Patrick Agate opened Bottle Rev 3 in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2022. Sitting in the same strip mall as Food Lion, well-known taco restaurant and world-renowned ice cream shop, Bottle Rev 3 became a local favorite for people to hang out.
In the front of the store, dozens of beer and wine are displayed, any one of which the customer can select and enjoy. In the back was a storage space that Agate thought could use an overhaul. He eventually put a couch and TV to utilize as a lounge space but was seldom used.
How Bottle Rev 3 Added a Golf Simulator to Its Raleigh Location
One day, someone threw out an idea – “How about a golf simulator?”
“I think somebody suggested it one day and I kind of laughed it off,” Agate said. “And I’ve been trying for years now to remember who it was that suggested it. I want to give them credit.”
Agate has no golfing background. But he was all in. After he settled on getting an indoor golf simulator, he and his friends thoroughly researched to ensure they were getting the best value.
Comparing Commercial Golf Simulators: GOLFZON, TrackMan and Full Swing
“We played every golf simulator we could get our hands on,” he said. “We went and found like a Trackman system and we found a GOLFZON system and we found, what’s the Tiger Woods one called? Full Swing system.
“We played on every commercial golf simulator we could find, including TrackMan,” Agate said. “TrackMan is known for its radar-based data and detailed shot analysis, which serious golfers value. But for our indoor golf venue, GOLFZON TwoVision was much more fun to play. The moving hitting surfaces, course graphics and overall gameplay made it more entertaining for a wider range of customers. People love TrackMan for its performance data, but the playability and fun factor of GOLFZON were far better for the experience we wanted to create.”
What Makes GOLFZON TwoVision Different for Commercial Golf?
Agate connected with GOLFZON and installed a TwoVision system, which has a Dual Plate that can move in 24 different directions and produce 6,800 possible lies. Users can play over 300+ world renowned golf courses such as Pebble Beach, St Andrews, Shinnecock Hills and more in high-quality graphic.
GOLFZON vs. TrackMan vs. Full Swing for Indoor Golf Businesses
For businesses considering an indoor golf venue, the best commercial simulator depends on the experience they want to offer. TrackMan iO is a strong choice for facilities focused on precise shot data, coaching and player improvement. GOLFZON TwoVision is better suited to entertainment-driven venues, with moving hitting surfaces, varied lies and interactive gameplay that can appeal to beginners as well as experienced golfers. Full Swing Pro Series is another premium option, particularly for corporate events, luxury hospitality venues and polished installations where presentation, durability and event support are priorities.
How Much Does a Commercial Golf Simulator Cost?
Commercial pricing varies by configuration and location. As a planning estimate, a premium golf simulator may cost about $50,000 to $100,000 or more per bay before the full build-out. GOLFZON TwoVision commercial pricing is typically quoted within that broad premium range, but the final GOLFZON cost depends on the package, installation and venue requirements. Businesses should also budget for construction, flooring, projectors, lighting, furniture, software, service plans and local labor. A detailed quote is essential because the simulator hardware is only one part of the total investment. For a bar, restaurant or entertainment venue such as Bottle Rev 3, the right system is ultimately the one that balances golf performance with playability, customer appeal and reliable revenue potential.
How an Indoor Golf Simulator Can Attract Beginner and Casual Golfers
Initially, he thought this would attract elite golfers in the neighborhood. But more amateur and beginner golfers heard of the latest addition to Bottle Rev 3 and trickled in to the store, providing Agate with another method of revenue generation.
Everybody loves the multiple hitting surfaces. Everybody loves the fact that the floor can move and you can manipulate it to hit the ball position the way that it’s supposed to be. As opposed to every other golf simulator where you tee up a ball, you hit it and you go get your ball. This thing with the Auto-Tee system and the multiple hitting surfaces, it’s just far and away better than any other system I’ve ever seen.
Can an Indoor Golf Simulator Stay Busy During Golf Season?
Agate said that he “turned a corner” last summer. Bookings tend to slow down in the summer when people tend to go outside to golf in a nice weather. But that wasn’t the case.
Every week, we’ve just been busy, busy, busy. Even though it’s outdoor golfing season, we’re holding our own.
How to Price Indoor Golf Simulator Bookings for Peak and Off-Peak Hours
For venues considering a similar indoor golf setup, Agate’s experience also highlights the value of flexible pricing. Peak hours, such as evenings and weekends, can support higher simulator rates when demand is strongest. Lower off-peak prices during weekday mornings and afternoons can encourage more bookings and keep the bay active during slower hours. Venues can also offer discounted packages, leagues or limited-time promotions to build repeat business without reducing the standard rate across all hours. The goal is to match pricing with demand, improve utilization and create steady revenue throughout the week.
How Indoor Golf, Food and Beverage Sales Can Work Together
Combined with a wide selection of beer and wine, the ability to order drinks and bring in food from nearby restaurants, and a welcoming lounge atmosphere, Bottle Rev 3 has become a community hub in Raleigh. Although the store does not sell cocktails, Agate said it offers THC products and benefits from beverage sales, food-driven visits and indoor golf bookings. Those revenue streams work alongside hourly simulator rentals, helping the commercial golf simulator stay active beyond peak hours and making the venue more profitable.
How Indoor Golf Businesses Can Increase Revenue Beyond Simulator Rentals
Adding popular local courses, including Pinehurst and Tobacco Road, has strengthened the simulator’s appeal by allowing customers to experience famous greens without leaving Raleigh. For venues planning a similar indoor golf business, the broader lesson is that revenue should not depend on simulator time alone. Beverage purchases, food partnerships, leagues, events, memberships and repeat bookings can improve bay utilization and support the cost of equipment, installation and ongoing service. Flexible pricing during peak and off-peak hours can further increase booking volume while preserving higher rates when demand is strongest.
What Is a Good EBITDA Margin for an Indoor Golf Business?
EBITDA margins for an indoor golf business can vary widely, so there is no single benchmark that applies to every market. A well-run facility may target a positive operating margin after accounting for rent, labor, software, maintenance, marketing and other operating costs, but EBITDA does not include interest, taxes, depreciation or amortization. Food and beverage sales, leagues, memberships and events can improve margins because they add revenue without requiring another simulator bay. High rent, heavy debt service, low booking volume or frequent equipment repairs can reduce profitability quickly. Owners should build a location-specific model using realistic hourly rates, expected bookings, staffing needs and ancillary revenue rather than relying on an industry-wide percentage.
How Much Utilization Does an Indoor Golf Facility Need to Be Profitable?
The utilization rate needed for a profitable indoor golf facility depends on its fixed costs, pricing and available operating hours. A venue with modest rent and strong beverage sales may reach break-even with fewer simulator bookings than a standalone facility carrying a large equipment loan and full-time staff. As a planning exercise, owners can calculate the number of paid bay hours required each month to cover fixed costs, then compare that figure with total available hours and expected peak and off-peak demand. Booking rates should be measured separately for evenings, weekends and slower daytime periods. Improving utilization through leagues, memberships, beginner sessions, corporate events and off-peak promotions can increase revenue without expanding the footprint. The goal is not a universal occupancy threshold, but enough consistent bookings and ancillary sales to cover costs and produce a sustainable profit.
We just have the community nature and the versatility of what we have going on here is amazing. I think it’s incomparable.
