At the heart of GOLFZON America’s growth is Sean Pyun, a leader whose “act like a founder” mentality led him to his role of CEO and President.
Born and raised in Seoul, Pyun came to the U.S. at age 14, eventually earning degrees in economics and sports management. His early career included internships with top-tier organizations like the Golden State Warriors and Nike Junior Golf Camps, followed by a pivotal run at the LPGA Tour, where he climbed from an intern to Chief Business Officer – Asia. He brought GOLFZON on as a sponsor during his tenure, beginning his connection to the indoor golf simulator industry.
I’ve been a huge fan of GOLFZON’s mission and its founder’s vision, to make the game of golf accessible to anyone and everyone around the world through its groundbreaking technology
Read the full ACHAM Korea interview here for deeper insights into his journey and leadership philosophy
Leadership Philosophy Rooted in Experience
During his time at the LPGA, Pyun worked under then-Commissioner Mike Whan, now CEO of the United States Golf Association (USGA). The two main principles Pyun took from Whan were to “act like a founder” and to practice “role reversal.”
He explained, “‘That is not my job’ was not an acceptable answer at the LPGA. Everyone did whatever it took to move the business forward.” This mindset has become central to how he leads GOLFZON America, where he expects his team to operate with the same attitude.
The Best Commercial Golf Simulator on the Market
GOLFZON’s edge in the commercial golf simulator space lies in its cutting-edge technology. Pyun is quick to point out, “Our biggest competitive advantage is our product.”
GOLFZON’s hardware features a 64-directional moving swing plate, while the software is powered by the Unreal Engine 5.3 to deliver immersive gameplay. With Network Play capabilities,
Most of our competitors are trying to connect two simulators, but our technology allows 10,000 to connect today.
Pyun emphasized that these technological advances aren’t just about flashy features—they’re critical to the growth of golf simulator businesses. This innovation gives entrepreneurs looking to start a golf simulator business a clear advantage, offering immersive, social, and competitive gameplay that drives engagement and revenue.
Lessons from Korea, Adapted for the U.S. Market
Indoor golf is deeply embedded in the Korean culture, where simulator rooms are private and often used for competitive social play. Although the U.S. model leans more toward open bays with strong food and beverage offerings, GOLFZON is applying key insights from the Korean market, especially around the power of competition and content, to support commercial operators and improve customer retention.
Pyun believes that “starting a golf simulator business” today in North America mirrors the early days of Korea’s indoor golf boom, in which the operators who focus on customer experience and embrace technology stand to thrive.
Constant Innovation and a Localized Experience
GOLFZON is committed to constant innovation—not just in hardware, but also in the user experience. Pyun is driving efforts to localize the interface and streamline the simulator’s user journey.
One goal?
Reduce the setup steps before hitting the first tee shot from 15 clicks to just a handful. These changes are part of a broader initiative to make GOLFZON’s products more intuitive for U.S. customers, which is essential for those opening a golf simulator business in a new or underserved market.
The Future of the Virtual Golf Business
With simulator-based events like TGL entering the spotlight, Pyun sees a huge opportunity for indoor golf to enter a new era. In fact, more indoor rounds are being played than outdoor rounds in the U.S., a trend GOLFZON believes will only grow. With over 100 million rounds played and 160,000 tournaments hosted on its platform last year alone, the company sees itself as a catalyst for what could one day be Olympic-level virtual golf.
For entrepreneurs researching how to start a golf simulator business or evaluating commercial golf simulator prices, Pyun’s vision offers both inspiration and a proven business model to follow.
Giving Back and Growing the Game
Beyond profits, GOLFZON America is focused on contributing to the broader golf community. Recent donations include $50,000 to the Arnold Palmer Foundation and initiatives to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in launching golf programs. Pyun sees this as a vital part of GOLFZON’s mission: to make the game accessible to everyone, regardless of background.
Key Takeaways for Starting a Golf Simulator Business
For Korean companies expanding into the U.S. market—or entrepreneurs looking to start a virtual golf business—Pyun offers sound advice: truly understand the local customer, embrace change, and don’t let rigid processes get in the way of agility. At GOLFZON America, this flexible approach has helped streamline operations and solidify their position as a market leader in commercial indoor golf simulator technology.
Whether you’re exploring a new golf simulator business model or looking to invest in the best golf simulator for your space, GOLFZON’s growth journey in North America is proof that with the right technology and leadership, success is just a few swings away.
Read the full interview with Sean Pyun here.
Learn more about starting your own golf simulator business here.