Can You Play Indoor Golf Solo?
Why a simulator is one of the best ways to practice or play alone — and how to make a solo session productive and fun.
Playing indoor golf solo is not only allowed, it is one of the best uses of a simulator. With a bay to yourself you control the pace entirely, get feedback on every shot, and can practise or play a full round without ever waiting on anyone else.
Going alone unlocks a kind of focus that is hard to find in a group, which is exactly why so many golfers book solo to actually work on their game. This guide covers why solo sessions are normal, how to make them productive, and how to keep them enjoyable when it is just you and the screen.
- Booking a bay alone is completely normal and very common.
- Solo time is ideal for focused practice with feedback on every swing.
- You can play a full virtual round by yourself, and it moves quickly.
- A solo session can be shorter and easier to schedule than a group outing.
- You set the pace, the goals, and the games entirely on your own terms.
Is it normal to book a simulator alone?
Completely. Plenty of golfers reserve a bay solo to practise efficiently, especially in the evening or through the off-season when outdoor play is off the table. Staff see solo bookings all the time, so there is nothing unusual about turning up on your own. Because you rent the bay by time, a solo session can be shorter and easier on the wallet than a group outing, and you never have to coordinate schedules to get a swing in. For many regulars, going alone is the default rather than the exception — it is simply the most reliable way to fit golf around a busy week.
What should you do in a solo session?
Solo time is ideal for focused, deliberate practice. With nobody waiting, you can work on a single skill and watch a single number rather than spreading your attention thin — smash factor for quality of contact, say, or carry distance for dialling in your gaps. Our practice framework lays out a structure you can follow so the time does not drift into aimless ball-bashing. When you want to compete against only yourself, skills challenges give you a score to chase. The freedom to repeat the same shot until it clicks is something a group session rarely allows.
Can you still play a full round by yourself?
Yes — and a solo round actually moves quickly, since there is no waiting between shots and no one else to follow. You can play any virtual course on your own, take your time over each shot, and treat it as either relaxed fun or a genuine test of your game. Many simulators let you save a score, so you can track how you fare on the same course over time and watch your progress. Playing alone also lets you experiment freely — trying a riskier line or a new club — without holding anyone up. For a quiet, pressure-free round, going solo is hard to beat.
How do you make solo practice productive?
The risk of a solo session is drifting into mindless repetition, so a little structure goes a long way. A simple plan keeps each block purposeful and gives you something concrete to take away when you leave.
- Warm up gently before chasing numbers, so the early swings do not skew your read.
- Pick one skill per session rather than tinkering with everything at once.
- Watch a single metric, like smash factor, to judge progress.
- Use a drill or a skills challenge to add a little pressure.
- Finish on a few real holes to test whether the work holds up.
Is solo play cheaper than going with a group?
Often, in practical terms, though it depends on how you look at it. Because venues rent the bay rather than charge per head, a group splits one rate and each person pays less — so a foursome can be very good value per player. On your own, you carry the whole cost of the bay, but you can offset that by booking a shorter window, since one person gets through practice or a few holes faster than a crowd. If budget is your main concern, our guide to playing on a budget has more, and off-peak slots are usually the friendliest for a solo session.
Is playing alone less fun than with others?
It is simply a different kind of enjoyment. A group session is social and lively, full of banter and friendly competition, while a solo session is quieter, more meditative, and entirely yours to shape. Neither is better — they suit different moods and goals. If you want to genuinely improve, the calm and repetition of going alone is often more satisfying than the stop-start rhythm of a crowd. If you want a night out, bring friends. Plenty of golfers happily do both, booking solo to practise during the week and joining a group when they want company. The bay adapts to whichever you are in the mood for.
How do you stay motivated on your own?
Motivation is easier when a session has a point. Walking in with a clear aim — a contact drill, a gapping check, or a score to beat on a favourite course — gives the time shape and a sense of achievement when you leave. Tracking your numbers across visits turns practice into a visible trend, which is quietly addictive once you see progress. Mixing practice with a little play stops things feeling like a chore, and the occasional skills challenge adds a jolt of competition even with no one else there. Treat each solo booking as a small project rather than an open-ended hit, and the motivation tends to look after itself.
How do you make the most of a solo booking?
Plan a little before you arrive and the session almost runs itself. Decide whether this is a practice day or a playing day, jot down the one or two things you want to work on, and choose a course or drill that fits. Arrive ready to start so none of your window is lost to setup, and keep an eye on a single metric rather than drowning in data. Leaving a short stretch at the end to play real holes is a good way to test whatever you practised. With a touch of structure, a solo hour can be more useful than a far longer, unfocused group session.
Ready to get some focused time of your own? Browse venues near you and book a single slot, or open the map to find the closest bay.