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I tried one of the indoor 'screen golf' ranges that South Koreans are obsessed with, and it was a blast

I tried one of the indoor 'screen golf' ranges that South Koreans are obsessed with, and it was a blast

This is the lobby of a the screen golf center I went to. You can easily find screen golf centers in Seoul, just like you’d see a Starbucks on every other corner in NYC.

I tried one of the indoor 'screen golf' ranges that South Koreans are obsessed with, and it was a blast

It’s pretty affordable, too. You’d pay about $20 on average to play all 18 holes. Usually there’s no time limit.

It’s pretty affordable, too. You’d pay about $20 on average to play all 18 holes. Usually there’s no time limit.

This is what a typical screen golf room looks like. The place I went to had 15 of these rooms.

This is what a typical screen golf room looks like. The place I went to had 15 of these rooms.

The way it works is simple. You place the ball on either the tee or the ground...

The way it works is simple. You place the ball on either the tee or the ground...

...and swing away! Once the ball hits the screen, it shows where it's headed in real-time.

...and swing away! Once the ball hits the screen, it shows where it

But the technology behind it is absolutely amazing. It can track the ball’s distance, direction, and angle, as well as things like the back spin speed.

But the technology behind it is absolutely amazing. It can track the ball’s distance, direction, and angle, as well as things like the back spin speed.

This is the master brain behind all the technology. It's basically a computer with a keyboard and mouse that controls everything on the screen.

This is the master brain behind all the technology. It

And this is the secret sauce. These sensors built in the ceiling are connected to the screen and the artificial grass where you place the ball. They can track every movement of the ball to the smallest detail.

And this is the secret sauce. These sensors built in the ceiling are connected to the screen and the artificial grass where you place the ball. They can track every movement of the ball to the smallest detail.

Most screen golf centers let you borrow clubs.

Most screen golf centers let you borrow clubs.

But some people bring their own clubs too.

But some people bring their own clubs too.

You can borrow gloves…

You can borrow gloves…

And even shoes.

And even shoes.

You can pick from hundreds of different golf courses all over the world. I picked the Pebble Beach golf course in California.

You can pick from hundreds of different golf courses all over the world. I picked the Pebble Beach golf course in California.

That’s my first tee shot. I’m pretty new to golf, so I wasn’t expecting to play that well.

That’s my first tee shot. I’m pretty new to golf, so I wasn’t expecting to play that well.

But boy, Pebble Beach turned out to be much harder than I thought it would be...

But boy, Pebble Beach turned out to be much harder than I thought it would be...

I hit a double par on the first hole!

I hit a double par on the first hole!

It gives you instant replays too, so you can check your swing right away. I thought my swings were ok…

It gives you instant replays too, so you can check your swing right away. I thought my swings were ok…

But I could barely keep the ball within the fairway.

But I could barely keep the ball within the fairway.

And a lot of shots fell into the bunker.

And a lot of shots fell into the bunker.

When you hit the bunker or rough, the stepping plate adjusts the angle accordingly. The white part of the plate is where you place the ball for bunker shots. It has special artificial grass, making it more difficult to hit.

When you hit the bunker or rough, the stepping plate adjusts the angle accordingly. The white part of the plate is where you place the ball for bunker shots. It has special artificial grass, making it more difficult to hit.

Normally the plate would look like this.

Normally the plate would look like this.

Another double par! But did I care? No, because I was having too much fun! It was like virtual reality and a real golf course combined.

Another double par! But did I care? No, because I was having too much fun! It was like virtual reality and a real golf course combined.

This is the 7th hole. The view was great!

This is the 7th hole. The view was great!

But my shot was terrible.

But my shot was terrible.

You can zoom in and see what each hole looks like from above. It also gives you wind direction, distance to the green, and altitude.

You can zoom in and see what each hole looks like from above. It also gives you wind direction, distance to the green, and altitude.

Finally, got on the green!

Finally, got on the green!

Once you get on the green, it helps you read the slopes with these white dots. Putting was the hardest part of the game.

Once you get on the green, it helps you read the slopes with these white dots. Putting was the hardest part of the game.

But at least I got my first double bogey!

But at least I got my first double bogey!

I only played 9 holes because my score was terrible. After all, Pebble Beach is for the pros.

I only played 9 holes because my score was terrible. After all, Pebble Beach is for the pros.

But overall I had a great time. Screen golf isn’t meant to be a golf replacement. It’s considered more of a leisure activity, like bowling is in the US.

But overall I had a great time. Screen golf isn’t meant to be a golf replacement. It’s considered more of a leisure activity, like bowling is in the US.

But of course, some people take it more seriously and come to practice because it's so realistic. These are the keys to the members’ lockers.

But of course, some people take it more seriously and come to practice because it

You can order food if you want. Some places serve drinks, too.

You can order food if you want. Some places serve drinks, too.

The place I went to had a kitchen area where you could make a sandwich or a cup of noodles.

The place I went to had a kitchen area where you could make a sandwich or a cup of noodles.

There's usually a seating area in the back of the room so people can come in groups and just have a good time. Screen golf is a pretty big industry and some of the screen golf companies are public in Korea.

There

In fact, it's so popular, a local golf channel broadcasts screen golf tournaments.

In fact, it

But it's hard to see screen golf taking off in the US. There's simply too many good public golf courses that aren't too expensive. As much as I love the screen golf technology, I think it's still better to get out and play at an actual course.

But it

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