It is a fair question, and a common worry: hitting into a screen feels different to a real range, so does simulator practice actually make you better on the course? The short answer is that a good simulator is at least as effective as a range for improvement, and better in some ways, as long as you use the feedback. Here is why.
Feedback is what drives improvement
On a range you guess. On a simulator you get a number for every shot: carry, strike, start direction, curve. Improvement comes from knowing exactly what happened and changing it, which is far easier when the data is in front of you. This is the single biggest reason simulators can beat a range for getting better.
You practise the shots that count
A range encourages you to rake and hit, often the same club, on autopilot. A simulator lets you practise to specific targets and distances and play real holes, so you rehearse the shots you actually face on the course. Practising in context transfers better than mindless repetition.
The "feel" question, honestly
The one real difference is turf. Off a mat you do not get the exact feedback of a slightly fat strike that you would off grass. It is a small gap and it matters most for low handicappers fine-tuning strike. For the vast majority of golfers, the benefits of measured, all-weather, targeted practice outweigh it comfortably. And you can practise all year rather than stopping every winter, which is where a lot of improvement is quietly won or lost.
The verdict
For actually improving, a simulator matches or beats a range for most golfers, because the feedback makes every shot count and you can practise the right things consistently. A range still has its place for cheap volume. The best results usually come from measured simulator practice plus the occasional session on grass. If you want to test it on your own game, a lesson or a free trial is the easiest way to see the difference.
FAQ
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Does practising on a simulator improve your real game? Yes. The instant data on every shot makes practice more targeted, and you can rehearse real course situations, both of which transfer to your scores.
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What is the downside versus a range? Turf feel. Off a mat you lose some feedback on slightly fat or thin strikes, which matters most for low handicappers.
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Should I use both? Ideally yes: simulator practice for measured, year-round improvement, with occasional range or course time on grass.
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Where can I try it in South East London? At The City Golf Club in Woolwich. Book a free trial.