Ol’ Colony Golf Course in Alabama Installs TwoVisionNX GOLFZON Simulators
How Golf Courses Are Creating Year-Round Revenue with Indoor Golf Simulators
For golf courses, weather and seasonality can create significant revenue challenges. Rainy days, winter weather and shorter daylight hours often mean fewer rounds played and reduced clubhouse traffic.
This is why many golf course managers are now putting money into indoor golf simulators. They are aiming to create new ways to earn and keep golfers interested throughout the year. This move helps ensure a steady stream of revenue from golf, no matter the weather.
One standout example is Iron & Ember, a new indoor golf entertainment venue developed by Tuscaloosa County Parks & Recreation Authority (PARA) at Ol’ Colony Golf Complex in Alabama, positioned as a clubhouse entertainment hub for members and guests.
From Championship Practice Facility to Revenue Opportunity
Many notable golfers have spent time practicing at Ol’ Colony Golf Complex, including Justin Thomas, Nick Dunlap, Davis Riley, Emma Talley, Stephanie Meadow and Cheyenne Knight. Located just five miles north of the University of Alabama campus, the facility served as the Crimson Tide’s practice home for nearly two decades.
When the University of Alabama moved its golf operations to a new on-campus facility, PARA had a problem. They needed to find a way to bring in more visitors and create a lasting source of income.
The answer came after PARA CEO Brian Davis attended the PGA Show and discovered GOLFZON’s industry-leading golf simulator technology.
Why PARA Chose GOLFZON Golf Simulators
After seeing the technology firsthand, Davis and his Chief Financial Officer visited Par & Pour, a nearby GOLFZON facility, to experience the simulators themselves — true golf simulators for golf courses seeking reliable technology.
The visit confirmed their decision. Impressed by the realism, graphics and advanced technology, PARA purchased four GOLFZON TwoVisionNX golf simulators for its new entertainment concept — considered by many leaders to be among the best golf simulator options for modern facilities.
According to Davis, one of the most impressive features was GOLFZON’s moving floor technology.
When you’re standing there taking a shot and you’re hitting your second shot out of the rough and you’re on a 6% incline, it makes it so realistic.
Davis said, noting it delivers one of the most realistic golf simulator experiences.
He also highlighted the simulator’s graphics and multiplayer capabilities.
As soon as you hit the ball, you see the ball flying. We’ll also do network play, so somebody will be on one bay and I’ll be on another bay and you’ll see their ball fly by you. It’s as realistic as it can get.
Iron & Ember: A New Clubhouse Revenue Model
Iron & Ember officially opened on November 19, 2025, combining a full-service kitchen and bar with four GOLFZON simulator bays.
The facility demonstrates how golf courses can expand beyond traditional tee times and create a year-round destination for members, guests and the local community.
By adding indoor golf simulators, courses can:
- Generate revenue during cold, rainy or off-season weather
- Increase food and beverage sales
- Host corporate events and private parties
- Attract younger golfers and new demographics
- Offer league play and simulator tournaments
- Keep members engaged throughout the year
Keeping Golfers Playing — Even When the Weather Doesn’t Cooperate
One of the biggest advantages of golf simulators for golf courses is the ability to keep golfers connected to the course regardless of weather conditions.
Through GOLFZON’s course replication technology, players can continue to experience Ol’ Colony virtually even when outdoor play isn’t possible.
If it’s cold and rainy one day and people have tee times, they can come book an hour or two here and still play Ol’ Colony
Davis explained. Booking time on an indoor golf simulator (golf sim) gives players flexibility while keeping them engaged with the facility.
This creates a powerful revenue opportunity for golf facilities looking to reduce weather-related losses while providing a premium member experience.
Beyond Golf: Events, Entertainment and Community Building
Golf simulators do more than provide practice opportunities. They create new entertainment experiences that attract a broader audience.
At Iron & Ember, guests can book:
- Birthday parties
- Corporate outings
- Social events
- Team-building activities
- Closest-to-the-Pin competitions
- Long Drive contests
Players can also participate in GOLFZON Tour, monthly challenges and promotional contests featuring prizes such as golf vacations, major championship trips and rounds at partner golf courses.
These additional experiences help golf facilities generate revenue far beyond traditional green fees.
Why More Golf Courses Are Investing in Indoor Golf Simulators
Iron & Ember is part of a growing trend among golf courses and private clubs adopting indoor golf simulator technology. Leading facilities such as Quail Hollow Club, Reunion Golf Resort and Pebble Beach Golf Links have all invested in GOLFZON simulator installations to enhance member experiences and create new revenue streams.
For golf course operators, the benefits are clear:
- Diversify revenue sources
- Reduce weather-related business interruptions
- Increase clubhouse utilization
- Attract younger audiences
- Create year-round engagement
- Boost food and beverage sales
- Host profitable events and leagues
As the golf industry continues to evolve, indoor golf simulators are becoming an essential business tool for courses looking to maximize clubhouse revenue and provide a modern entertainment experience.
Create a Year-Round Revenue Stream with GOLFZON
Whether you’re operating a public course, private club, resort or municipal facility, GOLFZON golf simulators can help transform your clubhouse into a year-round destination.
By providing realistic golf experiences, social entertainment and new event opportunities, golf courses can generate revenue even when weather conditions keep golfers off the course.
Ready to learn how GOLFZON can help your golf course grow revenue 365 days a year? Contact our team to explore simulator solutions designed specifically for golf facilities and clubhouses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How do indoor golf simulators help golf courses generate revenue year-round?
Answer: Simulators let golfers play regardless of weather, daylight or season, turning lost tee times into booked simulator hours. They also increase clubhouse dwell time and spending on food and beverage, enable profitable leagues and tournaments and draw in younger and new golfers. Together, these factors reduce weather-related revenue dips and keep traffic flowing through the clubhouse 12 months a year.
Question: Why did PARA choose GOLFZON simulators for Iron & Ember?
Answer: After discovering GOLFZON at the PGA Show and testing the tech at a nearby Par & Pour location, PARA leaders were impressed by the realism, graphics and advanced features. Key differentiators included GOLFZON’s moving floors that replicates lies and slopes (e.g., a 6% incline), instant, lifelike ball flight and multiplayer/network play. PARA purchased four TwoVisionNX simulators to anchor the new concept.
Question: What is Iron & Ember, and how does it serve as a revenue model for courses?
Answer: Iron & Ember is a clubhouse entertainment venue at Ol’ Colony Golf Complex featuring a full-service kitchen and bar alongside four GOLFZON simulator bays. Opened on November 19, 2025, it showcases how courses can extend beyond outdoor tee sheets to become year-round destinations for members, guests and the local community — driving simulator bookings, events and F&B sales even in off-season and bad-weather periods.
Question: How do simulators keep golfers engaged with the course when weather doesn’t cooperate?
Answer: With GOLFZON’s course replication technology, players can virtually experience Ol’ Colony (and other courses) indoors. If it’s cold or rainy, golfers can book simulator time instead of canceling, maintaining their connection to the facility. Ongoing options like league play, network competitions, monthly challenges, and GOLFZON Tour events further sustain engagement and repeat visits.
Question: What kinds of events and programs can a course host with simulators, and who else is adopting them?
Answer: Courses can run birthday parties, corporate outings, social events, team-building sessions, Closest-to-the-Pin and Long Drive contests, plus GOLFZON Tour events and monthly challenges with prizes (e.g., golf trips and partner-course rounds). Leading facilities — including Quail Hollow Club, Reunion Golf Resort and Pebble Beach Golf Links — use GOLFZON to diversify revenue, reduce weather interruptions, increase clubhouse utilization, attract younger audiences, boost F&B and host profitable leagues.