Ever dreamed of teeing it up at Pebble Beach without leaving town? You’re not alone. Golf continues to boom, but the new-ish game-changer for the industry isn’t just happening on the course, it’s taking off in high-tech simulator facilities. In fact, according to the National Golf Foundation, a record-breaking 6.2 million Americans played on a golf simulator last year, a massive 73% increase since pre-pandemic days.

The concept–which received a major boost from Topgolf in 2000 and now has more than 100 locations worldwide–has seen demand skyrocket, with simulator venues having surged from just 200 in 2016 to more than 2,000 today. This type of golf brings players an enjoyable and efficient experience to trial golf for the first time or at a regular more approachable cadence, creating a lower barrier of entry for people to create off-course experiences. 

More recently, the boom in simulator golf can be further evidenced by initiatives like the Tomorrow Golf League (TGL), co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, which integrates simulator technology into competitive, professional play. Although there have been some early technical difficulties (and we’re not talking about Tiger’s 100-yard miscue), this evolution signifies a broader acceptance and enthusiasm for simulated golf experiences. And we continue to see viral moments like Barstool Sports’ Jersey Jerry complete a 37-hour hole-in-one challenge live stream over a 37 hour period. 

Simulator play isn’t just an alternative to traditional golf, it has quickly become a key gateway for new players to develop an interest in the game. With simulators providing a year-round way to experience golf, more beginners are getting their first swings indoors before transitioning to on-course play. As a result, simulator facilities are not just growing the industry, they’re actively shaping the next generation of golfers. In fact, in the UK for example, it is not uncommon for golfers to have a regular handicap index as well as another strictly for simulator golf. These venues also are becoming a high-demand activity for children after school, much to their parents’ liking. 

As these spaces, clubs and facilities evolve from practice bays into full-fledged entertainment hubs the business models to support them are changing just as quickly. Whoosh has become the ultimate solution to help facilities of all sizes streamline their operations, support membership and loyalty, boost revenue, and deliver unforgettable experiences to keep customers coming back for more.

We are leading this transformation, ensuring public simulator venues and private clubs are equipped with the technology they need to support this growth while maintaining staff efficiency. As the game evolves beyond traditional fairways and greens, Whoosh continues to push boundaries, participating in key industry events and driving innovation in facility management. As more players flock to simulators for practice, entertainment, and competition, our goal is to ensure facilities can meet demand, see real revenue impact, and provide a premium golf experience that keeps players engaged, both indoors and on the course. 

Essential Strategies Behind Smooth-Running Sim Facilities

Managing a simulator facility should be effortless, not bogged down by spreadsheets, missed bookings, and outdated systems. That’s where our cloud-based, tablet-friendly platform comes in, making it easier than ever for staff to manage their membership base, handle guest check-ins, take payments, and communicate effortlessly with customers.

"We designed Whoosh to remove operational bottlenecks, allowing staff to focus on delivering an unmatched experience, regardless of facility type," says Colin Read, Whoosh Co-Founder and CEO. "Whether it's a private lesson or a full-blown tournament night at your local simulator facility, our technology keeps everything running like clockwork."

A packed simulator bay is great, but a profitable one is the ultimate goal. We help facilities make the most of every swing and every minute spent inside by guests.

By leveraging our powerful analytics, operators can track peak usage hours, manage no-shows automatically, and coming soon: adjust pricing dynamically; ensuring that every minute of simulator time is working to increase profits. Facilities using Whoosh’s simulator and activity management tools have successfully optimized bookings to fill off-peak hours while maximizing prime-time slots, increasing both utilization and profitability. This comprehensive approach not only enhances the customer experience but also unlocks new revenue streams while reducing operational overhead.

Enhancing Member Experiences at Private Clubs

For private clubs, simulators are no longer just an offseason amenity, they are an essential year-round attraction. Top-tier clubs such as Bryn Mawr, Union League of Philadelphia, Hillcrest Country Club, and Broadmoor Golf Club have embraced Whoosh to optimize their reservations, giving members frictionless access to simulators without scheduling conflicts. Providing easy scheduling tools, and tracking real-time usage, Whoosh gives these operators full control over their facility while eliminating the inefficiencies of manual systems.

By automating these operational challenges, Whoosh allows private clubs to manage simulator usage with the same precision as tee times, ensuring that members enjoy uninterrupted play and a premium experience.

Maximizing Revenue and Engagement at Public Sim Facilities

For public-facing simulator venues, the focus isn’t just on bookings, it’s on driving revenue and engagement overall. The shift toward golf-centric entertainment venues has created new opportunities, but only for those that can efficiently manage demand, optimize resources, and keep guests coming back for more play.

But the success of a simulator facility depends on how well its technology works together, and technology is only as good as the company it keeps. Whoosh has teamed up with the best in the business to ensure simulator facilities can offer top-tier experiences. Our partnerships with Foresight Sports, Square, RemoteLock are helping public venues manage everything through one seamless system.

By integrating booking, payment processing, and analytics, Whoosh eliminates fragmented systems and helps operators make data-driven decisions to grow their business. Our technology transforms simulator facilities into profit centers by allowing operators to track peak usage hours, adjust pricing dynamically, and manage no-shows automatically. With smart scheduling tools, venues can fill off-peak hours while maximizing prime-time slots, ensuring that every available simulator bay is being used to its full potential. We act as the operational backbone to turn a busy simulator bay into a highly profitable one.

Book a demo today to learn more.