You've seen photos. Maybe a friend posted an Instagram story from a simulator bay. It looked fun — screens, golf clubs, drinks — but also a little intimidating. What if you've never played golf? What if you miss the ball completely? What if everyone else in the venue is good and you're... not?
Take a breath. Golf simulators are specifically designed to be fun for people who have never picked up a club. In fact, first-timers are often the ones who have the best time, precisely because they have zero expectations and everything is new. Here's your complete guide to showing up with confidence.
What Actually Is a Golf Simulator?
A golf simulator is a room-sized setup where you hit a real golf ball into a large screen. Sensors track the ball's speed, spin, direction, and trajectory, then project a realistic simulation of where that ball would have gone on a real golf course. The screen shows fairways, greens, bunkers, water hazards — the full experience.
Think of it like a bowling alley, but for golf. You're in a private bay (usually accommodating up to five people), hitting real balls with real clubs, but instead of chasing your ball across a field, the simulator does the tracking for you and resets instantly for your next shot.
Modern simulators like the Bravo systems used at LENGOLF are incredibly accurate. They measure over a dozen data points per swing, including club speed, ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate. But as a beginner, you don't need to worry about any of that — the system handles everything automatically.
What to Wear
This is the question everyone asks first, and the answer is simpler than you think:
- Shoes — flat-soled shoes or sneakers work perfectly. Avoid flip-flops, heels, or anything slippery. You don't need golf shoes.
- Clothes — whatever you're comfortable moving in. Jeans and a t-shirt are fine. A polo shirt if you want to feel the part. The venue is air-conditioned, so dress for indoor comfort, not Bangkok heat.
- Nothing else — you don't need gloves, hats, or any gear. Clubs are provided. Just show up.
What to Bring (Almost Nothing)
- Yourself and your friends — simulators are more fun with a group, but solo sessions are completely normal too
- A phone — you'll want to take photos and videos of your shots (the screen displays some genuinely cinematic views)
- An open mind — you're going to miss some shots. You're going to hit some sideways. That's part of the fun.
You do not need to bring clubs. Simulator venues provide a full set of clubs for every bay. If you happen to own clubs and want to bring them, that's fine too — the simulator works with any clubs.
How a Session Works
Here's a typical first-time session, step by step:
1. Arrival and Setup
You check in, get assigned a bay, and the staff gives you a quick orientation. They'll show you how to select a mode (driving range, course play, or mini-games), how the clubs are organized, and where the tee position is. This takes about five minutes.
2. Warm-Up on the Driving Range
Start with the virtual driving range. This is the no-pressure zone. Just hit balls and watch where they go. The screen shows your distance, and you can experiment with different clubs. Most beginners start with a 7-iron (it's the most forgiving mid-range club) before trying the driver.
3. Try a Course or Mini-Games
Once you're warmed up, switch to course play or challenge mode. Course play lets you experience famous golf courses hole by hole — the simulator shows the fairway, you pick your target, and you play through. Mini-games offer things like closest-to-the-pin challenges or target-hitting competitions, which are great for groups.
4. Order Drinks and Relax
At LENGOLF, there's a full bar. Order something, settle into the bay, take turns with your group, and enjoy the social side of it. There's no rush, no pressure, and no one keeping score unless you want them to.
Five Tips for First-Timers
Start with a 7-iron, not a driver
The driver (the big one) is the hardest club to hit consistently. The 7-iron is shorter, easier to control, and gives you much better feedback. Master the 7-iron first, and the driver will feel less intimidating when you try it.
Swing easy — seriously
The number one beginner mistake is swinging too hard. A smooth, controlled swing will go straighter and often farther than a wild power swing. Think 70% effort, not 100%.
Focus on contact, not distance
Your first goal is simply to hit the ball solidly. It doesn't matter if it goes 50 meters or 200. A clean contact in the center of the club face is a win. Distance comes naturally with practice.
Watch the data, but don't obsess
The simulator shows numbers after every shot — ball speed, distance, trajectory. As a beginner, the most useful number is the direction indicator. Are you hitting it roughly straight? Great. Worry about optimizing spin rate in your fifth session, not your first.
Take turns and cheer each other on
If you're in a group, rotate shots. One person hits while the others watch, react, and provide (usually unhelpful but entertaining) advice. This social rhythm is what makes simulator golf genuinely fun, not a stuffy sports exercise.
Common Concerns (And Why They Don't Matter)
"I've never played golf before."
Neither have most first-time simulator visitors. The staff can show you a basic grip and stance in 30 seconds. You'll be hitting balls within a minute.
"What if I miss the ball completely?"
You will. Everyone does, even experienced golfers. The simulator just resets and waits for your next swing. No one is watching, no one is judging, and your friends will be too busy laughing at their own misses to notice yours.
"Is it expensive?"
A simulator bay typically costs per hour, and you split that among up to five people. Compare that to a round of golf (green fees, caddie, cart, drinks, transport) and it's a fraction of the cost. At LENGOLF, there's no extra charge for additional players in your bay.
"I don't want to slow people down."
There's no one behind you waiting. It's your private bay, your pace. Take five practice swings before each shot if you want. No one cares.
Why Simulators Are Actually Better for Beginners Than Real Golf
Here's something most people don't realize: a golf simulator is a better learning environment than an outdoor course or driving range for someone who's never played. Here's why:
- Instant feedback — the simulator tells you exactly what happened on every swing. Did you slice it right? The data shows why. Did you hit it clean? You can see the metrics that made it work. On a driving range, you just watch a ball fly into the distance with no idea what you did right or wrong.
- No walking, no searching — on a real course, bad shots mean trudging through rough, looking for lost balls, and holding up the group behind you. In a simulator, you just hit the next shot.
- Climate-controlled — learning golf in Bangkok's 35-degree heat while sweating through your clothes is not a recipe for enjoyment. Simulators are air-conditioned.
- No intimidation — real golf courses have dress codes, etiquette rules, and other players watching. A simulator bay is your private space to learn at your own pace.
Ready to Try It?
The hardest part of your first simulator session is walking through the door. Everything after that is fun. Grab some friends, show up in comfortable clothes, and let the staff handle the rest. You don't need to know anything about golf to have a great time — and you might just discover a new hobby in the process.
LENGOLF is open daily from 10 AM to 11 PM at The Mercury Ville @ BTS Chidlom, Floor 4. Clubs are provided, walk-ins are welcome, and beginners are the majority of visitors. Book your first session at booking.len.golf.