room?
Yes, but you need to check the throw ratio. A projector with a 0.69:1 throw ratio needs 5.5 feet to project a 120-inch image. If your room is under 12 feet deep, consider an ultra-short throw projector instead.
How many lumens do I need for a short throw projector in a garage?
4,000 lumens minimum for a garage with ambient light. 3,000 lumens works in a dark basement. 5,000 lumens for a commercial bay or a room with windows.
Does the BenQ AK700ST work with all sim software?
Yes. The AK700ST is a standard projector that connects via HDMI. It works with GSPro, E6 Connect, Awesome Golf, TGC 2019, and every other sim software. The Golf Mode picture preset is tuned for sim use.
What is the best budget short throw projector for a golf simulator?
The BenQ TH671ST at $799 is the best budget short throw projector if you have a dark room. The Optoma GT2200HDR at ~$999 is worth the extra $200 for the 4LED light source, higher brightness, and zoom lens.