Golf has a ton of benefits, both physical and mental. Not to mention the fact that it’s played in a beautiful setting—it’s hard to find a sport that has views quite as stunning as some golf courses!
But despite its many advantages, it’s not the optimal choice for some people… purely based on the “outdoor” factor. Allergies, heat, long-distance walking, and other things can put people off playing the game. This is where indoor golf comes in.
There’s no need to forgo it entirely. The benefits of playing indoor golf are many and overlap with those of playing outdoors in a lot of cases. If you’re reluctant to try playing golf for environmental reasons, why not give indoor golf a try? You might just love it!
Benefits of Playing Indoor Golf
So you’re considering playing golf indoors. You won’t get the beautiful views…but you won’t get hives or sunburn either! Here are some of the best benefits of playing indoor golf. If you’re already a golfer, you may even decide to play indoors more regularly after this!
Realistic Gameplay Experience
While you won’t get the real deal, CGI has come a long way in recent years. Indoor golf simulators put this to good use, providing exceptional-quality graphics and perfectly accurate replicas of golf courses worldwide.
You won’t feel quite like you’re actually on the golf course, but you don’t feel like you’re playing a computer game, either. It’s an engaging, immersive experience, made even more so by virtual reality, which some insulators make use of.
The gameplay is realistic as well. Ball flight patterns, trajectory tracking, and swing analysis is excellent and can make the game much more enjoyable for more experienced golfers.
Convenience and Accessibility
Accessibility is a huge factor when it comes to indoor golf. Whether you’re playing on a home simulator or heading to a TopGolf facility, it’s all about convenience.
Bad weather can ruin a planned golf outing, but you can still play the full round on a golf course of your choice inside an indoor golf facility. If you happen to live somewhere where golf courses close for the winter, you won’t have to wait months for them to reopen!
This provides an excellent opportunity to improve your game year-round, as well. If you’ve got a home golf simulator, you can even play in the middle of the night if you really want to!
At-Home Comforts
One of the best things about indoor golf is your level of control over the environment. When you’re playing in the comfort of your own home, you can control everything from the temperature to the air quality to the noise of the space.
Plus, you can have your snacks, drinks, and comfortable chairs handy if you want them during your round. And the bathroom is close by… which is a welcome change from the real course!
Even playing at a golf center offers these kinds of comforts. If you’re playing with friends, you’ll be able to lounge on a sofa while waiting for your turn and order drinks and snacks to enjoy.
If you're nervous about playing in an environment that many others have used before you, don’t be. Most golf centers place a lot of emphasis on health and hygiene and will take measures such as using air purifiers to make sure you’re breathing healthy air, maintaining a high level of cleanliness, and providing wipes so you can feel comfortable with the hygiene of the seats you’re on.
Technological Advancements
Golf as a sport has evolved over the years. But the real technological advancements have come on the training side, and you can take full advantage of the tech when playing indoors.
We’ve already mentioned the super-realistic gameplay. But the best part of golfing tech is the highly accurate analysis tools, which provide you with all the data you need to improve your game. It’s like a digital coach.
If you use them right, you can enhance the effectiveness of your swing, boost your power and distance, and increase shot accuracy. Plus, the accurate course depictions allow you to challenge yourself and hone your skills.
Unlimited Practice Opportunities
If you’ve just started playing golf or you’re unsure of how exactly to improve your game without hiring a coach, indoor golf is perfect. Simulators provide accurate feedback and may also give constructive advice for bettering your game based on your own data.
Some simulators offer professional tuition through the platform, and others feature built-in coaching programs that you can follow. One of the best things about indoor golf is that you can also do targeted practice for specific shots, club selections, and distances, so you can really sharpen every skill separately.
Mental Focus and Concentration
When you play in the comfort of your own home, you’re free from distractions that you might find on the course. Noise, wind, wildlife, and spectators can make a round of golf less pleasant… But not when it’s just you, your clubs, the indoor turf, and the screen.
This is the perfect time to practice concentration and mindfulness. Allow yourself to become present in the moment and focus closely on every shot. Become immersed in the game here, and you’ll find it easier to stay focused when you do get back out on the course again.
When playing indoor golf—especially on a home simulator—take the opportunity to practice less tangible skills, like visualization. It’s the ideal setting to work on visualizing each shot before you hit it and seeing how the actual shot goes.
It can also be easier to focus on your mind-muscle connection when you’re in an indoor environment. To improve that connection, you can also introduce some rotational exercises and leg/core strength workouts to build up your physical fitness and improve your golf game.
You don’t need to go to the gym for this—if you’ve got a bit of space at home, you can invest in something like the Ardent Fitness Mi7 Functional Training System. It’s a superb alternative to lifting heavy weights and a bit easier on the joints.
Plus, its design allows you to work through a full range of motion, which allows you to easily do movements that benefit your golf swing, like:
- Cable woodchoppers
- Standing cable rotations
- Cable crunches
- Pull-ups
- Lat pulldowns
- Supported squats
- Supported single-leg exercises
Social Benefits
Indoor golf also provides the perfect chance for socialization. If you play at home, invite your friends over for a round! Hang out, have something to eat, enjoy each other’s company, and get in a round of golf while you’re at it.
Indoor golfing facilities are just as good for socializing. Meet your friends for a drink, a couple of holes, or a full round. It’s the best way to mix golf and socializing if you like a bit of fun.
Just be sure to choose your facility wisely. Do a bit of research to find out how clean the place is, prioritize places that are hygienic and take steps to sanitize. Keep in mind that hundreds of people pass through these facilities, so it’s in your best interest to choose a spot that’s going to be as healthy and safe as possible for you.
You should be able to find relevant information in reviews and on social media, so take some time to find out what other visitors are saying about each place before you decide to visit.
Conclusion
If you love getting out on the course, we totally understand! But we also know that indoor golf provides some benefits that you don’t get so easily outdoors, so it may be worthwhile adding a few indoor sessions to your training. Plus, you never have to worry about losing a golf ball to the rough or the water!
For those who would love to golf but can't handle the heat, the wind, or the pollen count, indoor golf could be your new favorite pastime! If you’ve got the budget, we highly recommend kitting yourself out with a home simulator. But if not, then a visit to the local indoor golf center here and there can significantly boost your game without even getting out on the green stuff.
About the Author
Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer and businessman. When he’s not on the course working on his own game or mentoring young golfers, he writes in-depth articles for his website, Golf Influence.
No comments yet