Have Golf Simulator bars come to your area yet?

[me05501]

A young entrepreneur recently opened a golf simulator bar. There are 5 Trackman bays that can be reserved by the hour. They have a full bar and kitchen and the food is actually good. 

 

The bar is going for a hybrid public/private model. They offer memberships that run about $1200/year or $140/month if you want to pay that way. Members have exclusive access to the bays all day on Tues/Wed every week. I assume they also get early access to booking windows for other days. Of course their bay rental fees are included in the membership. 

 

The public can also rent bays. Peak pricing is $40/hour with off-peak at $30/hour and a weekday lunch special of $20/hour. 

 

They're organizing seasonal league play and it seemed like the summer league was fully subscribed. 

 

I assume these places are pretty common elsewhere but this is the first one to give it a go in our mid-sized city. I've played there a few times and enjoyed it. We've had three players every time and we've generally been able to finish an 18-hole round in 2 hours. The per-man cost averages out to be comparable to a round at the local muni. 

 

I think there's an environmental learning curve involved with sim golf or hitting indoors generally. Learning to aim the direction of each shot on the touchscreen and then getting properly aligned to the target can be a little odd at first. I've seen people struggle with it and others take to it right away. 

 

I'm curious to know if you've seen these in your area and how these prices compare.

[GHIN n Juice]

We’ve had one for probably a decade. It’s a big hit in the winter as they have leagues and tourneys.  I’m not sure how prices compare but it has held its own even with a top golf coming in.

[jvincent]

Up here in the Great White North indoor simulators / winter leagues have been a thing for many years.

 

With the advances in launch monitor technology the level of game play has become a LOT more accurate recently and more and more golf clubs are using their dining facilities/club houses for this in the winter.

[BTE0816]

They opened one up near me during COVID. They have memberships and you can purchase an "outside play package" for $40hr with 5 hour minimum.

 

I think their business model to have others pay for what will eventually be their personal trackman once they go out of business.

 

[Abh159]

There are a few in my city that have popped up over the past 2-3 years. Personally I've never been simply because if I'm leaving the house to play golf I want to actually play golf. In my mind,  they sort of occupy a space between TopGolf type attractions and actual golf (on a real course 😉). 

 

Overall I would guess that their sustainability is based in large part off of geography and climate. If it's in a place with long winters and/or a lot of rainy days then I imagine they could do quite well. On the other hand if it's someplace where the sun shines frequently and "winter" only lasts for a few months I don't know how profitable it would be in the long run.

[Ferguson]

Two are near completion and slated to open this fall. 

 

 

[me05501]

23 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

There are a few in my city that have popped up over the past 2-3 years. Personally I've never been simply because if I'm leaving the house to play golf I want to actually play golf. In my mind,  they sort of occupy a space between TopGolf type attractions and actual golf (on a real course 😉). 

 

Overall I would guess that their sustainability is based in large part off of geography and climate. If it's in a place with long winters and/or a lot of rainy days then I imagine they could do quite well. On the other hand if it's someplace where the sun shines frequently and "winter" only lasts for a few months I don't know how profitable it would be in the long run.

 

Probably right. The cost of the space is also key as well as how much revenue you can drive from the kitchen and bar. It probably needs to be a place people don't mind hanging out even when they don't have a bay or they're waiting on one to open up. 

I think this guy is gradually moving into club repair and fitting too. Gotta have multiple streams to drive traffic. 

 

As for weather, our courses stay open through the winter but there are plenty of days that aren't playable. There's another stretch in the summer when playing outside in the afternoon is unbearably hot. 

One cool thing they're offering this fall is picture-in-picture with football games. So you can have the sim course on the screen but a football game in the corner. 

 

 

[TallGuy90]

A couple have open and even a few of the have folded since. The problem is most of these place make their nut in the winter and rainy days. Just not enough cash flow 

[me05501]

Just now, TallGuy90 said:

A couple have open and even a few of the have folded since. The problem is most of these place make their nut in the winter and rainy days. Just not enough cash flow 

 

I know of a guy who tried it here a few years ago but he didn't want to serve alcohol. Lost his Word not allowed IIRC. 

[larrybud]

Haven't seen one specifically as a golf sim business, but I know of bars who added sims to an already existing business.

 

[becoh]

We have an indoor simulator, with a booze license here. Went for a fitting, and then on another occasion to work on yardages. That being said, something is just off about golfing inside. It just doesn't work for me, I don't know what it is but I can't hit a ball inside.

[me05501]

3 hours ago, becoh said:

We have an indoor simulator, with a booze license here. Went for a fitting, and then on another occasion to work on yardages. That being said, something is just off about golfing inside. It just doesn't work for me, I don't know what it is but I can't hit a ball inside.

It’s not just you. 
 

It finally started working for me when I started using an intermediate target like I do on the course. There’s a little rivet at the bottom of the screen (where the handle is attached) and I align myself to that. As long as I’ve adjusted the aim point on the sun it works pretty well. 

[Roody]

We had a couple of them about 10 or so years ago. Both gone. A couple new ones have sprung up in their place, but they're each part of a larger business (one being a golf retail shop, the other a swing fitter). The one that is part of the golf retail shop looks very nice from the pictures. I'm hoping to get over there this winter. 

One of the places that is no longer here, Optigolf was fantastic. They had about 7-8 bays, served coffee, snacks, some alcohol. During the winter they made a killing. I used to call every week to make a 7:00 am tee time. I'd go play 18 as a solo in about an hour. But once the warm weather hit, no way was I playing sim golf over real golf. And I think that's generally what did them in - no revenue during the summer months. 

[MtlJeff]

I've been playing sim golf in places like this for 15 years, they're a staple here in Canada.

 

A full round and maybe like 1 beer will usually cost somewhere around 40-50$ CAD here.

 

I often rent out a bay for 30 mins to practice also and that's usually <20$

[ericschlukebir]

There is a bar in town that has had one forever.  I’m not sure how popular it is anymore.   But one of the courses built a Toptracer range with restaurant and bar a couple years ago.  It’s pretty full nights and weekends even in the summer.  It’s not indoors but covered with heat.   As long as the temps are above about 25 it’s pretty comfortable with sleeves on.  Prairiefiregolf.com

[Curmudg3on]

In my area a local course installed 3 simulators 3 years ago.   This year two other courses also added simulators.   Their pricing is about the same as the OP posted with the newest one being a little more expensive.   During the winter they are completely booked from 9am - 9pm.

[me05501]

5 minutes ago, DennyJones said:

In my area a local course installed 3 simulators 3 years ago.   This year two other courses also added simulators.   Their pricing is about the same as the OP posted with the newest one being a little more expensive.   During the winter they are completely booked from 9am - 9pm.

 

That's cool. It seems like a perfect idea for a club in a cold weather climate. 

 

Do they organize leagues or tournaments on the sims or just let members reserve them for practice? 

[Abh159]

Since the general consensus seems to be that these do great in the winter, but they really struggle to bring in revenue when the weather is nice outside (and potentially fail because of that).

 

Out of curiosity, what (if anything) would make you all want to choose a simulator round/place over playing on a real course if it's a nice, sunny day outside? I'm not sure I'd ever chose virtual golf over real golf, but I'm curious to hear what others think.

[jdl]

Yeah, they've been around here for a long time. Good variety, one I go to is basically a dive bar that added a couple of sim bays. Not the best atmosphere but we've done a Groupon round there that was about $20 apiece for 18 holes, not bad. Some other spots try to be more high end with the food/drinks/other stuff and a couple are definitely more geared to the avid golfer. A little more pricey for those.

[jdl]

7 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

Since the general consensus seems to be that these do great in the winter, but they really struggle to bring in revenue when the weather is nice outside (and potentially fail because of that).

 

Out of curiosity, what (if anything) would make you all want to choose a simulator round/place over playing on a real course if it's a nice, sunny day outside? I'm not sure I'd ever chose virtual golf over real golf, but I'm curious to hear what others think.

I'd never pick a simulator over a real round. I only go during the winter months and even then I don't go that often. I'm just not a big fan of hitting balls into a net.

[me05501]

30 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

Since the general consensus seems to be that these do great in the winter, but they really struggle to bring in revenue when the weather is nice outside (and potentially fail because of that).

 

Out of curiosity, what (if anything) would make you all want to choose a simulator round/place over playing on a real course if it's a nice, sunny day outside? I'm not sure I'd ever chose virtual golf over real golf, but I'm curious to hear what others think.

 

For me it has been a way to get a little golf fix when a full round at the course wasn't possible. 

 

One day we just did an extended lunch. We ate and played 18 holes and it took about 2 hours. I was able to go straight back to the office after which is not something I'd do after a round out in the sun. 

 

Another time I was there with someone who calls on my office. He booked a bay for a couple of hours and picked up the bar tab. It was more of a Top Golf-style social thing. 

 

The lunch hour special of $20/hour is pretty competitive with the best driving range I frequent. The range sells a large bucket for $12. That's close enough to a wash depending on the weather. 

[Curmudg3on]

1 hour ago, me05501 said:

 

That's cool. It seems like a perfect idea for a club in a cold weather climate. 

 

Do they organize leagues or tournaments on the sims or just let members reserve them for practice? 

 

They have leagues.   They are still in a learning curve because they tried using handicaps.   Players usually play better on a sim than outside and the better golfers suffered initially.

 

The simulators are utilized quite a bit during the summer for business meetings, parties, etc.  

Edited September 13, 2022 by DennyJones

[Warrior42111]

1 hour ago, Abh159 said:

Since the general consensus seems to be that these do great in the winter, but they really struggle to bring in revenue when the weather is nice outside (and potentially fail because of that).

 

Out of curiosity, what (if anything) would make you all want to choose a simulator round/place over playing on a real course if it's a nice, sunny day outside? I'm not sure I'd ever chose virtual golf over real golf, but I'm curious to hear what others think.

Perhaps if I have firm plans later, book an hour or two

 

I still tend to decide to play and show up late, me and my couch became friends on those days 

[RCGA]

The one around here is $55/hr using an "HD Golf" simulator. Accuracy is questionable which defeats the whole purpose. 

 

[8602081]

 

I think they need to change on how they make money..  You don't make money on the simulators..  Use the simulators to attract people, then make money with booze and food.

 

It will be more popular, when the prices go way below the cost of actual rounds at a golf course..

 

 

 

[larrybud]

19 hours ago, becoh said:

We have an indoor simulator, with a booze license here. Went for a fitting, and then on another occasion to work on yardages. That being said, something is just off about golfing inside. It just doesn't work for me, I don't know what it is but I can't hit a ball inside.

My old instructor told me that when teaching indoors, player would consistently swing ~ 5mph slower inside (and this was in a dome). 

[itsame]

5 hours ago, MtlJeff said:

I've been playing sim golf in places like this for 15 years, they're a staple here in Canada.

 

A full round and maybe like 1 beer will usually cost somewhere around 40-50$ CAD here.

 

I often rent out a bay for 30 mins to practice also and that's usually <20$

 

I don't understand how us canadians were supposed to get to low single digit or better before there were simulators. The 6 months break every year makes it very difficult to improve.

 

I got hooked on winter sim play after my first summer of golf, and built a simulator at home when they were closed for most of the winter due to covid restrictions.

[me05501]

3 minutes ago, itsame said:

 

I don't understand how us canadians were supposed to get to low single digit or better before there were simulators. The 6 months break every year makes it very difficult to improve.

 

I got hooked on winter sim play after my first summer of golf, and built a simulator at home when they were closed for most of the winter due to covid restrictions.

 

Good news...in twenty years your season will be year-round! 

[Soloman1]

They opened and closed a few years ago. Customers would go once, but you run out of one-time customers pretty quickly.

[miamistomp]

 Call me old fashioned , but golf, like ax throwing, belongs outdoors

 

However- I hope it becomes popular so people stay off the course