The Golf Lounge (AS Golf) golf simulator in Birstall

The Golf Lounge in Birstall, just north of Leicester, is a private indoor golf studio run by AS Golf. There is only one simulator bay, so when you book it, the whole studio is yours. No strangers in the next bay and no waiting about: just you and your friends, warm and dry, whatever the weather is doing outside.

The simulator uses a Foresight GC Hawk launch monitor, which measures carry, spin, launch, club face and swing path on every shot. The course software is GSPro, with hundreds of courses to choose from. You can play a full round, or simply hit balls and study the numbers.

The pricing is refreshingly simple. One hour costs £40, two hours £75, three hours £110 and four hours £140. That is for the session, not per person, and up to eight people can play, so a two-hour round split eight ways comes to under £10 each. You don't need to be a good golfer either: you can play from any tees, so it suits complete novices as well as keen players. It works well for birthdays, work socials, stag dos and society warm-ups.

What makes this place a little different is the coaching. The resident PGA professional teaches in the same studio, using two-camera video, force plates and launch data, and you get personalised notes and a recorded video summary afterwards. A first lesson for new clients is £29, a single hour is £80 and a four-lesson package is £300. There is also a Winter Programme from November to March, with ten lessons and four practice hours. Custom club fitting is offered too, with Ping, Callaway, TaylorMade and Srixon.

A few practical points. Drinks are served in the lounge, but there is no food. Please give at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel. You can book online at any time and see live availability, or send a WhatsApp message. Gift vouchers are sold online and can be used for simulator time, which makes them a lovely present for a golfer.