One of the most common questions we hear from first-timers is simple: do you need your own clubs to play indoor golf on a golf simulator? The short, reassuring answer is no. Free club hire is included with every session at The Golf Cabin, the mats work for both left and right-handers, and you can turn up with nothing but a pair of trainers. If a lack of kit is the only thing holding you back, this guide is here to remove that worry entirely.
Indoor golf is one of the very few sports where showing up empty-handed is completely normal — even encouraged for beginners. Below, we cover exactly what's provided, what happens if you're left-handed, whether you should bring your own set, and what genuinely useful things to pack instead.
Do you need your own clubs to play indoor golf?
No, you do not need your own clubs to play indoor golf. At The Golf Cabin, club hire is included free with every booking, so a set is ready and waiting in your private bay when you arrive. You book the bay, we sort the clubs — there's nothing extra to arrange, hire separately or pay for on top.
This is deliberate. A golf simulator should be the easiest possible way to try golf or get some practice in, and forcing people to own a set first would defeat the point. Whether you've never held a club or you're a regular who just fancies a relaxed session, you can walk in with nothing and start swinging within minutes.
What clubs are provided?
The bays are stocked with a full range of clubs so you can play any shot you like — drivers for teeing off, irons for approach shots, wedges around the green and a putter for holing out. That means you can play a full round on a world-famous course, or work through different clubs on the driving range, without owning a single one yourself.
Because the clubs live in the bay, there's no queuing to borrow or swapping between groups. Everything you need for the session is right there, and if you want to try a club you don't normally use, you can simply pick it up and hit a few.
What if I'm left-handed?
You're fully covered. The Golf Cabin uses dual-handed mats, so left and right-handed players can both play from the same bay without any faff or repositioning. Left-handers are often an afterthought at driving ranges and hire counters, but here it's built in from the start.
That also makes mixed groups effortless. If your bay has a couple of righties and a leftie, everyone plays from the same spot, in the same session, with clubs to suit — no swapping mats, no waiting around, no awkwardness. Just take your turn and swing.
Can a whole group share the clubs?
Yes — a bay takes up to four players and the clubs stay in the bay for everyone to use, so a group of complete beginners can turn up together with nothing between them and still play a full session. There's no need for each person to own a set or hire one separately; you simply share what's there and take it in turns.
That makes indoor golf an easy plan for a mixed group where perhaps one person plays and the rest never have. Nobody has to invest in kit just to join in, which is a big part of why it works so well for a casual night out, a birthday or a first-time try with friends. If you want the whole space, you can book both bays for a group of up to around eight.
Should I bring my own clubs if I have them?
If you own a set you know and love, you're welcome to bring it — some golfers prefer the feel of their own gear, especially if they're using the session to practise for outdoor rounds. Playing with clubs you're familiar with can make the data on screen more meaningful, because the numbers reflect the equipment you actually use on the course.
But it's entirely optional. Plenty of regulars leave their clubs in the car and just use ours because it's less to carry. Here's a quick way to decide:
| Bring your own if… | Use our free hire clubs if… |
|---|---|
| You're practising for outdoor rounds | You're a complete beginner trying golf |
| You want data that matches your gamer clubs | You're here for a social night out |
| You're getting used to a new set | You'd rather travel light |
| You have a favourite putter or driver | You don't own clubs at all |
Either way, there's no pressure and no wrong choice. If in doubt, come with nothing and see how you get on with the hire clubs first.
What about golf shoes or a glove?
You don't need golf shoes or a glove either. There's no dress code at The Golf Cabin, and trainers or flat, comfortable shoes are ideal — you want to feel steady and grounded through a full swing, which ordinary trainers do perfectly. Spikes aren't needed and aren't necessary indoors.
A golf glove is a personal preference rather than a requirement. Some players like one for grip, most beginners don't bother, and it makes no difference to whether you can play. If you own one and like it, pop it in your pocket; if not, don't give it a second thought.
What should I actually bring?
Since the clubs are covered, the list of what to bring is short and easy. Here's everything that genuinely helps:
- Trainers or flat shoes so you feel steady through your swing.
- Comfortable clothes you can swing freely in — jeans, joggers or activewear are all fine.
- A drink to keep you going through the session.
- Your own clubs, only if you have them and want to use them.
- Friends — a bay takes up to four, and non-golfers are welcome.
That really is it. No kit to buy, nothing to hire in advance, and nothing technical to prepare. If you're still weighing it up, our guide to your first golf simulator visit walks through exactly how a session runs from arrival to last swing.
Is indoor golf really beginner-friendly with no kit?
Yes — not owning clubs is one of the reasons indoor golf is such a good place to start. You get a private bay with no audience, instant plain-English feedback on every shot, and mini-games that make it fun before you know a single rule. Combined with free club hire, there's simply no barrier to trying it.
Many people who come for a casual first hit — borrowing our clubs, wearing trainers, knowing nothing about golf — leave genuinely hooked. If that sounds like you, our piece on why indoor golf is good for beginners explains exactly why it works so well.
How to book without owning any clubs
Booking takes about a minute and there's nothing extra to sort for equipment. The Golf Cabin is in Wick, BS30 5QF, around ten minutes from Bristol, easy from the M4 (Junction 18) and the A420, with free on-site parking and doors open every day from 6am to midnight, from £25 an hour per bay.
Free club hire and dual-handed mats are already part of every session, so all you need to do is pick a time, grab your trainers and turn up. Book your bay online and we'll have a set ready for you in Wick.