Golf Genius study maps more than 2,600 venues, revealing a rapidly scaling market that is moving from one-off bookings to digitally connected experiences
Venues promoting structured competition best placed to maximise opportunities as report indicates ‘Hardware created the market, software will connect it’
Simulator Golf has moved firmly into the mainstream of golf participation, with the number of venues expanding rapidly across international markets and operators increasingly turning to memberships, leagues and software to drive repeat play and recurring revenue, according to new research from market-leading golf software provider, Golf Genius.
Where golf simulator venues have been traditionally promoted as social experiences based on informal play and F&B, the reality is that structured competition, integrated software and cross-venue activities will be key to the sector’s future growth and form an increasingly important participation tool for venues and National Federations alike.
The Simulator Golf Market Insights Report, created in partnership with global golf solutions platform ION 54 and sports participation platform experts played.co, is one of the most comprehensive evidence-based analyses of international simulator golf ever conducted.
It mapped 2,683 venues and 9,580 simulator bays across 12 countries and 238 cities in Japan, Scandinavia, the UK & Ireland, and Australia & New Zealand. The United States and South Korea fall outside the scope of this edition.
The research shows a market scaling rapidly in both size and maturity, with 43% of venues opening since 2020, while global growth in simulator golf is projected at 8–10% through to 2030.
The report identifies clear opportunities and challenges for National Federations eager to leverage the boom in simulator golf as a key part of their strategic frameworks and player pathways. Player identity, simulator handicaps, and cross-venue initiatives delivered on a national scale each turn first-time visits into sustained participation.
Hardware is already well established, but the software layer has yet to catch up. While 71% of mapped venues have known hardware technology and 73% have booking infrastructure, only 11% have a recorded competition or league platform and just 0.5% have a CRM system or App.
Peak bay demand is concentrated in the evenings and at weekends, with average off-peak use at ~20%, making recurring forms of engagement increasingly important. The report finds that the most mature venues are using memberships, leagues, coaching, events and connected player technology to turn individual simulator sessions into repeat participation and more predictable revenue streams.
“The most commercially advanced simulator golf venues are now selling a sense of belonging, not hours,” the report says.
SIX KEY STATS
- There are an estimated 102m off-course golfers worldwide, with around 15,000 simulator venues globally.
- 43% of venue openings occurred after 2020, in part accelerated by the pandemic in 2020.
- Scandinavia is the most advanced simulator golf market among the regions studied, based on diversity of service offerings, technology adoption, venue density and multi-site market penetration.
- Japan is the largest studied market by venue count, with 1,033 venues; Tokyo alone has 365, more than Australia and New Zealand combined.
- The average simulator bay costs $28 an hour (median), with bay usage having predictable peaks and lots of off-peak gaps.
- 58% of simulator golf venues offer memberships, but only 32% run any form of golf league.
Sean Dainty, Managing Director – International, Golf Genius, said: “This research gives the golf industry its clearest picture yet of how quickly simulator golf has developed internationally. What stands out is the scale of the opportunity for operators and golf federations alike.
“The venues that can give players reasons to return, be it through leagues, memberships, coaching and other digital experiences will be the ones best placed to turn growing participation into sustainable, recurring revenue.”
Frank Kirsten, Chief Executive at PGA Holland, said: “The opportunity for simulator golf is not simply about getting players through the door once, but creating reasons for them to keep coming back. This report provides valuable insight into how different markets are approaching that challenge, highlighting the role that structured play, technology and connected experiences can play in driving repeat participation.
“We are seeing this first-hand in the Netherlands, where PGA Holland is now running a national programme of cross-venue simulator leagues to drive repeat play and the adoption of simulator handicaps. The findings of this research reinforce the importance of creating more connected and engaging experiences for players, while demonstrating how these opportunities can be translated into practical initiatives at a national level.”
The report concludes that simulator golf is no longer an emerging format but a key gateway to new participation, player retention and commercial opportunity within the sport.
With the hardware market established, the next phase will be shaped by the development and integration of software both within and across venues to link players, different participation formats and revenue streams, helping turn simulator golf into a core driver of growth across the wider game.
Download a copy of the Simulator Golf Market Insights Report here.
For a deep dive into the findings of this SIM Golf report, you can register here for a dedicated Golf Genius Webinar scheduled for 0900 GMT on October 22.
For more information about Golf Genius, please contact international@golfgenius.com