It is in South Korea, where outdoor space is limited, that golfers are most comfortable playing virtual golf, with 87% of players preferring the off-course experience offered by around 6,000 indoor simulator venues.
A professional indoor league, powered by Golfzon technology, has been running for more than a decade. The total prize fund for last year’s GTour was 1.9bn South Korean won (£1m) and it has spawned a global spin-off that has seen players from across Asia, Europe and the US compete virtually 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 is playing a huge role in driving more people to the game,” says Matt Draper, development and membership director at England Golf, whose stats from last year highlight there are as many visits to driving ranges and simulators as there are to play nine or 18 holes on a course.
“There’s a key role to be played in cities where there might not be so many spaces for people to enjoy golf outdoors,” he adds.
“More and more venues are popping up where friends and families can play in the warmth using simulators, and also enjoy a drink, food and music alongside it.”
Pitch Golf is one such brand. What started out as two mates taking advantage of emerging technology in 2012 to teach those “stepping out of work on a lunch hour” in the heart of London, has evolved into a “best of both worlds” operation with further locations recently opened in Manchester and Dublin.
“Trackman don’t see growth in the outdoor market, they think 80% of all rounds will be played indoors by 2028, which is mind-blowing,” Ingham tells BBC Sport.
“The innovation is getting the social side right. We combined golf, sport, music and social for the first time in our opening site in London.”
The money, Ingham says, is in the bar and corporate clients – attracting the work parties and away days. With them come non-golfers, though.
The solution in conjunction with their technology provider Trackman has been to create London Gardens. It is a short course designed for non-players that weaves virtually around the capital city’s landmarks.
“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.