Golf has long been an important pastime and a valuable activity for health, for business relationships, and even for the mind. Golf’s beginnings go back over 500 years, to Scotland. By the year 1900 the United States already had 1,000 golf clubs. If you’re not playing golf yet, or if you already are, a golf simulator for home can prepare you to play, let you play even when the weather is inclement, or improve the game you already have. Here are six reasons to consider getting one.

Improve Your Game

The best golf simulator will come with an educational component such as a video camera that tracks your swing. As you use the golf simulator, it will keep track of what you’re doing and analyze it for you. Your golfing buddies will be shocked with your improved swing.

Use Your Equipment

A golf simulator is different from a video game that lets you “play” golf. With a golf simulator, you get to use the actual balls and clubs that you own. You’re not just practicing, playing, and improving in general: you’re practicing, playing, and improving with the use of your own tools.

You Can Play Whenever You Want

In 2015, 2.2 million more people took up the game of golf. Are you always able to get the tee times that you need for your schedule, or are things increasingly busy? The typical 18-hole course ranges over 125 to 150 acres of land. Have you suffered an injury or illness that limits your freedom to move in that kind of space? What about plain old weather issues? With a golf simulator you play whenever you want, rain or shine, and there’s no need to walk for half a day to do it.

You Can Change Things Up

Are you getting tired of your golf club’s course? Most golf simulators include multiple courses, so you can move from one to the other whenever you get bored. This also lets you try new challenges you might otherwise be unable to work on.

You Don’t Need Lots of Space

Do you have enough room to set up a putting green and a driving range? A golf simulator lets you play fully within a very small space. If you’ve got a ceiling that’s at least 9 1/2 feet high, you can get out a full swing. All you really need is a room 10 feet by 15 feet, and your garage will work perfectly fine.

You Can Learn to Play

Have you always been intrigued by golf, but don’t have the time to learn? Maybe you don’t have anyone to ask for help, or you just don’t like the idea of wandering out to the green and showing off your lack of skills to everyone else. Forget those video games: a golf simulator will let you really learn how to play the game and pick up the physical muscle memory skills you need to do it well.

Golf is great fun, good for your health, and could even be a boon to your business relationships. If you want to improve your game, release some stress even when it’s pouring rain, or learn all about golf from the comfort of your own home, a golf simulator is for you.