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This PGA Pro Couldn’t Find the Perfect Teaching Facility—So He Built It Himself

By Jenny Budwig
August 11, 2025

When PGA teaching professional Dustin Miller set out to find an indoor golf facility for his clients, he encountered the same disappointing reality that plagues golfers everywhere: uninspiring spaces that felt more like dark caves than places where the love of golf could truly flourish.

These sterile environments, with their bare walls and impersonal atmosphere, were missing something fundamental. They provided the mechanics of practice but none of the soul that makes golf the relationship-building, community-centered sport it has always been. For Miller, this simply wasn’t good enough for the golfers he was passionate about teaching and developing.

A Vision Born from Frustration
Rather than settle for the status quo, Miller decided to create something entirely different. The Swing Bays emerged from his vision of what indoor golf could and should be—not just a place to hit balls during the off-season, but a vibrant community hub that honors the social fabric that makes golf special.

“I knew there had to be a better way,” Miller reflects on those early days of searching for the right facility. “My clients deserved more than just a place to swing. They deserved an experience that would enhance their love for the game.”

Membership-First Philosophy
From its inception, The Swing Bays was designed around a membership-first community model, prioritizing high levels of service and genuine connection over quick transactions. This wasn’t about maximizing throughput or packing as many people as possible into simulator bays. Instead, Miller envisioned a space where relationships could develop naturally, where members would feel a true sense of belonging.

The difference is palpable from the moment you walk through the doors. Where other indoor facilities might feel rushed or impersonal, The Swing Bays operates with the understanding that every interaction matters. Staff members know your name, remember your goals, and genuinely invest in your improvement—both as a golfer and as a person.

Creating Belonging, One Relationship at a Time
What sets The Swing Bays apart isn’t just the quality of their simulators or the comfort of their facilities—though both are exceptional. It’s the recognition that golf, at its core, has always been about human connection. Miller and his team understand that they’re not simply creating golfers; they’re creating belonging.

“We’re not just in the business of golf, we’re in the business of relationships,” Miller explains. “Every swing, every conversation, every visit is an opportunity to create a lasting impact.”

This philosophy permeates every aspect of The Swing Bays experience. From the thoughtfully designed spaces that encourage conversation and connection, to the carefully curated events that bring members together, everything is intentionally crafted to foster community.

The Ripple Effect of Authentic Community

When you prioritize relationships over transactions, something remarkable happens. Members don’t just improve their golf games—they form friendships, business partnerships, and mentor relationships that extend far beyond the facility walls. The Swing Bays becomes a catalyst for connections that might never have occurred otherwise.

New golfers find experienced players willing to share advice and encouragement. Seasoned players discover fresh perspectives from newcomers to the game. Business professionals connect over their shared passion for golf, leading to collaborations and opportunities that strengthen the entire community.

Redefining What Indoor Golf Can Be
Miller’s vision for The Swing Bays challenges the entire indoor golf industry to think differently about what they’re really providing. While technology and equipment are important, they’re simply tools in service of something much more valuable: the opportunity to build lasting relationships and create genuine community.

In a world that often feels increasingly disconnected, The Swing Bays stands as a reminder that the spaces we create matter. When we prioritize belonging and authentic connection, we don’t just improve people’s golf games—we enrich their lives.

The success of The Swing Bays proves that golfers are hungry for more than just a place to practice. They want to be part of something meaningful, to feel valued as individuals, and to connect with others who share their passion for the game.

As Dustin Miller discovered when he couldn’t find the right facility for his clients, sometimes the solution isn’t to keep searching—it’s to build exactly what the world needs. The Swing Bays isn’t just revolutionizing indoor golf; it’s showing us what’s possible when we choose community over convenience, relationships over revenue, and belonging over the bottom line.

In an industry full of sterile environments, The Swing Bays shines as a beacon of what indoor golf facilities can become when they remember that the game has always been about so much more than just the swing.

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