Golf Simulator Etiquette: A Quick Guide

Simple courtesies that keep an indoor golf session safe, smooth and enjoyable for everyone in the bay.

The single most important rule of golf simulator etiquette is safety: only one person in the hitting zone at a time, and never step in until the hitter has finished and stepped back. Beyond that, keep play moving and treat the equipment with care, and you will be a welcome guest just about anywhere. Indoor golf is relaxed by nature, but a few shared courtesies keep things safe and fun — especially when you are sharing a bay with friends or playing near other groups in a busy room.

None of this is complicated, and most of it becomes second nature after a visit or two. This guide focuses on the unwritten rules — the habits that make a session run smoothly for everyone in the room, from the person swinging to the friend relaxing on the couch. If it is your very first visit, our beginner's guide covers what to expect overall; think of this as the companion piece on how to be a good bay-mate.

Safety first: one person in the hitting zone, and never step in mid-swing.
Keep play moving so your group — and any waiting groups — stay happy.
Treat the mat, screen and sensor with care so the venue stays affordable for all.
When in doubt, ask staff rather than adjusting equipment yourself.
A little awareness of other groups keeps a shared room sociable.

Why does etiquette matter more indoors?

Outdoors, a wayward swing has open space around it and plenty of margin for error. Indoors, you are in a compact bay with friends sitting close by, a screen a short distance ahead, and often other groups nearby. That tighter setting is exactly what makes the safety habits below non-negotiable — there is simply less room when a club is moving at full speed in an enclosed space. It also means small courtesies carry more weight, because everyone is sharing the same close quarters. Treating the bay with a touch more care than you might outdoors is what keeps an indoor session both safe and genuinely enjoyable for the whole group.

What is the most important safety rule?

Everything starts with keeping the hitting zone clear. Only one person should be in it at a time, and nobody should step in until the hitter has finished and stepped back. Keep spectators, and especially children, seated well behind the person swinging, and keep drinks and phones off the hitting mat where a club could reach them. These habits sound obvious written down, but they are easy to forget in a lively group, which is precisely when they matter most. Make them automatic and the rest of the session takes care of itself, leaving everyone free to relax and enjoy the round.

Only one person in the hitting zone, and stay clear while someone swings.
Wait for the ball to return and the hitter to step back before moving in.
Keep drinks and phones off the hitting mat.
Keep children and spectators seated well behind the hitter.

How do you keep play moving in the bay?

Pace matters more than it might seem, because a simulator round can run longer than people expect. A few small habits keep things flowing: be ready when it is your turn, use concede or gimme settings on longer sessions, and save longer chats and phone scrolling for between turns rather than on the mat. Keeping an eye on your booked time is a courtesy both to any group waiting for the bay and to your own group, who would rather play than wait around. Our guide on how long a round takes has more if you are planning your time.

Be ready when it is your turn — pick your club while others hit.
Use concede or gimme settings to keep a long round moving.
Mind your booked time; other groups may be waiting.
Save longer chats and scrolling for between turns, not on the mat.

How should you treat the equipment?

Treat the gear as if it were your own, because the venue's affordability depends on it lasting. Hit off the mat rather than the floor, and avoid trying to take real divots. If something with the screen or sensor seems off, tell staff instead of adjusting it yourself — the impact screen and launch monitor are the most expensive parts of the room, and they are easy to knock out of calibration. The same care applies to rental clubs: use them as you would a set you paid for. Looking after the equipment is not just good manners; it keeps prices reasonable and bays open for everyone who comes after you.

If your venue has several bays close together, a little awareness keeps the whole room pleasant. Celebrate good shots, but keep noise and high-fives friendly rather than disruptive, and remember the group next door is concentrating just as you are. Be tidy with shared spaces, give people room to swing, and avoid drifting into a neighbouring bay's line of sight while they hit. The best venues feel sociable without any one group taking over, and that atmosphere is something every visitor helps create. Reading the room and matching its energy is the simplest way to be the kind of guest a venue is glad to see again.

What etiquette helps when you bring beginners or guests?

Bringing along someone new is one of the joys of indoor golf, and a few small things make it smoother for everyone. Explain the safety basics before they start, keep the settings forgiving so they have fun, and let them take their time without an audience hovering. Encourage rather than coach unless they ask, since unsolicited swing tips rarely land well on a first visit. If they catch the bug, point them toward the beginner's guide or suggest a proper lesson for next time. Patience here pays off — a relaxed, welcomed beginner is far more likely to want to come back with you.

What should you do if something goes wrong?

Things occasionally glitch — a shot misreads, the software freezes, or a club feels off — and the right move is almost always the same: ask staff. They would much rather help than have you fiddle with sensitive equipment, and most issues are quick to sort once someone who knows the system steps in. If a swing sends a ball somewhere unexpected, stop, make sure everyone is clear, and reset calmly rather than rushing the next shot. Staying relaxed about the odd hiccup is part of good etiquette too; nobody expects a flawless session, and a calm response keeps the mood light for your whole group.

Ready to play? Browse venues near you or open the map to find a bay, and check recent reviews to pick a spot that suits your group.