With the rising costs of green fees and memberships around the world we may be seeing golf as a sport changing in the way it is played. What began as the “posh” way to practice golf has now made its way into homes, entertainment facilities and even in training facilities for professionals to teach. The technology is revolutionizing golf more and more each day but soon it could be the new normal…
The rise in popularity since the major lockdowns in 2020 has been substantially with more golfers participating in off-course golf than on course in 2022 and with the technology only going to improve more and more overtime it’s only a matter of time before playing on a different type of green grass is everyone’s first thought on a Saturday morning. We can even see pro golfers participating using these simulators in the brand new TGL golf league, this is where some of the world best golfers including players such as Tiger Woods compete in tournaments using golf simulators similar to the PGA or LIV Golf just on a screen instead.
I spoke to PGA professional Jez Willmott who is a teaching pro at Boringdon Golf Club who believes that this new technology has “transformed the way that golf is taught, with the access to all the stats any golfer could need to improve their game as well as changing how pros like us approach lessons and can help people understand their game to get the most out of their potential”. However, it’s not just golf coaches who take advantage of the simulators, it’s the golfers too. I asked long time member of Boringdon Golf club, Mark Radmore, for his thought on the changes to which he responded saying “the newer technology is amazing to use when practicing or even playing on a virtual golf course, but nothing will ever beat being out in the sun on real grass”
While simulators may not become the new normal for golf, it is safe to say that it has helped the sport evolve and change with its popularity being at an all-time high, especially with much younger golfers. When you also consider that golf simulators can be used 24/7 no matter what the weather conditions are then it is safe to say that they will forever change golf as a sport and make the game more accessible to an even larger audience.