Indoor golf is no longer a novelty or a winter‑only escape. It has become one of the most dynamic, fast‑growing segments of the golf industry—an ecosystem powered by rapid technological innovation, falling costs, and a cultural shift in how golfers practice, play, and socialize. What once required a trip to a high‑end fitting studio can now be installed in a garage, basement, clubhouse, or sports bar. And companies like The Indoor Golf Shop have helped accelerate that shift by making simulator ownership more accessible than ever.
Today’s indoor golf experience is immersive, data‑rich, and surprisingly close to the feel of real‑world play. But the bigger question is where the industry goes next. Has indoor golf reached its peak, or is this just the beginning of a new era for the sport?
To explore that question, we turned to Jon Sherman, founder of Practical Golf, whose work focuses on helping everyday golfers improve through smarter practice and better strategy. Sherman has watched the indoor golf boom from the inside, and he believes the momentum is nowhere near slowing down.
Indoor Golf’s Rapid Rise: From Luxury to Mainstream
The Indoor Golf Shop has become a central player in the movement, offering a comprehensive lineup of launch monitors, simulators, projectors, hitting mats, wall padding, and full‑room buildout solutions. Their catalog includes leading brands such as Trackman, Uneekor, Garmin, Bushnell, Flightscope, ProTee, Full Swing, and TruGolf—names once associated only with elite academies or tour‑level training environments.
Sherman says the shift toward mainstream adoption is driven by two forces: falling hardware costs and dramatically improved software.
“It’s never been more affordable or easier to set up,” he explains. “And now we’re seeing more stand‑alone businesses built entirely around simulators—league play, lessons, entertainment. That trend isn’t ending anytime soon.”
How Realistic Has Indoor Golf Become?
One of the biggest questions golfers ask is whether indoor golf can truly replicate the outdoor game. Sherman believes the answer is increasingly yes.
He points to Trackman as the gold standard for realism.
“Trackman has one of the best softwares,” he says. “The range environments, the testing modes, the games, the tournaments—the graphics and user interface are incredible. If someone wants the absolute best experience, Trackman is the leader.”
Of course, that realism comes at a premium. A Trackman iO or Trackman 4 runs between $15,000 and $25,000, plus an annual software subscription of around $1,100. But Sherman argues the investment is justified for golfers who want the most accurate ball‑flight data and the most immersive virtual golf experience.
For golfers with more modest budgets, software like GS Pro has become a game‑changer. Sherman uses it himself.
“GS Pro is far more cost‑manageable, and the practice environments are excellent. You can customize the range, run skill‑development games, and create realistic on‑course scenarios. For consumers, it’s amazing.”
The SkyTrak Factor: High Value at a Manageable Price
Not every golfer can—or wants to—spend five figures on a simulator. That’s where SkyTrak has carved out a powerful niche.
Sherman has long been a fan.
“I’ve always thought SkyTrak was one of the best indoor golf solutions,” he says. “If you ask me who’s the best below Foresight and Trackman in terms of game‑improvement software, SkyTrak is probably it.”
SkyTrak’s newest model, the ST Max, runs between $2,500 and $3,000. Annual software subscriptions range from $300 to $600. The company’s integration with Golftec, which acquired SkyTrak in 2022, has accelerated the rollout of its game‑improvement features—adding bag mapping, wedge matrices, performance tests, and even swing‑speed training without hitting a ball.
Sherman believes SkyTrak’s value proposition is strong: “You’re saving on the launch monitor, and while the software is more expensive, they’re investing heavily in it. They’re very focused on game improvement.”
Indoor Golf as a Business: Opportunity with Challenges
The explosion of simulator bars, indoor golf lounges, and “indoor country clubs” has created a new business category. But Sherman cautions that success requires strategy.
“The biggest challenge is filling ambient time—weekday afternoons, weekday nights, especially in warmer months,” he explains.
Some operators solve this with robust food‑and‑beverage programs. Others use a low‑overhead, self‑serve model in which members access simulators with a key fob and without staff on site.
Larger brands have found scalable success. Sherman points to Golf Lounge 18, which now operates a dozen locations across the Northeast, and Five Iron Golf, which has expanded nationally with backing from Callaway.
“They’ve figured out the formula—great environments, leagues, lessons, events, and a social atmosphere,” Sherman says.
Is Indoor Golf Still Growing? Absolutely.
Sherman believes the indoor golf industry is far from saturated.
“Golfers are getting more comfortable playing indoors, and the technology keeps getting better. It’s not going away. It’s not a fad,” he says. “It will become more commonplace, especially for people who don’t have the room or budget to build a home setup.”
From high‑end Trackman studios to budget‑friendly SkyTrak garages, indoor golf is reshaping how golfers practice, play, and connect. And as the technology continues to evolve, the line between virtual and real‑world golf will only get thinner.
Indoor golf isn’t just the future of practice—it’s becoming a central part of the game itself.
