Your assumptions
What goes into the cost of opening a golf simulator business
Startup costs for an indoor golf simulator venue fall into four big buckets, and the number moves most with two decisions: how many bays you build and which equipment tier you choose. Equipment is usually the single largest line — a commercial launch monitor, enclosure, impact screen, projector, PC, and hitting mat run anywhere from roughly $9,000 to $50,000 per bay depending on the tier. Buildout covers construction, flooring, lighting, and framing to turn raw space into playable bays. Lease costs are the rent and deposit you pay before revenue ramps — plan for a few months of runway, not just month one. And working capital — software, furniture, permits, branding, marketing, and a cash cushion — is the bucket new operators most often underestimate.
This calculator gives you a realistic all-in estimate, but the levers that decide whether the business is profitable are what happens after you open: bay utilization, memberships, and how well you fill weekday hours. For the full breakdown of costs by venue size, read How much does it cost to open a golf simulator business, and once you're modeling revenue, use the revenue calculator to size the other side of the equation.