Indoor golf has become one of the most exciting ways to bring people together—unlike traditional golf, screens break down barriers and create opportunities for genuine connection and friendly competition. That's one of the main motivators that led us to create Screengolfers. Whether you're planning a casual get-together with friends, a corporate team-building event, or a special celebration, virtual golf nights offer the perfect blend of entertainment and interaction that keeps guests engaged from the first swing to the final putt.
The social appeal of screen golf
The beauty of indoor golf parties is that they’re so much more accessible, both from a physical perspective, allowing complete beginners to get started alongside seasoned golfers without overwhelm or embarrassment, and in terms of affordability. It levels the playing field in ways that can be challenging on traditional courses.
The interactive nature of screen golf creates a unique group dynamic that lets everyone get involved and be part of the conversation in between shots. This all lends itself perfectly to virtual golf nights that you and your friends or colleagues can enjoy, regardless of what the weather is doing or where you’re based.
Planning your virtual golf event
Setting the scene
The foundation of your virtual golf night is the right setting, whether it’s a BBQ, a birthday celebration, or a casual beer and pizza night. Home simulator setups are the most convenient and can be personalized easily, so you can control every aspect of the environment, from drinks and food to lighting, and even the course you’re playing on. For example, simulators like the ones provided by Golf Swing Systems enable you to play on world-famous championship golf courses, so your guests will feel like they’re really playing on the green.
Make sure there’s plenty of room to play and relax, so those who aren’t taking their turn can chat and eat comfortably. You also need to think about cooling the space, especially if you’re setting up your simulator in a smaller room—longer playing sessions can quickly become hot and cramped if there’s too many people invited along.
Course selection
When it comes to choosing the virtual courses you’ll play on, provide a mix for different abilities—famous championship courses like St Andrews or Pebble Beach may give recognition value, but they can be frustrating for those new to the game.
The variety of available courses allows you to cater to different preferences and skill levels throughout the evening. You might start with a famous course that everyone recognizes, then transition to a fantasy course that encourages creative play and laughter. Some systems even offer seasonal or themed courses so you can tie your event into holidays or special occasions.
Games and competitions for all skill levels
Team formats for fun and fairness
Fun team formats are essential for making sure your guests all have a positive experience. Scramble or Best Ball formats work exceptionally well for virtual golf events because they reduce individual pressure and promote teamwork and collaboration. In these formats, each team member plays their shot, and the team selects the best result to play from, meaning that even if one player struggles with a particular shot, the team can still succeed as a whole.
Exciting side challenges
Injecting extra fun and friendly competition into your virtual golf night is easy with various side challenges. Activities such as drinking games for specific shots provide self-contained amusement, and could even involve small prizes or recognition for winners. The beauty of these challenges is that if someone is struggling with their overall game, they can still shine and experience moments of triumph in smaller victories.
Longest Drive contests often generate the most memorable moments of the evening, and even beginners can occasionally connect with a shot that surprises everyone, including themselves. Celebrate every effort and improvement rather than just raw distance though—you might even create separate categories for different skill levels to recognize the most improvement throughout the evening.
Putting challenges are another excellent opportunity for inclusive competition. Virtual putting often relies more on reading the green and understanding speed than on perfect technique, so newcomers have a genuine chance to outperform more experienced players.
Hosting best practices
The first step to a successful golf night is making sure your attendees know how to use the equipment, so they don’t feel overwhelmed when it’s their turn to go. Make sure you give clear, simple instructions at the beginning of the evening to set everyone up for success and demonstrate the basic mechanics of taking a shot, how to select clubs, and how guests can adjust their stance and aim so they have a solid foundation to start with.
Just as with in-person golf, games can become lengthy so manage the flow of turns throughout the evening, so everyone gets to have their turn. Set a reasonable number of holes or rounds based on your group size and the amount of time you have, keeping in mind that virtual golf often takes longer than anticipated, especially with larger groups or if you have several beginners coming along. Shorter formats like nine-hole rounds or even six-hole challenges can help to keep the energy high.
A clear rotation system will also ensure fairness, preventing anyone from being forgotten or left out. Time limits for individual shots may help if you have a large group but remember to stay flexible to allow for those magical moments when someone is lining up a potentially great shot – you don’t want the schedule to be so rigid that the momentum of the night is lost completely.
The most successful events are those where the technology serves the social experience rather than dominating it. Focus on making sure everyone feels involved and has a chance to play, with a variety of games and competitions to inspire genuine interaction that will appeal to keen golfers and newbies alike.