If you're planning your first golf simulator visit, take a breath — there is genuinely nothing to be nervous about, and you don't need to be a golfer to have a brilliant time. This guide walks you through exactly what to expect, from what to wear to how a session runs from arrival to your last swing, so you can turn up feeling relaxed and ready to enjoy it.
A golf simulator is simply a private indoor bay where you hit a real ball with real clubs into a big screen, while clever tracking shows your shot flying onto a virtual course. At The Golf Cabin in Wick, beginners are honestly welcome, the bays are private, and the whole thing is built to be fun first and serious second. Here's everything a first-timer wants to know before booking.
Do you need your own clubs?
No, you don't need your own clubs for your first golf simulator visit, and you certainly shouldn't buy any just to try one. Free club hire is included with every session, so plenty of first-timers turn up with nothing at all and we'll have a set ready and waiting in the bay.
If you do own clubs, bring them — it's nice to use kit you'll get familiar with. But a simulator is one of the few places where turning up empty-handed is completely fine, so don't let a lack of equipment put you off booking. We cover this in full in do you need your own clubs to play indoor golf.
Do you need any golf experience?
No, you need zero golf experience to use a golf simulator, and it's one of the friendliest possible places to start. You're in a private bay with no audience, the screen explains your shots in plain English, and mini-games make it fun long before you understand a single rule of golf.
A simulator is great for beginners because it removes the pressure of a real course. There's no queue behind you, no etiquette to learn first, and instant feedback on every swing. Many people who arrive saying they've never played leave having caught the bug. For the full background, our explainer on what a golf simulator is and how it works is a gentle place to start.
What should you wear?
Wear whatever's comfortable — there is no dress code at The Golf Cabin, so jeans, joggers, a jumper or activewear are all absolutely fine. The only thing worth thinking about is your feet: trainers or flat shoes are ideal, because you'll be making a full swing and want to feel steady and grounded.
Avoid heels or slippery-soled shoes, and pick clothing you can swing freely in. Otherwise, come as you are. You don't need a polo shirt, golf gloves or anything that looks the part — comfort and a clear swing matter far more than looking like a golfer.
What happens when you arrive?
When you arrive, you'll find free on-site parking right outside, head to your private bay and get settled — there's no busy hall to navigate and no queue. The bay is yours for the whole session, so you can leave your bags to one side, get a drink and take your time.
The tracking is set up and calibrated for you, whether you're left or right-handed, so there's nothing technical to operate. Within a couple of minutes of walking in, you'll be standing over your first ball with the screen ready to read your shots.
How a golf simulator session works (step by step)
A golf simulator session is simple and guided from start to finish. Here's how a first session typically unfolds, arrival to last swing:
- Arrive and find your bay. Pop in, get settled and leave your bags to one side. You have the bay to yourselves for the whole session.
- Set up and calibrate. The tracking is made ready so it reads your shots correctly, whether you're left or right-handed.
- Warm up on the range. Loosen up by hitting a few balls on the virtual driving range — no scoring, just getting comfortable with the swing and the screen.
- Pick a course or mini-game. Choose a famous world course to play hole by hole, or a mini-game like closest-to-the-pin if you'd rather keep it light and social.
- Read your data. After each shot, the screen shows your numbers in plain English — how far it went, how fast, and where it flew — so you can see yourself improving.
- Play. Take it in turns, cheer each other on, and enjoy it. That's the whole point.
It's worth bringing a few small things to make the session smoother. Here's a quick list:
- Trainers or flat, comfortable shoes
- A drink to keep you going
- Your own clubs, only if you have them and want to use them
- Anything that makes you comfortable — a jumper if you run cold
That really is it. There's no complicated kit to prepare and nothing technical for you to set up yourself.
Can you bring friends who don't play?
Yes, absolutely — bringing friends who don't play is one of the best parts of a simulator session. The mini-games are designed for mixed groups, so complete non-golfers can compete on closest-to-the-pin or longest-drive challenges and often beat the so-called experts. Each bay takes up to four people, and you can book both bays for a group of up to around eight.
A simulator works brilliantly as a social outing rather than a serious sporting event. Friends who'd never set foot on a real course tend to relax quickly once they realise it's low-pressure, indoors and genuinely good fun. It makes a great option for a group night out, a birthday or just a different way to spend an evening together.
How long should your first session be?
For a first golf simulator visit, an hour is a great starting point — long enough to warm up, try the range, play a mini-game and have a proper go without feeling rushed. Bays are booked by the hour, so you can always add more time if you're loving it.
If a few of you are taking turns, you might prefer two hours so everyone gets plenty of shots. There's no need to overthink it: start with an hour, see how you feel, and you'll quickly learn how much time suits your group next time.
How much does it cost?
A bay at The Golf Cabin starts from £25 an hour, and because that's per bay rather than per person, the cost can be shared. With up to four of you splitting it, that works out at roughly from about £6 each per hour — making a simulator session one of the better-value group activities around.
You book the whole bay by the hour, so the more people you bring, the better the value per head. Memberships are also available if you think you'll be back. For a fuller look at pricing and what's on offer locally, see our guide to golf simulators near Bristol, what they cost and what to expect.
How to book your first session
Booking your first session takes about a minute online — you pick a bay, choose your day and time, and you're done. 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.
If you're coming as a family or bringing children, drop us a quick message before your visit so we can help you get the most out of it — under-18s just need an adult with them. Clubs are included free, so there's nothing else to arrange. You can see the bays and the tech on our golf simulators page if you'd like a closer look first.
That's everything a first-timer needs — so the only thing left is to give it a go. Whether you're a curious beginner or rounding up friends for a relaxed night out, book your first bay online and we'll see you in Wick.