Virtual Golf: The indoor revolution that threatens to overtake outdoor golf

In South Korea, where outdoor space is limited, golfers feel more comfortable playing virtual golf, with 87% of players preferring the off-course experience provided by about 6,000 indoor simulation venues.

A professional indoor league, powered by Golfzon technology, has been in operation for more than a decade. Last year’s GTour prize fund totaled KRW 1.9 billion (£1 million), and this created a global showdown that saw players from across Asia, Europe and the US virtually compete for a $300,000 (£224,609) prize fund.

Golfzon data says more than 100 million rounds were played globally using its technology during 2024.

“Indoor golf plays a huge role in getting more people into the game,” says Matt Draper, England Golf’s director of development and membership, whose statistics from last year highlight that the number of visits to driving ranges and simulators is equal to the number of times nine or 18 holes on the course are played.

“There is a major role to play in cities where there may not be a lot of places where people can enjoy outdoor golf,” he adds.

“More and more places are emerging where friends and families can play in the warmth with simulators, as well as enjoy drinks, food and music alongside.”

Pitch Golf is one such brand. What started as two friends leveraging emerging technology in 2012 to teach those “lunch hour walkers” in the heart of London, has evolved into a “best of both worlds” operation with other sites recently opening in Manchester and Dublin.

“Trackman sees no growth in the offshore market, and they believe 80% of all tours will be played indoors by 2028, which is amazing,” Ingham told BBC Sport.

“The innovation is getting the social aspect right. We’ve combined golf, sports, music and social for the first time at our inaugural London location.”

Ingham says the money is in the bars and corporate clients, which attracts work parties and days off. However, non-golfers come with them.

The solution in collaboration with their technology provider Trackman was to create London Parks. It is a short course designed for non-players and roughly circles the landmarks of the capital.

“People always want to play iconic courses like Pebble Beach, but when you see them on the first hole for half an hour, you encourage them to play London Gardens,” says Ingham.