Special Instruction Feature
Colorado Facilities Add Indoor Simulators to Evolve with Ever Changing Landscape of Golf Industry T
he National Golf Foundation noted in 2018 that 33.5 Million Americans played golf in 2018; 24.2 million of those on a golf course while 9.3 million played “off-course” at a at places like driving ranges, indoor golf simulators or golf entertainment venues like Topgolf and Drive Shack.
needed to become a year-round opportunity,” Jim Hajek, PGA Head Professional at Vice-President of the Colorado PGA added. “In addition, year-round instructional opportunities as well as playing golf on the simulator would add to our amenities as well as generate additional revenue.”
These “off-course” venues provide a number of positive benefits for golfers and non-golfers alike. They tend to be less intimidating than the traditional “on-course” game and they incorporate technology into a fun, casual and social atmosphere that can’t be replicated on the golf course.
Adding these simulators can come with significant up-front costs that may scare many facilities away from even considering adding them to their property.
If the opportunity to engage with golfers and nongolfers wasn’t enough, Colorado faces an economic issue when it comes to participation. There are only so many hours in the day and for many facilities in our Rocky Mountain region, only so many days in the season that people can play golf outdoors. A number of Colorado facilities have taken a step forward to engage with their membership in this non-traditional route and to extend their season to a year-round cycle by installing simulators at their facility. Clubs like Colorado Golf Club, Pinehurst Country Club, Fossil Trace Golf Club and West Woods Golf Course have installed golf simulators as a way to engage with their members and provide a year-round alternative to playing golf on the course. “We made a conscious effort with our committees and board of directors to help find ways to make our club more relevant 12 months a year to our membership,” noted Kevin Vena, the PGA Head Professional at Pinehurst Country Club. “One idea to help accomplish that goal was to install a simulator for the members to use during the offseason and bring them out to the club even when the weather may not cooperate for golf outside.”
“The upfront costs are what scare most people away,” said Bobby Quaratino, PGA Head Professional at West Woods Golf Course. But done the right way, the club was able to add a simulator during a recent remodel and have seen immediate results. “Keep in mind if you market your product you will fill it with customers,” he noted. “We have increased club sales, added simulator green fees and hosted 10 plus tournaments since opening in April of 2018. The simulator paid for itself in eight months.” Those sentiments were the same with many of the facilities in Colorado that added a simulator recently. “It’s a wonderful amenity that our members enjoy using during the off season,” Graham Cliff, PGA Director of Golf at Colorado Golf Club noted. “It has more than paid for itself with the club sales we generate off it every winter. For us, it makes it easier to close the golf course in December – February when we have an option for members to play and practice in doors.” Adding an indoor simulator certainly isn’t for everyone but as the game of golf evolves, it may fill a niche that many would have never previously considered. Check out the following input from some of the facilities that have taken the leap by adding a simulator to their club.
While many think that the opportunity only benefits members at a private club, Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden, Colo. added a simulator with a slightly different goal in mind. “We believe our greatest potential to substantially increase merchandise sales is thru club fitting which
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The SUMMIT
