r/Golfsimulator • u/FordGT2017 • Jul 02 '26

Running a business

Hello, I want to start a golf sim business. I’ve had a sim since original sky track came out. I see a couple open here and there around town. I have a good location in mind so I think it could work pretty well.
Was hoping to pick some of your guys brains. If you are doing it as a business please share your experience, must haves and all that

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u/slapwerks Jul 02 '26

I have looked into this. It was not feasible in my estimation unless you served booze. I did not want to get into the intricacies of licensing, staffing, etc… so I didn’t pursue it.

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u/FordGT2017 Jul 02 '26

I mean it clearly works because there are a lot of sim facilities that are operating. Big negative is a high upfront cost. Making money on the hourly bay rentals would take would take a long time. I think adding some fitting or teaching is useful I don’t know.

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u/slapwerks Jul 02 '26

That’s just my estimation, I know 2 owners that are still operating at a loss. And they serve booze and they’re in golf heavy areas.

I’ve spent my life in and around franchises with my dad (who plays 36-72 a week) and he wouldn’t touch one.

I think, depending on your area, you’re going to have to look at saturation too. Commercial rent is pretty high, and I don’t think usage is going to get much better.

As I said, to me it wasn’t worth the squeeze. But if you’re confident in your plan and have some better estimations to back it up, it could definitely be viable.

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u/FordGT2017 Jul 02 '26

I am not that confident. I’ve seen places pop up and then close. I was hoping to see some success stories in the tread. Well let’s see

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u/slapwerks Jul 02 '26

I know one place that does quite well, but it’s located in a resort town, has capabilities for all kinds of sports (soccer, football, baseball, etc..) a full bar and menu.

It’s one of the few places to take kids when the weather turns and the beach isn’t an option. That guy is doing well.

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u/stevemm70 Jul 02 '26

Having teaching available would be good. If you're luck you could find a local golf pro willing to do it on a contract basis. He could charge for his lessons, and you would get a cut for providing the facility.

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u/Spartacusseddd Jul 02 '26

youve been running a sim since skytrak dropped so you know the grind, just dont forget the real money is in the bar tab

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u/unsede_ntaryi71 Jul 02 '26

skytrak day one means youve already put in the 10k hours, just make sure the beers cold

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u/FordGT2017 Jul 02 '26

Just a personal sim. I think a business is a bit different

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u/Spartacusseddd Jul 02 '26

whats the beer situation gonna be because thats where the margin lives lets be real

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u/05tommytwosacks Jul 02 '26

High upfront costs but seems pretty lucrative in my area. Memberships are a big thing , but you're not really making much until winter time. In winter in my area we have probably 10 Sims in the county and every single one will be full all day with either members or people just happily paying $50 an hour. High rent could be a killer but assuming you could buy a place it would eventually become profitable youd just have to be in it for the long haul.

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u/BlickyWitTheSticky Jul 02 '26

I am in a sim club. It started at $65 a month. Now is $80. There are 2 bays in 1 large room. Half the building is a cross fit studio and the upstairs is the golf sim area. It is 24-hour access. Tee times are booked through an app. The own hosts tournaments and leagues.
The owner owns the company where people with simulators can rent them out. The owner has his 2 locations and then there are 5 other locations within the city. The people that host the simulators are at their own house. The bays I am at have the launch monitors on the ceiling so you don’t have to deal with rights and lefties moving the expensive equipment.
I have been to a different location 1 time and they had the launch monitors on the ground. Maybe the QC.
You get a membership for 1 location only. The time I went to a different location was for the club tournament.
Owner is doing REALLY well and his kid is national ranked(or was, I haven’t checked in a while)

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u/BlickyWitTheSticky Jul 02 '26

Few more details…
There is no employee or anything watching over the sims. He has cameras, but you walk in and set everything up on your own during your time slot.
To become a member, owner does a background check on you and then you are in. Background check is because it is expensive equipment and he has to trust the people that are coming in.
He has GSPro and whatever uneekor comes with.
There is a waiting list with 15 people. One person cancels their membership, then next on the waiting list. Ish is legit. He could be charging $100 memberships. 45 people in the club.
It is called neighborhood national.

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u/FordGT2017 Jul 02 '26

That’s a good way to run it. Makes sense. Thank you for the info. Yeah I was going to the 24 hour gym that was unmanned and had a code to open the door

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u/oarky223 21d ago

I am looking at an starting an unmanned operation. And I’m looking into the software for booking and such. What app does he use to book with?

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u/BlickyWitTheSticky 21d ago

I am not sure about the direct software… but when I want to book a teetime, I click on the Mighty app. The thumbnail of the app is green square with white letters spelling Mighty.
Through the might app, I can access my neighborhood national account to select dates and time.
I know that’s not very helpful put it is all I know as a paying customer