Starting an indoor golf league is a fantastic way to engage your community, drive customer loyalty, and increase revenue for your golf simulator business. Leagues can be a magnet for repeat customers, especially during the fall and winter months when outdoor courses are less appealing. Countless commercial indoor golf businesses have transformed their slow seasons into some of the busiest times of the year by running successful indoor golf leagues.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up your own golf simulator leagues, as well as examples of current customers who are using leagues and instruction programs to bring in more golfers.
1. Choose Your League Format
The beauty of setting up an indoor golf league is the flexibility you have in crafting a format that fits your customers. Here are some popular league formats you can consider:
- Stroke Play: Traditional scoring where every stroke is counted.
- Best Ball: Teams of two or four, with the best score on each hole counting toward the team’s total.
- Match Play: Players or teams compete hole-by-hole.
With up to 20 data points analyzed per shot on our best golf simulator with putting capabilities, the experience is just as competitive and thrilling as being on a real course. You can also adjust the difficulty based on the skill level of the league, making it inclusive for golfers of all levels.
2. Set a Schedule and Promote It
Most successful indoor golf leagues operate on a set weekly schedule, typically lasting 8 to 12 weeks. Consider offering leagues on weekday evenings or weekends to attract a variety of players. Promote your leagues through social media, email marketing, and posters in your facility to maximize participation. Highlight any food and drink deals, prizes, or local partnerships you’ve secured as part of the league experience.
For inspiration, check out Divot Golf Factory in Brownsburg, Indiana. They offer multiple league formats throughout the week, accompanied by food and drink deals to boost customer engagement. This has become a major revenue driver for them, demonstrating how league play can benefit your indoor golf simulator business. Learn more about their leagues here.
3. Pricing and Memberships
When setting your league pricing, consider including discounted rates for members, as this encourages recurring revenue through membership sales. A good pricing strategy is to offer a per-round fee or a full-league package deal. Offering tiered memberships with perks such as priority booking, discounted food and drinks, or exclusive events can further motivate participation.
In addition to league play, other types of programming like golf instruction classes can provide extra income. At Primetime Golf in Oakland, CA, they’ve introduced a women’s golf instruction happy hour every Wednesday, which has become incredibly popular among new female golfers. In addition to their weekly instruction, they host fall leagues on Thursdays. They have tickets available online for teams to sign up and offer cash prizes and additional challenges to compete in. Check out what they have going on here.
4. Use Golfzon Technology to Enhance the Experience
What sets Golfzon apart from other commercial indoor golf simulators is the technology. With automatic tee systems, 5 different hitting mats, and 240+ mapped golf courses, you get to experience each course as realistically as possible. Golfzon’s data tracking allows league participants to analyze their performance in real-time, adding an additional layer of excitement. Golfzon is the best indoor golf simulator to host golf tournaments and leagues at your indoor golf simulator facilities.
Encourage players to download the Golfzon Global App, which tracks their stats and progress. This creates a dynamic, connected environment that will keep your customers coming back for more.
5. Offer Prizes and Create a Competitive Atmosphere
Adding a competitive edge to your leagues can draw in more serious golfers. Offer prizes for weekly winners or cumulative season winners. You can partner with local businesses for sponsorships, or offer in-house rewards like free simulator time, merchandise, or even entry into larger tournaments.
6. Provide a Welcoming Environment for All Players
Leagues should be inclusive, catering to golfers of all ages and skill levels. Offering beginner leagues, family-friendly formats, or even specialized leagues for certain demographics (e.g., seniors or women) can help you tap into new customer bases. As mentioned earlier, Primetime Golf in Oakland has seen great success with their female golf instruction program, which helps new players feel comfortable in a typically male-dominated sport.
Real-World Examples of Successful Indoor Golf League Programs
The Green: Chicago, IL
Located in Chicago, The Green offers multiple leagues throughout the week, giving players a chance to compete and socialize. With over $25,000 in prizes on the line, The Green has turned league play into a key business driver. They even offer live leaderboards, weekly updates, and a variety of tee times, making it easy for participants to find a schedule that works for them.
- Leagues on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
- $900 to $1750 per team, depending on the day and time.
- Participants enjoy 7 weeks of social and competitive golf, all while watching NFL games with Sunday Ticket.
Golf Zone: Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Golf Zone runs a 10-week fall league that takes advantage of Golfzon’s expansive selection of golf courses. Their weekly league is known for its variety, offering new game formats like Texas Scramble and Poker Nights.
- $137.50 per person entry fee with a $25 weekly green fee.
- Teams of 4 play each week with various formats such as individual low net, low gross, and more.
- Prizes include weekly hole prizes and a season-long points championship.
Golfzon Social: New York
Golfzon Social offers a wide range of leagues across multiple locations, including Brooklyn, Scarsdale, and West Nyack. Their leagues run Thursday evenings and feature a variety of world-renowned courses.
- Entrance fee of $95 per player, with weekly fees of $35.
- 2-person best ball format.
- Participants compete for thousands of dollars in prizes, making it one of the most competitive leagues available.
World of Golf: Florence, KY
World of Golf in Kentucky offers multiple leagues tailored to different skill levels and demographics, including juniors, men, and ladies. Their Thursday night Beer League has proven especially popular, blending competitive play with a relaxed, social atmosphere.
- Sunday Junior’s, Monday Men’s, Tuesday Ladies’, and Thursday Beer League.
- 6-week season with 9-hole play.
- No mulligans and 6-foot gimmies keep things moving, ensuring a 2-hour time cap.
Build Your League, Build Your Business
Whether you’re running an established golf simulator bar or just starting your golf simulator business, setting up a league is an excellent way to generate steady income and build a loyal customer base. Not only do leagues encourage repeat business, but they also create a sense of community around your facility.
With Golfzon’s best commercial golf simulators, you’ll have all the technology needed to run a seamless league experience, from tracking player stats to offering a variety of play formats.
If you need more help building out your golf simulator business plan, or want to learn more about commercial golf simulator prices, reach out to our sales team today. Let’s take your business to the next level with the power of indoor golf leagues.