Your Foresight simulator setup is designed to deliver a bright, crisp, and immersive image when properly aligned and configured. Whether your system was installed by one of our partners or set up in your own home or business, a few key adjustments can make a big difference in how your projected image fits the impact screen.
This article provides practical guidance for customers who already have their simulator structure and screen in place, but are running into issues like incorrect image size, stretching, or edges not filling the display.
Quick Setup Tips
Match your projector’s native resolution
Set your PC’s display resolution to match the native resolution of your projector (for example, 1920x1080 or 1920x1200). When the PC and projector resolutions don’t match, the image can appear stretched, offset, or with unused space around the edges.
Check Windows display scaling
In Windows Display Settings, ensure “Scale and layout” is set to 100%. Higher scaling values can cause the image to appear cropped or shifted when running FSX software or other full-screen applications.
Confirm the aspect ratio matches your screen
Most simulator screens provided by Foresight Sports or our partners are designed for a 16:9 or 16:10 image. If your projector image doesn’t fill the screen evenly, try adjusting the aspect ratio or zoom settings until the borders fit evenly without stretching.
Adjust throw distance and zoom
If the image is too small or too large, adjust the projector’s physical distance from the screen or use the optical zoom feature. Avoid digital zoom, as it can reduce clarity.
Mount for a clear hitting area
Your projector should be mounted so it’s out of the swing path and the ball flight path, typically on the ceiling above or just behind the hitting area. This prevents shadows and protects the projector from potential impact.
Use lens shift rather than keystone
If your image isn’t centered or square, use the lens shift feature (if available) to adjust the position. Minimize keystone correction — too much digital keystone can distort or blur the image.
Brightness matters
Golf simulators often have controlled lighting but are not completely dark environments. Choose a projector with at least 3,000 lumens for standard setups, or 4,000+ lumens for larger screens or brighter rooms. This ensures a clear, bright image even when your Foresight launch monitor (Falcon, GCHawk, GCQuad, QuadMAX, etc.) or optional swing cameras are active under ambient light.
Use a direct connection
Connect your projector directly to the simulation PC’s HDMI or DisplayPort output. Avoid long chains of adapters, splitters, or extenders that can cause signal drop or limit resolution.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Image doesn’t fill the screen
Verify that the PC and projector are both set to the same resolution and aspect ratio. Adjust zoom or move the projector slightly forward or back until the image evenly covers the screen.
Image is stretched or distorted
Check that both your PC and projector are set to a 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio (depending on your model). If you’re seeing black bars on the sides or top/bottom, it’s usually a mismatch between resolution and screen ratio.
Image is blurry or uneven
Refocus the projector lens and ensure it’s mounted level and centered. If the top and bottom of the image aren’t even, use the projector’s lens shift controls instead of keystone correction.
Colors look dull or washed out
Make sure Eco or Power-Saving modes are off, and that you’re using a “Game” or “Bright” mode for simulation use. Also ensure room lighting is positioned behind or above the hitting area, not aimed at the screen.
Shadow or club interference
If you see shadows or partial obstruction, the projector may be too far forward or mounted too low. Move it slightly back or higher. A short-throw projector works best in compact hitting bays.
Signal loss or flickering
Use high-quality HDMI 2.0 (or newer) cables rated for your projector’s resolution and refresh rate. Replace any damaged or excessively long cables.
Simulator-Specific Considerations
Room and screen size
Your image should fully cover the impact screen provided with your simulator package. If the image is too wide or narrow, adjust your projector’s zoom and aspect ratio to match the screen’s proportions.
Throw ratio and positioning
Each projector has a defined throw ratio — the relationship between its distance from the screen and the image width. Most simulator setups fall between 0.6 and 1.0. Check your projector’s specifications to confirm the correct distance for your screen size.
Avoid light interference
If you’re using a Foresight Falcon or GCHawk, make sure any overhead lighting does not shine directly into the launch monitor’s cameras. Keep lighting behind or above the hitting area.
Room Configuration in Foresight Software
Once your projector image is properly aligned and scaled to fill your screen, verify that your simulator’s virtual environment matches your physical room dimensions.
FSX Play and FSX Pro
Both include a built-in Room Configuration section under the main settings menu. Here you can confirm or adjust your room width, height, and depth to match your hitting space. This ensures accurate scaling and alignment within the software.
FSX 2020
Room configuration for FSX 2020 is completed during installation but can also be accessed anytime using the Room Configuration Tool located at:C:\Program Files (x86)\Foresight Sports Experience Components\RoomConfigTool
If you’ve recently changed projectors, screens, or hitting positions, rechecking your room settings can help ensure proper visual alignment.
Final Note
Your projector is an important part of your simulation setup, but it can take a bit of fine-tuning to achieve that perfect edge-to-edge image.
If your image alignment, scaling, or resolution still doesn’t look right after following these steps, please contact your simulator installer, dealer, or the projector manufacturer for model-specific assistance.
For convenience, here are support pages for popular projector brands:
If you believe the issue may be related to your Foresight launch monitor or Foresight software configuration, our Technical Support team is happy to help.