Golf is changing. While the classic 18-hole experience will never go out of style, a digital alternative is gaining serious ground. Virtual golf tournaments, once seen as a niche activity, are now drawing attention from both players and fans. Backed by rapid tech advancements and a growing appetite for remote competition, they’re offering a new way to enjoy the game.
Launch monitors like TrackMan and Foresight Sports have brought pro-level precision into garages, lounges, and simulator bays. These devices track ball flight, spin, clubface angle, and more. Paired with ultra-realistic visuals and course renderings, the experience now borders on lifelike. From Pebble Beach to St. Andrews, players can “walk” the world’s greatest courses without stepping outside.
Indoor venues, too, are capitalising. Across the UK and beyond, simulator lounges now double as social hubs, attracting everyone from after-work professionals to serious amateurs. These centres offer high-end tech, food, drink, and competitive formats, creating an atmosphere that’s part club, part arcade.
The competitive element is where things really take off. Virtual golf tournaments are gaining traction, and with them, a whole new layer of interest: online sports betting. While traditional golf betting focuses on live tour events, some betting sites not on GamStop have started offering odds on simulator-based competitions. These platforms often feature faster withdrawals, fewer verification hurdles, and expanded markets. For punters who enjoy following emerging sports or alternative formats, virtual golf tournaments are proving to be a surprisingly engaging option.
While it’s easy to dismiss virtual golf as a game, the numbers say otherwise. The global golf simulator market was valued at over $1.3 billion in 2022 (£0.98 billion), according to a report by Grand View Research, with strong annual growth expected through 2030. Tournaments like those run by Full Swing and PinSeeker regularly attract players from around the world, competing for real cash prizes on digital renditions of famous courses.
Pros are getting involved, too. Tiger Woods has long endorsed Full Swing simulators, while Rory McIlroy is heavily involved in TGL, a new simulator-based league that launches in 2025. TGL will feature top-ranked players, team formats, and primetime TV coverage. The project has backing from the PGA Tour and aims to bring golf to a tech-savvy audience.
Beyond the spotlight, virtual tournaments also serve a practical purpose. Weatherproof and time-efficient, they allow players to compete when traditional golf isn’t possible. Formats vary from closest-to-the-pin contests to full 18-hole stroke play, often with live leaderboards and interactive elements. This mix of accessibility and competition makes the format ideal for local clubs, amateur tours, and even corporate events.
Technology is also turning virtual golf into a training tool. Launch monitors don’t just recreate shots, they dissect them. Players receive immediate data on swing path, ball speed, and impact angles, helping them identify flaws and make corrections in real time. This level of feedback is rarely possible on a traditional range, especially during winter months or late-night sessions.
The entertainment value is hard to ignore. Multiplayer modes, social sharing, and live streaming are turning solo practice sessions into community events. Viewers on Twitch and YouTube follow virtual tournaments just as they would traditional ones, while apps like E6 CONNECT let users share swing stats, rankings, and course challenges with friends or followers.
Then there’s the real-world connection. Some virtual tournaments mirror actual events on the pro circuit, giving everyday players a chance to test their skills on the same digital layout being played on TV that week. This adds context and excitement, especially when players can compete asynchronously from different time zones.
Virtual golf is not a replacement for the real thing, but it doesn’t try to be. It’s an extension. A way to enjoy the game when schedules, weather, or location make a round impossible. It’s also a bridge for people new to golf, who might find a simulator bay more welcoming than a full-length course.
As virtual tournaments grow in both scale and popularity, they’re opening doors for players, fans, and even bettors. Technology continues to blur the line between physical and digital sport. In the case of golf, it’s doing so in a way that feels natural and fun.
