Best Courses To Play On A Simulator: A Complete Guide For Players

Walking into a simulator bay for the first time can feel much like walking into a new world. With hundreds of courses at your fingertips, it's easy to wonder which ones match your skill level and are truly worth spending your time on.

Would you choose a famous course you have seen on television, or would you go for something designed specifically for simulators? Countless golfers waste their sessions on courses that either chew them up with impossible difficulty or underwhelm them with substandard graphics.

This guide walks through the best courses to play on a simulator. Also, it sheds light on how one can choose among those that align with goals, current skills, and the software at one's disposal.

Key Takeaways

• St. Andrews and Pebble Beach are must-play simulator courses for their historical and very realistic graphics.
• Links-style courses, such as Whistling Straits, work better on simulators because they have fewer trees and more open fairways.
• GSPro offers unique fantasy courses with resourceful features, while Trackman comes with access to 400+ real-world courses.
• Beginners should begin with forgiving courses featuring wide fairways and fewer hazards.
• Simulator software, hardware quality, and course design are all critical to the overall experience.

Top 15 Best Courses to Play on a Simulator

From storied championship venues to imaginative fantasy layouts, these 15 courses promise memorable simulator sessions. Each one brings its own set of challenges and breathtaking visuals that showcase what modern golf simulators can deliver. 

Whether you are learning how to play indoor golf or determining if a golf simulator can enhance your game, course selection makes all the difference.

1. St. Andrews – Old Course

The Old Course at St. Andrews, birthplace of golf, also hosted the 2022 Open Championship. Simulators faithfully recreate this storied Scottish links from the famed Road Hole to the drive-and-pitch finish on the 18th. To get an authentic Open Championship feel, set the greens to firm at 11 on the speed scale.

2. Pebble Beach Golf Links

Pebble Beach sits along California's dramatic Pacific coast, challenging your ball-striking as you navigate the cliffside stretch from holes 6 through 10. Even on a projector, this course still thrills. It's ideal for practicing flat lies and precise shotmaking.

3. Augusta National (Firethorn / Amen Corner)

Many simulators feature Firethorn to virtualize Augusta National's iconic layout. Take on Amen Corner's grueling holes without a Masters invitation by playing strategically and hitting precise approach shots.

4. TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course)

TPC Sawgrass is famous for its island green on the 17th hole. This course is a real test of accuracy and nerve under pressure. Therefore, it makes it a favourite for players who enjoy tournament-style challenges.

5. Whistling Straits – The Straits (Or Irish)

Whistling Straits was a natural to translate well to simulators, with trees kept to a minimum and a bold links-style layout. Veer 40 yards off line with your shot, and you can still play your ball. The scenery is dramatic, and the demands on shotmaking are strategic. 

6. PGA National (Champion Course)

PGA National is hosting the Honda Classic and the infamous "Bear Trap" stretch. This Florida course has hosted Ryder Cups and PGA Championships, with challenging bunkers and water hazards testing every facet of your game. 

7. Pacific Dunes (Bandon Dunes, Ore)

Pacific Dunes adds another links-style option that shines on simulators. Open fairways and thoughtful bunkering invite creative shotmaking, letting you soak in Oregon's rugged coastal beauty.

8. Cabot Cliffs / Cabot Links

Cabot's Canadian courses offer spectacular coastal scenery alongside challenging layouts. Firm, sandy fairways and generous, contoured greens make modern links ideal for both match play and stroke play formats. 

9. Sanctuary (GSPro)

Sanctuary is a course that's only available on GSPro, known for its realistic ball physics and brilliant 4K graphics. Community-designed courses for simulator play are part of what makes GSPro great.

10. Payne's Valley (GSPro)

Payne's Valley offers unique challenges with creative hole designs. The realistic ball physics in GSPro make this course feel like a simulation, perfect for players who want variety during their simulator sessions.

11. Yellowstone National GSPro

Yellowstone National is one of the fantasy courses in GSPro, with a light-hearted feel. The driving range even has a zombie target feature that adds a bit of fun to the realistic golfing.

12. Swiss Alpine Valley (GSPro)

Swiss Alpine Valley is a crowd-pleaser for pure fun value. The driving range features a whimsical touch—hit down a cow, and it falls over. Expect breathtaking graphics along with signature holes.

13. Course Of The Dead (GSPro)

Course of the Dead offers a unique blend of simulator golf, featuring a range of zombie-themed courses. This fantasy course shows that simulator golf can be serious, yet still fun, for casual rounds with friends. 

14. Torrey Pines (South / North)

Torrey Pines has hosted the PGA Tour and presents challenges at the championship level. Both the South and North layouts test your skills on coastal terrain, providing strategic variety across 36 holes. 

15. Pinehurst No. 2

Pinehurst No. 2 is a Donald Ross masterpiece famed for its crowned greens. While Ross's Seminole isn't available on every platform, Pinehurst embodies his design philosophy, demanding precision around the greens.

Best Golf Courses to Play on Simulator by Difficulty

Best courses to play on a simulator for beginners

Best courses to play on a simulator for Intermediate

Best courses to play on a simulator for Advanced/Pro

Popular Golf Courses by Type

Popular Golf Courses Available on Different Golf Simulator Brands/Software

Popular Golf Simulator Courses by Countries

Best Fantasy Courses to Play on a Golf Simulator

How to Choose the Best Course on Golf Simulators?

Picking the correct simulator course depends on a few key factors. When finding options that best suit your needs and enhance your fun, consider these nine elements.

1. Your Skill Level

Match the course to your skill level. Courses with wider fairways and fewer hazards, such as Pacific Dunes or Sweetens Cove, are kinder to beginners. Those with more experience can play championship layouts like PGA National or Royal St. George's.

2. Course Design and Layout

Link-style courses with few trees perform best on simulators. Courses like St. Andrews, Whistling Straits, and Bandon Dunes allow creative shots to be chased without consistently being penalized. In contrast, parkland courses, thick with trees, often create constraints within a virtual setting.

3. Realism & Simulator Accuracy

TrackMan uses drone mapping to create detailed, high-definition course renders. GSPro delivers 4K visuals built on the Unity engine, offering stunning imagery. The technology captures every swing nuance and faithfully translates it onto the virtual course.

4. Course Difficulty 

Think about your goals when selecting the difficulty. Set St. Andrews greens to firm at 11 for an Open Championship challenge, or use the medium settings for casual play. Some courses, like the Rio 2016 Olympic layout, feature extremely challenging pin positions.

5. Course Setting / Type

Take your pick from coastal courses: Pebble Beach, Cabot Cliffs; mountain layouts-Primland, Reserve at Moonlight Basin-or classic links: St. Andrews, Royal Troon. Each setting delivers a very different visual experience and strategic demands.

6. Course Reputation

Playing famous tournament venues such as TPC Sawgrass or Wentworth, you get to play under championship conditions and test how your game would match up against the pros. 

7. Your Goals/Purpose

Choose courses depending on what you want to achieve: Franklin Hills for strategic practice, Pebble Beach for working on your ball-striking, or Sweetens Cove when playing time is short. Social play comes off best on lighter, more fun options like Course of the Dead.

8. Simulator Software

Different platforms have different courses. Trackman provides access to 160+ real-world courses, including St. Andrews and Pebble Beach. GSPro shines with community-designed courses and imaginative fantasy layouts. E6 APEX delivers realistic course-play with upgraded 4K graphics.

9. Training Features

Choose courses that reflect your practice goals. Trackman features an on-course practice mode with detailed swing data. GSPro includes putting options, online games, and weekly tournaments. These extra features can help you target and improve specific parts of your game.

Discover Popular Courses through Virtual Fairways

Virtual Fairways connects you with golf-simulator venues across the United States where you can play these bucket-list courses. Our virtual golf booking app helps you find locations fitted out with pro-grade equipment, realistic graphics, and precise swing analytics. 

You can see real-time availability and compare venues to book simulator time instantly- no phone calls necessary. Virtual Fairways makes it easy to discover which courses are available at nearby facilities and to join communities of fellow golfers.

How to Find Courses on the Virtual Fairways App?

It takes only four easy steps to find and book your favorite simulator courses. The Virtual Fairways app streamlines the entire process from search to confirmation.

1. Download the App

Get Virtual Fairways from the Google Play Store or the App Store. The app works with smartphones and tablets for easy on-the-go booking. 

2. Search By Location

Find simulator venues near you or in the cities specified, and the app will show live availability at each location, priced transparently. 

3. Search By Course Name

Enter specific courses you want to play, such as "Pebble Beach" or "St. Andrews." The app shows which nearby venues offer those courses.

4. Book And Play 

Choose your time slot and pay securely to complete your booking. You will get a confirmation with clear cancellation policies and no hidden fees.

Virtual Fairways: Where Every Round Takes You Somewhere Legendary

The best courses to play on a simulator range from the famous venues of St. Andrews and Pebble Beach to fantastical, imaginary places: Swiss Alpine Valley and Course of the Dead. Links-style layouts shine on simulators because of the open, forgiving tracts. At the same time, those championship-caliber courses push you to meet professional-level challenges.

Nothing should stop you from experiencing the world's best courses. Virtual Fairways brings them right into your neighborhood. For easy access to simulator venues closest to you, downloading the Virtual Fairways app will also let you book your bay in just seconds and join a community of committed golfers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Real-World Courses Are Best On A Golf Simulator?

St. Andrews Old Course, Pebble Beach, Augusta National (Firethorn), TPC Sawgrass, and Torrey Pines rank among the best options for simulator play. They provide iconic layouts, championship-level challenges, and stunning visuals.

2. Does Playing On A Simulator Improve My Game In The Real World?

Of course. Simulators provide detailed data on swings and enable repeated practice of specific shots. Trackman provides unequaled accuracy with actionable swing data, while GSPro's realistic ball physics helps shape shots.

3. Which Type Of Simulator Courses Is Suitable For Beginners?

Great beginner-friendly options include Pacific Dunes, Sweetens Cove, and Swiss Alpine Valley. They offer wide fairways, fewer penalties, and more forgiving layouts to build the player's confidence.

4. Does Simulator Golf Feel Realistic Compared To Actually Playing Outdoors?

New simulators today incorporate drone mapping and 4K graphics, supplying realistic experiences. Trackman's radar and camera tracking marked a significant leap in accuracy. Realistic ball physics in GSPro and stunning visuals increase realism.

5. Can I Get An Absolutely Complete Golf-Course Experience On A Simulator, With Terrain, Rough, Weather, And Walking?

Simulators digitally re-create the terrain, rough, and weather, and you can dial in firm fairways, fast greens, and tough pins to simulate championship conditions. You won't be walking the course-you'll hit from a mat or turf.

6. Which Simulator Courses Are Best If I Am Not Planning To Visit Them In Real Life?

Courses like the Course of the Dead, the Swiss Alpine Valley, and Yellowstone National Park offer unique experiences not available outdoors. This creative design from GSPro combines with entertaining elements, such as zombie targets and tipping cows.

7. Simulator Golf: Better For Practice, Social Play, Or Both?

It serves both purposes quite well. Apply it for focused practice, including detailed shot and play analytics, or play casual rounds with friends on fun, varied courses. Online games and tournaments are on offer from GSPro, while Trackman gives you world-class championship-level practice modes.

8. What Courses Can You Play On Trackman?

Trackman includes over 160 real-world courses, including St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, Casa de Campo, Royal Troon, and Wentworth. Continual new additions come with drone-mapped graphics.

9. Which Simulator Courses Are Most Fun Or Realistic?

With creative features that make for fun, the Swiss Alpine Valley and Yellowstone National Park are standouts. For realism, St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, and Royal St. George's deliver very accurate recreations and championship conditions.

10. Which Courses Are More Beginner-Friendly On A Simulator?

Sweetens Cove is a 9-hole course. Pacific Dunes and Bandon Dunes are perfect for beginners, as they have open layouts, limited water hazards, and somewhat forgiving landing areas.

11. Do The Simulator Courses Differ Much In Graphics And Realism?

Yes, the quality of graphics does vary depending on the platform. GSPro uses 4K Unity engine visuals for striking detail, Trackman relies on drone mapping for extraordinary fidelity, and E6 APEX provides upgraded 4K graphics with realistic course-play.

12. Can Poor Hardware Affect Which Simulator Course I Should Pick?

Yes, that is correct. It depends on what hardware you have. More complex courses require the processing power with detailed graphics. When in doubt, stick with the overall simpler courses or lower graphics settings till you get upgraded.