Thinking about starting a golf simulator business? You’re not alone. More golfers—and even non-golfers—are looking for year-round ways to play, practice, and have fun. With the right setup, you can turn that demand into a thriving business.
But this isn’t just about setting up screens and nets. You’re creating an experience. One that blends sports, hospitality, and entertainment. One that keeps people coming back—whether they’re league players chasing the competition, beginners learning the basics, or companies hosting team events.
If that sounds like your kind of work, this guide will walk you through the process. From choosing the right business model to understanding your numbers, you’ll learn how to launch smart, avoid costly mistakes, and give customers a reason to return.
See See Jack’s First Steps: Starting a Golf Simulator Business – A tale of Jack, nearing retirement, who’s inspired to start his own golf simulator—and his journey from first spark to opening day.
Key Steps and Insights for Your Golf Simulator Business
1. Start With a Clear Picture
You want to start a golf simulator business. Good call. Demand is growing for indoor golf, corporate events, and year-round practice. This is tech, hospitality, and sport in one package. You will serve golfers, beginners, kids, and teams. You will sell time, experiences, and improvement. Know that going in.
Quick gut check. Would you still do this if money were no issue? If yes, you’ll handle the grind. If no, rethink the niche before you invest. Passion makes the long days easier. It also shows in the customer experience. For more early-stage thinking, skim this helpful primer on business start-up considerations and common mistakes to avoid.
2. Choose a Business Model You Can Run Well
Pick the model that fits your skills, budget, and market. Switching later is hard. Mix and match if needed, but start focused.
- Indoor golf center: Multiple bays, leagues, coaching, and events.
- Entertainment lounge: Fewer bays plus food, bar, and private rooms.
- Instruction studio: One or two bays focused on lessons and fittings.
- Retail add-on: Simulator inside a shop for fittings and testing.
- Mobile simulator: Trailer or portable rig for events and parties.
Revenue models include hourly bay rental, memberships, lessons, fittings, snacks, and events. You can also sell gift cards and run leagues. Keep it simple at launch. Complexity adds cost and risk.
3. Define Your Customer Segments
Write short profiles. Aim your offer at real people, not “everyone.”
- After-work league players who want friendly competition.
- New golfers who want a low-pressure place to start.
- Parents who want indoor activities that are easy and safe.
- Corporate teams who want team-building and private rooms.
- Serious golfers who want data, coaching, and structured practice.
Each group values different things. League players want community. Beginners want guidance. Serious golfers want data. Shape your packages around those needs.
4. Validate Demand Before You Spend
Do quick, practical research. Keep it scrappy and honest.
- Map every competitor within 30 minutes. Visit and take notes.
- Run short surveys in local golf groups and nearby offices.
- Offer a pop-up night in a rented space with a demo rig.
- Track signups, show-ups, and repeat interest, not just likes.
Use this to test your pricing and to confirm interest in leagues, coaching, and events. For more on matching offer to demand, see Supply and Demand and this inside look approach.
5. Clarify Your Positioning and USP
Explain why someone should choose you in one sentence. Keep it plain.
- “Year-round indoor golf course quality with tour-level data.”
- “Family-friendly indoor golf with simple lessons and party packages.”
- “League-first lounge with great food, private rooms, and easy booking.”
Your unique selling proposition must match local demand. You can say “virtual golf course play on iconic layouts,” but back it up with a strong course library and great service.
6. Write a Simple Business Plan You’ll Actually Use
It does not need to be fancy. It does need to be real. Define your model, costs, pricing, and the first six months of marketing. Add a basic cash flow. Update it monthly as facts replace guesses. If you want a structure, use this guide on how to write a business plan.
7. Understand the Numbers That Matter
Estimate startup costs and monthly overhead with a range, not a single guess. Plan for two scenarios: lean and realistic. Do not bet on “best case.”
- Bays: Most centers start with two to six bays.
- Ceiling height: Aim for 10–12 feet or more for comfort.
- Bay footprint: About 15’ W × 20’ L per bay is common.
- Sound control: Add acoustic panels for a better experience.
- Seating: Couches, high-tops, or both near each bay.
- Storage: Keep spare parts, nets, and mats ready.
Build a simple profit model. Profit equals (hourly rate × paid hours) minus running costs. Add memberships, lessons, and events on top. Keep your math conservative.
8. Choose Your Technology Stack
You will need a launch monitor, enclosure, impact screen, projector, turf, computer, and golf simulator software. Pick a system that your market values and your staff can operate. “Commercial golf simulator” equipment should be rugged, supported, and easy to maintain. Ask vendors about on-site support, spare parts, and downtime policies.
Also plan your booking, POS, and CRM. Choose software with online booking, deposits, SMS reminders, gift cards, and memberships. Switching later is painful. Take demos. Talk to references.
9. Select Your Location With Purpose
Look for easy parking, strong evening traffic, and nearby offices or neighborhoods. Visibility helps, but destination businesses can work on side streets if parking and access are good. Check zoning early. Walk the space with a tape measure and a swing. Bring a ladder to confirm ceiling height. Test Wi-Fi and power drops.
10. Pick the Right Legal Structure
Most owners consider an LLC or corporation for liability reasons. Discuss taxes, payroll, and dividends with a pro. Read more about choices in how to choose a business structure and compare LLC vs. sole proprietorship. Then register your business, secure your tax ID, and apply for required licenses and permits.
11. Name, Brand, and Identity
Pick a name that sounds like an indoor golf course experience, not a gadget. Check domain and social handles. Create a simple, modern logo and style. Then order business cards, build your business sign, and keep your look consistent. See the corporate identity package guide for a quick overview.
12. Open Your Accounts and Set Up Payments
Separate money from day one. Open a dedicated account. It keeps your books clean and tax time simple. Here’s a quick guide on opening a business bank account and choosing a business bank. Enable card payments and contactless checkout. If you sell gift cards or take deposits, set up a merchant account that supports both in-person and online sales.
13. Line Up Funding the Smart Way
Price out your build, your equipment, and your launch marketing. Add a buffer for delays and small surprises. Then match the funding to the need. Many owners blend savings, a small loan, and a little vendor financing. If you need bank funding, prepare a clean plan, quotes, and realistic forecasts. Start with this guide on how to get a business loan.
14. Insure Your Business and Your Guests
Protect the company and the people who visit. Ask a broker about general liability, property, business interruption, and liquor liability if you serve alcohol. Keep a simple incident log and train staff on safe play rules. Here is a quick overview of business insurance types and why they matter.
15. Design Your Space for Flow and Comfort
Plan the customer journey from the front door to the bay and back. Keep paths clear. Add hooks for coats and shelves for bags. Use soft lighting near seating and bright, even light behind the screen. Control sound with acoustic panels and soft furniture. Add USB chargers near seats. Keep restrooms spotless. Small details create repeat visits.
16. Build Packages That Make Buying Easy
Make it simple to choose. Offer three clear options to start.
- Walk-in rate: Standard hourly pricing for each bay.
- Memberships: Lower per-hour rates, priority booking, guest passes.
- Event bundles: Private room, dedicated host, food, and decorations.
Layer in lessons, fittings, and junior programs. Offer weekday daytime specials. Many customers first discover you through a birthday party or a workplace event.
17. Price With a Margin, Not a Feeling
Price from the bottom up. Know your cost per hour to run a bay. Add target margin. Adjust for demand by daypart. Evenings and weekends can command more. Offer small discounts for longer bookings and for early hours. Review prices every quarter. Be firm but fair.
18. Set Your Operating Rhythm
Write a simple operations schedule and stick to it.
- Open and close checklists for each bay and the front desk.
- Daily calibration and quick clean between bookings.
- Weekly deep clean, patch kits, and software updates.
- Monthly safety checks on nets, frames, and mounts.
Post response times for support tickets and refunds. Predictable service builds trust.
19. Hire for Attitude, Train for Skill
Early hires set the tone. Look for friendly communicators who like people and can learn tech. Add coaches who explain swing data in plain words. Use checklists and short videos for training. When you grow, this guide on how and when to hire will help with timing and roles.
20. Build a Website That Books, Not Just Looks
Your site should load fast, show the bays, and make booking easy. Add pricing, FAQs, parking tips, and a simple map. Include “indoor golf course” and “virtual golf course play” where natural. Set up structured data for local business details. For a simple build path, start with how to build a website.
21. Make Your Marketing Boringly Consistent
Consistency beats bursts. Post schedules, league signups, and promotions on the same day each week. Use SMS reminders to reduce no-shows. Share short clips of great shots and celebrations. Ask happy guests to leave a review on the spot with a QR code. Keep a calendar for holidays, playoffs, and local events.
22. Add Offers That People Actually Want
Great offers feel specific and low-friction. Try these:
- “Nine-and-Dine” bundle with food credit.
- Beginner night with a coach and loaner clubs.
- Short-game challenges with small weekly prizes.
- Winter league with a finals party and trophies.
- Family Sunday with shorter rounds and snacks.
Track redemption rate and repeat bookings. Keep the best. Drop the rest.
23. Sell the Data Without the Jargon
Many guests love numbers, but not acronyms. Translate club speed, ball speed, launch, and spin into simple tips. “This launch angle looks a bit low. Try one extra degree of loft.” Small wins create trust. Trust creates loyalty.
24. Partner With Neighbors and Golf Pros
Build a local network. Offer league discounts to nearby offices. Trade gift cards with restaurants and breweries. Host fittings with a local pro. Run a charity night with a school team. Partnerships lower your acquisition costs and raise community goodwill.
25.Run Smooth Events Every Time
Events bring groups, energy, and content. Create a clean process:
- One-page event menu with clear pricing.
- Deposit to reserve. Balance due two days before.
- Host assigned. Tech check done one hour prior.
- Photo moments planned. Thank-you email next day.
Events feed leagues, and leagues feed weekdays. Keep that flywheel turning.
26. Keep Operations Tight and Predictable
Create play rules. Limit practice swings. Post safety reminders near each bay. Replace worn balls often. Keep spare projectors and a backup PC image. Build a “down bay” plan so you do not cancel groups if one bay fails.
27. Protect Your Cash Flow
Cash flow is the business. Take deposits for events. Collect memberships on autopay. Pay vendors on schedule and ask for early-pay discounts. Watch three lines weekly: bookings, no-shows, and refunds. Review them every Monday morning.
28. Track a Short List of KPIs
Keep your dashboard simple and updated.
- Utilization by bay and by hour.
- Average booking value and add-ons.
- New vs. repeat guests by week.
- Membership churn and event pipeline.
- Labor as a percent of sales.
If a number dips, test one change. Measure again next week. Repeat.
29. Train and Promote From Within
Good staff makes your brand. Share tips, goals, and wins weekly. Create a small playbook of “how we greet,” “how we teach,” and “how we host.” Promote reliable people first. They protect your standards when you are off-site.
30. Keep Your Tech Updated and Your Content Fresh
Update golf course simulation libraries and golf simulator software quarterly. Rotate featured courses. Refresh on-screen graphics for holidays and playoffs. Add a new challenge or a mini-tournament each month. People return for what is new and fun.
31. Offer Add-Ons That Feel Natural
Add-ons should support play, not distract from it.
- Grip replacement and basic club repair.
- Private video review with a coach.
- Snack baskets and simple bar menu.
- Photo prints or highlight reels for parties.
Keep service times tight so bookings run on schedule.
32. Write a Mission That Guides Daily Decisions
Short and clear wins here. “We deliver friendly, year-round golf with great tech and coaching for every skill level.” It helps you choose what to add and what to skip. If a new idea does not support the mission, you can pass. For help, use this guide on creating a mission statement.
33. Prepare a Simple SOP Binder
Write two-page checklists for opening, closing, cleaning, refunds, and events. Add short screen captures for bookings and POS. Store one printed copy at the desk and one online. This keeps the experience consistent when different people work shifts.
34. Keep Compliance and Safety in Order
Mind occupancy rules, signage, and food or alcohol permits. Confirm emergency exits are marked and clear. Add a first-aid kit near the desk. Train staff on basic safety and customer care. Create a short incident form to record anything unusual. Small steps prevent big issues.
35. Launch With a Plan, Not a Hope
Run a soft opening for friends and partners. Fix the snags. Then announce your opening week with a schedule: member night, beginner night, and a weekend mini-tournament. Invite local media and business groups. Track signups and feedback. Keep what worked. Tune what did not.
36. Use Content to Educate and Attract
Teach, do not preach. Short posts work best:
- “Three tips to lower spin with your driver.”
- “How to choose a wedge for winter lies.”
- “Beginner’s guide to your first simulator round.”
Each post should link to a booking page. Keep the tone friendly. Share wins from leagues and parties, with permission. A light content schedule builds trust and boosts local SEO.
37. Example (Fictional): The Two-Bay Starter That Scaled
Setup: A two-bay studio near a suburban office park. Ceiling height 11 feet. No food. Simple snacks and drinks.
Focus: After-work leagues and beginner clinics. “Nine-and-Dine” coupon with a partner restaurant across the street.
Pricing: $48 per hour weekdays before 5 pm. $58 after 5 pm and weekends. Beginner clinic $25 per person with loaner clubs.
Results in 90 days: Evening utilization at 78%. Four beginner clinics sold out monthly. Two corporate clients booked quarterly events. The owner hired one part-time coach and added a third league night.
Lesson: Simple, clear offers and a reliable schedule can beat flashier venues. Consistency wins.
See See Jack’s Journey of Starting His Golf Simulator Business – A tale of Jack, nearing retirement, who’s inspired to start his own golf simulator—and his journey from first spark to opening day.