A round at Lao Indoor Golf
“Golf is a good walk spoiled”, or so said Mark Twain (probably).
If you are the exact opposite and believe that walking spoils a perfectly good golf game then Luang Prabang has just the thing for you.
Lao Indoor Golf offers a way to beat the heat and the rain and still get 9 or 18 holes in. Obviously it is not a full golf course under cover but instead it is a computer simulated course that lets you swing real clubs and hit real balls, letting the computer determine speed, trajectory and how deep in a bunker you find yourself.
When you first arrive at Lao Indoor Golf it feels more like a coffee shop than anything else.
Comfortable seating in a nice air conditioned space, with proper coffee, baked goods and a simple breakfast type menu mean the business could probably cater exclusively to the coffee shop crowd alone. The toilets are well presented and the bar is nicely stocked. There is also seating outside in case you are there with someone who prefers to sit and sip while you swing the clubs.
But, look around and you find the golf simulators, 3 of them in the main area and one in a private VIP room.
The simulators have a fake astro-turf like grass surface, a large screen to give you something to aim at and a net enclosure to catch any errant golf balls. A staff member will set up the game, you can choose from an array of world famous golf course, and enter your names into the system along with your preference for playing left or right handed, handicap etc. Conditions can be controlled so that you are playing on a beautiful balmy day with no wind or under whatever trying conditions you choose.
A full set of golf clubs is available and, after the staff member has set you up, the system will not only tell you whose shot it is but make suggestions as to which club to use. The system acts as your caddie and will tell you how far to the hole, elevation, green conditions and even analyse your swing to tell you what you did right or wrong. Perfect for a neophyte player.
The sensors register the movement of the golf club and determine your shot, displaying it on the big screen. You get to hit the ball directly into the screen and the thwack of a well hit shot is extremely satisfying. It’s a movie type hanging screen with the projector mounted in the ceiling rather than a large TV type screen so there are no problems hitting it as hard as you like. The sensors can be a little sensitive or temperamental at times so you may find yourself having a couple of swings to get the system to register the shot or you can take advantage of the mulligans to redo.
The VIP room also has a camera mounted to the side that so you are able to do swing analysis.
I have a feeling that a true professional or aficionado of the game may find it lacks something compared to the real links, and undoubtedly it does, but if you are looking for a way to practice in your spare time within a comfortable environment and without having to trek out to the golf course then this may be just what you are looking for. For those of us who are looking for something to do in Luang Prabang apart from the usual tourist attractions then it offers a very satisfying way for a few people to spend a few hours.
Prices range depending on the number of players and the number of holes. If you are on your own 9 holes will be 90,000 kip but if there are two of you then the price drops to 80,000 each. Groups up to four players can be accommodated.
There is also a “pro shop” selling clubs and accessories.