TIPS: Make Room for Every Player in Your Golf Group
Planning indoor golf with friends at Birdie Golf Center in Metro Vancouver? Start with a shared idea of what would make the outing enjoyable. One person may want to practise, another may enjoy a friendly contest, and someone else may simply want to try golf. A few decisions before anyone swings can help those different expectations fit into one relaxed session.
Agree on the kind of session you want
Before booking, ask each friend one simple question: would you rather play, practise, or try a little of both? Choose a main activity together rather than letting the most experienced golfer set the entire agenda. Confirm the venue’s current arrangements for group size, equipment, and available playing formats. If anyone needs left-handed clubs or plans to borrow equipment, ask in advance instead of assuming suitable clubs will be ready.
Choose clubs without turning it into a test
At the club rack, give everyone time to look and ask questions. If shared clubs are available, check which ones you may use and where they should be returned. A player who is unsure can ask staff for help identifying a suitable starting club. There is no need for everyone to choose the same club, and no need to begin with a driver. Keep unused clubs in their designated place rather than scattered around the hitting area.
Make the hitting area a one-player space
Agree that only the active player enters the hitting area. Everyone else should stay outside the club’s full swing path, including the backswing and follow-through, and follow any venue safety instructions. Wait until the player has stopped before approaching, passing over a club, or retrieving anything. Conversation is part of the fun, but pause when someone is preparing to swing. Ask before filming, and never step closer for a better camera angle.
Use a turn system everyone understands
For shared target practice, a short rotation can work well: each person hits three balls, then steps aside for the next player. If you are playing a simulated course, follow its player order and agree on any available pace-of-play settings before starting. Set a modest goal, such as a few holes or a small target challenge, rather than assuming you must finish a full round. Leave time at the end so the last player is not rushed.
Match the challenge to the people
Fair does not have to mean identical. In a target game, newer players might choose a nearer target while experienced players aim farther away. Agree on a simple scoring rule, such as one point for finishing inside each player’s chosen target zone, if the system supports it. Avoid making longest drive the only contest. Keep advice optional, too: ask whether a friend wants a suggestion or would prefer to keep playing. One clear suggestion is more useful than several people talking at once.
Keep the finish social
Check the remaining session time before starting another challenge. Give everyone a final turn if time allows, return equipment as directed, and leave the hitting area tidy. When you talk about the session afterward, ask which activity each person enjoyed rather than focusing only on scores. That answer gives you a useful starting point for the next outing—and helps the group make room for everyone again.
