Golf Simulator Market Expected to Grow in 2025 With Few Large Organizations Established

Foreign golf markets have seen the dominance of simulator golf for years, and the United States is now looking to catch up, with a forecasted 10.5% annual growth in the industry in 2024.

Golf simulator technology is as old as computing itself. AboutGolf has its origins in punch card computing as a golf strategy game. The company eventually transitioned into more traditional video game formats and incorporated trajectory technology—originally developed by the Department of Defense and Military to track missiles—into its interactive golf simulator.

The United States may have been the first to market, but the high-density urban centers of Asia saw the popularization of screen golf long before it took off in the U.S.

“There are more golf simulator shops than Starbucks,” Eric Anders Lange said during his filming of Adventures in Golf while visiting South Korea.

A mix of U.S. and Korean-based companies now dominate the golf simulator market in the United States. Leading brands include AboutGolf, HD Golf, Trackman, and Foresight (U.S.-based), as well as GolfZon and X-Golf (South Korea-based).

The United States remains a "Wild West" for golf simulator participants. Many players find themselves choosing from one or two large retailers in a metro area (X-Golf, 5-Iron, and Back Nine) or a number of independently owned shops. X-Golf is currently majority-franchised in the U.S. but is set to open new corporately owned stores in 2025.

Independent golf simulator companies offer varying setups from large manufacturers. Locally, choices range from TrackMan, AboutGolf, HD Golf, and Foresight, each emphasizing technology and atmosphere. Independent shops focus on both the performance of the simulators and the overall experience. The in-person experience can range from high-performance golf to providing a brief respite from Minnesota's harsh winters.

Performance-based organizations often incorporate fitness facilities, additional chipping/putting greens, and, in some cases, indoor bunkers. Casual facilities place an emphasis on convenience and escape. Golf enthusiasts can momentarily feel as though summer hasn't ended, stepping into an immersive, warm, faraway place for a few hours, enjoying a beverage and a round of golf.

X-Golf strikes a balance. As a franchised golf simulator company, it offers competitive golf, with thousands of players worldwide competing in leagues and taking lessons with certified professionals. Yet, it maintains a laid-back, casual atmosphere with a full bar and food menu.

Ben Feret, managing partner for the six Twin Cities X-Golf locations, says, "X-Golf locations are designed to provide a comprehensive golf experience for golfers of all skill levels and ambitions. We are excited to offer golf lessons at all six of our locations to help new golfers, as well as seasoned players who just need to make a few adjustments to bring their game to the next level. Having the opportunity to offer National X-Cup competitions helps us provide serious golfers with the chance to win large prizes."

The uniform atmosphere from location to location means a member will have a consistent understanding of their club yardages, putting, chipping, and intangibles. The largest variation between stores is the membership culture, which is shaped by the unique neighborhood influence.

In the Twin Cities, a single franchise owns six locations: Medina, Eden Prairie, Blaine, Champlin, Woodbury, and Apple Valley. While each club has its own identity, the culture changes with membership, the technology and amenities remain consistent across all locations.

Most X-Golf facilities feature glass double doors that open directly to the focal point: the full bar. Each location may differ in the number of hitting bays, but every location offers ample seating surrounding the teeing area. The bays feature ball return and automatic teeing systems.

“The 2024/25 National X-Cup series boasts a dozen individual and team events with a total prize pool of over $40,000. Prizes include cash, all-expenses-paid trips to PGA events, and even a round of golf for four with X-Golf brand ambassador Paige Spiranac. X-Golf offers many different league options. Winter leagues start in late January and run through mid-April. Spots fill up quickly, so check out our websites and social media starting in December to sign up your team. We also do a statewide skins pot during our scramble leagues. With carryovers, the largest skins pot I've ever seen won was $4,400!" Ben Feret, managing director for six X-Golf locations in Minnesota, said.