It's 8:30 p.m. in downtown Jakarta. Three friends walk into what looks like a stylish café—but instead of coffee, they're handed golf clubs. One minute later, they're swinging at a virtual Pebble Beach, drinks in hand, laughter bouncing off the soundproof walls.

This isn't a one-off gimmick. Across Seoul, Singapore, and Jakarta, indoor golf simulators—once a niche for hardcore players—have become part of a very different lifestyle trend: part fitness, part entertainment, part social club.

From Driving Range to Date Night

Traditional golf can be expensive, time-consuming, and wildly dependent on weather. It's also long been tied to older generations or corporate networking. Indoor golf studios flip that on its head.

These new-generation spaces—often called golf pods or simulators—are compact, high-tech, and tailored for urban life. You book by the hour. You play real swings into sensors. And you don't need to know a thing about golf to have a good time.

In Seoul, chains like Golfzon and Screen Golf have become so common that they're often found on the same block as karaoke rooms and dessert cafés. Singapore's CBD now hosts multiple "golf lounges" where colleagues can finish meetings over nine holes—without ever leaving the building.

What's Driving the Craze?

A few key factors have powered this boom in screen golf culture:

1. Tech makes it easy.

Simulators have gotten incredibly accurate. They track ball speed, club angle, spin, and even terrain. For beginners, it's fun and accessible. For serious players, it's legit training.

2. It fits urban schedules.

You don't need four hours or a drive to the suburbs. You can swing by (literally) after work for 45 minutes, alone or with friends. It's flexible, fast, and casual.

3. It blends with nightlife.

Many studios now serve snacks, drinks, and music. Some offer private rooms with couches and projectors. It's not just golf—it's a vibe.

4. It breaks gender stereotypes.

The old image of golf as a "men's game" is fading fast. In places like Singapore and Seoul, women in their 20s and 30s are showing up in growing numbers—not as plus-ones, but as regulars. Some even form after-work leagues.

Where Fitness Meets Fun

Surprisingly, indoor golf isn't just a social experience—it's also a legit workout.

Swinging a club with proper form engages your core, shoulders, and hips. A single session can involve hundreds of micro-adjustments in posture and movement. For office workers sitting 9 to 5, it's low-impact yet high-engagement.

It also trains your focus. With data shown after every swing—ball speed, club path, launch angle—you get instant feedback, which encourages micro-goal setting and improvement. For perfectionists and data lovers, it's strangely addictive.

Want to Try It? Here's What to Know

Thinking about checking it out? You don't need experience or equipment. Here's how to get started:

1. Book a beginner-friendly studio.

Look for spots that offer guided tutorials or casual mode options. Many have rental clubs and shoes included.

2. Go with a friend or two.

Whether it's a double date or a midweek unwind, screen golf is best shared. Most pods allow 2–4 people and are priced by the hour, not the headcount.

3. Don't worry about skill level.

The simulators often include fun modes like "target challenge" or "mini games." Even if you've never held a club, you'll find something enjoyable.

4. Watch your form—but not too much.

While it's tempting to perfect every move, the key is to relax and have fun. The analytics are great, but so is just laughing at a wildly off-course shot.

So, Is It a Sport or a Social Tool?

That's the beauty of it—it's both.

For some, it's a weekly solo routine to relax. For others, it's a standing Friday hangout. A few get competitive. Most just enjoy the freedom to show up, swing, and unwind.

And that's exactly why it works. Indoor golf studios meet people where they are: in the middle of the city, in the middle of their lives, craving something that's both active and easy.

So the next time you're looking for a new way to move, connect, or just decompress, maybe don't head to the gym. Grab a club, hit play on the simulation, and let the next nine holes do the work.