How much does it cost to start an indoor golf business?

We get this question a lot. Let’s start by examining the most crucial element, golf simulators. 
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What does a golf simulator cost?​

• The best commercial golf simulators generally run between $35,000 and $75,000, but some start in the high teens and some can run up to $100,000
• Home simulators start at $300 and can run as high as you want, approaching the high end of the commercial range
• Simulator prices tend to vary based on the features included, accuracy of the ball physics and realism of the simulated golf course

The price ranges also vary by brand.
 
Cost ranges by commercial golf simulator brand:

• aboutGolf: costs range from $42,000 – $92,000
• Golfzon: costs range from $40,000 – $70,000
• HD Golf: costs range from $35,000 – $70,000
• P3ProSwing: costs range from $8,400-$18,400
• ProTee United: costs range from $5,200-$26,200
• Trackman: costs range from $49,995 – $100,000
• TruGolf: costs range from $30,000 – $70,000
• Visual Sports: costs range from $35,000 – $100,000
• XGolf: costs range from $40,000 – $70,000

​See even more detail about the simulators at our golf simulator cost comparison page
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Starting an indoor golf business

Yardstick Golf has done extensive research on what it cost to open indoor golf centers.  There is a wide range of startup costs for the indoor golf bars we studied. Four of the biggest factors driving the range in costs are:

• The number of simulators deployed at a facility
• Price point of the individual simulators chosen
• The size of the facility being established
• Other services offered like food and beverage

 
Small Indoor Golf Centers
Small golf centers we studied cost between $50,000 and $250,000 to open. They had between 2 and 4 simulators and were between 1,500 and 3,200 square feet.  Simulator choices were on the lower end of the commercial range.
 
Medium Sized Indoor Golf Centers
Medium sized golf centers we studied cost between $350,000 and $650,000 to open. They had anywhere from 6 to 8 simulators and were between 5,500 and 10,000 square feet.  Simulator choices were generally mid to high end of the commercial range. Beverage services were much more common that food service.
 
Large Indoor Golf Businesses
The largest golf centers we studied cost between $750,000 and $900,000 to open. 7 to 10 simulators were the norm for this group and the facilities were between 6,800 and 12,000 square feet.  Simulator choices were typically high end, but a few went more in the mid-commercial range. Beverage services were also much more common that food service.
 
What do you think?
Now I’d like to hear from you:

Did you have a different experience opening your center, or are there other cost questions you’d like to know?

​Comment and share your experience or question.