I expected to ‘hit balls’ like you tick off running after 30 years. I had anticipated that inner silence that comes when you have to concentrate on a simple, repetitive movement that is impossible to cheat. Indoor golf is a sport without mud or wind, yes. But above all, it is a meticulous and tedious sport. Late morning, Avenue Niel, heading for Chill & Golf.
In the bay: what the simulator ‘sees’ (and what I discover)
We are in that part of Paris, in that group that rushes off to play sport during their lunch break. The first surprise is the Cockney-accented atmosphere. If I had spent a long time wondering what to wear for a golf lesson, I could have opted for a kilt. Opposite the Fnac des Ternes, Chill & Golf is a hybrid place, with just as many internal states: you can be a beginner without feeling ‘out of place’. The Louis Morgan studio boasts a narrative like a real film set, steeped in art and design history. The place exudes the atmosphere of an English drawing room in a private mansion. There is a sense of detail, almost like a members' club, but without the snobbery.
First, I am shown to a hitting bay. With a carpet on the floor and a giant screen in front of me, the setting resembles a mini film studio where the protagonist is... my club. This is where indoor golf becomes fascinating, with technology that allows us to experience the same sensations! A TrackMan machine measures speed and in/out shots using motion sensors and immersive 3D modelling. Very quickly, I'm hearing a language that I'm starting to like, because it puts my sensations into order.
- Spin: rotation of the ball (backspin, sidespin). Too much spin can make the ball ‘rise’ but kill the distance, while too little spin can make it fall too quickly.
- Dispersion: the spread of your balls around the target (the true mirror of consistency).
- Face/path: the orientation of the club face and the path of the club at impact, the duo that explains a ball that goes to the right, a slice...
The most troubling thing is that it's hard to remember and you have to ask for it to be repeated several times. It's the emotional precision of the data that takes time to reach the brain. When I feel myself tensing up, the ball doesn't come out as well. But as soon as I slow down, it comes out more ‘full’. And Trackman proves it to me, with figures to back it up.
Choose a course, choose a state of mind
On screen, you can play ‘the most beautiful courses in the world’, according to the venue's promise, with precision and immersion designed for enthusiasts and beginners alike. Of course, we chose to go to Mexico. In reality, I quickly understand that the goal is not to ‘win’ but to calibrate.
You have to find a routine, a tempo, a fixed point. Golf is a sport of concentration, and indoor golf is more meditative as there are no external noises (weather, uneven terrain) to amplify internal noises (doubt, haste, perfectionism). On the social and practical side, indoor golf becomes a group sport, to be enjoyed with family or friends.
After the last putt: relaxation
When the session ends and I hurry off to my BB (British brunch), I feel a contagious little skip of joy and childhood. In reality, I feel a kind of mental ‘cleansing’. Golf forces you to reset with every shot. Whether you miss or succeed, it's very psychological; you train yourself not to dwell on it. The place is full of surprises, not only for golfers, but also for those looking for hybrid venues, evening scenarios, an activity that becomes an excuse to get together.
Chill & Golf: 1-3 Avenue Niel
Opening hours: Monday 9am–9pm; Tuesday–Saturday 9am–midnight; Sunday 9am–8pm.
Price: from €45 per hour on the simulator
Translated by Bethszabee Garner
