Version 1.0 of the IGA Best Practices & Safety Standards sets a baseline for simulator lounges, teaching studios, golf entertainment venues and multi-bay facilities — the first in a planned series of industry policies
The Indoor Golf Alliance (IGA), the professional association for the indoor golf industry, today announced the release of Indoor Golf Commercial Operator – Best Practices & Safety Standards, Version 1.0. It is the first formal safety standard written specifically for commercial indoor golf operators. It is also the first of many policies and best practices the IGA will publish as the industry grows.
Safety is the organizing principle of the standard. Every facility-design, staffing and operational recommendation puts the physical safety of guests, staff and bystanders ahead of throughput, revenue or guest convenience. Where safety and business convenience conflict, the standard resolves in favor of safety.
“Indoor golf has grown fast, and until now operators have had no shared benchmark for what a safe facility looks like,” said [NAME, TITLE], Indoor Golf Alliance. “An errant shot, a torn net or a loose cable can turn a great night out into a serious injury. This standard gives every operator, from a single-bay studio to a multi-location franchise, a clear and practical baseline to build on.”
The first release focuses on facility design and physical safety, where the industry’s greatest risk lies: a mis-hit ball, a broken clubhead or a club leaving a player’s hands. Key areas include:
- Bay dimensions and swing clearance — minimum ceiling heights, bay widths and depths, and a clearly marked, obstruction-free swing zone.
- Impact screens, netting and enclosures — commercial-grade screens rated for the ball speeds in use, full side and ceiling netting with no gaps, and documented inspections that treat a damaged screen as an equipment failure.
- Flooring and hitting surfaces — slip-resistant walkways, commercial-grade hitting mats and the elimination of trip hazards.
- Lighting — safe ambient and emergency lighting that avoids glare on screens or in players’ eyes.
- Electrical and equipment safety — grounded circuits, secured cabling away from walkways and swing zones, and properly mounted projectors and launch monitors.
- Ventilation and air quality — HVAC sized for occupancy and the heat load of simulator equipment.
- Fire and life safety — code-compliant exits, flame-retardant netting and screens, and egress routes that are never obstructed.
The standard uses three clear requirement levels so operators know exactly what is expected: MUST (a minimum requirement for any facility open to the public or members), SHOULD (current industry best practice, with any deviation documented and risk-assessed) and MAY (optional enhancements that raise the bar beyond the baseline). It is designed to work alongside, not replace, local building and fire codes, accessibility law, workplace-safety regulation, liquor licensing and equipment manufacturer specifications.
Version 1.0 is the first in a series. The IGA plans to publish further standards and best practices covering additional areas of commercial operation, building a complete operating benchmark for the industry. The standard is written to be adopted, adapted and enforced by facility owners, franchise groups and training organizations.
The IGA encourages operators to review their facilities against the new standard and to have plans reviewed by a licensed contractor, the local fire marshal and their insurance carrier before opening. The full standard is available at www.indoorgolfalliance.org.
About the Indoor Golf Alliance
The Indoor Golf Alliance (IGA) is the professional association for the indoor golf industry. The IGA supports simulator lounges, teaching studios, golf entertainment venues and multi-bay facilities through membership, education, industry standards, sponsorships and events. Learn more at www.indoorgolfalliance.org.
Media Contact
Phil Immordino
Indoor Golf Alliance
phili@indoorgolfalliance.org
