The indoor golf industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by technology advances and changing consumer preferences. With year-round accessibility, state-of-the-art simulation technology, and growing interest from both casual players and serious golfers, indoor golf franchises represent a compelling investment opportunity in 2025. These franchises offer various investment levels, from boutique facilities starting around $200,000 to large-scale entertainment venues requiring multi-million-dollar investments.
Why Invest in an Indoor Golf Franchise?
- Weather-Independent Revenue: Indoor facilities operate year-round regardless of weather conditions, providing consistent revenue streams even in regions with harsh winters or extreme summers.
- Growing Market Demand: The indoor golf sector is expanding rapidly as more players seek convenient, technology-enhanced practice and play options that fit their busy schedules.
- Multiple Revenue Streams: These franchises can generate income through food and beverage service, golf lessons, golf-focused fitness programs, retail, league play, club repair, and corporate events.
Top Indoor Golf Franchises Leading the Industry
1. The Swing Bays — Setting New Standards in Indoor Golf
The Swing Bays has revolutionized the indoor golf experience by combining premium simulation technology and data-backed golf training with a golf-focused fitness program in an upscale, social atmosphere. Their innovative approach creates an environment where both serious golfers and casual players feel at home.
What Sets The Swing Bays Apart
- Efficient Operations: By eliminating costly overhead like kitchens and wait staff, The Swing Bays maintains lower operating costs while focusing exclusively on delivering exceptional golf experiences. Each location can run smoothly with 1-3 staff members on its busiest days.
- Eight Different Revenue Streams: The Swing Bays optimizes every square inch of its locations to drive additional revenue. Franchisees earn revenue through golf lessons, TPI-certified fitness programs, bar and snacks, club repair, custom club fittings, retail and golf equipment sales, private and corporate events, and memberships.
- Professional Golf and Fitness Instruction: Each location features a PGA Golf Professional providing expert instruction, custom club fittings, and repair services, plus TPI instructors offering specialized fitness sessions to improve members’ games. The goal of The Swing Bays Founder and PGA Professional, Dustin Miller, is that members of the Swing Bays can play better golf, for longer.
- Membership-Based Model: The Swing Bays’ membership model offers enhanced value to customers while providing franchisees with consistent, recurring revenue. Premium membership levels offer 24/7 access to the location.
- PGA Professional Founded: Designed by PGA Professional Dustin Miller, The Swing Bays offers a proven business model that stands apart from competitors.
Financial Overview
- Initial Investment: $226,400 – $924,000
- Franchise Fee: $40,000
- Royalties: 6% of Weekly Gross Revenues
- World-wide Creative Fund: 2% of Weekly Gross Revenue
- Local Store Marketing: 1% of Gross Revenue
- Minimum Liquid Capital: $300,000
- Minimum Net Worth: $600,000
2. X-Golf — Established Name in Golf Simulation
X-Golf has built a strong reputation in the indoor golf simulation market, offering a comprehensive franchise model with proven success.
Who Their Customer Is
X-Golf serves a diverse customer base that includes both experienced golfers and newcomers. Their venues attract experienced players seeking year-round practice regardless of weather conditions, while also appealing to beginners who prefer a less intimidating environment to learn the game.
Financial Overview
- Initial Investment: $993,000 – $1,900,000+
- Franchise Fee: $35,000
- Royalties: 7%
- Marketing Fee: 1%
- Term of Agreement: 10 Years
- Minimum Requirements: [Contact franchisor for details]
3. TopGolf — Entertainment-Focused Golf Experience
TopGolf represents the premium end of the indoor golf market, offering large-scale entertainment venues that combine golf with a full social experience.
Who Their Customer Is
Their brand appeal extends across multiple demographics, from families and young adults to corporate groups. Unlike traditional golf facilities, TopGolf has positioned itself as an entertainment destination first. Making it attractive to both golfers and non-golfers alike. Their venues serve as popular locations for family outings, corporate events, and social gatherings, drawing customers who primarily seek an interactive entertainment experience rather than just a golf activity.
Financial Overview
- Initial Investment: $15,000,000 – $50,000,000
- Franchise Fee: $50,000
- Minimum Liquid Capital: $2,000,000
- Minimum Net Worth: $15,000,000
- Additional Financial Details: [Contact franchisor for details]
4. Back Nine Golf — Flexible Investment Options
Back Nine Golf stands out by offering multiple facility size options, making it accessible to investors with different capital availability and market needs.
Who Their Customer Is
Back Nine Golf has created an inclusive environment that serves multiple customer segments through its 24/7 accessible facilities. Their customer base ranges from serious golfers seeking convenient practice times to families enjoying interactive games like Magic Pond for kids and Streets of Neon for putting practice. The flexibility of round-the-clock access attracts busy professionals who need to practice outside traditional hours, while the social atmosphere makes it popular for group events and gatherings.
Financial Overview
- Initial Investment: $200,000 – $450,000
- Franchise Fee: $50,000
- Royalties: 7%
- Brand Fund: 1% of gross revenue
- Initial Investment Options:
- 2-Bay Facility: $208,117
- 3-Bay Facility: $295,000
- 4-Bay Facility: $360,000
- Additional Financial Details: [Contact franchisor for details]
5. GolfCave — Innovative Approach to Indoor
GolfCave has established itself as a leader in the indoor golf community since 2012, offering an operationally efficient model focused on scalability and technological excellence.
Who Their Customer Is
GolfCave caters to serious golfers who value precision and technology, attracting both members seeking regular practice opportunities through their 24/7 CaveKey access program. The concept serves both individual players looking for consistent practice opportunities and groups seeking premium event spaces, while their membership model helps create a community of dedicated golfers.
Financial Overview
- Initial Investment: $500,000 – $1,000,000
- Franchise Fee: $50,000+
- Royalties: 9%
- Minimum Liquid Capital: $150,000
- Minimum Net Worth: $500,000
- Financial Details: [Contact franchisor for details]
Why The Swing Bays Stands Out in 2025
The Swing Bays offers several compelling advantages in the current market:
- Golf Member Lifecycle Services: Unlike other indoor golf franchise options, the Swing Bays offers a lifecycle of service options for its members to keep their business model sticky and members highly engaged. By offering both golf and fitness training, members get a comprehensive, personalized plan to become better golfers and the ability to play longer without injuries. They can get their clubs repaired and custom fit while at The Swing Bays and custom order clubs, shoes, and apparel from their home location. Members can train during the day and socialize with friends at the bar in the evening or jump into a couple’s night with their significant other once a month. The Swing Bays isn’t a place folks come every few months to enjoy an activity, on average members visit 1-3 times a week.
- Balanced Investment Range: With an initial investment range of $226,400 – $924,000, The Swing Bays provides a middle-ground option that balances accessibility with robust facility capabilities and earning options.
- Competitive Fee Structure: The 6% royalty rate and transparent fee structure (including marketing and creative fund contributions) provide clarity for franchisees while remaining competitive within the industry.
Download the FDD and brochure here to learn more about franchising The Swing Bays in your region.