Golf requires precision and practice to perfect a swing. With the help of simulators, athletes can fine-tune their technique and play regardless of weather conditions. When Marian High School, an all-girls Catholic school, in Omaha, Nebraska, developed the Marian Athletic Center, it became the practice hub for its golf, wrestling, and softball teams. Head coach Robert Davis had one shot and a set budget to build the center’s new Golf Training Lab, complete with two golf simulation bays.

To make the golf sim feel immersive and true-to-life so the golfers would actually feel as if they were on the course, the lab required a 4K short-throw golf sim projector capable of producing courses accurately, powerful brightness, easy installation, and zero maintenance.

“I had one shot to get this right,” said Davis. “The projector not only had to look realistic so the girls would benefit, but also wouldn’t need to be replaced after a few years or have reoccurring costs for lamps and maintenance.”

Davis dove into research, consulting with golf simulator manufacturers, and only one name consistently rose to the top: BenQ.

Designing an effective golf simulation system for the Golf Training Lab posed several challenges. First, the projector needed to create an immersive and realistic environment, with image quality that would simulate the feeling of being on an actual golf course. For golfers, precise color accuracy and sharp, detailed images are essential to keep them focused on their game.

"Golf simulation is more than just hitting the ball — it’s about creating an experience where players feel like they're actually on the course," said Davis. "That requires an incredible amount of visual accuracy. You need the grass and sky to look real, and for that, the image quality and color need to be spot-on."

In addition to color accuracy, brightness was another critical factor. Since the Marian Athletic Center is a multi-sport facility, dimming the lights wasn’t going to be possible since other sports would be taking place simultaneously in the facility. The projector needed to perform in a well-lit environment.

Finally, the Golf Training Lab also required a projector that was easy to install and maintain. It had to fit in the small space, providing advanced image adjustment options to align the visuals perfectly with the screen, and deliver hassle-free operation—no regular lamp replacements or filter cleanings.

After reading many reviews and at the advice of golf sim experts, Davis chose BenQ’s LK936ST 4K short-throw golf sim projector. The LK936ST addresses all the challenges of the facility, beginning with its ability to produce life-like visuals. The projector covers 92% of the Rec. 709 color gamut. Combined with BenQ’s exclusive Golf Mode, the projector is able to reproduce the natural colors of popular golf courses—from vivid green fairways to bright blue skies. Powered by Texas Instruments’ DLP chip technology, it delivers 4K UHD resolution, providing the detailed and crisp image quality golfers need for a realistic experience.

"The 4K resolution and color accuracy are unbelievable. It makes the whole experience feel real," said Davis. "Golfers can really focus on their game when the simulator gives them that level of immersion."

Brightness is another standout feature of the LK936ST, with 5,100 lumens ensuring the image remains bright and clear even in the well-lit environment of the Marian Athletic Center. This allows the Golf Training Lab to operate effectively without needing to dim the lights, so athletes from different sports can train simultaneously without interruption.

Installation flexibility was also an advantage of the LK936ST. Its short-throw lens (0.81-0.89) allows the projector to be mounted out of the swing zone, providing a large, crisp image for the massive 16x10 Carl’s Place premium screen in the bay. The digital shrink and offset features, along with lens shift and advanced tools like keystone correction and corner fit, make it easy to adjust the image to perfectly fill the screen. The projector also offers multiple HDMI inputs and networking options for seamless integration with other entertainment components.

Finally, the LK936ST ensures long-lasting, maintenance-free operation. The DLP design is rated to last over 100,000 hours without image degradation, and its laser light source is guaranteed for 20,000 hours. Unlike traditional projectors, there’s no need to replace lamps. It also features an IP5X-rated, dustproof sealed laser engine, which eliminates filter that require continuous cleaning and prevents dust from making its way inside and shortening the life of the investment.

With the BenQ LK936ST projector installed, the Marian Athletic Center has transformed into a premier training center for its golfers — a program that continues to grow. Paired with the ProTee VX launch monitor, the LK936ST’s combination of lifelike visuals and smooth, responsive performance has elevated the practice experience, making it possible for golfers to train in conditions that mirror outdoor courses.

“Our athletes are benefiting from an experience that’s as close as you can get to being on an actual course,” Davis said. “When we pull up courses from the GS Pro software, you can see distinct leaves on the trees. That level of realism not only makes training more effective but also more enjoyable.

"For anyone looking to build a golf simulator, this projector delivers on every level. It’s the perfect fit for our facility, and it’s already making a huge difference in how our athletes train. We’ve already had several requests from other schools about our setup."