The enclosure that turns a corner of your venue into the main event

The first thing most people say when they see an inflatable golf simulator set up at an event is some variation of: "I didn't know that was a thing."

Fair enough. It's not the kind of setup you picture when someone says "golf entertainment." There's no putting green. No AstroTurf carpet rolled out next to a bar. It's a proper enclosure — fully inflated, standing over three metres high, with a projector screen at one end and a professional host managing the whole thing.

Here's how it actually works.

What is an inflatable golf simulator?

An inflatable golf simulator is a self-contained enclosure designed to house a full golf simulator setup — screen, projector, launch monitor, hitting mat — in a portable format that can be set up almost anywhere with open space.

The enclosure inflates with a blower unit and holds its shape without any external frame or support structure. Ours is robust enough to run outdoors and handles Queensland weather well. The walls contain the ball on mis-hits, the screen provides a clean projection surface, and the structure creates a defined "experience zone" within the wider event space.

Inside the enclosure:

• Hitting mat — commercial-grade, positioned at the tee end
• Rapsodo MLM2 Pro launch monitor — placed just behind and beside the ball, capturing shot data with dual cameras
• HD Digital short-throw projector — mounted at the top of the enclosure, projecting the full course or game onto the impact screen
• Impact screen — stretched across the far end of the enclosure, displaying the shot flight, course, and real-time data

The golfer stands on the mat, hits a real ball with real clubs, and the launch monitor captures the shot data instantly. Ball speed, launch angle, spin rate, and shot direction are processed in under a second and fed to the software, which renders the ball flight on screen. It's the same technology used at professional coaching facilities and indoor golf centres.

How does the inflatable work at an event?

Setup takes approximately 60–90 minutes. The enclosure inflates in around 20 minutes; the remaining time is calibrating the projector, connecting the system, and doing test shots to confirm everything's reading correctly.

Once it's live, the activation runs with a Mobile Golf Co host at all times. Guests don't need to manage anything. They hit a shot, see the result on screen, and our host keeps the session moving — whether that's explaining what the numbers mean, running a closest-to-the-pin competition, or setting someone up on Awesome Golf's mini-games for their first-ever swing.

The inflatable format creates something a flat-screen setup in a corner of the room doesn't: an event within an event. It has presence. People see it from the other side of the venue and walk over to see what's going on. The enclosed structure means there's always a small crowd gathered at the opening, which creates atmosphere and social proof — watching someone else have a great time makes you want a go.

That's not an accident. It's the reason we chose this format over simpler setups.

Space requirements

The inflatable setup requires:

• Length: 7 metres
• Width: 5 metres
• Height: 3.5 metres

That covers the enclosure footprint plus the distance the host needs to operate at the entrance. Add a few extra metres in front for a small audience to gather comfortably.

Most outdoor event spaces, hotel courtyards, and larger function rooms can accommodate this. If your venue has a lower ceiling or a tighter footprint, we have a compact indoor polyester enclosure that works in smaller configurations — see our inflatable vs compact indoor enclosure comparison for how the two differ.

Power: The enclosure blower and simulator run off a standard 10-amp power outlet. One outlet is enough.

Outdoor use: The inflatable is designed for outdoor use and handles wind and mild weather well. We carry anchor points and sandbags as standard. In strong wind or lightning conditions, we'll relocate inside if the venue allows — and we discuss wet weather contingency at the briefing stage, not on the day.

Inflatable vs indoor enclosure — what's the difference?

The inflatable is bigger, more visible, and better suited to open or outdoor spaces. The compact indoor enclosure is a polyester-framed structure designed for function rooms and venues with lower ceilings or restricted floor space.

Both setups use the same technology — same launch monitor, same projector, same software. The screen size differs slightly (the inflatable has a larger projection area), but the experience quality is the same.

The practical decision point: what's your venue? If you have outdoor or large indoor space, the inflatable creates more of an event. If you're working with a function room or hotel ballroom with limited ceiling height, the compact option is the right call.

Why it works for events that don't have golfers

This is the question that comes up most. "Our team aren't golfers — will they get something out of it?"

Yes. The inflatable golf simulator hire setup isn't marketed to golfers. It's marketed to events.

Awesome Golf's mini-games remove golf entirely as a skill barrier. Guests play targets, driving range challenges, and closest-to-the-pin games where a complete beginner can beat a single-digit handicapper with one lucky shot. The fun isn't in the golf — it's in the competition, the data feedback, and the group dynamic that forms around the enclosure.

We've run this at events where not a single guest played golf outside of that night. Nobody noticed. They were too busy taking shots and watching the leaderboard.

Is it worth buying one?

Short answer: depends on how often you'd use it.

A full simulator setup — enclosure, launch monitor, projector, software — starts around $13,000 and requires storage, maintenance, and ongoing software costs. If you're an event business running it weekly, the numbers can work. If you're planning to run it occasionally, the hire model makes more economic sense.

For a more detailed breakdown, see our golf simulator hire vs buying guide , or if you're curious about a home setup specifically, the at-home simulator concept covers the residential side.

What to expect on the day

We handle everything. You don't need to know anything about the technology, manage any equipment, or brief any staff on how it operates. We arrive before your event, set up without disrupting your venue, and run the activation from start to finish.

What we need from you: confirmed venue contact, parking access for the vehicle, and power within 20 metres of the installation spot. That's it.

Ready to see how it fits your event? Request a quote and we'll come back with everything you need to make the call.

Related: Our full inflatable setup on the homepage · Golf simulator hire for parties · Bring golf to your venue — Golf Anywhere · Thinking of buying your own? Hire vs buying guide