Top 10 Best Virtual Golf Booking Apps — A Beginner’s Guide

Virtual golf booking apps make finding and reserving simulator bays or tee times fast, simple, and often more affordable. Whether you want an indoor simulator session, to play a bucket-list course virtually, or just book outdoor tee times without phone calls — these apps do the heavy lifting.

Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to the 10 best virtual golf booking apps and what makes each one stand out.

Our Selection Criteria

Before putting together this list, we evaluated apps based on factors that matter most to beginners and regular golfers:

1. Ease of Use – Simple interfaces and beginner-friendly navigation.

   
   

2. Coverage – Availability of simulators or outdoor courses.

   
   

3. Features – Tools like GPS, scorecards, social play, or analytics.

   
   

4. Pricing & Deals – Discounts, memberships, and transparent fees.

   
   

5. Flexibility – Options for cancellations, rescheduling, and multiple booking choices.

   
   

6. User Reviews – Positive feedback from golfers across regions.

   
   

7. Innovation – Use of modern technology like AI recommendations and simulator-first designs.

By applying these criteria, we identified apps that not only help experienced players but also guide beginners through their first virtual or on-course bookings.

Top 10 Best Virtual Golf Booking Apps

1) Virtual Fairways — Best overall for virtual golf & simulators

Why it’s top: Virtual Fairways is built specifically for indoor golf and simulator bookings. It lists venues, shows real-time availability, handles payments, and makes it easy to discover new experiences. For beginners, the clean design and simulator-focused features make it the easiest place to get started.

Features:

• Search and compare nearby golf simulators.

• Real-time booking and secure payments.

• Venue details like simulator tech, bay types, and lessons.

Pros

• Beginner-friendly booking flow.

• Simulator-first design.

• Great for discovering indoor golf venues.

Cons

• Outdoor tee time options are limited compared to larger platforms.

Best for: anyone who wants a smooth way to book virtual golf simulators.

2) GolfNow — Best for vast network of tee times & deals

GolfNow focuses on tee times at thousands of courses worldwide. It’s excellent for finding discounted times and last-minute deals, making it one of the most popular golf booking apps.

Features

• Wide course network with instant booking.

• Hot Deals and frequent discounts.

• GPS and score features included.

Pros

• Huge inventory of courses.

• Great for saving money.

Cons

• Primarily outdoor course focused.

• Some deals are non-refundable.

Best for: golfers who want a big selection of outdoor courses at competitive prices.

3) Golfshot — Best for tracking + on-course data

Golfshot is known for GPS tracking, club recommendations, and performance insights, and also integrates tee time booking. If you want analytics plus booking, this app is a great choice.

Features

• Shot tracking and GPS distances.

• Scorecards, stats, and analytics.

• Integrated booking options.

Pros

• Excellent for performance improvement.

• Clean user interface.

Cons

• Some features require a subscription.

• Simulator coverage is limited.

Best for: golfers who want performance data and occasional booking features.

4) TeeOff (by PGA TOUR) — Best for trusted deals & no booking fees

Backed by the PGA TOUR, TeeOff lists millions of tee times and often advertises “no booking fees.” It’s a reliable option for those looking for savings and a trusted brand.

Features

• Large course directory and map search.

• Exclusive promotions and rewards.

Pros

• Trusted brand name.

• Frequent discounts.

Cons

• Mainly outdoor courses.

• Simulator options are limited.

Best for: bargain hunters booking traditional rounds.

5) Supreme Golf — Best for price comparison

Supreme Golf is a price-comparison app that lets you check multiple booking platforms side by side. It’s the “Skyscanner of golf” for tee times.

Features

• Price comparison across booking providers.

• Course reviews and deal filters.

Pros

• Saves time finding the cheapest deal.

• Simple interface.

Cons

• You may be redirected to partner sites to complete bookings.

Best for: golfers who want the lowest price without searching multiple apps.

6) 18Birdies — Best for social play & gamification

18Birdies combines score tracking, social challenges, and booking features. It’s perfect if you enjoy a fun, gamified golf experience.

Features

• Social leaderboards and challenges.

• Scorecards and club recommendations.

• Booking integrations.

  
  

Pros

• Fun, social, and motivating.

• Encourages friendly competition.

Cons

• Booking options are limited compared to dedicated apps.

Best for: casual players who like gamification and social features.

7) Chronogolf (by Lightspeed) — Best for club management & bookings

Chronogolf offers a polished booking engine and is widely used by golf courses for member management. It’s a great option if your local club uses it.

Features

• Real-time tee sheets.

• Member-friendly tools.

• Online payments and special offers.

Pros

• Trusted by many courses.

• Smooth member experience.

Cons

• Coverage depends on whether your club uses it.

Best for: golfers tied to clubs that already use Chronogolf.

8) foreUP / Fore! Reservations — Best for direct club booking

foreUP powers branded apps for golf courses, giving golfers a direct way to book with their favorite clubs.

Features

• Branded apps with real-time availability.

• Club loyalty features.

• Direct bookings with no middleman.

Pros

• Strong club integration.

• Often fewer booking fees.

Cons

• Only available if your local course uses it.

Best for: golfers who prefer booking directly with their club.

9) Club Prophet Systems — Best for all-in-one facility management

Club Prophet provides software for courses and facilities, including online reservations, POS, and tee sheet management.

Features

• Tee time bookings.

• POS and membership features.

• Venue management tools.

Pros

• Strong backend support for facilities.

• Good for venues with simulators.

Cons

• Consumer experience depends on the facility.

Best for: golfers booking at venues powered by Club Prophet.

10) Local & Niche Simulator Apps — Best for unique indoor experiences

Many simulator venues have their own apps or booking websites. These can sometimes offer the best availability, promotions, or lesson packages.

Features

• Venue-specific deals.

• Access to lessons and private bookings.

Pros

• Exclusive promotions.

• Tailored experience.

Cons

• Availability depends on your city.

Best for: anyone seeking a specific simulator experience or lesson package.

How to Choose the Right App (Quick Guide)

1. Want simulators only? Start with Virtual Fairways.

   
   

2. Want a huge outdoor course network? Try GolfNow or TeeOff.

   
   

3. Want data + booking? Go with Golfshot or 18Birdies.

   
   

4. Want cheapest prices? Supreme Golf is best for comparisons.

Beginner’s 5-Step Booking Flow

1. Download the app and create an account.

   
   

2. Search your location for simulators or courses.

   
   

3. Compare prices, times, and venue details.

   
   

4. Confirm payment and cancellation policy.

   
   

5. Book, get your confirmation, and arrive early.

Tips to Maximize Your Experience

• Book off-peak to save money.

• Read recent reviews and photos.

• Try different simulators to improve your game.

• Use free features before upgrading to paid versions.

Conclusion

If you’re new to virtual golf, start with Virtual Fairways to book indoor simulators easily. For outdoor rounds, GolfNow and TeeOff are excellent choices. Over time, you’ll find the app that matches your style — whether that’s saving money, social features, or in-depth performance analytics.