What to Wear and Bring to Indoor Golf

A simple checklist for your first simulator session — what to wear, what to bring, and what the venue already has covered.

Indoor golf is refreshingly low-maintenance: wear comfortable clothes you can make a full swing in, and bring as little or as much as you like. Most venues are climate-controlled and casual, so there is no strict dress code to stress about and very little gear you genuinely need to pack.

That easygoing nature is a big part of the appeal, but a few small choices — the right shoes, a glove if you use one, whether you rent clubs or bring your own — can make a first session smoother and more comfortable. This guide walks through what to wear, what to carry, and what the bay already has covered, so you can travel light and focus on hitting.

Wear athletic clothes or normal golf attire — anything you can swing freely in works.
Clean, flat-soled shoes grip the hitting mat well; leave the metal spikes at home.
Clubs, balls, tees and the screen are provided, so packing is minimal.
Bring a glove if you wear one, plus water and any small personal item you like on course.
Specifics like rentals and footwear preferences vary by venue, so check the listing first.

What should you wear to a golf simulator?

Anything you can make a full, unrestricted swing in is fine. Athletic wear and ordinary golf attire both work well, so there is no need to buy anything special for a first visit. Aim for layers you can move in freely across the shoulders and hips, since a cramped shirt or stiff jacket can quietly shorten your turn. Most bays are climate-controlled and comfortable, so you will rarely need heavy outerwear once you are inside. If you are heading somewhere social afterward, smart-casual clothes that still let you swing are an easy compromise. When in doubt, comfort and freedom of movement matter far more than looking the part on screen.

What kind of shoes work best on a hitting mat?

Footwear is the one detail worth a moment's thought. Clean, flat athletic shoes grip the hitting mat well and give you a stable base through the swing, which is really all you need. Metal spikes are usually unnecessary indoors, and many venues ask you to avoid them to protect their flooring and mats, so it is worth checking the venue's page before you go. Soft spikes or spikeless golf shoes are welcome at most places if you prefer them, but trainers with a reasonably flat sole are perfectly good too. Whatever you choose, make sure the soles are clean and dry so you do not slip mid-swing.

Do you need to bring your own clubs?

Not necessarily. Many venues offer club rentals, so you can show up empty-handed and still play a full round, which makes it easy to try the experience or bring along a beginner friend. If you already own a set you are comfortable with, bringing it gives you the truest read on your own game, since the contact and distances will reflect the clubs you actually play. For a casual outing, rentals keep things simple; for serious practice or a fitting, your own clubs are the better call. We go much deeper in do you need your own clubs?

What does the venue already provide?

More than you might expect, which is why packing is so light. The bay supplies the balls, tees, mat, screen and the simulator itself, so you never need to carry any of those. Most places also have somewhere to set down a bag and a jacket, and many offer food and drink if you want to linger. Some venues keep a few gloves or accessories on hand, though that varies, and a handful even stock loaner sets for anyone who arrives without clubs. Because amenities differ so much from one location to the next, the surest way to know what is waiting for you is to read the specific listing rather than assume. When unsure, a quick call ahead settles it before you arrive.

What should you actually pack in your bag?

Beyond clubs, a short personal kit covers almost everything. The idea is to bring the small comforts that make a session pleasant without hauling a full load of gear you will not touch. Most of what follows fits in a jacket pocket or a small bag, so you can keep things easy.

A glove, if you wear one — bays rarely stock your exact size.
Water or a drink to stay hydrated through a longer session.
A small towel to keep your hands and grips dry.
Your phone, since many simulators can save or share your shot data.
Layers you can remove, in case the bay runs warm or cool.

Should you wear a golf glove?

A glove is optional, exactly as it is on a real course. If you normally wear one, bring it — a familiar glove helps your grip feel consistent, and venues do not always keep your size on hand. If you have never used one, you can play perfectly well without, especially for a casual social round. Where a glove earns its place is during longer practice sessions, when repeated swings can tire your hands or raise a blister. Some players keep a spare in case the first gets damp. As with most of this, it comes down to personal preference rather than any rule the venue enforces, so do whatever feels best for your hands.

It can, a little. For a relaxed night out with friends, travel light: comfortable clothes, clean shoes, and a willingness to laugh off the occasional mishit are all you need. For a focused practice session, it is worth bringing your own clubs so the data reflects your real game, along with a glove, a towel and perhaps a note of what you want to work on. If you are heading in to dial in distances before a trip, your own wedges and irons matter more than anything else you pack. Matching your kit to your goal keeps the session smooth, whichever way you are playing that day.

Once you know what to wear and bring, the only thing left is to pick a place. Browse simulator venues near you to check each location's amenities, rentals and any footwear preferences before you head out.