What Is the Best Ceiling Mount for a Golf Simulator Projector?

If you are considering putting in a golf simulator in your home or commercial space, the most popular place you can mount the projector is on the ceiling.  While there are other locations you can put a projector, this article will help you figure out what to look for when purchasing a ceiling mounting system for a golf simulator projector.  Here are the different types of projector ceiling mounts most people consider for their golf simulator setup.

• Basic Projector Ceiling Mounts
• Heavy Duty Projector Ceiling Mounts
• Protective Cage Mounts

The typical golf simulator projector used in ceiling mounts are typically laser-powered units that weigh a lot – and cost a lot more than traditional lamp-based projectors. For most golf simulator mounts, the first thing to look for is the ability to adjust the length of the mount from the ceiling.  Ideally, you want the projector high enough to avoid being hit by a golf club, but low enough to where it doesn’t require a lot of tilting to fill the screen   If your mount has a lot of adjustable lengths, you can minimize the tilting needed to fill the screen, especially if you are using a projector like the BenQ LU935 that has lens shifting. 

One other thing to keep in mind is that – unlike TVs -  projector mounting holes on different projectors vary by model – so get a mount that will work with your model.   Some third-party “universal” mounts don’t reach the hole locations on more modern laser projectors and may also not be strong enough to carry the extra weight.   One safe approach is to buy a mount from the same brand as your golf simulator projector.  For example, this BenQ projector mount will support projectors up to 33 pounds and is covered by a three-year warranty – and is designed to hold most BenQ golf simulator projectors.

Now if you are putting together a top-of-the-line simulator that uses a very high brightness projector such as the 8500 lumen BenQ LU9750, you are going to need a mount that can hold up a 60-pound projector without weakening over time.  Besides just sheer holding power, these mounts often have other helpful features such as more advanced cable management systems, the ability to disconnect the projector without disrupting the registration settings, and innovative attaching systems such as hanging brackets that make the projector easier to attach to the mount.  Market leaders Peerless and Chief have many models available if you choose a mount different than the one offered by the projector manufacturer.

When a golf ball is struck in a golf simulator, the ball speed is typically over 100 miles an hour -until it hits something.   Hopefully, it will be your impact screen – but if you want to make sure your mishit doesn’t end up smashing your projector – then consider a protective cage mount.   These mounts are popular in multipurpose areas where they might be used as a gym one night and for a church service the next morning.   While the mounting features are typically the same as your basic projector ceiling mounts, the thing you will want to double-check is the size of the cage itself.  Most laser projectors are much larger than the traditional lamp projectors – so check all three dimensions of your projector to make sure it will fit inside the cage.

If you are looking at different types of golf simulator projectors and what mounts would work with them, here is a guide for the most popular projectors used in golf simulators today and how much they weigh.

Ceiling mounted projectors are becoming more popular than ever for golf simulators as they provide the most immersive mounting system that stays out of your way – but helps the projector deliver a great image on your screen.   So, while online sites have hundreds of different models at a wide variety of price points, remember that a quality mount is the easiest insurance considering the amount of money and effort that goes into setting up a golf simulator studio or theater. 

BenQ has trained staff to help you find the perfect golf simulator projector – within your room size and budget. To help you make the best decision, you can reach out to one of our experts to set up anything from a chat to a complete online demo, to help you find the right projector for your needs.