Is a golf simulator business profitable?

Are golf simulator businesses actually profitable? As someone deeply involved in the indoor golf industry, I get this question all the time. The short answer: yes, but like any business, it depends on execution. At Screengolfers.com, we’ve tracked the growth of indoor golf venues across the U.S., Canada, England, and Australia, and we’ve seen firsthand how operators turn a profit, or struggle to.

From startup costs and recurring costs to revenue streams and pricing strategies, there are key factors that separate thriving venues from those that just break even. Whether you’re considering opening your own indoor golf facility or looking for ways to boost profitability, understanding the numbers is critical. Let’s break down what really drives success in this business.

The growth of the indoor golf market

The indoor golf market has seen significant growth in recent years. With advancements in technology, golf simulators now offer a realistic golf experience, and equipment has become more affordable. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global golf simulator market is expected to reach $3.3 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2020 to 2027. This growth is fueled by the increasing popularity of indoor sports and the desire for accessible golfing experiences.

Increase in search interest

According to Google Trends, there has been a consistent, and healthy growth in search interest for indoor golf in the last 5 years

Here is what the "Interest over time" metric mean:

Numbers represent search interest relative to the highest point on the chart for the given region and time. A value of 100 is the peak popularity for the term. A value of 50 means that the term is half as popular. A score of 0 means there was not enough data for this term.

Data says indoor golf is more popular than 5 years ago.

In the last 5 years, the term "indoor golf" was especially popular in Canada, Sweden, and the United States.

Here is what the "Interest by region" metric mean:

"See in which location your term was most popular during the specified time frame. Values are calculated on a scale from 0 to 100, where 100 is the location with the most popularity as a fraction of total searches in that location, a value of 50 indicates a location which is half as popular. A value of 0 indicates a location where there was not enough data for this term".

Increase in businesses depending on simulators

According to The Gather Collective NTG report, the number of U.S businesses depending on simulators has grown from 200 in 2016 to over 1600 in 2024 (when the report was publicly released).

At Screengolfers, we help players find and book the best indoor golf venues near them in the US, Canada, England, and Australia. If you check our "Indoor golf USA" page, we have listed 1200 indoor golf centers in the country so far, and we receive new listing demands every week. In other words, I can confirm the accuracy of the numbers in the report.

TGL Golf

Indoor golf is now more mainstream than ever with the launch of TGL Golf (Tomorrow Golf League) on ESPN, increasing the game's reach to a broader sports audience.

Why start a golf simulator business?

Starting a golf simulator business can be a lucrative opportunity. Here are some reasons why:

1. Year-round operation

Unlike traditional golf courses, indoor golf facilities can operate regardless of weather conditions, or daylight, ensuring a steady stream of customers.

Of course, there is a seasonality. Winter is the high season for indoor golf due to the weather, but in the summer, you can still attract golfers who want to train, privatize a venue for an event, who don't have time to go to the golf course because of work... there still are plenty of opportunities to occupy your simulator bays during low season depending on your localization, and what local customers are searching for.

2. Diverse clientele

From corporate events to casual play, and players seeking to improve their game, indoor golf appeals to a wide range of customers.

3. Technological advancements

Modern simulators offer detailed analytics and immersive experiences, attracting tech-savvy golfers who value precise feedback, but also younger generations who can relate more to screen golf, than a traditional golf course.

They are used to relying on technology for every aspect of their life (smartphones, internet, social media, credit cards, AI...), they don't have to respect a strict dress code, and there are less rules to learn to play sim golf, than to play outside. Golf simulators make the game more accessible (and more affordable).

4. Scalability

Start small and expand as demand grows, allowing for flexible business growth.

How does a golf simulator business work?

A golf simulator business typically involves setting up bays equipped with launch monitors, software, enclosures, screens, and mats. Customers can book sessions to practice their swings, play virtual rounds on famous courses, participate in golf leagues, or privatize the venue for an event (birthday party, team-building, afterwork...).

Depending on the services and amenities, revenue streams include:

• hourly sim rentals,
• group sim rentals,
• membership fees,
• tournament and league fees,
• event hosting,
• club rental (we recommend DTC golf clubs for that so you can offer high quality clubs but for a fraction of the price),
• golf lessons,
• golf academies,
• club fitting,
• equipment sale (if you have a pro shop),
• food and beverages.

Pros and cons of a golf simulator business

Pros

• High demand: growing interest in indoor sports.
• Flexible hours: operate beyond traditional golf course hours.
• Low maintenance: compared to outdoor courses, simulators require less upkeep.
• Various revenue streams: like discussed above.

Cons

• Initial investment: high setup costs for quality simulators (check out our article on golf simulator accuracy).
• Rent: golf bays require space, so bigger surfaces.
• Competition: Increasing number of indoor golf facilities.
• Technology dependence: requires regular updates and maintenance.
• Seasonality: indoor golf is mostly a winter activity.

Upfront investments and recurring costs to consider

Starting an indoor golf simulator business comes with various costs, including upfront investments and recurring costs. Below is a list of costs and expenses to consider:

Estimated revenue and costs per business model

Here are four very different real-world business models with estimated startup costs, operating expenses, and revenue potential:

1. a solo bay with a 24/7 access model,
2. a small rural indoor golf venue with 2 bays,
3. a large urban simulator bar with 8 bays and premium equipment,
4. a high-end venue with 12 bays, a full bar & grill experience, and premium equipment.

Before we get into the business models, here are two statistics to consider:

• the average hourly rate for golf simulator rentals in the U.S., considering both off-peak and peak times, is approximately $40 to $60.
• The average golf simulator utilization in the first year of business, based on a recent poll, and testimonials from the venues listed on our site, is approximately 33%.

1. Solo bay 24/7 access model (low-cost, self-serve)

• Business type: one-bay, members-only access, no staff
• Location: small urban space or garage-based setup
• Simulator: mid-tier (SkyTrak, Uneekor)
• Buildout: minimal (basic turf, netting, no dedicated lounge)
• Revenue model: monthly memberships + pay-per-use for non-members
• Startup cost estimate: $20,000 - $60,000
• Monthly operating cost estimate: $1,000 - $3,000
• Estimated monthly revenue: $3,000 - $8,000
• Key challenge: requires marketing to attract a stable membership base.

2. Small indoor golf venue (rural or suburban, 2 bays)

• Business type: local golf lounge with casual and league play
• Location: small town or suburban strip mall
• Simulators: mid-range (Uneekor EYE XO, Foresight GC3)
• Buildout: small seating area, minimal food & beverage
• Revenue model: hourly rentals, memberships, league play
• Startup cost estimate: $80,000 - $150,000
• Monthly operating cost estimate: $4,000 - $10,000
• Estimated monthly revenue: $8,000 - $20,000
• Key challenge: moderate demand and seasonality in a smaller market.

3. Large urban simulator bar (8 bays, premium equipment)

• Business type: high-end golf simulator bar with food, drinks, and events
• Location: major city, high-traffic entertainment district
• Simulators: TrackMan or Full Swing
• Buildout: lounge seating, bar, multiple TVs, event space
• Revenue model: hourly rentals, food & beverage, corporate events
• Startup cost estimate: $500,000 - $1.2 million
• Monthly operating cost estimate: $30,000 - $80,000
• Estimated monthly revenue: $50,000 - $200,000
• Key Challenge: high lease costs and staffing expenses.

4. High-end golf club experience (12 bays, full bar & grill)

• Business type: large-scale venue offering a country club experience
• Location: affluent suburb or major metropolitan area
• Simulators: GolfZon Vision Premium, TrackMan
• Buildout: full bar, premium seating, private rooms, coaching services
• Revenue model: hourly play, coaching, leagues, memberships, food & beverage
• Startup cost estimate: $1.5 - $3 million
• Monthly operating cost estimate: $75,000 - $200,000
• Estimated monthly revenue: $150,000 - $500,000
• Key challenge: requires significant capital and strong local demand.

This benchmark should give you a helpful reference point to get in the golf simulator industry. The actual revenue and costs depend on your location, your business model, the level of investment in simulators, and services/amenities. It also depends if you are going to rent, or purchase the commercial space.

If you want to build a precise budget for your business plan, call product and service providers, and ask for quotes.

Then, join the "Golf Simulator Business" Facebook Group and discuss with your peers. The community is very supportive. You can ask questions to other venue owners/managers, react to posts that talk about topics you are interested in, and discuss in themed chats in Messenger.

We are not affiliated with the group, just members. We just recommend it, because it's one of the best groups out there for people wanting to open an indoor golf business. There are 3300 members as we write, and it was created in 2022.

Conclusion: Is a golf simulator business profitable?

In 2025-2026, the potential for profitability in the golf simulator business is promising. With the right location, business plan, marketing strategy, and customer experience, you can open your own screen golf venue successfully.

If you're considering opening an indoor golf, focus on creating a community, and providing a unique customer experience based on local demand. Some businesses are more specialized in performance (fitting, coaching, golf academy, pro shop, physical training...). Other golf sim businesses are more specialized in entertainment (virtual games for kids and families, multisports, private events, food and beverages).

Run the numbers, talk to the industry professionals, other peers (like in the Facebook Group) and find your own identity based on local supply and demand!

Very important: list your venue on Screengolfers.com

When you're ready to open, don't forget to list your business for FREE on screengolfers.com. We're the #1 local directory for golf simulator businesses with 1600 venues in 4 countries (USA, Canada, England, and Australia). Our job is to help players find the best indoor golf venues near them, and help owners/managers like you connect with those potential customers.