By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
It has been predicted that, by the end of 2028, there will be more rounds of golf played virtually in the United Kingdom than real ones.
Globally, 80% of all rounds of golf will be virtual within that period.
In golf-loving South Korea, almost ten years ago 'screen golf' overtook 'field golf'. In fact, as outdoor space there is limited, golfers are most comfortable playing virtual golf, with 87% of players preferring the off-course experience, which is offered by around 6,000 indoor simulator venues.
Such virtual rounds are also providing opportunities to play in professional tournaments. For example, Gavin Macpherson won a simulator event to qualify for the 2025 NSW Open in Australia.
The rise of virtual golf gaming started about 40 years ago in Japan, with handheld dot-matrix computer games, and these devices were followed by video game consoles.
Recent data from the R&A, which runs golf globally outside the United States and Mexico, has revealed that more people are playing golf indoors than outdoors.
A professional indoor league, powered by Golfzon technology, has been running for more than ten years; the total prize fund for the 2025 ‘GTour’ was 1.9 billion South Korean won (around €1.08 million). Golfzon data reports that more than 100 million rounds were played globally using its technology during 2024.
Matt Draper, the development and membership director of England Golf, has remarked that:
"Indoor golf is playing a huge role in driving more people to the game."
And added that:
"There's a key role to be played in cities where there might not be so many spaces for people to enjoy golf outdoors."
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘