Community
BY AMANDA CUTSHALL
Local golf simulators hit big in 2023
What’s happening?
Indoor golf simulator businesses that opened in 2023
Four new businesses o ering indoor golf simulators opened in Cedar Park and far North- west Austin in 2023. Though these facilities came online recently, indoor gol ng actually began to skyrocket during the pandemic, said Sukjoon SJ Yoon, Dr. Golf Studio general manager. “Golf courses could only take so many people, and there’s a lot of intimidation going to a golf course, especially for a new golfer,” said Ed Amadis, owner of Pin Seeker’s Golf Lounge. Simulators allow the golfer to play casually or seek help ne-tuning their skills—all under one roof, faster than an outdoor golf course, Ocean’s Golfer Owner Sunny Sunggeun Park said. “You can complete 18 holes within an hour late at night if you want,” Park said. Robert Erwood, assistant general manager of Spare Birdie, said the accuracy of the game does not su er from the faster game time, and it is more cost-e ective as there are a variety of options for hourly or annual plans.
734 2 Ocean’s Golfer Opened in March 200 Buttercup Creek Blvd., Ste. 109, Cedar Park 3 Pin Seeker’s Golf Lounge Opened in September 6001 W. Parmer Lane, 1 Dr. Golf Studio Opened in November 13776 N. US 183, Ste. 107A, Austin
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DISCOVERY BLVD.
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Golfers in Cedar Park and Northwest Austin now have many opportunities to hone their skills o the golf course with a new surge of businesses o ering indoor golf simulators in 2023. Local business owners said the increased demand for indoor golf simulators can be attributed to several factors, including: • Lack of available entertainment options during the pandemic • Improvements in technology that make the simulator experience more authentic • Increased convenience and affordability for both the golfer and the business owner These new facilities cater to both professional and recreational golfers as more people turn to indoor gol ng, with locations such as Dr. Golf Studio and Ocean’s Golfer providing lessons for players of all skill levels.
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Ste. 230, Austin 4 Spare Birdie Opened in February 1400 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park
BUTTERCUP CREEK BLVD.
183
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W. PARMER LN.
620
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What are the options?
U.S. golf simulator players
Businesses such as Dr. Golf Studio and Spare Birdie o er simulators in open bays and/or private rooms for players of all skill levels, with various options that allow the golfer to adjust gameplay— from changing the course topography to using infrared technology to analyze swing data and ball tracking, and more. “Our customers range from 3 years old to 76 years old, so it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner, amateur or professional,” Park said.
0 1M 2M 3M 4M 5M 6M 7M
2019 2020 2021
2023 2022
Dr. Golf Studio holds six bays with technology such as Trackman and GC Quad.
SOURCE: NATIONAL GOLF FOUNDATION COMMUNITY IMPACT
COURTESY DR. GOLF STUDIO
What’s next?
will continue to stay up to date on the latest technology available in the market to continue to enhance his customers’ experiences. “Continued growth is evident,” Yoon said. “Golf simulators have transformed from niche facilities in basements and garages to what it is today, and will become even more popular in the future.”
Thanks to ever-evolving technology, combined with increased accessibility and a ordability, the future of indoor golf simulators does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon, Yoon said. Locally, Erwood and Park said they plan to o er more indoor golf tournaments in 2024 and beyond. Amadis said he is starting a league in 2024, as well as charity tournaments, while Yoon said he
A study published by Straits Research projects the golf simulator market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of more than 10% to reach $3.3 billion by 2030. “I also read that 2023 was the rst year where more rounds were played on indoor golf simulators than on outdoor golf courses,” Amadis said, referring to an article published in December by The Wall Street Journal.
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