Indoor golf has gone from a wet-weather backup to one of the fastest-growing ways to play and practise in the capital. Simulator bays now sit in railway arches, office basements and converted industrial buildings across the city, open early morning to late evening, twelve months a year. This guide explains how indoor golf works, what it costs, how to judge one venue against another, and where to play, including the options in South East London that most guides overlook.
How indoor golf works
You hit a real golf ball with real clubs into a large projector screen. A launch monitor behind or in front of you measures the strike, and software renders the shot on a virtual course or a practice range. Good systems track ball speed, spin rate, launch angle, club path, face angle and carry distance, then show the result instantly. That instant feedback is the whole point. On a driving range you watch a ball disappear into a field and guess. Indoor, you get a number for every shot, which makes practice far more useful and makes a full round genuinely fun.
What you can do in a simulator bay
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Play a round. Choose from hundreds of courses, including famous championship venues, and play alone or in a group.
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Practise with purpose. Work on specific clubs or shot shapes with live data.
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Take a lesson. A coach can use the same data to pinpoint what needs to change.
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Socialise. Many venues lean into the social side, with food, drink and group games.
What indoor golf costs in London
Pricing generally falls into two models. Pay-as-you-go bays are booked by the hour, usually somewhere between £20 and £50 depending on the venue, time and location. Membership models charge a monthly fee for regular access, which works out cheaper if you play often and usually adds a community and events calendar on top. Central London tends to sit at the top of the range. Venues a little further out, including South East London, often offer better value for the same or better technology.
How to choose a venue
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The technology. Trackman is the launch monitor used by most of the world's top professionals, and Trackman iO is its indoor-specific system. Some venues use cheaper radar-only or camera-only kit that is less reliable indoors. Ask what a venue actually runs.
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Bay space and quality. Room to swing freely and a properly calibrated setup make a big difference.
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Coaching. If you want to improve, on-site PGA coaching matters.
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Club or box? Some venues are a room of screens you rent by the hour. Others are proper clubs with a community, a putting green, events and a place to belong.
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Location and hours. The best venue is the one close enough that you actually go.
Where to play indoor golf across London
Central and west London are well served, with several established operators around the City, Moorgate and beyond. What is less well known is that South East London has a genuine premium option. The City Golf Club in Royal Arsenal, Woolwich runs three Trackman iO bays, a 350 square foot putting green, a members' co-working space and PGA coaching, five minutes from Woolwich Elizabeth line station and within easy reach of Greenwich, Lewisham and Canary Wharf. If you live or work in the South East, it saves you the trip into town and tends to cost less for equal or better technology.
Getting started
The simplest way to try indoor golf is a free trial or a pay & play hour. You do not need experience or your own clubs, and it is one of the most beginner-friendly ways into the game there is.
FAQ
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What is indoor golf?
Indoor golf uses a launch monitor and a projector screen to let you hit real shots into a screen while technology tracks the ball and renders it on a virtual course. -
How much does indoor golf cost in London?
Pay-as-you-go bays typically range from around £20 to £50 an hour. Memberships charge a monthly fee and suit regular players. South East London venues often offer better value than central ones. -
Is indoor golf good for beginners?
Yes. The instant feedback and relaxed setting make it one of the easiest ways to start, and clubs are usually provided. -
Where can I play indoor golf in South East London?
The City Golf Club in Royal Arsenal, Woolwich offers Trackman iO simulators, coaching and membership, close to Greenwich, Lewisham and Canary Wharf.