3 Surprising Indoor Golf Hacks for Travelers

Red-eye flights, unpredictable weather, and shoebox hotel rooms can make it tough to keep any hobby alive on the road. One week of client meetings quickly becomes two, causing muscle memory to fade and your tempo to feel as jetlagged as you do. Yet, maintaining your swing is becoming easier for the dedicated traveller.

The appetite for non-traditional golf play is growing rapidly, with 8.1 million simulator and screen golf users in 2024, a 126% surge over five years ago, and 51% are non-golfers.

This shift proves that you no longer need a sprawling country club to get meaningful reps in.

With a dash of creativity and gear that fits in a carry-on, indoor golf is more attainable than ever. From roll-up mats to compact golf simulator projectors, portable solutions can transform any space into a pop-up studio. Below are three methods to keep you active between airports.

Snapshot Comparison: Which Travel Setup Fits Your Trip?

Solution #1 – The Roll-Up Putting Studio

Putting travels better than any other part of the game because it requires minimal space. Slip a high-quality putting mat into your luggage, as modern versions feature crystal-velvet surfaces that roll true. You can easily unroll it across your hotel carpet or Airbnb hardwood for instant practice.

Quick Hotel-Room Drill

Place a small towel beneath your lead foot to encourage proper weight shift during your stroke. Use the hallway for 10-footers by creating a gate with two tee pegs or coins. This simple setup sharpens your focus and precision immediately.

Key Insight: Mastering “six-foot knee-knockers” in your hotel room lowers scores significantly faster than hitting drives. This low-impact practice yields the highest return on investment for travelers.

Solution #2 – Pocket-Size Launch Monitor + Projector Simulator

Ready to hit full shots without cracking a lamp in your rental? Match a palm-sized launch monitor with a portable display setup to capture swing speed and carry distance.

The global simulator market is projected to reach approximately $4.7 billion by 2032, driven by growing demand.

Why the Projector Matters

Phones are convenient, but a projected image delivers true immersion and better feedback loops. For travelers who want the full simulator experience on the road, compact golf simulator projectors offer the perfect balance of portability and performance.

Sourcing travel-friendly units that balance lumen output with compact housing is essential. Look for devices under ten pounds with USB-C power options to avoid lugging theater-grade hardware.

Data Accuracy

Modern portable launch monitors are incredibly precise, capable of tracking detailed metrics instantly. Top-tier systems provide real-time measurements, including spin rate, launch angle, ball speed, and other advanced data for each shot, with faster processors delivering more responsive feedback between shots.

This level of detail allows you to make genuine swing changes even while away from home.

Pro Tip: Essential for hotel use, ensure your projector has “keystone correction.” This feature allows you to project a perfectly square image even when the unit must be placed at an awkward angle.

Solution #3 – Virtual & Augmented Reality Golf

When luggage space is tighter than a par-3 green, ditch the clubs altogether. Slip a VR headset into your carry-on to turn any quiet corner into a digital practice range. Weighing roughly 500 grams, these devices are the ultimate space-saving solution.

What It Feels Like

Point the controller at your club to take a natural putting or chipping stroke with haptic feedback. Multiplayer modes let you challenge friends across time zones instantly. Solo sessions are perfect for dialing in tempo before a client dinner.

Key Insight: Without the physical resistance of a ball, VR is a pure tempo trainer. Use these sessions to refine your rhythm and mental pre-shot routine rather than swing mechanics.

Quick-Hit Travel Drills & Gear Hacks

• Impact Snap: Groove your wrist mechanics without needing a net.
• Alignment Hack: Borrow two hotel closet rods to use as makeshift alignment sticks.
• Towel-Snap Tempo: Use a bath towel to practice proper sequencing with a no-ball lag drill.

The Bottom Line

Indoor golf doesn’t require a dedicated basement anymore. From roll-up mats to backpack simulators, you have travel-friendly solutions that fit every itinerary. Staying swing-ready on the road is easier than ever, ensuring the next fairway might just be your hotel hallway.

About the Author

Shawn Foley is the co-founder of Rain or Shine Golf, with the belief that golfers should be able to play more of the game they love, no matter the season, the weather, or the demands of life.

Featured image from Rain or Shine Golf.