Play Pebble Beach At 11 p.m.: The East Of Caldecott Set Gets New Golf Playground

LAMORINDA, CA — Data-driven training and social play are driving simulator golf’s nationwide growth, especially in areas where traditional courses are hard to reach.

A new indoor golf simulator studio in Walnut Creek is drawing late-night duffers, early-morning competitors, and curious first-timers who want to play some of the world’s most famous courses without leaving Contra Costa County.

A golf simulator is a technology system that recreates real-world golf conditions indoors, allowing players to practice and play without stepping onto a course. The systems combine high-speed cameras, radar, and motion sensors with interactive software to track each swing and project the ball’s flight across virtual courses.

Designed for everyone from beginners to professional golfers, simulators are used in homes, training facilities, entertainment venues, and commercial golf studios, according investment site.

Simulators have proliferated across the United States, with 1,500 simulator businesses nationwide. That's a tiny number compared to other nations — as of November, 9,700 screen golf locations now occupy South Korea for a population that’s about one-sixth the size of the United States, the National Golf Association reported.

Scratch Lab Golf opened a fully automated, 24/7 simulator studio on Mt. Diablo Boulevard, for players who are new to the game or who have spent decades chasing the perfect swing on real fairways from Lafayette to Moraga.

For golfers from nearby Lafayette, Orinda, and Moraga, the setup taps into a familiar local rhythm. Now they can sleep in on weekend mornings instead of scrambling for tee times at hillside courses — no sunscreen, no cart path rules, and no closing bell. And players who have spent decades chasing the perfect swing on fairways from Lafayette to Moraga, may find comfort in a midnight tee time in a climate-controlled room.

The studio operates 24 hours a day and relies on automated entry and booking. Players can reserve bays in half-hour blocks for around $30, or sign up for monthly memberships that offer unlimited play. Each bay is private, climate-controlled, and wheelchair accessible, according to the company.

Golfers can play on 400+ virtual courses and practice modes, using premium balls and full club sets provided at each bay. The simulator technology gives detailed real-time swing analysis with radar sensors tracking launch angle, spin rate, carry distance, and club path, according to the company. Club rentals and PGA-level instruction are also available. Players can compare their swing metrics to professional standards, giving feedback for improvement.

The studio has a relaxed atmosphere. There is no dress code, and players can order delivery food. Beer is available, making some sessions as much hangouts as practice rounds.