Take a look at how Team Europe used virtual reality to prepare for the Ryder Cup.
Team Europe incorporated virtual reality (VR) into their Ryder Cup preparation to give players immersive practice beyond the driving range and short game area. Wearing headsets, players walked virtual versions of the course to visualise hole layouts, sight lines and green contours in fine detail. The simulations let them rehearsed shot choices from specific yardages and pinpoint trouble areas they might face under match-play pressure.
VR sessions focused on:
– Course familiarisation: Players explored each hole repeatedly to build a mental map of fairways, run-offs and preferred angles into greens.
– Shot planning: VR allowed rehearsal of targeted shots — fades, draws, layups — and evaluation of different strategies without spending hours on the real course.
– Pressure scenarios: Simulated galleries and noise were added to mimic Ryder Cup intensity, helping players practise routine control and decision-making when crowds react to big shots.
– Pairing and team routines: Duos used shared VR sessions to visualise alternate-shot dynamics, communicate strategies and align pre-shot routines.
– Mental rehearsal: The technology supported visualisation techniques used by sports psychologists, reinforcing confident execution and course-management choices.
Coaches and analysts integrated data from VR sessions with on-course practice and performance stats, using the simulations to test tactics and refine match-play plans quickly. For players who couldn’t arrive early or who had limited practice windows, VR offered efficient, repeatable reps that complemented physical practice.
While nothing replaces real green reading and wind feel, VR proved a useful tool for sharpening preparation, enhancing focus and giving Team Europe extra strategic and mental rehearsal heading into the Ryder Cup.